Complete Guide on Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

This post offers a comprehensive overview of Chapter 2, “Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom,” from the Class 10 English textbook First Flight. Dive into a detailed summary, key vocabulary, MCQs, and extra questions for thorough exam preparation.

Summary of Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

This chapter, Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom,, an excerpt from Nelson Mandela’s autobiography, recounts the momentous event of his inauguration as the first Black President of South Africa on 10 May 1994. The ceremony symbolised the nation’s transition from apartheid to democracy.

Mandela reflects on the struggles against racial oppression and acknowledges the sacrifices made by countless individuals in the fight for freedom and justice. He emphasises that apartheid inflicted suffering on both the oppressed and the oppressors, declaring that freedom is indivisible.

His vision for the future includes eliminating poverty, discrimination, and inequality while fostering unity and humanity. The chapter highlights Mandela’s transformation from an ordinary individual to a symbol of resistance driven by his desire to secure liberty for all South Africans.

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Difficult Words and Meanings

A list of key vocabulary can be found in the chapter Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.

Word	Meaning
Apartheid	A system of racial segregation and discrimination, especially in South Africa.
Inauguration	A formal ceremony to mark the beginning of something, such as a presidency.
Emancipation	Freedom from restrictions or slavery.
Deprivation	The lack or denial of something considered necessary.
Discrimination	Unfair treatment based on race, gender, or other differences.
Resilience	The ability to recover from difficulties or setbacks.
Oppression	Prolonged cruel or unjust treatment.
Glimmer	A faint or weak light or sign.
Besieged	Surrounded by people or challenges.
Twilight	A period or state of obscurity, secrecy, or gradual decline.
Transitory	Temporary; not permanent.
Constitution	A set of fundamental principles governing a nation.
Virtuous	Morally good or righteous.
Chevron	A V-shaped pattern or badge, often used in uniforms.
Curtail	Reduce or limit something.

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Exercises and Questions with Solutions Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

Oral Comprehension Check – I

1. Where did the ceremonies take place? Can you name any public buildings in India that are made of sandstone?
   The ceremonies took place at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. In India, public buildings made of sandstone include the Red Fort in Delhi and the Parliament House in New Delhi.
2. Can you say how 10 May is an ‘autumn day’ in South Africa?
   In South Africa, 10 May falls during the autumn season due to its location in the Southern Hemisphere, where seasons are opposite to those in the Northern Hemisphere.
3. At the beginning of his speech, Mandela mentions “an extraordinary human disaster.” What does he mean by this? What is the “glorious … human achievement” he speaks of at the end?
   Mandela refers to the apartheid era as “an extraordinary human disaster” that caused widespread suffering. The “glorious … human achievement” is the establishment of a democratic South Africa free from racial discrimination.
4. What does Mandela thank the international leaders for?
   Mandela thanks the international leaders for their support in ending apartheid and for standing in solidarity with South Africa in its journey to freedom and equality.
5. What ideals does he set out for the future of South Africa?
   Mandela envisions a future based on equality, justice, peace, and the elimination of poverty and discrimination in South Africa.

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Oral Comprehension Check – II

1. What do the military generals do? How has their attitude changed, and why?
   The military generals salute Mandela, symbolising their loyalty to the new democratic government. This change reflects their support for the nation’s shift from apartheid to equality and democracy.
2. Why were two national anthems sung?
   Two national anthems, “Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika” and “Die Stem,” were sung to symbolise unity between the black and white citizens of South Africa in the new democratic era.
3. How does Mandela describe the systems of government in his country (i) in the first decade, and (ii) in the final decade, of the twentieth century?
   (i) In the first decade, South Africa had a system of racial domination where white supremacy prevailed.
   (ii) In the final decade, apartheid was dismantled, and a democratic government recognising equality for all was established.
4. What does courage mean to Mandela?
   For Mandela, courage is not the absence of fear but the strength to overcome it.
5. Which does he think is natural, to love or to hate?
   Mandela believes that love is more natural than hate for humans.

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Oral Comprehension Check – III

1. What “twin obligations” does Mandela mention?
   Mandela mentions obligations to his family and obligations to his country and community.
2. What did being free mean to Mandela as a boy, and as a student? How does he contrast these “transitory freedoms” with “the basic and honourable freedoms”?
   As a boy, Mandela’s freedom meant the liberty to play and enjoy life without restrictions. As a student, freedom meant staying out late and making personal choices. He later realised these freedoms were “transitory” compared to the “basic and honourable freedoms” of living with dignity and equality.
3. Does Mandela think the oppressor is free? Why/Why not?
   Mandela believes the oppressor is not free, as oppressing others traps them in hatred and narrow-mindedness, limiting their humanity.

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Thinking about the Text

1. Why did such a large number of international leaders attend the inauguration? What did it signify the triumph of?
   The international leaders attended to celebrate the end of apartheid and support South Africa’s democratic transition. Their presence signified the triumph of justice, equality, and human dignity over oppression.
2. What does Mandela mean when he says he is “simply the sum of all those African patriots” who had gone before him?
   Mandela acknowledges that his achievements are built on the sacrifices and efforts of earlier freedom fighters who paved the way for South Africa’s liberation.
3. Would you agree that the “depths of oppression” create “heights of character”? How does Mandela illustrate this? Can you add your own examples to this argument?
   Yes, Mandela illustrates that oppression strengthened the resolve and character of South African leaders like Oliver Tambo and Walter Sisulu. Similarly, Mahatma Gandhi’s nonviolent resistance emerged from the oppressive conditions in India.
4. How did Mandela’s understanding of freedom change with age and experience?
   Initially, Mandela viewed freedom personally, as the ability to make individual choices. Later, he understood it as a collective right for his people, striving for dignity and self-respect for all South Africans.

