First Flight – Chapter 2: Nelson Mandela – Long Walk to Freedom

About the Author: Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, political leader, and philanthropist who served as the first president of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. He was the country's first black head of state and the first elected in a fully representative democratic election. His autobiography, "Long Walk to Freedom," chronicles his early life, education, 27 years in prison, and his eventual rise to become a global symbol of peace and reconciliation.

Summary: This chapter is an excerpt from Nelson Mandela's autobiography. It describes the historic inauguration of South Africa's first democratic, non-racial government on 10th May 1994. Mandela became the first black President of South Africa. The ceremony took place in the Union Buildings amphitheatre in Pretoria, attended by dignitaries from all over the world. Mandela pledged to liberate all people from the continuing bondage of poverty, deprivation, suffering, gender and other discrimination. He spoke about the struggles against apartheid and how the policy of apartheid created a deep and lasting wound in his country. He emphasized the need for love, not hate, and said that courage was not the absence of fear but the triumph over it. He expressed his gratitude to thousands of South African patriots who suffered for the cause of freedom.

Nelson Mandela: Mandela was a visionary leader, a man of great courage, determination, and wisdom. He fought against the apartheid regime in South Africa and spent 27 years in prison for his beliefs. He was not a man of revenge but of reconciliation. He believed in the equality of all human beings, regardless of race or colour. He showed immense respect for the freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for the cause of freedom. He was humble and acknowledged that he was not born free but was made free through struggles. He defined courage as triumph over fear, not the absence of it. He was a true global icon of peace and justice.

Answer: The ceremonies took place in the Union Buildings amphitheatre in Pretoria, South Africa. In India, the Red Fort (Lal Qila) in Delhi, the Rashtrapati Bhavan, and the Parliament House are made of sandstone.

Answer: 10th May is an 'autumn day' in South Africa because the seasons in the southern hemisphere are opposite to those in the northern hemisphere. When it is spring in the northern hemisphere, it is autumn in the southern hemisphere.

Answer: Mandela set out the ideals of liberating all people from the continuing bondage of poverty, deprivation, suffering, gender and other discrimination. He wanted a society where all South Africans, both black and white, would be able to walk tall without any fear in their hearts. He wished for a democratic and free society where all people live together in harmony with equal opportunities.

Answer: The highest military generals of the South African defence force saluted Mandela and pledged their loyalty. Their attitude changed because they were not saluting him as a black President, but as the legitimate head of state of a democratic South Africa. They had once arrested and imprisoned him, but now they were respecting him. This change was due to Mandela's policy of reconciliation and forgiveness, not revenge.

Answer: The international leaders attended the inauguration to show their support and respect for the end of apartheid and the establishment of a democratic, non-racial government in South Africa. It symbolised the victory of good over evil, of justice over injustice, and of peace over oppression. It marked the triumph of the human spirit against racial discrimination.

Answer: Mandela meant that he was not alone in his struggle. He was inspired by, and stood on the shoulders of, countless African patriots who had fought and sacrificed their lives for the cause of freedom before him. He owed his success to their courage, sacrifice, and dedication.

Answer: Yes, I agree that the "depths of oppression" create "heights of character". Mandela illustrates this by saying that he and millions of South Africans were oppressed and forced to lead a life of suffering and humiliation. This oppression gave them the courage, strength, and determination to fight for their rights. It built in them the character to endure hardships and not give up hope.

Answer: As a young boy, Mandela thought that freedom meant being able to run freely in the fields, swim in the clear streams, and do whatever he wanted. As he grew older, he realised that he was not truly free because he was oppressed and had restrictions placed on him. As an adult, he understood that freedom was not just about personal liberty but also about the freedom of his people. He realised that his own freedom was incomplete without the freedom of all his countrymen.

Answer: Mandela thanks the international leaders for having come to witness the inauguration of South Africa's first democratic, non-racial government. He thanks them for the sacrifices they made for the cause of freedom and for their support and solidarity with the people of South Africa during their long struggle against apartheid.

