Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

About The Author

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (1918-2013) was South Africas first black president, and he served
from 1994 to 1999. Throughout his life, he was an activist agaínst apartheid and a philanthropist
and humanitarian.
Nelson Mandelas interest in freedom for South Africa was kindled early in life, when he studied
the history of his people and realised they had lived in relative harmony until the arrival of the
colonists, who had taken away their rights and enslaved them in their own country.
In 1944, Mandela joined the African National Congress (ANC) struggle against oppression of
the blacks, and later apartheid in South Africa. For twenty years, he led a campaign of peaceful,
non-violent protest against the South African government and its racist policies. Mandela
transformed the freedom struggle into a mass movement, giving voice to millions of people.
Beginning in 1962, Mandela spent twenty-seven years in prison for political offences.
In 1993, Mandela and South African State President FW. de Klerk were jointly awarded the
Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts to dismantle the country's apartheid system of racial
segregation.
In 2009 Mandelas birthday was declared as Mandela Day,. an international day to promote
global peace and celebrate Mandela's legacy.

Introduction
Apartheid (literally 'apartness' in Afrikaans) was an institutionalised systerm of racial segregation
and discrimination in South Africa against non-whites by the National Party governments from
1948 to the early 1990s. Under the policy South Africans were classified into four racial groups:
whites, blacks, coloured and Asians. It entailed the complete segregation of public facilities and
living areas. Millions of people were forcefully evicted from their homes in areas termed as white
and taken to poor neighbourhoods 'Pass laws required non-whites to carry authorised
documnents to enter white areas. Laws prohibited relations and marriage between whites and
other races. Non-whites could not participate in church and state affairs and had no
representatives in the political sphere, leading to absolute white supremacy.
Finally. from 1990 to 1994, Mandela and de Klerk SUccessfully managed to subvert the regime
of apartheid. This led to the first democratic elections in South Africas history, inApril 1994. The
event was also hailed for its universal adult suffrage, everyone had the right to vote - men and
women of all races.
In 1994, Mandela published his autobiography Long Walk to Freedom, most of which he had
secretly written while in prison. In it he talks of his childhood, his education, his work with the
ANC and his time in prison. The book is a compelling account of what rmotivated one man to
fight for the freedom of many.
Themes
Gratitude

One of the strongest themes in the extract is the gratitude that Mandela exhibits. His gratitude to
the world leaders who attend his inauguration; to the army that pledged loyalty to him and the
new democratic, non-racial government; to the anti- apartheid activists who camne before him
and laid the foundation for the struggle that he was able to see to completion. Mandela also
feels gratitude towards his jailors who showed him glimpses of goodness when he least
expected it. giving him the strength to continue his struggle for freedom and equality for his
people.

Liberty and equality

These two ideals generally go together, but especially in the case of this extract, as South Africa
was celebrating not just its first free democratic elections, but also its first black president. For
South Africans, who were burdened by repression and cruel racial discrimination for decades by
outsiders. the freedom to be equal to others is the most rewarding and important thing. Mandela
is the embodiment of the anti-apartheid struggle - the man who fought not just for freedom, but
for the right for non-white people to be seen as equal to the whites and the rest of the world.

Sacrifice

The excerpt serves as a strong reminder that all the freedoms we enjoy today were fought for by
those who came before us. Mandela serves to remind us that freedom is attained at a terrible
price - their lives, their families, their dignity and their own freedom. Sacrifice is also Mandelas
legacy to the world- he spent sixty-seven years fighting for South Africa at a great personal cost.

Duty

Mandela speaks of twin obligations - to family and to community and country. He reminds us
that most of us are fortunate not to have to make a choice between the two and must therefore,
do what we can to discharge our duties to the best of our abilities.

Humanity

A powerful theme not just in this excerpt but in Mandelas legacy is his belief in humanity.
Mandela reminds us that not only are the oppressed in need of restored humanity, but so are
the oppressors. His message is that oppressors are trapped in their hatred and prejudices and
need to be freed from them with goodness and grace. All humanity is redeemable.
Summary/Key Points
● Nelson Mandela swears in as the first black president of South Africa on 10th May 1994.
● The swearing in ceremony took place in the lovely sandstone amphitheater in Pretoria
● He addressed the rainbow gathering with a zest telling that never, never, and never again
should it be that 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 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 the history and pays homage to the national martyrs who sacrificed their lives for
the sake of their motherland.
● He tells that the martyrs were the men of extraordinary courage and wisdom and generosity.
● The country of South Africa is rich in minerals and gems but the greatest wealth of the 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 says that man's goodness is a flame that can be hidden but never exhausted.
● He talks about the twin obligations-obligation towards his family & obligation towards his
nation. While discharging his duties he found he was not free.
● Hence, he joined African National Congress and fought for the freedom of his country.
● He knew that the oppressor must be liberated just as surely as the oppressed.
● The oppressor and oppressed are alike are robbed of their humanity

Glossary
1. Emancipation- the fact or process of being set free from legal, social, or political restrictions
2. Liberate- free; release
3. Bondage- the state of being a slave
4. Discrimination- being treated differently or unfavourably
5. Deprivation- the damaging lack of material benefits considered to be basic necessities in a
society
6. Oppression- prolonged cruel or unjust treatment or exercise of authority.