UP Board Class 10 English Chapter 2 – Nelson Mandela : Long Walk to Freedom (Prose)

This chapter is an extract from the autobiography of Nelson Mandela, the first black President of South Africa. It starts with the description of the ceremonial installation of the first democratic government of South Africa which took place on 10th May, 1994. Dignitaries and world leaders had gathered to pay their respects, making it the largest gathering of international leaders ever in South Africa.

The inauguration occurred at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. Mandela was accompanied by his daughter Zenani. Mr. de Klark was sworn as second Deputy President and then Thabo Mbeki as first deputy president. Mandela took his oath of office, promising to uphold the Constitution and serve the Republic and its people.

In his speech, Mandela reflected on South Africa’s transition from apartheid to democracy. He thanked international guests for their support and recognised the sacrifices made for political freedom. Mandela pledged to fight poverty, deprivation, and discrimination for all citizens, as he believed that the greatest wealth of a nation are its people, not gems.

South African jets displayed the military power. Highest military generals of South African defence force and police saluted him and pledged their loyalty. Both the old ‘Nkosi Sikelel’ and new ‘Die Stem’ national anthems were sung.

Nelson Mandela remembers the days when the whites had formed a system of racial dominance against the blacks. He says that the policy of apartheid (policy of racial segregation) created a deep and lasting wound on his country and its people. He also praised the bravery of his people. He recalled great freedom fighters like Oliver Tambos, Walter Sisulus, Chief Luthulis, Yusuf Dadoos, etc.

Mandela believed that every man has two obligations-one to his family and the other to his nation. A black man born in South Africa, just like him, cannot fulfill both. In order to do something for his nation, Mandela was taken away from his family.

Mandela remembered that as a child, freedom for him meant being able to do what he wanted. As a student, he wanted freedom just for himself. Then as a young man in Johannesburg, he wanted freedom to achieve his dreams, start a family, earn for himself, etc. As he grew up, he started realising that the freedom that he enjoyed as a child was just an illusion.

Mandela joined the African National Congress with a desire to gain freedom, respect and dignity for his community. Mandela realised that he could not enjoy his freedom when his community was not free. As a result, he was imprisoned. He also realised that just like the oppressed (tortured), the oppressor (torturer ) is also not free. ‘

यह अध्याय अफ्रीका के प्रथम अश्वेत राष्ट्रपति नेल्सन मण्डेला की आत्मकथा से लिया गया उद्धरण है। इसका प्रारम्भ दक्षिण अफ्रीका की प्रथम लोकतान्त्रिक सरकार की औपचारिक स्थापना के वर्णन से होता है, जो 10 मई, 1994 को हुई थी। गणमान्य व्यक्ति और विश्व के नेता अपना सम्मान प्रकट करने के लिए यहाँ एकत्र हुए थे, जिससे यह दक्षिण अफ्रीका में अन्तर्राष्ट्रीय नेताओं की अब तक की सबसे बड़ी सभा बन गई।

उद्घाटन प्रिटोरिया की यूनियन बिल्डिंग में हुआ था। मण्डेला के साथ उनकी बेटी जेनानी थी। श्रीमान डी क्लार्क ने द्वितीय उपराष्ट्रपति के रूप में शपथ ली और फिर श्रीमान थाबो मबेकी ने प्रथम उपराष्ट्रपति के रूप में शपथ ली। मण्डेला ने संविधान को बनाए रखने और गणतन्त्र तथा उसके लोगों की सेवा करने का वादा करते हुए अपने पद की शपथ ली।

अपने भाषण में, मण्डेला ने दक्षिण अफ्रीका के रंगभेद से लोकतन्त्र में बदलाव को प्रतिबिम्बित किया। उन्होंने अन्तर्राष्ट्रीय मेहमानों को उनके समर्थन के लिए धन्यवाद दिया और राजनीतिक स्वतन्त्रता के लिए किए गए बलिदानों का सम्मान किया। मण्डेला ने सभी नागरिकों के लिए गरीबी, अभावों और भेदभाव से लड़ने की प्रतिज्ञा की, क्योंकि उनका मानना था कि किसी राष्ट्र की सबसे बड़ी सम्पत्ति उसके लोग होते हैं, न की रत्न ।

दक्षिण अफ्रीका के जेट विमानों ने अपनी सैन्य शक्ति का प्रदर्शन किया। दक्षिण अफ्रीका के रक्षा एवं पुलिस के सर्वोच्च सैन्य अधिकारियों ने मण्डेला को सलाम किया एवं उनके एवं राष्ट्र के प्रति निष्ठा की प्रतिज्ञा ली। पुराने ‘नकोसी सिकेलल’ और नए ‘डाइ स्टेम’ दोनों राष्ट्रगान गाए गए।

