Summary of Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

Long Walk to Freedom is the autobiography of Nelson Mandela, who was the former South African
President. This chapter is the extracts from the “Long Walk to Freedom” book. It includes the
description of the inauguration ceremony and citations from his speech and about his journey to
being a freedom fighter. It says about the other countless people who fought for their freedom. In
South Africa, a brutal practice named “apartheid” was very popular in those days. It referred to the
discrimination between people on the basis of their race and colour. It was one of the most brutal
societies in which dark-skinned people were deprived of their basic rights. This lesson gives us an
overview of the struggles of Mandela for making the society with no discrimination on the basis of
their colour, caste, race, age or gender.

“A Long to Freedom”, by Nelson Mandela is all about the struggle of freedom of South-Africa. On
May 10, 1994, Nelson Mandela has taken the vow as the first black president of South Africa. And
therefore it was becoming a new-born democratic country. Nelson Mandela took the oath as the
first black president.

Many dignitaries from different countries had come to be part of the most significant day. In his
speech, Mandela thanked all those dignitaries. Mandela assured his countrymen that his country
would never ever experience the same suppression of one by another. Democracy had been
established in South Africa and as a result, a government of no discrimination was established.

The people of South Africa sang two National Anthems as a symbol of that day. Mandela recalled
that the reason for this movement was that Black-skinned people were exploited by the White
people. He said that this type of suppression of people of South Africa is the origin of many stars.
People must learn to hate first, because if they hate then they can be taught to love, as love comes
from the opposite circumstances. He also says that a brave man is not that who does not feel afraid
but who conquers it.

In life, a man has two major obligations. First towards his family, to his parents, to his wife and to his
children and second on the other hand obligation towards his country, people and the community.
Everyone fulfils his duty as per his inclination and interest. But it was very tough to fulfil in a country
like South Africa. When Mandela became an adult then he understood that his freedom was only an
illusion. In fact, he was the slave of exploitation. He also understood that not only he was a slave but
his other family members were also.

According to him, Freedom is also mandatory for them who were suppressing others in the past.
They also have the right to have it because snatcher of other’s freedom is a prisoner of the
same. Thus, the oppressor is as much a prisoner as the oppressed. The oppressor too is not free.

Conclusion of Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

The brave man is not the one who does not feel afraid, but he is the one who conquers that
fear. Mandela said that every man has his duties towards his country and community too.

previous years questions

Q1. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
On the day of the inauguration, I was overwhelmed with a sense of history. In the first
decade of the 20th century a few years after the bitter Anglo-Boer war and before my own
birth, the white skinned people of South Africa patched up their differences and created a
system of racial domination against the dark-skinned people of their own land. The structure
they created formed the basis of one of the harshest, most inhumane societies the world has
ever known. Now, in the last decade of the twentieth century, and my own eighth decade as
a man, that system has been overturned forever and replaced by one that recognised the
rights and freedoms of all peoples, regardless of the colour of their skin. [2024]
(i) Explain the feelings of the narrator when he said ; “I was overwhelmed with a sense
of history.”
Ans. His mind was full of the happenings of the past, the struggle that they went through to
make the day a reality.
(ii) The system of racial domination has been replaced by a system that:
(A) confirms the education of the Blacks.
(B) recognises the rights and freedoms of all people.
(C) recollects the bitter experiences.
(D) focuses on the personality development.
Ans. (B) recognises the rights and freedoms of all people.
(iii) Comment on the kind of society apartheid had
created. Ans. A Harsh and inhumane society had been
created.
(iv) Which phrase would correctly substitute ‘patched up’ in the given sentence from
the extract:
“….the white skinned people of South Africa patched up their differences…”
Ans. repaired
Q2. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Tenth May dawned bright and clear. For the past few days, I had been pleasantly besieged
by dignitaries and world leaders who were coming to pay their respects before the
inauguration. The inauguration would be the largest gathering ever of international leaders
on South African soil. The ceremonies took place in the lovely sandstone amphitheatre
formed by the Union buildings in Pretoria. For decades this had been the seat of white
supremacy, and now it was the site of rainbow gathering of different colours and nations for
the installation of South Africa’s first democratic non-racial government.
(Nelson Mandela — Long Walk to Freedom) [2024]
(i) What do you infer from the following statement?
“The inauguration would be the largest gathering ever of international leaders on South
African Soil.”
Ans. For the first time in the history of South Africa, the ceremony was attended
by the maximum number of dignitaries from all around the world.

(ii) Explain in about 40 words the effective shift from white supremacy to a rainbow
gathering.

Ans. Before that day of inauguration, South Africa was being ruled by the Whites
and the Black population was subjected to a system of discrimination called
Apartheid. The entire world had delinked itself from the country. But on that
day, as a mark of solidarity with the people, world leaders had arrived in
South Africa for the ceremony. Thus, there was a shift from the white
supremacy to a gathering of rainbow colours.
(iii) Which phrase would correctly substitute ‘pleasantly besieged’ in the given
sentence from that extract?
Ans. delightful to be surrounded by
(iv) State true or false with reference to the given extract.
In the past the ‘amphitheatre’ had been a seat for theatrical performances.
Ans. False

Q3. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
We have, at last, achieved our political emancipation. We pledge ourselves to liberate all our
people from the continuing bondage of poverty, deprivation, suffering, gender and other
discrimination.
Never, never, and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the
oppression of one by another.
The sun shall never set on so glorious a human achievement.
(i) ‘State any one inference about Nelson Mandela from the given context:
“We have, at last, achieved our political emancipation.”
Ans. He wanted the political freedom of the entire population of South Africa.

