The summary of Nelson Mandela describes the struggle for freedom of black people of South Africa. On 10th May 1994, he took an oath as South African president after more than 300 years of white rule. His party had won 252 votes in the history of South Africa.
Many political figures from several countries had attended the ceremony that took place in the amphitheater in Pretoria. He addressed them very respectfully and reassured them that there will be no place for discrimination and racism in the new South Africa. All will lead towards progress together. He vowed to establish democracy and treat all of them with dignity and equality.
The day was the allegory for him as the people sang two national anthems- Nkosi Sikelel-iAfrika and the black sang ‘Die stem’,. These events going through reminded him of the pain he faced from this suppression and domination. This all gave rise to inhumane and miserable conditions of the people. He believed that no person should allow detesting others based on caste, color, or creed.
The apartheid policy had produced great freedom fighters like Oliver Tambos, Walter Sisulus, Chief Luthuli’s, etc. the country was rich in resources and the greatest resource of all was its people.
From the learned courage and took a risk, gone through torture and learned that courage was not the absence of fear but the victory over it. Man’s natural goodness is that he can see kindness and love in the prison itself when pushed to the walls, he felt melted and see the good heart in the guards.
According to his vision, if a person can be taught to hate, he can surely be taught to love as well. He mentioned that a person becomes bold when he can control his fears. He mentioned two major duties of every man i.e. towards his family and towards his country and community. After he stated, that black people were not able to perform their duties because of apartheid. When Mandela crossed her young age, he realized that if they did not raise their voice against oppression the black-skinned people have become slaves under the dominance of the white ones.
Black-skinned people were living under the tyranny of white rule. He further told that the oppressor is also bound by prison as it snatches the other’s freedom. Both of them are denied of their humanity.
Central Idea of Nelson Mandela Chapter
Freedom from racism is the central theme of the lesson Nelson Mandela: A long walk to Freedom. It is an excerpt from the autobiography of Nelson Maldela who was the first black president of South Africa. At those times, white skinned people were the rulers of the society and life was hell for the blacks.
Theme of the Nelson Mandela Chapter
The story revolves around the theme of getting freedom after a very long struggle due to the courage of all the people who sacrificed so much for equality and peace in the country, much like India’s own freedom struggle. The celebration when a country gets its freedom is also shown in the story.
NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 2 Nelson Mandela : Long Walk to Freedom
Oral Comprehension Check
Page 18,19
Question 1.
Where did the ceremonies take place ? Can you name any public buildings in India that are made of sandstones?
Answer:
The ceremonies took place in the campus of the Union Building of Pretoria, which were attended by dignitaries and leaders of many nations. In India; Rashtrapati Bhavan and Red Fort are buildings made of red sandstone.
Question 2.
Can you say how 10th May is an ‘autumn day’ in South Africa?
Answer:
As South Africa is in the Southern Hemisphere, may falls in the autumn season. Thus 10th May is an ‘autumn day’.
Question 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?
Answer:
By ‘an extraordinary human disaster’ Mandela means to state the practice of apartheid in South Africa. During this there was a racial segregation based on colour and the blacks suffered a lot. They were not allowed to demand freedom or any right. Mandela himself did spend many years on infamous ‘Robben Island’ as a prisoner where he was beaten mercilessly. He considered it as great glorious human achievement that a black person became the President of a country where the blacks were not even considered human beings and were treated badly.
Question 4.
What does Mandela thank the international leaders for ?
Answer:
Mandela felt very privileged to welcome the international leaders at the swearing – in ceremony because not too long ago, the South Africans were considered outlaws. He thus thanks all of them for having come to witness the historical ceremony. This was a gesture of international recognition to a newly born free democratic nation and it could be considered as a common victory for justice, peace and human dignity.
Question 5.
What ideals does Nelson Mandela set for the future of South Africa?
Answer:
Nelson Mandela set the ideals of liberating people from bondage of poverty, deprivation and suffering. He also set the ideal for a society where there would be no discrimination based on gender or racial origins.
Page 21
Question 1.
What did the military generals do ? How did their attitude change and why?
