Nelson Mandela Long Walk to Freedom Summary, Explanation, Word meanings Class 10

Nelson Mandela - Long Walk to Freedom - Class 10 - Summary, explanation

CBSE Class 10 English Chapter 2 ‘Nelson Mandela Long Walk to Freedom, Line by Line Explanation along with Difficult Word Meanings from First Flight Book

 

Nelson Mandela  Class 10 – Here you can find the summary of  Nelson Mandela – long walk to freedom followed by explanation of the lesson along with the meanings of difficult words.

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Nelson Mandela Class 10 Chapter 2

“It always seems impossible until it’s done.”

Nelson Mandela Long Walk to Freedom  

This chapter is an extract from the autobiography of Nelson Mandela (born- 18 July, 1918), the first Black President of South Africa. Excerpts from “Long Walk to Freedom” include a description of the inauguration ceremony, citations from his speech, his journey to being a freedom fighter, the struggle, along with a tribute to other freedom fighters and countless other people who fought for their freedom.   In South Africa, a brutal practice named “apartheid” was followed. Apartheid refers to discrimination between people on the basis of their race. It was one of the most brutal societies where dark-skinned people were deprived of their basic rights. This lesson gives us an overview as to how Nelson Mandela along with others, carved their way to a society where there will be no discrimination on the basis of their colour, caste, race, age or gender.

Class 10 English Chapter 2 Theme

The struggle for independence, equality, and justice is the subject of “Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom,” a chapter in the English textbook “First Flight” for Class 10. The chapter is a section taken from Nelson Mandela’s autobiography, a politician and anti-apartheid revolutionary from South Africa.

The chapter describes Mandela’s early years and his path to becoming a politically active member of the African National Congress (ANC), which battled against South Africa’s apartheid system. Additionally, it emphasises his 27-year incarceration for his political involvement, his eventual release, and his contribution to the nation’s transformation into a multiracial democracy after his release.

Mandela’s steadfast dedication to the struggle for freedom, equality, and justice is clear throughout the chapter. Despite the personal sacrifices he must make, he is committed to bringing about change and creating a more just society for everyone in South Africa. He also stresses the value of nonviolence and peacemaking in achieving these objectives.

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Nelson Mandela Summary Class 10

Given below is the Summary of Nelson Mandela long Walk to Freedom Class 10 Chapter 2

This chapter is an extract from the autobiography of Nelson Mandela (born- 18 July, 1918), the first Black President of South Africa. It begins with the description of their inaugural ceremony which took place on the 10th of May 1994 where the entire nation along with many international leaders embraced the victory of a newly and fairly elected government. It involved speeches by the President and the two Deputy Presidents followed by an impressive air show of fighter jets and helicopters. Long ago, in the first decade of the twentieth century, white supremacy introduced the system of apartheid and made life a living hell for the dark-skinned population. It gave rise to one of the most inhumane societies of the world. Many people have struggled and sacrificed for basic human rights. The author expressed his desire to thank all those freedom fighters who couldn’t live to see this autumn day. He referred to the citizens as the greatest asset of the country. It is these people he gathered his courage from. Mandela believes that courageous is not the man who is fearless, but the man who has overcome fear. He also mentioned the two responsibilities every human has and how in order to fulfil his obligation towards the society, his obligation towards his family was neglected. He became a man of people when he realised that the idea of freedom was an illusion for him and people like him. It was then he joined the African National Congress and fought for his rights till he became the first black President of the nation. According to him, the oppressor is as much a prisoner as the oppressed. As soon as the former robs the oppressed of their freedom he, himself gets robbed of his humanity. Thus, the oppressor too, is not free.

Nelson Mandela Summary in Hindi 

यह अध्याय दक्षिण अफ्रीका के पहले अश्वेत राष्ट्रपति नेल्सन मंडेला (जन्म- 18 जुलाई, 1918) की आत्मकथा का एक अंश है। यह उनके उद्घाटन समारोह के विवरण के साथ शुरू होता है जो 10 मई 1994 को हुआ था, जहां पूरे देश ने कई अंतरराष्ट्रीय नेताओं के साथ एक नई और निष्पक्ष रूप से चुनी गई सरकार की जीत को गले लगाया था। इसमें राष्ट्रपति और दो उप राष्ट्रपतियों के भाषणों के बाद लड़ाकू जेट और हेलीकॉप्टरों का एक प्रभावशाली एयर शो शामिल था।