नेल्सन मण्डेला उन दिनों को याद करते हैं, जब श्वेत लोगों ने अश्वेत लोगों के विरुद्ध नस्लीय प्रभुत्व की प्रणाली बनाई गई थी। वह कहते हैं कि रंगभेद की नीति (नस्लीय अलगाव की नीति) ने उनके देश व इसके लोगों को गहरा और कभी न भरने वाला घाव दिया है। उन्होनें अपने लोगों की बहादुरी की प्रशंसा की। उन्होंने ओलिवर टैम्बोस, वाल्टर सिसुलस, चीफ लुथुलिस, यूसुफ दादूस आदि जैसे महान स्वतन्त्रता सेनानियों को याद किया।

मण्डेला का मानना था कि प्रत्येक व्यक्ति के दो दायित्व होते हैं- एक अपने परिवार के प्रति तथा दूसरा अपने राष्ट्र के प्रति। उनकी तरह दक्षिण अफ्रीका में जन्म लेने वाला अश्वेत व्यक्ति दोनों को पूरा नहीं कर पाता। अपने देश के हित में कुछ करने के लिए मण्डेला को अपने परिवार से दूर किया गया था।

मण्डेला ने याद किया कि एक बच्चे के रूप में, उनके लिए स्वतन्त्रता का अर्थ- वह करने में सक्षम होना था, जो वे करना चाहते थे। विद्यार्थी के रूप में वह केवल स्वयं के लिए स्वतन्त्रता चाहते थे। फिर जोहानसबर्ग में एक युवा व्यक्ति के रूप में वह अपने सपनों को हासिल करने, परिवार प्रारम्भ करने, स्वयं के लिए कमाने की स्वतन्त्रता चाहते थे। जैसे-जैसे वे बड़े हुए, उन्हें यह अहसास होने लगा कि एक बच्चे के रूप में उन्होंने जो स्वतन्त्रता का आनन्द लिया था, वह केवल एक भ्रम था ।

मण्डेला अपने समुदाय के लिए स्वतन्त्रता सम्मान और आत्म-सम्मान प्राप्त करने की इच्छा के साथ अफ्रीकन राष्ट्रीय कांग्रेस में शामिल हो गए। मण्डेला ने अनुभव किया कि जब तक उनका समुदाय स्वतन्त्र नहीं होगा, तब तक वे स्वतन्त्रता का आनन्द नहीं उठा सकते। फलस्वरूप, उन्हें बन्दी बना लिया गया। उन्होंने यह भी अनुभव किया कि उत्पीड़ित ( यातना पाने वाले) के समान उत्पीड़क ( यातना देने वाला) भी स्वतन्त्र नहीं होता है।

परीक्षा में पाठ्यपुस्तक Prose के पाठों से एक Extract दिया जाएगा तथा उस पर आधारित 2 Multiple Choice Questions पूछे जाएँगे, जिनके उत्तर विद्यार्थी को देने होते हैं। यहाँ पर हमने Extracts के साथ 2 अधिक Questions दिए हैं, जो केवल विद्यार्थियों के सम्पूर्ण अभ्यास के लिए हैं। परीक्षा में 1-1 अंकों के 2 ही Questions पूछे जाते हैं।

Read the following extracts carefully and answer the questions that follow.

(a) To host the nations of the world on their own soil

(b) To led the first non-racial government

(c) To achieved a victory

(d) Appointed as a first Deputy President of South Africa

Ans. (a) To host the nations of the world on their own soil

(a) Freedom from restrictions

(b) Enslavement

(c) Slavery

(d) Both (b) and (c)

Ans. (a) Freedom from restrictions

(a) Their moral values

(b) Their dignity

(c) Their political emancipation

(d) Their victory

Ans. (c) Their political emancipation

(a) sanctioned

(b) supported

(c) curtailed

(d) opposed

Ans. (c) curtailed

(a) the freedom of his parents

(b) the freedom of his people

(c) the freedom of his friends

(d) the freedom of his neighbours

Ans. (b) the freedom of his people

(a) free

(b) praying

(c) apologising

(d) also not free

Ans. (d) also not free

(a) he found he was free

(b) he found himself in jail

(c) he found that he was unsuccessful

(d) he found that his freedom and the freedom of everyone ‘who looked like him, was curtailed

Ans. (d) he found that his freedom and the freedom of everyone who looked like him, was curtailed

(a) Oppressor

(b) Oppressed

(c) Both (a) and (b)

(d) None of these

Ans. (c) Both (a) and (b).