Answer: Mandela sets out the ideals of liberating all people from the bondage of poverty, deprivation, suffering, gender and other discrimination. He dreams of a society where no person is oppressed or looked down upon. He wishes for a democratic and free society where all people live together in harmony with equal opportunities. He pledges to work towards the upliftment of the poorest of the poor.

Answer: The highest military generals of the South African defence force saluted Mandela and pledged their loyalty to him. Their attitude changed from being his oppressors to his respectful followers. This change occurred because Mandela's policy was not of revenge but of reconciliation. He made everyone realize that the new South Africa belonged to all, both black and white, and that they must work together to build a great nation.

Answer: Two national anthems were sung to symbolise the equality of the whites and the blacks. The whites sang 'Nkosi Sikelel – iAfrika' (the black anthem) and the blacks sang 'Die Stem' (the old white anthem). This gesture showed the coming together of two communities and the beginning of a new era of unity and reconciliation in South Africa.

Answer: (i) In the first decade of the twentieth century, the system of government in South Africa was based on the policies of racial discrimination and oppression. The white rulers created a system of apartheid that separated people based on their skin colour. (ii) In the final decade of the twentieth century, the system of government changed completely. South Africa became a democratic nation with a constitution that granted equal rights to all citizens, regardless of their colour or race. Mandela became the first black President of the country.

Answer: To Mandela, courage was not the absence of fear but the triumph over it. He believed that a brave man was not one who never felt afraid, but one who conquered his fear and did what was right despite being afraid.

Answer: Mandela believes that it is natural to love, not to hate. He says that love comes more naturally to the human heart than hate. Hate is a learned behaviour that people pick up from their surroundings.

Answer:
(i) apartheid
(ii) gratification
(iii) timidity
(iv) policy
(v) unprecedented

Amphitheatre: a circular or oval building without a roof, with rows of seats around a central open space
Apartheid: the official system of racial discrimination and segregation that existed in South Africa
Inauguration: a formal ceremony to mark the beginning of a new leader's term of office
Emancipation: the act of being set free from legal, social, or political restrictions
Deprivation: the lack of the basic necessities of life
Discrimination: treating a person or group unfairly because of their race, gender, etc.
Dignity: the state of being worthy of respect
Resilience: the ability to recover quickly from difficult conditions
Obligation: a duty or commitment
Oppression: prolonged cruel or unjust treatment
Reconciliation: the restoration of friendly relations
Persecution: hostility and ill-treatment, especially because of race or political beliefs

Answer:
(i) South Africa's first democratic, non-racial government was being inaugurated.
(ii) The inauguration ceremony took place in the sandstone amphitheatre formed by the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
(iii) Nelson Mandela was being sworn in as the first black President of South Africa.

Answer:
(i) 'We' refers to the people of South Africa, especially the black population who were oppressed under apartheid.
(ii) They were called 'outlaws' because they had fought against the apartheid regime, which was considered illegal by the white rulers.
(iii) They had been given the rare privilege of hosting the nations of the world on their own soil for the inauguration of their democratic government.

Answer: Mandela conveys the message of peace, reconciliation, and forgiveness. He emphasizes that courage is not the absence of fear but the triumph over it. He speaks about the importance of freedom and the struggle to achieve it. He also stresses that love comes more naturally to the human heart than hate. He urges everyone to work together to build a society free from oppression, poverty, and discrimination.

Answer: As a child, Mandela believed freedom meant being able to do as he pleased – run in the fields, swim in streams, and enjoy nature. As a student, he realized that he was not truly free and that his freedom was curtailed. As an adult, he understood that his personal freedom was an illusion unless his people were also free. He realized that the freedom of an individual is tied to the freedom of the entire community. He then dedicated his life to the struggle for the freedom of all South Africans.

Answer: The inauguration ceremony marked the end of the oppressive apartheid regime and the beginning of a new era of democracy, equality, and freedom for all people in South Africa. It was a symbol of justice and humanity's triumph over injustice and oppression. For the first time, black South Africans could hold their heads high with dignity. The ceremony brought together leaders from all over the world, showing global support for the new South Africa.