Chapter Overview

Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom is an extract from Nelson Mandela’s autobiography. It describes the historic inauguration ceremony of 10 May 1994, when Mandela became the first Black President of democratic South Africa.

The chapter reflects on the long struggle against apartheid, the sacrifices of countless freedom fighters, the meaning of courage, and Mandela’s understanding of true freedom. It is not just a political speech, but a powerful reflection on justice, equality, dignity and humanity.

Summary in English

The chapter begins with the historic day of 10 May 1994, when Nelson Mandela was to be sworn in as the first Black President of South Africa. The inauguration ceremony took place at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. Many international leaders and dignitaries attended the ceremony, making it the largest gathering of world leaders on South African soil.

Mandela recalls that the Union Buildings had once been the seat of white supremacy. Now, the same place had become the site of a rainbow gathering of different colours and nations. This marked the beginning of South Africa’s first democratic and non-racial government.

During the ceremony, Mr de Klerk was sworn in as second deputy president and Thabo Mbeki as first deputy president. Then Mandela took the oath to uphold the Constitution and serve the people of South Africa. In his speech, he said that a society should be born out of the long human disaster of apartheid, and that all humanity would be proud of it.

Mandela thanked the international guests for joining the people of South Africa in celebrating a common victory for justice, peace and human dignity. He promised that South Africa would never again experience the oppression of one person by another.

The ceremony also included a display of South African jets, helicopters and troop carriers. Earlier, the same military leaders might have arrested Mandela, but now they saluted him and pledged loyalty to the new democratic government. Two national anthems were sung, symbolising unity between Black and White South Africans.

Mandela then reflects on the history of South Africa. In the early twentieth century, white people created a system of racial domination. In the final decade of the century, that system was replaced by one that recognised the rights and freedom of all people, regardless of colour.

Mandela remembers the sacrifices of thousands of African patriots. He feels that he is the sum of all those freedom fighters who came before him. He also says that apartheid created deep wounds, but it also produced men and women of extraordinary courage, wisdom and generosity.

According to Mandela, courage is not the absence of fear but the triumph over it. He believes that people are not born hating others; they learn to hate. Therefore, they can also be taught to love, because love comes more naturally to the human heart.

Finally, Mandela talks about freedom. As a child, he thought freedom meant running in the fields, swimming in streams and living freely according to tribal customs. As he grew older, he realised that his freedom had been taken away. Later, he understood that not only he but all Black people in South Africa were not free. This realisation made him join the African National Congress and dedicate his life to the freedom of his people.

Mandela concludes that freedom is indivisible. A person who takes away another person’s freedom is also not truly free because he becomes a prisoner of hatred and prejudice. Both the oppressed and the oppressor are robbed of their humanity.

सारांश हिंदी में

यह अध्याय नेल्सन मंडेला की आत्मकथा Long Walk to Freedom से लिया गया है। इसमें 10 मई 1994 के ऐतिहासिक दिन का वर्णन है, जब नेल्सन मंडेला दक्षिण अफ्रीका के पहले अश्वेत राष्ट्रपति बने।

शपथ ग्रहण समारोह प्रिटोरिया के Union Buildings में हुआ। इस समारोह में अनेक देशों के नेता और गणमान्य व्यक्ति उपस्थित थे। यह दक्षिण अफ्रीका की धरती पर अंतरराष्ट्रीय नेताओं की सबसे बड़ी सभा थी।

मंडेला बताते हैं कि Union Buildings कभी श्वेत प्रभुत्व का प्रतीक था, लेकिन अब वही स्थान अलग-अलग रंगों और देशों के लोगों की इंद्रधनुषी सभा का केंद्र बन गया था। यह दक्षिण अफ्रीका की पहली लोकतांत्रिक और नस्लभेद-रहित सरकार की स्थापना थी।

समारोह में Mr de Klerk को दूसरे उपराष्ट्रपति और Thabo Mbeki को पहले उपराष्ट्रपति के रूप में शपथ दिलाई गई। इसके बाद मंडेला ने संविधान का पालन करने और देश के लोगों की सेवा करने की शपथ ली।

