Nelson Mandela Long Walk to Freedom

1.0About the Author

Long Walk to Freedom is an autobiography written by South African President Nelson Mandela, and first published in 1994 by Little Brown & Co. The book profiles his early life, coming of age, education and 27 years in prison.

It also details Mandela's early life and major influences on him, his moving to Johannesburg, joining the African National Congress.

This lesson takes the readers back to May 10, 1994 when Mandela was sworn in as the first black President of Democratic South Africa. It is an account of the atrocities and oppression inflicted by the white rulers on the black natives in South Africa. In this lesson Mandela shares a few of his bitter experiences during his freedom struggle, as well as overwhelming emotions that he experienced when finally a democratic era was ushered in after years of struggle. He also pays homage to the brave hearts of South Africa who made it possible for Africa to see this day of independence.

2.0An Autumn Day

Tenth May dawned. It was bright and clear. Many world leaders had been coming to the author to pay respects to him. It was before the inauguration. The inauguration was to be the largest gathering of world leaders there. The inauguration ceremonies took place in a big open building in Pretoria. Here the South Africa's first democratic non-racial govt, was to be installed. On that day the author was in the company of his daughter Zenani. Mr. De Klerk was first sworn in as second deputy President. Then Thabo Mbeki was sworn in as first deputy President. It was the author's turn then. He was sworn in as the President. He pledged to obey and uphold the constitution. He also pledged to devote himself to the well being of the people.

3.0Two National Anthems

The day was symbolised for the author by the playing of two national anthems. The whites sang 'Nkosi Sikelel' and the blacks sang 'Die Stem'. These formed the old anthems of the republic. On that day of the inauguration, the author thought of history. In the first decade the South African people had patched up their differences with other black-skinned people. They had built a system of superiority also. It was the basis of the harshest societies. This system had now stood overturned. Now it was the system that recognised the rights and freedoms of all people.

This auspicious day came after the sacrifices of thousands of the people. The author thought of himself the sum of all those people. He was pained that he couldn't thank them. The policy of apartheid created a lasting wound in his country and his people. This policy had produced great freedom fighters. They were like Oliver Tambos, Walter Sisulus, Chief Luthulis, Yusuf Dadoos etc. They were men of uncommon courage, wisdom and generosity. The country was rich in minerals. But its greatest wealth was its people. From these people the author learned the meaning of courage. They risked their lives. They underwent great torture. He learned that courage was not the absence of fear but the victory over it. The author says that no one is born hating another person due to colour or religion. They could be taught to love. Love comes naturally to the human heart. In prison they were pushed to the wall. But he saw humanity in the hearts of the guards. It was man's essential goodness. It can't be put out.

4.0Twin Obligations

In life every man has twin duties-to his family, to his community and country. The author found it difficult to fulfil these two duties. It was because a coloured man in South Africa was punished if he lived like a human being. Such a man was forced to live apart from his own people, so he was not allowed to do his duties to his family. The author was born free. He was not born with a hunger to be free. He was free as long as he obeyed his father and obeyed the customs of his tribe. But soon he realized that his freedom was an illusion. He began hungry for freedom when it was taken from him. As a student he wanted freedom to read and go. As a young man in Johannesburg he wanted freedom to be as per his potential. He also wanted the freedom of livelihood of his own and of family. But soon he saw that he was also not free like his brothers and sisters. Then he joined the African National Congress. His hunger for freedom became greater for the freedom of his people. The desire for the freedom of his people to live with dignity gave him power. It made him bold. It made him live like a monk. The chains on his people became chains for him too. The author knew that the oppressor must be liberated like the oppressed. A man who takes away another's freedom becomes the person to be hated. No one is free if he is taking someone else's freedom. Both the oppressor and the oppressed are robbed of humanity.

5.0Recall

• Nelson Mandela swears in as the first black president of South Africa on 10th May 1994.
• At time of his swearing two national anthems were sung. He wished that freedom in Africa should reign.
• The swearing in ceremony took place in the lovely sandstone amphitheatre.
• He addressed the rainbow gathering with a zest telling that never, never, and never again should it be that beautiful land would experience the oppression of one by another.
• He wished that freedom in Africa should reign.
• The army officials who could have caught him and put him in jail before were saluting him to pay respect to the newly born democracy.
• The two national anthems were sung at the time of his swearing in ceremony.
• He recalls back the history and pays homage to the national martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the sake of their motherland.
• He tells about the martyrs were the men of extraordinary courage and wisdom and generosity.
• That's why he pays homage to the national martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the sake of their motherland.
• The country of South Africa is rich in minerals and gems but the greatest wealth of country is its people.
• He tells no one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion.
• If people learn to hate, they can be taught to love too.
• He talks that man's goodness is a flame that can be hidden but never exhausted.
• He talks about the twin obligations- obligation towards his family and obligation towards his nation.
• While discharging his duties he found he was not free. Hence, he joined African National Congress fought for the freedom of his country.
• He well knew that the oppressor must be liberated just as surely as the oppressed.
• The oppressor and oppressed alike are robbed of their humanity.