(ii) State True or False :

When Mandela says, “God bless Africa”, he intends to mean well-being and
welfare of only black people in South Africa.
Ans. False

(iii) “Nelson Mandela’s speech is full of optimism.” Elaborate in about 40 words with
reference to the extract.
Ans. His speech shows his positive attitude when he says that the land will never
again face such oppression. The people of the country shall live free forever. He
also vows to free the populace from the shackles of poverty, suffering and
discrimination.

(iv) Which phrase would correctly substitute ‘so glorious’, in the given sentence from the
extract.
“The sun shall never set on so glorious a human achievement.”
Ans. “The sun shall never set on such a glorious human achievement.”
Q4. Nelson Mandela in his inauguration speech says, “We, who were outlaws not so long ago,
have today been given the rare privilege to be host to the nations of the world on our
own soil.”
What is the significance of this statement with reference to the political system that prevailed
before this? [2024, 40-50 words]

Ans. Earlier, the White supremacy in South Africa had founded a system of
supremacy and people like Mandela who fought for the freedom of the
masses were considered outlaws and were punished. However, with the end
of that system, now a democratic government was being set up and thus,
these freedom fighters were now considered as the harbingers of this freedom.
Thus, now these so called outlaws became the frontrunners of the nation
who were hosting the world leaders on the occasion of the swearing-in
ceremony.

Q5. In the chapter ‘A Baker from Goa’ the narrator talks about his childhood in Goa and
his fond memories. In about 120 words write a presentation draft comparing the childhood of
the narrator in ‘A Baker from Goa’ to that of Nelson Mandela.

You may begin this way:

Childhood memories remind us of the days gone by…..

Reference : A Baker from Goa and Nelson Mandela : Long Walk [2024, 120 words]

Ans. Childhood memories remind us of the days gone by. The author of the
story A Baker from Goa reminisces the good old days when he lived in Goa. He
elaborates ablout the lazy mornings when they would meet the baker who
visited twice a day to sell baked goods. The kids would look for the favourite
bread bangles, eat them without brushing their teeth. The entire story is filled
with nostalgia where we get to know the importance of a baker in Goan
households. The baker was like a friend, companion and guide to the narrator.
He also throws light on the significance of baked items in Goan culture which
makes the baker an essential part of the community. Thus, the narrator shares
sweet memories of his childhood.

Nelson Mandela’s childhood was also full of freedom. He was free to do whatever
he wished for. Like run in the fields, swim in the stream, roast mealies under
the night sky and ride the bulls. He also has sweet memories of his childhood
when he enjoyed the freedom to do follow his heart. All he was expected was
to obey his father and follow the rules of his tribe.

Thus, we notice that both of them are nostalgic about their childhood. They miss
the good old days when they had a carefree life.

Q6. A desire is more personal whereas a vision has broader connotations. You have been
asked to present an analysis of Valli’s desire and Mandela’s vision and how they are
respectively fulfilled. Write this presentation draft including your insights, in about 120
words, comparing the approaches of both Valli and Mandela.

You may begin like this :

One acknowledges that both, Valli and Mandela however, (Reference — Nelson Mandela — A
Long Walk to Freedom & Madam Rides a Bus) [2024, 120 words]

Ans. One acknowledges that both Valli and Mandela were able to achieve their
goals. Valli had a desire to go on a bus ride. Being a mature girl, Valli left no
stone unturned to undergo a successful outing. The readers are in awe of her
wisdom, gracefulness and intelligence which helped her gather all information
about the trip, make the necessary arrangements for the bus ride and also,
make a safe bus journey and return home securely. Thus, she was able to fulfil
her dream.

Nelson Mandela envisioned a free populace in his country. He wanted justice and
equality for the people of the nation. His vision was beyond personal desires
and he felt pain for all the countrymen. He struggled for a long period of
almost thirty years in order to end racial discrimination and set up the first
democratic government in the country. His persistence is an inspiration for us.
The readers get to know that the real diamonds of the country are the
numerous freedom fighters whose struggle finally made the country free.
Thus, we see that both the characters display strong qualities that helped them
in their endeavours. A strong character is the foundation of success.

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:

To the assembled guests and the watching world, I said : Today, all of us do, by our presence
here
….. confer glory and hope to newborn liberty. Out of the experience of an extraordinary human
disaster that lasted too long, must be born a society of which all humanity will be proud. We who
were outlaws not so long ago, have today been given the rare privilege to be host to the nations
of the world on our own soil. We thank all our distinguished international guests for having come
to take possession with the people of our country of what is after all, a common victory for justice,
for peace, for human dignity. [2023]

(i) A society that was born out of human disaster.