Answer:
The highest military generals of South African defence force saluted Mandela and pledged their loyalty which was of great significance as during apartheid era they would have arrested him. The change in their attitude was because of struggle and sacrifices put in by many heroes of South Africa. This struggle not only ensured the freedom of a nation struggling with apartheid, bur brought a change in mindsets of many. He believed that love can also be taught and human being is naturally inclined towards love rather than hate.
Question 2.
Why were two national anthems sung?
Answer:
One the auspicious occasion of the inauguration two national anthems: one by the Whites and the other by the Blacks symbolising the equality of the Blacks and the Whites were sung.
Question 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?
Answer:
(i) In the first decade of the century, the whites erected a system of racial domination against the blacks, thus creating the basis of one of the harshest and most inhumane societies the world had ever known.
(ii) In the final decade of the 20th century, the . previous system had been overturned and replaced by one which recognised rights and freedom of all people regardless of color of their skin.
Question 4.
What does courage mean to Mandela?
Answer:
For Mandela courage does not mean the absence of fear but a victory over fear. According to him brave men need not be fearless but should be able to conquer fear.
Question 5.
Which does Mandela think is natural, to love or to hate?
Answer:
For Mandela, love comes more naturally to the human heart than hate.
Page 4
Question 1.
What “twin obligations” does Mandela mention?
Answer:
Mandela mentions that every man has twin obligations. The first is to his family, parents, wife and children; the second obligation is to his people, his community and his country.
Question 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”?
Answer:
Like any other kid, for Mandela freedom meant to make merry and enjoy the blissful life. Once one becomes an adult, antics of childhood looks like transitory because most of the childish activities are wasteful from an adult’s perspective. Once you are adult, you have to earn a livelihood to bring the bacon home. Its only then when you get an honourable existence in the family and in the society.
Question 3.
Does Mandela think the oppressor is free? Why/why not?
Answer:
Mandela does not think that the oppressor is free because according to him an oppressor is a victim of hatred who is behind the bars of prejudice and narrow-mindedness. He realises that both the oppressor and the oppressed are robbed of their humanity and peace.
Thinking about the Text
(Page 24)
Question 1.
Why did such a large number of international leaders attend the inauguration ? What did it signify the triumph of?
Answer:
To be the part of the inauguration, international leaders showed a gesture of solidarity from international community to the idea of end of apartheid. It was the significance of the victory of good over evil and triumph of a tolerant society without any discrimination.
Question 2.
What does Mandela mean when he says he is “simply the sum of all those African patriots”, who had gone before him ?
Answer:
By saying that he is simply the sum of all those African patriots, Mandela wants to pay his tribute to all the people who have sacrificed their lives for the sake of freedom. He says that he is grateful to those who had gone before him because those heroes of past had paved the path of co-operation and unity for him. Therefore, he could try to come to power to bring equality for his people with their support.
Question 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 ?
Answer:
I agree with the statement that depths of oppression create heights of character. Nelson Mandela illustrates this by giving examples of great heroes of South Africa like Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu and others who were inspired to sacrifice their lives in the long freedom struggle.
India is full of such examples, during our freedom struggle there was a galaxy of leaders of great characters and the oppression of British rule created and encouraged people of noble characters like Mahatma Gandhi, Lala Lajpat Rai, JL Nehru, Chandra Shekhar Ajad, Sardar Bhagat Singh and many more. If we compare them with the quality of political leaders India is having today, then Nelson Mandela seems to be absolutely right;
Question 4.
How did Mandela’s understanding of freedom change with age and experience?
Answer:
With age and experience, Mandela understood the real meaning of freedom. As a young boy, he thought that he was born free and believed that as long as he obeyed his father and abided by the customs of his tribe, he was free in every possible manner. As he grew older, freedom to raise a family and freedom to earn livelihood started dominating his thoughts. Gradually he realised that he was selfish during his boyhood. He slowly understood that it was not just his freedom that was being curtailed, but the freedom of all blacks. It was the freedom from fear and prejudice. Age and experience widened his perspective of freedom.
Question 5.
How did Mandela’s ‘hunger for freedom’ change his life?