बहुत पहले, बीसवीं शताब्दी के पहले दशक में, श्वेत वर्चस्व ने रंगभेद की व्यवस्था की शुरुआत की और जीवन को काली -चमड़ी वाली आबादी के लिए एक जीवित नरक बना दिया। इसने दुनिया के सबसे अमानवीय समाजों में से एक को जन्म दिया। कई लोगों ने बुनियादी मानवाधिकारों के लिए संघर्ष और बलिदान दिया है। लेखक ने उन सभी स्वतंत्रता सेनानियों को धन्यवाद देने की इच्छा व्यक्त की जो इस शरद दिवस को देखने के लिए जीवित नहीं रह सके। उन्होंने नागरिकों को देश की सबसे बड़ी संपत्ति बताया। इन्हीं लोगों से उसने हिम्मत जुटाई।

मंडेला का मानना ​​है कि साहसी वह व्यक्ति नहीं है जो निडर है, बल्कि वह व्यक्ति है जिसने भय पर विजय प्राप्त कर ली है। उन्होंने प्रत्येक मनुष्य की दो जिम्मेदारियों का भी उल्लेख किया और समाज के प्रति अपने दायित्व को पूरा करने के लिए अपने परिवार के प्रति अपने दायित्व की उपेक्षा कैसे की। वह लोगों का आदमी बन गया जब उसने महसूस किया कि स्वतंत्रता का विचार उसके और उसके जैसे लोगों के लिए एक भ्रम था। यह तब था जब वह अफ्रीकी राष्ट्रीय कांग्रेस में शामिल हो गए और देश के पहले अश्वेत राष्ट्रपति बनने तक अपने अधिकारों के लिए लड़े। उनके अनुसार, उत्पीड़क उतना ही कैदी है जितना कि उत्पीड़ित। जैसे पूर्व पीड़ितों की स्वतंत्रता को लूटता है, वह स्वयं अपनी मानवता को भी गँवा देता है। इस प्रकार, उत्पीड़क भी स्वतंत्र नहीं है।

Nelson Mandela Class 10 Video Explanation

Nelson Mandela – Long Walk to Freedom MCQ Questions

Nelson Mandela Long Walk to Freedom Lesson Explanation

Passage: 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 amphitheater formed by the Union Buildings in Pretoria. For decades this had been the seat of white supremacy, and now it was the site of a rainbow gathering of different colors and nations for the installation of South Africa’s first democratic, non-racial government.

long walk to freedom

Word Meaning
Dawned- (of a day) began
Pleasantly– giving a sense of happy satisfaction or enjoyment; satisfying
Besieged- to be surrounded by
Dignitaries- a person considered to be important because of high rank or office.
Sandstone– a sedimentary rock consisting of sand or quartz grains cemented together, typically red, yellow, or brown in color.
Amphitheatre- an open-air theatre
Supremacy– the state or condition of being superior to all others in authority, power, or status

Explanation of the above Passage: 10th May was the day when Nelson Mandela sworn in as the first black Head of State, South Africa. It was after years of struggle that his anti-racist party came into power. Until then, the seat had always been occupied by white Presidents. That is why, the author referred to the day as “bright and clear”. It was a morning full of hope. Days before this date, many notable personalities started congratulating him for his victory. For the first time in the country’s history, so many international leaders came together for their inauguration ceremony. The ceremony took place in an open circular building made of sandstone consisting of Union buildings in Pretoria city.

Passage: On that lovely autumn day I was accompanied by my daughter Zenani. On the podium, Mr de Klerk was first sworn in as second deputy president. Then Thabo Mbeki was sworn in as first deputy president. When it was my turn, I pledged to obey and uphold the Constitution and to devote myself to the wellbeing of the Republic and its people.

Word Meaning
Deputy– Second in command
Sworn- given under oath; determined to stay in the role specified
Pledged– committed (a person or organization) by a solemn promise.

Explanation of the above Passage: The author was accompanied by his daughter, Zenani on his big day. First, the two Vice-Presidents took an oath. Then, when his turn came, he committed to respect, protect and abide by the Constitution and to devote his entire self into the welfare of the country.

Passage: 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 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.”

Word Meaning
Assembled– (of people) gather together in one place for a common purpose
Confer- grant
Glory- honour
Outlaws- because of its policy of apartheid, many countries had earlier broken off diplomatic relations with South Africa
On our own soil– in our own country
Possession– ownership
Dignity– the state or quality of being worthy of respect.

Explanation of the above Passage: The author also mentions some parts of his speech where he said that everyone, by his presence was giving rise to hope for a new beginning. Previous rulers were discriminatory and lasted for long but the ones, who are given the opportunity to rule now (ANC), would stand up against discrimination. He is glad to host a ceremony with the presence of global leaders. It is an achievement in itself. There was a time when South Africa, for practicing apartheid, lost all its international political relationships. Now, when there is no segregation on the basis of race and gender, other nations are happy to have healthy democratic relationships. Finally, they have come to power and they pledge to make everyone proud. He thanked everyone, especially the international leaders for joining them in celebrating their achievement which is a step towards an equal society where every human will be treated fairly.

