Nelson Mandela

Que- Where did the ceremonies take place? Can you name any public buildings in India
that are made of sandstone?

Ans- The ceremonies took place in the lovely sandstone amphitheatre formed by the
Union Buildings in Pretoria, which were attended by dignitaries and world leaders of
several nations. In India, the Rashtrapati Bhavan and Red Fort are two public buildings
that are made of red sandstone.

Que- 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?

Ans- In Mandela’s speech ‘an extraordinary human disaster’, he wanted to express his
strong feelings against the practice of Apartheid in South Africa. Under Apartheid, there
was racial segregation of people based on colour, and the blacks suffered the most as
they were discriminated against by the rest. They could not enjoy the right to freedom.
Mandela was jailed for 18 years on the infamous ‘Robben Island’ where he was
mistreated by the authorities. He considered it a “great glorious human achievement”
that he became the first Black President of South Africa, where the blacks were
deprived of basic needs and suffered different kinds of discrimination, and were treated
badly.

Que- What does Mandela thank the international leaders for?

Ans- Mandela felt extremely privileged to welcome the dignitaries and international
leaders at the swearing-in ceremony because it was not too long ago when the South
Africans were considered outlaws. He therefore, thanked all of them for having come
from far and wide to witness the historical oath-taking ceremony of the first Black
President of South Africa. This was a wonderful gesture of international recognition to a
newly born free democratic nation. This event could be considered as a common victory
for justice, peace and human dignity.

Que- What ideals does he set out for the future of South Africa?

Ans- Mandela set the ideals of liberating the people of South Africa from the continuing
bondage of poverty, deprivation, suffering, gender and other discrimination. He wanted
the people of the country to enjoy the right to freedom from all forms of bondage and
prejudice

Que- What do the military generals do? How has their attitude changed and why?

Ans- The highest military generals of South African defence forces and police saluted
and pledged their loyalty to Mandela. This was of great significance because, during the
Apartheid era, they would have arrested him and put him behind bars. Their attitude
towards Blacks changed due to the struggles and sacrifices that were put in by many
heroes of South Africa. This struggle for freedom was not just a struggle with Apartheid,
it also brought a massive change in the mindsets of many people. Mandela believed
that love is something that could be taught and human beings are naturally inclined
towards love more, rather than hate.

Que- Why were two national anthems sung?

Ans- On the auspicious occasion of the inauguration ceremony, two national anthems
were sung – the Whites sang ‘Nkosi Sikelel –iAfrika’ and the Blacks sang ‘Die Stem’ that
was the old anthem of the Republic. Singing of both the anthems symbolized the
equality of rights between Whites and Blacks.

Que- 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?

Ans- 1- In the first decade of the twentieth century, the white-skinned people of
South Africa patched up their differences and erected a system of racial
domination against the dark-skinned peoples of their own land. This created the
basis of one of the harshest, most inhumane, societies the world has ever seen or
known.
2- In the final decade of the twentieth century, the previous system of government
had been overturned forever and replaced by one that recognised the rights and
freedoms of all peoples, regardless of the colour of their skin.

Que- What does courage mean to Mandela?

Ans- According to Mandela, courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph
over it. A brave man is not one who does not feel afraid, but one who conquers that
fear.

Que- What “twin obligations” does Mandela mention?

Que- 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”?

Ans- Like any other kid, Mandela felt freedom meant being happy, making merry and
enjoying the blissful life in his childhood years. However, when a young fellow becomes
an adult, the antics of childhood look transitory because all the childish activities are
worthless from an adult’s perspective. When a person becomes an adult, he learns to
earn a livelihood and earn his own bread and butter. In such a scenario, he understands
the basic and honourable freedom in his family and the society that he lives in.

Que- Does Mandela think the oppressor is free? Why/Why not?

Ans- Mandela does not feel that the oppressor is free because, in his opinion, an
oppressor is like a victim of hatred who is locked behind the bars of prejudice and
narrow-mindedness. He feels that both the oppressor and the oppressed are robbed of
their humanity and peace of mind.

Que- Why did such a large number of international leaders attend the inauguration?
What did it signify the triumph of?

Ans- Being a part of the inauguration ceremony, the international leaders showed
solidarity with the end of Apartheid as a gesture from the international community. This
signified the victory of good over evil and the triumph of a tolerant society without
prejudice and discrimination of caste, colour or creed.

Que- How did Mandela’s understanding of freedom change with age and experience?

Ans- With age and rich experience, Mandela understood the essence of freedom in
everyone’s life. As a young boy, he always thought that he was born free and could do
anything that he wanted. He strongly believed that as long as he obeyed his father and
abided by the customs of his tribe, he was free in every possible way. However, as he
grew older, he started feeling that freedom was required to raise a family and to earn a
livelihood, and this started dominating his thoughts and views. In due course of time, he
realised that he was selfish and was leading an illusionary life during his boyhood. He
slowly understood that it was not his freedom alone that was being curtailed, but the
freedom of all Black people was retrenched. Mandela understood that his people were
being deprived and discriminated and this led him to develop a hunger for the freedom
of his people.