Answer:
Mandela realised in his youth that it was not just his freedom that was being curtailed, but the freedom of all blacks. This changed the fearfulman to a fearless rebel.
He sacrificed the comforts of a settled family life to fight for a greater cause. He joined the African National Congress and this changed him from a frightened young man into a bold one who fought against racial prejudice.
Extra Questions for Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom Class 10 English First Flight
Very Short Answer Type Questions
Question 1. What was the national anthem for the blacks?
Answer
The National anthem for the blacks were ‘Die stem’.
Question 2. Who was sworn in as second deputy President?
Answer
Mr. de Klerk was sworn in as second deputy President in South Africa.
Question 3. What is the full name of Mr. Mandela?
Answer
The full name of Mr. Mandela is Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.
Question 4. What could the highest generals have done to the author earlier?
Answer
The highest generals could have arrested the author earlier.
Question 5. How old was the author at the time of the ‘Inauguration’?
Answer
The author was in his eighties at the time of the inauguration.
Question 6. Why did he join African National Congress?
Answer
He joined African National Congress to achieve freedom for all his people.
Question 7. What was Mandela not unmindful of?
Answer
Mandela was not unmindful of ‘Apartheid’.
Question 8. How was the new system different?
Answer
The new system was different because that system recognised the rights and freedom of all people.
Question 9. Who was sworn in as the first Deputy President of South Africa?
Answer
Thabo Mbeki was sworn in as the first Deputy President of South Africa.
Question 10. Where did the ceremony take place?
Answer
The ceremony took place in the Union Buildings of Pretoria.
Question 11. What was the occasion?
Answer
It was the occasion of installation of South Africa’s first democratic government.
Question 12. Who was Zenani?
Answer
Zenani was the daughter of Nelson Mandela.
Question 13. When was that system eradicated?
Answer
The system was overturned in the last decade of the twentieth century.
Question 14. What did Mandela realise?
Answer
Mandela realised that there was no freedom in South Africa for anyone who looked like him.
Question 15. What did he think about freedom?
Answer
He thought that freedom is indivisible
Short Answer Type Questions
Question 1. Why did inauguration ceremony take place in the amphitheatre formed by the Union Building in Pretoria?
Answer
It was the first democratic, non-racial government taking oath in South Africa. The ceremony was attended by dignitaries from more than 140 countries around the world and thousands of the people of South Africa of all the races to make the day memorable. So, it took place in, the amphitheatre formed by the Union Building in Pretoria.
Question 2. What do you understand by Apartheid’?
Answer
‘Apartheid’ is a political system that divides people according to their race. In this system black-coloured people in South Africa were not free even to discharge their personal and social obligations of being parents, sons and husbands, etc.
Question 3. Why could men not fulfil their twin obligations?
Answer
In South Africa, if a coloured person tried to fulfil his obligations to his people, he is isolated and prevented from fulfilling his obligation to his family. So, men could not fulfil their twin obligations.
Question 4. Where did the ‘ceremonies’ take place? Why were the ceremonies so important?
Answer
The ‘ceremonies’ took place in the lovely sandstone amphitheatre in Pretoria in south Africa. The ceremonies were so important because these were meant for the celebration of victory of the south African natives over the ruling whites and for the installation of south Africa’s first ever democracy.
Question 5. How had the military general’s attitude changed, and why?
Answer
he military generals had witnessed the extraordinary courage and wisdom shown by Nelson Mandela in freeing South Africa from the bondage of the whites. The military generals, who would have arrested Mandela earlier, have now pledge their loyalty to him. This shows their change in attitude.
Question 6. How was Mandela overwhelmed with a sense of history?
Answer
In the first decade of the twentieth century and before Mandela’s birth, the whites in South Africa had erected a system of racial domination known as ‘apartheid’. In the last decade of the twentieth century, when Mandela was in his eighties, he saw that system crumbling. So, he was overwhelmed with a sense of history.
Question 7. What problems hinder each man to fulfil these obligations in South Africa?
Answer
Whenever a native South African tries to fulfil his duty to his people, he is ripped from his family and forced to live an isolated life. He is isolated even if he tries to live as a human being. So, it is very difficult in South Africa to fulfil these obligations.