Passage: “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. Let freedom reign. God bless Africa!”

Word Meaning
Emancipation– the fact or process of being set free from legal, social, or political restrictions
Liberate- free; release
Bondage- the state of being a slave
Discrimination- being treated differently or unfavorably
Deprivation- the damaging lack of material benefits considered to be basic necessities in a society
Oppression- prolonged cruel or unjust treatment or exercise of authority.
Glorious- having, worthy of, or bringing fame or admiration.
Reign- rule; govern

Explanation of the above Passage: He mentions that after great struggle, they have finally achieved political freedom. His government promised to free everyone of the still existing poverty, hardship and inequalities of all kind along with assuring everyone of a country where no community will be considered inferior. He then exclaims that freedom should rule and may god shower his blessings on their land.

Passage: A few moments later we all lifted our eyes in awe as a spectacular array of South African jets, helicopters and troop carriers roared in perfect formation over the Union Buildings. It was not only a display of pinpoint precision and military force, but a demonstration of the military’s loyalty to democracy, to a new government that had been freely and fairly elected. Only moments before, the highest generals of the South African defence force and police, their chests bedecked with ribbons and medals from days gone by, saluted me and pledged their loyalty. I was not unmindful of the fact that not so many years before they would not have saluted but arrested me. Finally a chevron of Impala jets left a smoke trail of the black, red, green, blue and gold of the new South African flag.

Word Meaning
Awe– amazed
Spectacular- beautiful in a dramatic and an eye-catching way
Array- an impressive display
Troop- soldiers or armed forces
Precision- accuracy
Bedecked- decorate
Unmindful- not conscious or aware
Chevron- a pattern in the shape of a V
Trail- series; chain

Explanation of the above Passage:  Just after the newly elected President’s address to the audience, an impressive arrangement of fighter jets, helicopter and soldier transporters raised everyone’s heads up in the sky. It symbolised perfection as well as military’s respect and obedience towards the free country. The high commanders, who have won medals for their bravery, also saluted and promised their loyalty. Mandela mentions that he was well aware that these commanders, who were now saluting him, would have arrested him under the previous rule as during the oppressive white supremacy, he was considered to be a criminal. The air show finally ended by making of the South African flag in the sky from smoke beneath the jets.

Passage: The day was symbolized for me by the playing of our two national anthems, and the vision of whites singing ‘Nkosi Sikelel –iAfrika’ and blacks singing ‘Die Stem’, the old anthem of the Republic. Although that day neither group knew the lyrics of the anthem they once despised, they would soon know the words by heart.

Word Meaning
Symbolized– be a symbol of
Lyrics- the words of a song
Despised- hated, had a very low opinion of

Explanation of the above Passage: The author remembers the day as the playing of two National Anthems of the country; one of the whites and the other, that of the blacks. On that day, no one knew the wordings of the anthem of the blacks but Mandela was confident that everyone would soon learn this anthem that they once hated.

Passage: On the day of the inauguration, I was overwhelmed with a sense of history. In the first decade of the twentieth century, a few years after the bitter Anglo-Boer war and before my own birth, the white-skinned peoples of South Africa patched up their differences and erected a system of racial domination against the dark-skinned peoples 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 had been overturned forever and replaced by one that recognized the rights and freedoms of all peoples, regardless of the colour of their skin.

Word Meaning
Overwhelmed- have a strong emotional effect
Erected- build; construct
Racial domination- when people of one race have power over another race
Inhumane-cruel, brutal
Overturned– reverse.

Explanation of the above Passage: On the day of the inaugural ceremony, the author was remembering the days of past when this whole system of apartheid emerged. It resulted in inequality and inferior treatment of dark-skinned people. They were deprived of their basic fundamental rights. As a result, one of the world’s most brutal and inhumane society was born This began even before he was born. This system created an atmosphere of extreme cruelty and injustice for a particular part of the community. Now when he is in his eighth decade as a man, he along with countless others, have changed this entire system that treats humans as humans irrespective of their colour, caste, gender, or age.

Passage: That day had come about through the unimaginable sacrifices of thousands of my people, people whose suffering and courage can never be counted or repaid. I felt that day, as I have on so many other days, that I was simply the sum of all those African patriots who had gone before me. That long and noble line ended and now began again with me. I was pained that I was not able to thank them and that they were not able to see what their sacrifices had wrought.

