2. Nelson Mandela…..Long Walk to Freedom…
Questions - Answers.
(1) Who was the first black president of South
Africa?
Ans. Nelson Mandela was the first black president of South Africa.
(2) From where this extract is taken of?
Ans. This extract is taken from the autobiography of Nelson Mandela, 'Long Walk to Freedom'.
(3) Where did the ceremonies take place? Can you
name any public building in India that is made of Sandstone?
Ans. The ceremonies took place in the lovely Sandstone amphitheater in Pretoria. Red fort in Delhi, Parliament house, president house are made from sandstone.
(4) What is policy of Apartheid system? How did
it separate people’s rights? Why did Mandela oppose this political system?
Ans. 'Apartheid' is a political system or policy that separates people according to their race. like the differences between black and white people. According to this policy the black people didn't have the same rights as the white people had. Nelson Mandela had opposed this policy this system had created a deep and lasting wound in the people of South Africa. It was snatching the rights of black people.
(5) At the very beginning of his speech, Mandela
mentions “an extraordinary human disaster”. What does he mean by this?
Ans. Mandela was taking about the unpleasant experience of Apartheid system which lasted too long . He said that all humanity must be born a society of which all humanity would be proud.
(6) What does Mandela thank the internationals
leaders for?
Ans. Mandela appreciated the international leaders for having come to take possession with the people of South Africa and it was a common victory for justice, for peace and human dignity.
(7) What do you understand by the quote “Let freedom reign. God bless Africa!”?
Ans. 'Let freedom reign. God bless Africa! shows that South Africa and its black people had faced the deep lasting wound of poverty, deprivation, suffering and other discrimination in past years but the time has overturned end South Africa has achieved freedom which will not end in future.
(8) How many years Mandela had spent in prison?
Ans. Mandela had spent 30 years in prison.
(9) Name the two national anthems of South Africa?
Ans. The two nations anthems of South Africa are 'Nkosi Sikelel- iAfrica' and 'Die Stem'.
Ans. The two nations anthems of South Africa are 'Nkosi Sikelel- iAfrica' and 'Die Stem'.
(10) What do the military generals do? How has
their attitude changed and why?
Ans. The military generals saluted Nelson Mandela and pledged their loyalty. Once when there was Apartheid era this defence force, police had arrested him. But now, their attitude has changed as Nelson Mandela had became the first black president of South Africa.
Ans. The military generals saluted Nelson Mandela and pledged their loyalty. Once when there was Apartheid era this defence force, police had arrested him. But now, their attitude has changed as Nelson Mandela had became the first black president of South Africa.
(11) Why did Mandela say that his people were more
pure than diamonds?
Ans. According to Mandela his country is rich in the minerals and gems that lie beneath its soil but the some prominent freedom fighters who fought against Apartheid system and lost their life for the nation. They had given courage, wisdom and generosity that might never be known again. So, Mandela said that his people were more pure than diamonds.
Ans. According to Mandela his country is rich in the minerals and gems that lie beneath its soil but the some prominent freedom fighters who fought against Apartheid system and lost their life for the nation. They had given courage, wisdom and generosity that might never be known again. So, Mandela said that his people were more pure than diamonds.
(12) What does courage mean to Mandela?
Ans. Mandela said that he had learnt that courage was not the absence of fear but it was to get victory over it. He said," The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear".
Ans. Mandela said that he had learnt that courage was not the absence of fear but it was to get victory over it. He said," The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear".
(13) Which does he think is natural, to love or
to hate?
Ans. According to Nelson Mandela love is more natural than hate.
(14) Why did such a large number of international leaders attend the inauguration? What did it signify the triumph of?
Ans. A large number of international leaders had attended the inauguration because it was going to host on the soil of South Africa which was the rare privilege. It signified the triumph for justice, for peace and for human dignity.
(15) What does Mandela mean when he says he is “simply the sum of all those
African patriots” who had gone before him?
Ans. According to Mandela he was the sum of all those African patriots because their suffering and courage can never be counted or repaid. They had given the unimaginable sacrifices to the people of South Africa.
(16)Would you agree that the “depths of oppression” create “heights of character”?
How does Mandela illustrate this? Can you add your own examples to this argument ?
Ans. Yes, I have agreed with Mandela because if there is strong oppression then the world will create great leaders. Like Shahid Bhagat Singh. India will never create a leader like him. Mandela said that if there was no any system of Apartheid than South Africa could not have such a great leaders.
(17) How did Mandela’s understanding of freedom change with age and experience ?
Ans. According to Mandela he was not born with a hunger to be free. But, this was his illusion when he was a child. He obeyed his parents and followed the custom of his tribe. He wanted to do the work he liked. But, when he became conscious he came to realize that his country need to fight against poverty, race discrimination, suffering and so on.He realized that it was not his freedom that was being reduced but there were so many people whose freedom was in danger like him.
(18) How did Mandela’s ‘hunger for freedom’ change his life?
Ans. When Mandela joined the African National Congress Party his hunger for freedom became the greater hunger for the freedom of my people. He had desire that his people would live their lives with dignity, self respect and that had turned or transformed a frighted young man into a bold man.
Ans. According to Nelson Mandela love is more natural than hate.
(14) Why did such a large number of international leaders attend the inauguration? What did it signify the triumph of?
Ans. A large number of international leaders had attended the inauguration because it was going to host on the soil of South Africa which was the rare privilege. It signified the triumph for justice, for peace and for human dignity.
(15) What does Mandela mean when he says he is “simply the sum of all those
African patriots” who had gone before him?
Ans. According to Mandela he was the sum of all those African patriots because their suffering and courage can never be counted or repaid. They had given the unimaginable sacrifices to the people of South Africa.
(16)Would you agree that the “depths of oppression” create “heights of character”?
How does Mandela illustrate this? Can you add your own examples to this argument ?
Ans. Yes, I have agreed with Mandela because if there is strong oppression then the world will create great leaders. Like Shahid Bhagat Singh. India will never create a leader like him. Mandela said that if there was no any system of Apartheid than South Africa could not have such a great leaders.
(17) How did Mandela’s understanding of freedom change with age and experience ?
Ans. According to Mandela he was not born with a hunger to be free. But, this was his illusion when he was a child. He obeyed his parents and followed the custom of his tribe. He wanted to do the work he liked. But, when he became conscious he came to realize that his country need to fight against poverty, race discrimination, suffering and so on.He realized that it was not his freedom that was being reduced but there were so many people whose freedom was in danger like him.
(18) How did Mandela’s ‘hunger for freedom’ change his life?
Ans. When Mandela joined the African National Congress Party his hunger for freedom became the greater hunger for the freedom of my people. He had desire that his people would live their lives with dignity, self respect and that had turned or transformed a frighted young man into a bold man.