Question 8. How did the policy of apartheid create a deep and lasting wound in South African blacks?
Answer
No doubt, the policy of apartheid created a deep and lasting wound in South Africa and the blacks. It would take many years to recover from that profound hurt. The racial discrimination unleashed a reign of terror, oppression and brutality on the blacks of South Africa.
Question 9. Why was Mandela overwhelmed with a sense of history and what bad thing happened in the first decade of the 10th century?
Answer
Mandela is overwhelmed with a sense of history and remembers when the hated apartheid policy was introduced in South Africa. After the Boer war, the white people of South Africa patched up their differences. They set up a system of racial domination against the black people of their own race
Question 10. What did the display of jets and military salute symbolise?
Answer
There was a spectacular show of South African jets and troop carriers over the Union Buildings. The highest generals of the military and police saluted President Mandela. It was a clear demonstration of the military’s loyalty to democracy, to a free and fairly elected government.
Question 11. What ideals did Mandela set out for the future of South Africa in his speech?
Answer
Mandela set out ideals for the future of South Africa because he had deep feelings for his country and countrymen. He pledged to liberate all the people from poverty, deprivation and discrimination.
Question 12. What was born out of the experience of an extraordinary human disaster? Why should humanity be proud of it?
Answer
The apartheid regime was an extraordinary human disaster for the blacks of South Africa. The end of the apartheid laid down the foundation of a non-racial democratic regime in South Africa. This government based on human equality and dignity would be an ideal one of which all humanity will be proud.
Question 13. Where did the ceremonies take place? What had it been for decades?
Answer
The ceremonies of the inauguration of the new government took place at the lovely sandstone amphitheatre in the Union Buildings in Pretoria. The same place had remained the seat of white supremacy for decades.
Question 14. What did Nelson Mandela pledge when he was sworn in as President?
Answer
Nelson Mandela pledged to uphold the Constitution of his country and devote him to liberate his people from the bondage of poverty, deprivation, suffering, gender and other discriminations. There would be freedom and justice for all.
Question 15. When did Mandela’s hunger for self-turn into a hunger for freedom for all his people?
Answer
Mandela gradually realized that freedom was curtailed for those people who looked like he did, but not for the whites. Consequently, he joined the African National Congress, and that was when his “hunger for freedom” became a “greater hunger.”
Question 16. How does Mandela define courage and from where did he learn the meaning of courage?
Answer
Nelson Mandela learnt the meaning of courage from great patriots and comrades in the struggle. They risked their lives and stood up to attacks and tortures of the apartheid regime. He learned that courage was not the absence of fear but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who doesn’t feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.
Question 17. Why was it impossible for a man of Mandela’s birth and colour to fulfil the twin obligations?
Answer
In South Africa, no black could fulfil the twin obligations. If a black who tried to live as a human being was punished and isolated. A person who tried to fulfil his duty to his people was separated from his family and was forced to live in secrecy and rebellion.
Question 18. 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?
Answer
In the first decade of the 20th century, the whites erected a system of racial discrimination against the blacks. They set up the most inhumane system of apartheid where the blacks were denied the fundamental right of freedom. In the last decade of the twentieth century, the system was overturned. The policy of apartheid was uprooted from the land and a new non-racial democratic government was installed to ensure equal rights and freedom to all the people of South Africa.
Question 19. When and how did Mandela’s hunger for his own freedom becomes the greater hunger for the freedom of his people?
Answer
Mandela realised that not only was he not free, but his people were not free. When he joined the African National Congress, then his hunger for his own freedom became the greater hunger for the freedom of his people.
Question 20. Freedom is “indivisible”, said Mandela. How were the chains on anyone were the chains on all of his people?
Answer
Mandela thought that he is not more virtuous than the others. He thought that “freedom is indivisible”. The chains on any one of his people were chains on all of them. The chains on all of his people were the chains on him
Long Answer Type Questions
Question 1. Summarise the chapter ‘Nelson Mandela -Long walk to Freedom.