Word Meaning
Unimaginable- difficult or impossible to imagine
Patriots- a person who vigorously supports their country and is prepared to defend it against enemies

Explanation of the above Passage: This equal and free country was a result of sacrifices of countless other men and women who have fought all their lives for this day. The author wishes if he could thank them all but unfortunately, they didn’t live to see the result of their courage. Nelson Mandela gathered his courage and power from all these people and thus, wishes to make them proud.

Passage: The policy of apartheid created a deep and lasting wound in my country and my people. All of us will spend many years, if not generations, recovering from that profound hurt. But the decades of oppression and brutality had another, unintended, effect, and that was that it produced the Oliver Tambos, the Walter Sisulus, the Chief Luthulis, the Yusuf Dadoos, the Bram Fischers, the Robert Sobukwes of our time* — men of such extraordinary courage, wisdom and generosity that their like may never be known again. Perhaps it requires such depths of oppression to create such heights of character. My country is rich in the minerals and gems that lie beneath its soil, but I have always known that its greatest wealth is its people, finer and truer than the purest diamonds.

Word Meaning
Apartheid– a policy or system of segregation on grounds of race
Profound– very great or intense
Unintended– not planned or meant

 

Explanation of the above Passage: The oppression policy scarred many people and it will take a long time for them to move on. The author mentions that this hard time had its negative impacts but it also exposed a lot of strong and courageous men who stood up and raised their voice. Thus, it required that level of unjust treatment to produce such great heroes. South Africa, he says, is rich in minerals and gems but its greatest strength lies in its people.

Passage: It is from these comrades in the struggle that I learned the meaning of courage. Time and again, I have seen men and women risk and give their lives for an idea. I have seen men stand up to attacks and torture without breaking, showing a strength and resilience that defies the imagination. I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.

Word Meaning
Comrades– a colleague or a fellow member of an organization
Resilience- the ability to deal with any kind of hardship and recover from its effects
Defies- refuse to obey
Triumph– great victory or achievement

Explanation of the above Passage: Nelson Mandela gained his strength to stand against the wrong from all the great nationalists he mentioned above, who have even risked their lives for freedom and tolerated ill-treatment, but never stopped fighting. He learned that “courage” didn’t mean the absence of fear, but the ability to overcome fear. The man who overcomes his fear is called brave.

Passage: No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite. Even in the grimmest times in prison, when my comrades and I were pushed to our limits, I would see a glimmer of humanity in one of the guards, perhaps just for a second, but it was enough to reassure me and keep me going. Man’s goodness is a flame that can be hidden but never extinguished.

Word Meaning
Grimmest- very serious or gloomy
Glimmer- shine faintly with a wavering light
Pushed to our limits- pushed to the last point in our ability to bear pain
Reassure- say or do something to remove the doubts

Explanation of the above Passage: One is taught by its society to hate humans because of their skin, colour, age, gender and religion. No one is inborn with hatred. The author’s idea is that if people can be taught hatred, they can also be taught love and brotherhood. In their most testing times in prison when they were being treated brutally, Mandela would see a pinch of humanity and kindness in one of the guards and that was enough to keep him going. He believes that goodness in human beings can be suppressed but never eliminated.

Passage: In life, every man has twin obligations — obligations to his family, to his parents, to his wife and children; and he has an obligation to his people, his community, his country. In a civil and humane society, each man is able to fulfil those obligations according to his own inclinations and abilities. But in a country like South Africa, it was almost impossible for a man of my birth and colour to fulfil both of those obligations. In South Africa, a man of colour who attempted to live as a human being was punished and isolated. In South Africa, a man who tried to fulfil his duty to his people was inevitably ripped from his family and his home and was forced to live a life apart, a twilight existence of secrecy and rebellion. I did not in the beginning choose to place my people above my family, but in attempting to serve my people, I found that I was prevented from fulfilling my obligations as a son, a brother, a father and a husband.

Word Meaning
Obligations- a duty or a commitment
Civil– courteous and polite
Inclination– natural tendencies of behavior
Inevitably- unavoidably
Twilight- half-light, semi-darkness
Secrecy- the action of keeping something secret
Rebellion- the action or process of resisting authority, convention or control

Explanation of the above Passage: According to the author, every human being has its responsibility towards the family and as well as the society. Generally, under normal circumstances, a person can maintain the balance between the two but in countries like South Africa, it was never so easy. When a person of colour would come up for his society, he would be arrested and taken away from his family, thus keeping them from fulfilling both responsibilities. In the beginning, Mandela did not put his people over his family, but it was only later when he realised that in order to be there for his people, he was compromising his duties towards his own family.