(a) People of other country

(b) Corrupt political leaders

(c) Both the oppressor and the oppressed

(d) All of the above

Ans. (c) Both the oppressor and the oppressed

(a) white

(b) criminal

(c) a prisoner of hatred

(d) rude

Ans. (c) a prisoner of hatred

(a) Prime Minister

(b) Vice-President.

(c) President

(d) Defence Minister

Ans. (c) President

(a) 1990

(b) 1950

(c) 1994

(d) 1984

Ans. (c) 1994

(a) Nelson Mandela

(b) Thabo Mbeki

(c) Zenani

(d) Walter Sisulu

Ans. (a) Nelson Mandela

(a) End of Apartheid

(b) Humanity

(c) Peace

(d) Trade negotiations

Ans. (a) End of Apartheid

Ans. Nelson Mandela was the first black President of South Africa, who fought against ‘apartheid’ and inhuman practices in South Africa.

Mandela set out certain ideals for the future of South Africa. He stated that all people would be free from poverty, deprivation, suffering and discrimination of all kinds. They would never be made slaves again. All of them would enjoy equal rights and privileges.

Ans. Nelson Mandela was the first black President of South Africa. He fought with the White rulers of his country because white supremacy introduced the system of apartheid and made life a living hell for the black population. Many people have struggled and sacrificed for basic human rights.

Ans. When Mandela realised that the entire black community lacked feedom, his life changed.

A hunger for freedom of his people to live a life of respect and dignity transformed him to a bold, virtuous and self-sacrificing man. He built his entire life around fighting for the basic fundamental rights for his community.

Ans. When Mandela compares the wealth of gems and minerals with the people of the nation, he feels the people of his nation are the greatest compared to any other form of wealth. Hence, he lays great emphasis on people and their power to change the system and bring in something good.

Ans. For Mandela understanding of freedom changed a lot over time. As a child, it meant doing things he wanted to do, because he was born free.

As he grew up, he realised that the freedom he enjoyed as a young boy was just an illusion. He realised that neither he nor his people had any freedom and developed a hunger for the freedom of his people.

Ans. According to Mandela both oppressor and the oppressed are not free. Mandela always thought that both oppressor and the oppressed are deprived of their humanity. According to him, the oppressor is a prisoner of hatred and he is locked behind the bars of prejudice and narrow mindness. So, both of them need to be liberated.

Ans. As long as Mandela listened to his father and abided by the customs of his tribe, he was not troubled by the laws of man or God. He believed that he was born free in every way that he could know.

Ans. According to Mr. Mandela, a brave man is someone who conquers his fear. Courage is not the absence of fear, but triumph over it.

Ans. 10th May is an ‘autumn day’ in South Africa because it marks the beginning of a new and fresh human regime based on equality. In other words, it is a day in which the old leaves of discrimination and oppression are replaced by the fresh leaves of liberty, democracy and equality.

Ans. Mandela thanked the international leaders for their presence in the inaugural ceremony. Due to their presence, the event could be considered as a common victory of the South African people for justice, peace and human dignity.

Ans. The military generals saluted Mandela to express their loyalty to democracy.

Earlier, these generals had treated Mandela as a criminal and were always ready to arrest him. The attitude is changed due to the fact that Mandela was now the elected President of their country.

Ans. Two National anthems, one of the blacks and the other of the whites, were sung to end racial prejudice. It was done to signify equality of both the races.

Ans. For Mandela, courage did not mean the absence of fear, but the victory over it. According to him, a brave man did not need to be fearless, rather he should be able to conquer fear.

Ans. Mandela thinks love is natural, whereas hate is not natural. The feeling of love comes to our heart naturally. On the other hand, we have to learn how to hate, as this feeling does not develop by itself.

Ans. According to Nelson Mandela, every man has twin obligations. The first obligation is to look after his family, parents, wife and children. The second obligation is to serve his people, his community and his country.

Ans. A large number of international leaders attended the inauguration to pay their respects to the freedom of South Africa.

It signified the triumph of the people over discrimination and oppression. It also signified the recognition of human equality.