Answer
The chapter was taken from Nelson Mandela’s autobiography ‘Long Walk to Freedom. Nelson Mandela spoke about a historic occasion, ‘the inauguration’ after becoming the first Black President of South Africa. The inauguration ceremony took place in the Union Buildings amphitheatre in Pretoria today. It was attended by politician and dignitaries from more than 140 countries around the world. After a long period of White domination, South Africa had become a democratic republic. Mandela called it a common victory for justice, peace and human dignity. He also called it a glorious human achievement. He pledged to liberate all his people from the continuing bondage of poverty, derivation, suffering, gender and other discrimination. He fought for the freedom of his people. The British rulers of South Africa followed the policy of apartheid, which discriminated the Black from the White people. Mandela called it an extra ordinary human disaster. He believed, the deeper the oppression, the higher the character. From his comrades he learned that courage meant not the absence of fear but the triumph over it. According to him every man had twin obligations- obligations to his family and obligation to his people, his country. He found no difference between the oppressor and the oppressed. He called both of them prisoners. One was imprisoned behind the bars; the other was imprisoned behind bars of hatred. He was an enthusiastic young boy who wanted to enjoy freedom. He wished the sun of freedom to shine on his country and countrymen forever.
Question 2. What does Nelson Mandela refer to as “an extraordinary human disaster”?
Answer
Nelson Mandela refers to the apartheid policy of the white race against the black people as “an extraordinary human disaster”. White people snatched freedom from the coloured people of South Africa to whom the country belonged. The black people were subjected to oppression for long. They were not even allowed to discharge their obligations to their own families, community and their country. White people had no compassion for them and oppressed their own people and put them in prison. If they had some freedom, it was curtailed. The black people lived the life of a slave.
Question 10. What Mandela think about the patriots? Can they be repaid?
Answer
Nelson Mandela thinks that the freedom and democratic government have all come only due to the great sacrifices of thousands of patriots. They were those men who did not care about their lives and died for their people and country. They can’t be repaid. He thinks himself the sum of all those who had sacrificed their lives. Now he regrets that he was not able to thank them. According to Mandela, the policy of apartheid greatly wounded the people. It was hard to recover. It would take much time. These great patriots were Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu, Luthuli, Dadoo, Fischer, Sobukwe, etc.
Question 3. Which twin obligations does Nelson Mandela mention in the lesson? Why were he and the rest of blacks able to fulfil those obligations?
Answer
Nelson Mandela that every man has twin obligations in life. The first obligation of a man is to his family, to his parents, to his wife and children. He has another obligation also. He has an obligation to his people, his community and his country. Every man is to do his duty according to his situation and strength.
But in South Africa, it was impossible for a man like Mandela or other blacks to fulfil those obligations. If a man tried to live as a human being, he was punished and isolated. If any person in South Africa tried to do his duty to his people, he was forcefully separated from his family and his home. He was forced to lead a life of secrecy and rebellion. Nelson Mandela placed his people above his family. In attempting to serve his people, he was prevented from fulfilling his obligations as a son, a brother, a father and a husband.
Character Sketch of Nelson Mandela
Question 1. Draw a character-sketch of Nelson Mandela highlighting his struggle against the apartheid regime for the human rights of his people.
Answer
Nelson Mandela was the tallest of all the black heroes who waged a relentless fight against the racial-regime in South Africa. He suffered untold sufferings and tortures in prison but led the country to install the first democratically elected government in South Africa. Nelson Mandela was not born with a hunger to be free. Later on, he realised that his boyhood freedom was an illusion. He also realised his concept of freedom in his youth was also ‘transitory’ and was limited to his personal freedom.
Only when he joined the African National Congress, his own freedom became the greater hunger for the freedom of his people. Only then, a frightened young lawyer was transformed into a bold `criminal’. A family-loving husband was forced to lead the life of a monk in secrecy. Nelson Mandela is grateful in acknowledging the unimaginable sacrifices of thousands of black heroes for the freedom of their people. Modestly, he realises that freedom is indivisible. He realised that he could not lead a free and honourable life if his people were in chains.
Nelson Mandela had a wider vision of humanity. For him, freedom was comprehensive and couldn’t be divided. It shows his greatness that both the oppressor and the oppressed should be liberated. Both of them alike are robbed of their humanity.