Passage: I was not born with a hunger to be free. I was born free — free in every way that I could know. Free to run in the fields near my mother’s hut, free to swim in the clear stream that ran through my village, free to roast mealies under the stars and ride the broad backs of slow-moving bulls. As long as I obeyed my father and abided by the customs of my tribe, I was not troubled by the laws of man or God. It was only when I began to learn that my boyhood freedom was an illusion, when I discovered as a young man that my freedom had already been taken from me, that I began to hunger for it. At first, as a student, I wanted freedom only for myself, the transitory freedoms of being able to stay out at night, read what I pleased and go where I chose. Later, as a young man in Johannesburg, I yearned for the basic and honorable freedoms of achieving my potential, of earning my keep, of marrying and having a family — the freedom not to be obstructed in a lawful life.

Word Meaning
Stream– a small, narrow river
Mealies- a maize plant
Abided- obeyed
Boyhood- the state or time of being a boy
Illusion– a false idea or belief
Transitory- not permanent
Yearned- have an intense feeling or longing for something

Explanation of the above Passage: The author did not have the plan to stand against the apartheid system early in life. He lived his childhood like any normal child in South Africa. He only had to follow the rules set up by his father or the customs of his tribe. As soon as he grew up and began to learn the facts as to how people of colour are treated, he decided to stand against it. He had this urge for freedom from inside, earlier just for himself (staying out at night, etc.) and later for having a basic life not just for himself, but for everyone. In Johannesburg, they had to struggle for having a peaceful marriage, family and basic amenities which everyone has access to where law and order exists.

Passage: But then I slowly saw that not only was I not free, but my brothers and sisters were not free. I saw that it was not just my freedom that was curtailed, but the freedom of everyone who looked like I did. That is when I joined the African National Congress, and that is when the hunger for my own freedom became the greater hunger for the freedom of my people. It was this desire for the freedom of my people to live their lives with dignity and selfrespect that animated my life, that transformed a frightened young man into a bold one, that drove a law-abiding attorney to become a criminal, that turned a family-loving husband into a man without a home, that forced a life-loving man to live like a monk. I am no more virtuous or self-sacrificing than the next man, but I found that I could not even enjoy the poor and limited freedoms I was allowed when I knew my people were not free. Freedom is indivisible; the chains on anyone of my people were the chains on all of them, the chains on all of my people were the chains on me.

Word Meaning
Curtailed– reduce; impose a restriction on
Dignity– the state or quality of being worthy of honour or respect
Frightened- afraid or anxious
Monk- a member of a religious community of men typically living under vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience
Virtuous– having or showing high moral standards
Indivisible- unable to be divided or separated

Explanation of the above Passage: Nelson Mandela joined the African National Congress (ANC) when he realized it is not only him whose basic rights were snatched away but of all those who looked like him. He had this fire inside him to free his people from the injustice. It was this fire that changed the author completely as a man, from being scared to brave, a lawyer to the one breaking the law, a family-man to a man without a home and a lively man into being a monk. It was the knowledge that he and his people have restricted freedom that made him into a selfless man as opposed to before. According to him, freedom cannot be divided. Snatching it away from some was equivalent to taking it away from everyone and that meant taking it away from the author.

Passage: I knew that the oppressor must be liberated just as surely as the oppressed. A man who takes away another man’s freedom is a prisoner of hatred; he is locked behind the bars of prejudice and narrow-mindedness. I am not truly free if I am taking away someone else’s freedom, just as surely as I am not free when my freedom is taken from me. The oppressed and the oppressor alike are robbed of their humanity.

Word Meaning
Prejudice- a strong dislike without any good reason

Explanation of the above Passage: He mentions that the need to free the oppressor is as high as that of the oppressed because the oppressor is bounded by the shackles of hatred. He has the weight of all the people who he has tormented, for he carries the curses of all of their families. For taking away someone else’s freedom and making them a prisoner, he becomes a prisoner of business. Thus, he is robbed of his humanity and need to be freed.

 

Class 10 English Chapter-wise Explanation

A Letter to God Chapter 1
Nelson Mandela Long Walk to Freedom Chapter 2
Two Stories About Flying Chapter 3
From the Diary of Anne Frank Chapter 4
Mijbil the Otter Chapter 6
Glimpses of India Part 1 – A Baker From Goa Chapter 5
Glimpses of India Part 2 – Coorg Chapter 5
Glimpses of India Part 3 – Tea From Assam Chapter 5
Madam Rides the Bus Chapter 7
The Sermon at Benares Chapter 8
The Proposal Chapter 9

 

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