Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom – Detailed Summary

Author: Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (1918–2013)

Genre: Autobiography (extract from Mandela’s memoir Long Walk to Freedom)

Introduction

This extract from Nelson Mandela’s autobiography recounts one of the most historic moments in
South Africa’s history — 10 May 1994, the day apartheid officially ended and Mandela was
sworn in as the first black President of the country. It captures his thoughts on freedom, courage,
sacrifice, and the responsibilities of leadership. The text is both personal and political, blending
Mandela’s own life experiences with the broader struggle against racial oppression.

Background

South Africa was ruled for decades under apartheid, a system of institutionalised racial
segregation enforced by the white-dominated government. Black South Africans were denied
basic rights, forced into separate schools, hospitals, and living areas, and excluded from political
power. Mandela, along with many others, fought against this system through protests, activism,
and eventually armed resistance, spending 27 years in prison for his role in the struggle.

The Day of the Oath

The extract begins with a vivid description of the inauguration ceremony held on 10 May 1994 at
the Union Buildings in Pretoria. It was a bright, clear winter day — a day Mandela calls
“bright and clear” in both literal and symbolic terms, representing hope and new beginnings.

Leaders and dignitaries from all over the world attended the event, including political figures
from different countries and backgrounds. Mandela describes the scene with pride, noting how it
symbolised a break from South Africa’s shameful past and its acceptance into the global
community as a democratic nation.
Mandela’s Oath and Address

Mandela took the oath as the President in the presence of his people and the world. In his speech,
he pledged to liberate South Africans from the chains of poverty, deprivation, and
discrimination. He promised never to let the country experience such oppression again. His
vision was of a society in which all people — regardless of race, gender, or creed — could live
together in harmony, with equal opportunities.

Transformation of the Military Parade

One striking image that stays with Mandela is the sight of the country’s armed forces — once
symbols of oppression for the black majority — saluting him, a black President. In the past, the
police and military had enforced apartheid, but now they were loyal to a government elected by
all South Africans. This transformation, Mandela notes, showed the power of reconciliation and
the possibility of change.

The Two Oaths in Mandela’s Life

Mandela reflects that he had taken two solemn oaths in his life: one on his wedding day, and this
one as President. The latter, he felt, was not just a personal vow but a collective promise to his
people. It was a moment he would never forget, both for its political importance and for the deep
emotional meaning it held for him as someone who had suffered under the old system.

Remembering the Past — Apartheid and the Struggle

Mandela recalls the long and bitter history of racial domination in South Africa. The white
minority had, for centuries, systematically oppressed black South Africans, depriving them of
land, rights, and dignity. The struggle against apartheid had been long and costly, with thousands
imprisoned, tortured, or killed.

Mandela speaks with reverence of the heroes of the liberation struggle — some famous, others
unknown to the wider world — who had sacrificed their lives so that the country could be free.
He sees himself not as a lone hero, but as one among many who contributed to the victory.
Freedom and Responsibility

Mandela explains that freedom is not just the absence of chains for oneself, but the ability to live
in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others. He admits that as a young man he had
an incomplete understanding of freedom — first seeing it as the ability to live his own life
without interference, later recognising that his freedom was meaningless if others were still
oppressed.

He believed that the oppressor, too, is not truly free — because by denying freedom to others, he
becomes a prisoner of hatred and prejudice. Real freedom, Mandela says, is achieved only when
both the oppressed and the oppressor are liberated from the system of oppression.

Courage and Fear

One of Mandela’s key reflections is on courage. He insists that courage is not the absence of
fear, but the triumph over it. Even the bravest people feel afraid; what makes them courageous is
their ability to act in spite of fear. During the struggle, Mandela and his comrades faced constant
danger, but they learned to hide their fears and replace them with resolve.

No Room for Bitterness

Despite decades of personal suffering, Mandela chose the path of forgiveness and reconciliation
rather than revenge. He understood that holding on to bitterness would harm the nation’s unity
and slow down the process of healing. The new South Africa needed to be built on mutual
respect, understanding, and shared purpose.

Mandela’s Definition of Leaders

Mandela believed that a good leader is like a shepherd — staying behind the flock, letting the
most nimble go ahead, and ensuring that everyone moves together towards a common goal.
Leadership is about serving others, not commanding them for personal gain.

Symbols of the New South Africa

The inauguration also featured the singing of Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika (“God Bless Africa”), a
song once banned under apartheid, alongside the old national anthem. This dual performance
symbolised the unity of the country’s diverse cultures and the merging of its divided past into a
shared future.

The sight of jets flying overhead, releasing the colours of the new national flag, and the military
parade saluting the new democratic government left Mandela deeply moved. It was a moment of
pride not only for South Africans but for the world, which had witnessed the peaceful transition
from apartheid to democracy.

Personal Gratitude and Reflection

Mandela closes his reflection with gratitude for being alive to witness this transformation. He
feels indebted to the generations of fighters who had paved the way for freedom. He
acknowledges that the journey towards equality and prosperity is not over — poverty, inequality,
and divisions still exist — but the foundation of a democratic South Africa has been firmly laid.

Themes in the Extract

1. Freedom and Equality – True freedom means equal opportunities for all.
2. Courage and Sacrifice – Liberation requires personal and collective sacrifice.
3. Forgiveness and Reconciliation – Healing a divided nation needs compassion, not
revenge.
4. Leadership – Leaders must serve and guide their people selflessly.
5. Hope and Unity – A divided past can give way to a shared, peaceful future.

Moral Lessons

• Freedom is a shared responsibility; we must protect it for everyone.

• Courage is the ability to act despite fear.
• Forgiveness can heal even the deepest wounds in society.
• Leadership demands humility and service to others.

Conclusion

This extract from Long Walk to Freedom is both a historical record and a timeless lesson in
humanity. It tells the story of a man who endured unimaginable hardship without losing hope,
who led his country through a peaceful revolution, and who chose unity over vengeance.
Mandela’s words remind us that the struggle for justice is ongoing, and that true freedom can
only exist when all people live with dignity, respect, and equal rights.