Ans. When Mandela says he is ‘simply the sum of all those African Patriots’, he means that he represents the ideals and the dreams for which the African patriots sacrificed their lives. These patriots, for him, created a path of unity and cooperation which supported him in his journey to make South Africa free. In other words, as the new President of the nation, he represented the vision of all African freedom fighters.

Ans. When Mandela realised that the entire Black community lacked freedom, his life changed. A hunger for freedom of his people to live a life of respect and dignity transformed him into a bold, virtuous and self-sacrificing man. He built. his entire life around fighting for the basic fundamental rights for his community.

Ans. Introduction Nelson Mandela was a great leader who fought against ‘apartheid’ and inhuman practices in South Africa. He became the first black President of South Africa. He was a great patriot who devoted his life for the well-being of his country and its people.

True Patriot Nelson Mandela loved his nation and its people. He wanted to make his country free from poverty, deprivation, sufferings, gender and other discriminations. Love for Freedom When Nelson Mandela was a child, he thought that he was born free but as a young man he realised that his freedom had been taken from him.

He wanted to be free. His hunger for freedom became greater when he saw that his people were also not free.

Man of Peace He was a man of peace. He believed that a man who takes away another man’s freedom is a prisoner of hatred. He believed to win his opponent also by love.

Devotion and Sacrifices to His Country Mandela was a common and simple man but the sufferings of his people changed him. His hunger for freedom animated his life.

He left his home and spent many years in prison.

Believe in Humanity He believed in humanity. He was able to see the glimpse of humanity in a guard during his imprisonment.

Conclusion Nelson Mandela was a great leader who believed in peace, humanity, love, equality and freedom. He wanted to make his country free and prosperous.

Ans. By mentioning ‘an extraordinary human disaster’, Mandela is referring to the practice of apartheid followed in South Africa. This meant that there was racial segregation based on colour, due to which the blacks suffered a lot. They were not allowed to demand freedom and did not have any right.

The ‘glorious ……. human achievement’ that Mandela refers to in the end is that now as South Africa has gained its freedom, a black person has become its President.

Now, with the first non-racial government, each and every human is entitled to certain rights, freedom and equality which was earlier denied.

Ans. In his endeavour to get freedom for his countrymen from the rule of Apartheid, Nelson Mandela had to undergo many hardships. This great patriot had to sacrifice the comfort of his home and loving family. He was declared an outlaw for demanding equality for all. He was punished, isolated and put into jail for 27 long years.

He and his comrades were oppressed and tortured. He suffered hunger, oppression and injustice. His undaunted courage, persistent struggle and unparallel sacrifice bore fruit and South Africa got freedom from the rule of Apartheid on 10th May 1994.

Ans. Nelson Mandela joined the African National Congress. because even the basic freedom was not available to black-skinned South Africans. They were punished and isolated if they tried to demand their rights. Mandela yearned for the basic and honourable freedom to live their life with dignity and self-respect. So, he joined the African National Congress.

When he joined the African National Congress, his hunger for the freedom became greater. He was a simple law-abiding, family person but he had been transformed into a bold rebel who left his family and devoted himself to his country and his people. Now, he was not able to enjoy limited freedom, he wanted complete freedom for all his people. He became a virtuous and self-sacrificing man.

Ans. As a boy, Mandela felt that freedom was able to run in the fields near his mother’s hut, to swim in the clear stream that flowed across near his village, to roast mealies in the shade of stars and to ride on the broad backs of slow moving bulls. As a student, Mandela realised that the freedoms that he enjoyed as a child was an illusion and he was actually not free. Then, he wanted the temporary freedom that existed only for his own self. He wanted freedom to stay out at night, read what he pleased and go wherever he wanted. Mandela contrasts these ‘transitory freedoms’ with ‘the basic and honourable freedoms’. Now, he wanted to achieve his potential, earn his money, marry and start his family. This freedom unlike the transitory freedoms revolved around himself as well as the people of his community. This freedom existed without any racial discrimination.

Ans. Mandela describes the systems of government in his country as follows

Ans. Yes, I agree that the ‘depths of oppression’ create heights of character’. To illustrate this, Mandela gives the example of many patriots like Oliver Tambos, the Walter Sisulus, the Chief Luthulis, the Yusuf Dadoos, etc.

These freedom fighters emerged due to the extreme oppression faced by the blacks. They had extraordinary courage, wisdom and generosity.

In the freedom struggle of India, the oppression of the Britishers produced courageous patriots such as Bhagat Singh, Subhash Chandra Bose, Chandra Shekhar Azad and Mahatma Gandhi besides many others. From ordinary citizens, they turned into extraordinary personalities.