अपने भाषण में मंडेला ने कहा कि लंबे समय तक चले मानव अत्याचार, यानी apartheid, से अब एक ऐसा समाज जन्म लेना चाहिए जिस पर पूरी मानवता गर्व कर सके। उन्होंने यह भी कहा कि दक्षिण अफ्रीका में अब कभी एक व्यक्ति द्वारा दूसरे व्यक्ति का शोषण नहीं होगा।

समारोह में दक्षिण अफ्रीकी वायुसेना ने शक्ति और अनुशासन का प्रदर्शन किया। जो सैन्य अधिकारी कभी मंडेला को गिरफ्तार कर सकते थे, वे अब उन्हें सलामी दे रहे थे। दो राष्ट्रगान गाए गए, जो काले और गोरे लोगों के बीच एकता का प्रतीक थे।

मंडेला दक्षिण अफ्रीका के इतिहास को याद करते हैं। बीसवीं शताब्दी की शुरुआत में गोरे लोगों ने नस्लीय प्रभुत्व की व्यवस्था बनाई थी। परंतु बीसवीं शताब्दी के अंतिम दशक में उस व्यवस्था को समाप्त कर दिया गया और सभी लोगों के अधिकारों और स्वतंत्रता को मान्यता दी गई।

मंडेला उन हजारों देशभक्तों के बलिदान को याद करते हैं जिन्होंने स्वतंत्रता के लिए संघर्ष किया। वे स्वयं को उन सभी स्वतंत्रता सेनानियों का परिणाम मानते हैं। वे कहते हैं कि apartheid ने देश को गहरा घाव दिया, लेकिन इसी अत्याचार ने महान साहसी और उदार लोगों को भी जन्म दिया।

मंडेला के अनुसार साहस का अर्थ डर का न होना नहीं है, बल्कि डर पर विजय प्राप्त करना है। वे कहते हैं कि कोई भी व्यक्ति जन्म से किसी से नफरत करना नहीं सीखता। नफरत सीखी जाती है, इसलिए प्रेम भी सिखाया जा सकता है।

अंत में मंडेला स्वतंत्रता के अर्थ पर विचार करते हैं। बचपन में उनके लिए स्वतंत्रता खेतों में दौड़ना, नदी में तैरना और अपनी परंपराओं के अनुसार जीना थी। बड़े होने पर उन्हें एहसास हुआ कि उनकी स्वतंत्रता छीन ली गई है। बाद में उन्होंने समझा कि केवल वे ही नहीं, बल्कि उनके सभी लोग स्वतंत्र नहीं हैं। इसी कारण वे African National Congress से जुड़े और अपने लोगों की स्वतंत्रता के लिए संघर्ष किया।

Part-wise Summary

Important Points to Form Answers

• The chapter is an extract from Nelson Mandela’s autobiography Long Walk to Freedom.
• Mandela became South Africa’s first Black President on 10 May 1994.
• The inauguration ceremony took place at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
• The Union Buildings had earlier been the seat of white supremacy.
• The ceremony marked the beginning of South Africa’s first democratic, non-racial government.
• Mr de Klerk became second deputy president and Thabo Mbeki became first deputy president.
• Mandela pledged to uphold the Constitution and serve the people.
• He called the victory a common victory for justice, peace and human dignity.
• The military display showed loyalty to democracy.
• Two national anthems were sung to show unity and reconciliation.
• Mandela remembered the sacrifices of African patriots.
• He said apartheid created a deep and lasting wound in South Africa.
• He believed South Africa’s greatest wealth was its people.
• Mandela defined courage as the triumph over fear.
• He believed love is more natural to the human heart than hate.
• He said every person has twin obligations: to family and to society/country.
• As a child, freedom meant simple pleasures to Mandela.
• As an adult, freedom meant dignity, equality and self-respect for all.
• Mandela joined the African National Congress to fight for the freedom of his people.
• He believed both the oppressed and the oppressor are robbed of their humanity.

Character Sketch

Difficult Words and Meanings

Important Question and Answers

Extract-Based Questions

Quick Revision Box

Final Conclusion

Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom is a powerful chapter about the victory of justice over oppression. Mandela’s words remind us that true freedom is not only political independence but also freedom from fear, poverty, prejudice and discrimination. The chapter inspires students to value courage, equality, sacrifice and humanity.