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Extract-Based MCQs from Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

Extract 1
“Today, all of us do, by our presence here… confer glory and hope to newborn liberty.”

1. What is being conferred by the gathered people?
   • a) Wealth
   • b) Fame
   • c) Glory and hope
   • d) Power
     Answer: c
2. What does ‘newborn liberty’ signify?
   • a) Newly born freedom in South Africa
   • b) Birth of a child
   • c) Newly achieved political fame
   • d) End of monarchy
     Answer: a
3. Who is the speaker in the passage?
   • a) Thabo Mbeki
   • b) F.W. de Klerk
   • c) Nelson Mandela
   • d) Oliver Tambo
     Answer: c

Extract 2
“Never, never, and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another.”

1. What vow is Mandela making?
   • a) To enforce racial discrimination
   • b) To prevent oppression
   • c) To divide the country
   • d) To promote inequality
     Answer: b
2. What does ‘oppression’ mean in this context?
   • a) Joyful celebration
   • b) Forced control and domination
   • c) Academic learning
   • d) Economic development
     Answer: b
3. Who is the audience of Mandela’s speech?
   • a) Only African nationals
   • b) South African citizens and global dignitaries
   • c) His family
   • d) Local villagers
     Answer: b

Extract 3
“I was not unmindful of the fact that not so many years before they would not have saluted but arrested me.”

1. What does ‘not unmindful’ mean here?
   • a) Forgetful
   • b) Aware
   • c) Unaware
   • d) Unconcerned
     Answer: b
2. What does the statement highlight about Mandela’s past?
   • a) He was well-respected
   • b) He faced oppression and arrest
   • c) He was wealthy
   • d) He ignored politics
     Answer: b
3. Who does ‘they’ refer to in the passage?
   • a) School teachers
   • b) Military generals and police
   • c) Fellow politicians
   • d) The media
     Answer: b

Extract 4
“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.”

1. What does Mandela say about courage?
   • a) It is the lack of fear
   • b) It is living without caution
   • c) It is conquering fear
   • d) It is ignoring risks
     Answer: c
2. Which virtue does Mandela associate with courage?
   • a) Wealth
   • b) Status
   • c) Triumph over fear
   • d) Strength alone
     Answer: c
3. Who inspired Mandela’s concept of courage?
   • a) His father
   • b) His school teacher
   • c) His comrades in struggle
   • d) His childhood friend
     Answer: c

Extract 5
“No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion.”

1. According to Mandela, hatred is:
   • a) Inborn
   • b) Learned
   • c) Unchangeable
   • d) Common
     Answer: b
2. What does Mandela imply people are naturally inclined to feel?
   • a) Anger
   • b) Love
   • c) Fear
   • d) Hatred
     Answer: b
3. What is Mandela’s perspective on love?
   • a) It is a skill taught over time
   • b) It is unnatural to humans
   • c) It is instinctive in humans
   • d) It is reserved for special people
     Answer: c

Grammar Exercise: Noun-Verb Forms

1. Noun-Verb Pairs from the Text:

Noun	Verb
Rebellion	Rebel
Constitution	Constitute
Government	Govern
Formation	Form
Emancipation	Emancipate
Discrimination	Discriminate

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Fill in the Blanks with Noun Forms of Verbs

1. Martin Luther King’s contribution to history began when he came to the assistance of Rosa Parks. Breaking the laws meant subjugation and humiliation. Protesters faced imprisonment and sometimes death. King promoted non-violent resistance against injustice.

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Discussion: Mandela’s Understanding of Freedom

1. What were Mandela’s twin obligations?
   Mandela identifies two obligations: one to his family and the other to his country and community. Under apartheid, fulfilling both obligations was impossible for a Black person.
2. How did Mandela’s understanding of freedom evolve?
   As a child, Mandela saw freedom as personal liberty, such as playing or staying out late. As he grew older, he realised true freedom involved achieving dignity and equality for all people, leading him to join the African National Congress.
3. Does Mandela believe the oppressor is free? Why or why not?
   Mandela believes the oppressor is not free because hatred and prejudice imprison them. Both the oppressed and the oppressor lose their humanity under oppression.

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Essay: “True Liberty is Freedom from Poverty and Discrimination”

True Liberty: Freedom from Poverty and Discrimination

Nelson Mandela, in his autobiography “Long Walk to Freedom,” emphasized that true liberty is not just the absence of oppression but also the presence of opportunities. True liberty means freedom from poverty and discrimination. Poverty strips individuals of their dignity and basic human rights, while discrimination perpetuates inequality and injustice. Mandela’s life and struggle illustrate that a society can only be truly free when all its members have equal access to resources and opportunities. By eliminating poverty and discrimination, we create a world where everyone can achieve their full potential and contribute meaningfully to society. True liberty, therefore, is a state where every individual lives with dignity, free from the shackles of poverty and the chains of discrimination.