(a)all humanity would be proud of
(b)was full of extraordinary human disaster
(c) was full of outlaws and fighters
(d)hosts nations on their soil
Ans. (a)

(ii) The former outlaws were given the privilege of .

(a)getting citizenship of their country
(b)participating in a trade conclave
(c) finalizing the foreign policy
(d)hosting the nations of the world on their soil
Ans. (d)

(iii) The speaker was overwhelmed with the sense of .

(a)gratitude (b) achievement
(c) happiness (d) charity
Ans. (a)

(iv) State whether the following statement is True or False :

The common victory was when South Africa did not become an independent
nation.
Ans. False

(v) The noun form of the word ‘confer’ is

(a)conferring (b) confident
(c) conference (d) configuring
Ans. (c)

Q2. Mandela said, “People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be
taught to love.” Discuss. [2023, 100-120 words]
Ans. According to Nelson, to love comes naturally to the human heart. Since
infancy, one experiences love and warmth. However, hatred is taught to us at a
later stage. Hatred makes the receiver sad and gloomy. The person who gets
hatred seeks love and warmth in order to escape this sadness. Thus, he
recognizes love and warmth. As he has suffered hatred, he understands the hurt
it brings and gradually, he stops giving hatred. Thus, slowly, the entire society
gives up hatred and embraces love.

Q3. ‘No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background
or his religion’. Do you agree? Elaborate on the basis of the chapter “Nelson Mandela – Long
walk to freedom”. [2023, 100-120 words]

Ans. Through his fight for freedom, Nelson Mandela demonstrated how hatred
was more of a social construct than a basic human trait. He talks about how he
observed racism among white people, which was fostered socially rather than
naturally. He recalls that despite the prisons’ extreme brutality, there was a
sliver of hope for peace in the eyes of a few guards, whose eyes reflected a
flicker of humanity. He came to understand that removing someone else’s
freedom places the oppressor in a cage of prejudice because hatred is harder on
the human heart than love. According to Mandela, hatred is a learned, not
innate, trait. But since love comes more naturally to the human heart, if one
could learn to hate, they could also be taught to love. No one is therefore
born with the intent to spread hatred, but they may do so by way of indirect
adaptation to a world that appears to have gone astray.

Q1. What did Nelson Mandela remember on the day of the inaugural ceremony? [2020, 30-40
words]

Ans. On the day of the inaugural ceremony, Nelson Mandela remembered the
first decade of the twentieth century, when white-skinned people of South
Africa resolved their mutual differences and created a system of racial
domination against the dark-skinned people of the same land. This system of
discrimination called ‘Apartheid’ lasted until the last decade of the same century.

Q2. What does Mandela refer to as ‘an extraordinary human disaster’? [2020, 30-40 words]

Ans. At the beginning of his speech, Mandela refers to the practice of apartheid
in South Africa as ‘an extraordinary human disaster’. This practice created a deep
and lasting wound on his country and led to the oppression of one group of
people (the blacks) by another (the whites).

Q3. Why was Nelson Mandela overwhelmed with a sense of history? How did he succeed in
ending the apartheid regime in South Africa? [2020, 100-150 words]
Ans. Nelson Mandela felt overwhelmed with a sense of history at his inauguration
as it marked a significant turn in South Africa’s journey from a nation marked
by racial discrimination to a democratic, non-racial government. This moment
was not just a personal triumph but a historic milestone for the entire nation,
symbolizing the end of a harsh system of racial segregation that had long
oppressed the majority of its people.

Mandela’s role in ending apartheid was rooted in his deep conviction for
freedom and equality, which drove him to join the African National Congress and
become a central figure in the anti-apartheid movement. His leadership was
characterized by a remarkable balance of resilience and a willingness to engage
in dialogue and reconciliation. Mandela understood that true freedom for black
South Africans also meant liberating white South Africans from the chains of
prejudice. His approach of not only fighting against the regime but also
advocating for a peaceful transition and national unity was pivotal in the
successful dismantling of the apartheid system.
Q1. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
We, who were outlaws not so long ago, have today been given the rare privilege to be host to the
nations of the world on our own soil. We thank all of our distinguished international guests for
having come to take possession with the people of our country of what is, after all, a common
victory for justice, for peace, for human dignity. We have, at last, achieved our political
emancipation. We pledge ourselves to liberate all our people from the continuing bondage of
poverty, deprivation, suffering, gender and other discrimination. [2019]

(a) Who does the pronoun ‘we’ refer to in the first line of the passage? Ans.
‘We’ refers to the freedom fighters of South Africa.
(b) What did ‘we’ achieve at last?
Ans. They achieved freedom and ended the racial discrimination system called
Apartheid.

(c) What does the word ‘bondage’ mean in the passage?

Ans. It means restriction and oppression.

(d) What have ‘we’ pledged to do?

Ans. ‘We’ have pledged to free ourselves from the oppression of someone that has
led us into poverty, deprivation and discrimination.

Q2. What according to Nelson Mandela are a man’s twin obligations? [2019, 30 – 40 words]
Ans. A man’s twin obligations are his obligation towards his family and that
towards his nation. According to Mandela, a man is free if he can fulfil both these
obligations.