written by Himadri Das
According to the Cambridge Dictionary, apartheid refers to ‘a system of keeping groups of people separate and treating them differently, especially when this results in disadvantage for one group.’ Speaking more specifically, it refers to a system in South Africa under which ‘people of different races were kept separate by law, and white people were given more political rights and educational and other advantages.’
In Afrikaans, it means separateness (apartheid). It refers to a system of ‘institutionalised racial oppression.’ Apartheid was characterised by an authoritarian political culture that aimed to ensure the dominance of the white people who were in the minority in the country.
The first apartheid law was the Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act,1949 followed by the Immorality Amendment Act,1950. The Population registration Act,1950 classified all South Africans into one of four racial groups : ‘Black’, ‘White’, ‘coloured’, and ‘Indian’. Coloured and black people were denied voting rights. Millions of black Africans were removed from their homes and relocated. This was done to restrict the black population to ten designated ‘tribal homelands’. They were stripped of their South African citizenship.
Apartheid received significant domestic and international opposition. During the 1970s and 1980s, internal opposition became increasingly violent. It prompted the National Party government, the perpetrator of the apartheid regime to engage in crackdowns. Sectarian violence left thousands of people dead. Many were detained by the authorities.
Between 1987 and 1993, the National Party started negotiations with the African National Congress, the leading anti-apartheid political movement. In 1990, Nelson Mandela, a prominent African National Congress figure, along with some other prominent figures, was released from prison. Apartheid legislation was withdrawn on 17 June,1991 and democratic elections were held in April,1994.
Long Walk To Freedom 8 mark questions along with answers of ten questions
Write a note on the events that took place on the day of swearing-in ceremony of the new democratically elected government of South Africa. 8
Write a note on the speech delivered by the author on the occasion of the swearing in ceremony of the first democratic, non-racial government of South Africa. 8
How did the attitude of the personnel(s) serving in the military and police change with a change in the political arena in South Africa?
What idea do you form about those armed forces personnel? 4+4
How did the policy of apartheid start in South Africa?
What impact did it have on the South African system? 4+4
What idea do you form about the policies of the newly elected government from the speech delivered by the author at the swearing in ceremony? 8
How does a system of oppression help producing leaders of great quality?
What is the true meaning of courage?
Or,
What does the word ‘courage’ really signify? 4+4
What are the obligations every man has in his life? What challenges did a person face in South Africa while attempting to fulfill those obligations? What were the effects of those challenges on the author? 2+3+3
Write a note on the author’s idea of freedom. Write a note on how the author’s idea of freedom went through changes.
Or,
Write a note on the spirit of freedom manifested by the author. 8
Describe after Nelson Mandela how he was transformed from a commonplace man preoccupied with personal interests into a man fighting for an entire community. 8
Write a note on the complex nature of relationship between the oppressor and the oppressed. 8
What idea do you form about the author as a human being? 8
Write a note on the democratic and human values propagated by the author in the prose piece ‘Long Walk to Freedom’. 8
Justify the prose piece ‘Long Walk to Freedom’ as a autobiography. 8
Justify the title of ‘Long Walk to Freedom.’ 8
‘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.’ - Explain 8
‘Never, never, and never again……by another.; - Explain.
Bring out the feeling of disgust as manifested in this line by the author. 8
‘ The sun shall never set on so glorious a human achievement.’ - Bring out the tone of hope and optimism as shown in this line. 8
‘Let freedom reign. God bless Africa!’ - Explain. 8
‘I was overwhelmed with a sense of history.’ - What history is the author talking about? What relation does it have with South Africa’s political system? 3+5
‘........that system had been overwhelmed forever and replaced by one that recognised the rights and freedoms of all peoples, regardless of the colour of their skin.’ - What was the system that had been overturned forever? And how? How was the new system that replaced the old one? 4 +4
‘That day come about through the unimaginable sacrifices of thousands of my people,....’ - What day is referred to here? How had the day come about? Who were instrumental in ushering in such a day? 2+4+2
‘But the decades of oppression and brutality had another, unintended effect,....’ - Write a note on what effect is referred to here? Why is the effect described as ‘unintended’? 4+4
‘....I have always known that its greatest wealth is its people, finer and truer than the purest diamonds.’ - In what context does the author say so? What attitude of the author is manifested here? 2+6
‘.......courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.’
Or,
‘The brave man is not he ……that fear.’
What, according to the author, is the meaning of courage? Why does he think so? 4+4
‘People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love,....’
Or,
‘No one is born hating……or his religion.’ - Explain. 8
‘Man’s goodness is a flame that can be hidden but never extinguished.’ - Explain.
Or,
‘A true leader never lose faith on people.’ - Explain the line in the light of the above statement made by the author. 8
What are the twin obligations that every man has in his life?
How different is South Africa from a civil and humane society when it comes to fulfilling both the obligations? 2+6
Or,
Who are forced to live a ‘twilight existence of secrecy and rebellion’? Why? 2+6
What idea of freedom did the author have in his boyhood? Mention all the activities that symbolised freedom for him. 4+4
Write a note on how the author’s idea of freedom evolved over time. 8
When and why was the author’s life transformed? 2+6
What is the author’s view with regard to the oppressed and the oppressor? 8
‘Freedom is indivisible,’ - Illuminate on the author’s idea of freedom in the light of the above comment. 8
Answer of some of the 8 marks questions
1. Write a note on the events that took place on the day of swearing-in ceremony of the new democratically elected government of South Africa.
Ans: The swearing in ceremony of the democratically elected government of South Africa took place on 10 May, 1994. The day was ‘bright and clear’. The swearing-in ceremony took place in the Union Buildings in Pretoria. The amphitheatre in the Union Building was made of sandstone and the place traditionally marked the supremacy of the white people. So the place chosen for the swearing-in ceremony for a democratic government consisting of people from different races and socio-cultural backgrounds was a clear statement against the racial prejudices nurtured by the previous political system superseded by a democratic one.
It was a lovely autumn day. The author was accompanied by his daughter Zenani. On the podium, Mr de Klerk was the first to be sworn in as the second deputy president followed by Thabo Mbeki as the first deputy president. Then came the author’s turn to be sworn in as the president of the country. Nelson Mandela, the author, pledged to obey and uphold the constitution and to devout himself to the well-being of the country. In his address to the gathering, he talked about his experience of struggle, human disaster, transitional phases his country had to go through, and victory of justice, peace, and human dignity over oppression.
He concluded by expressing his gratitude to all the international guests who attended the ceremony and with a strong sense of determination to make South Africa an oppression-free land. The swearing-in ceremony was followed by an air-exhibition by the South African air force to mark the occasion.
2. Write a note on the speech delivered by the author on the occasion of the swearing-in ceremony of the first democratic, non-racial government of South Africa.
Ans: Nelson Mandela, the author, began by talking about conferring ‘glory and hope to newborn liberty.’ He talked about a society which had just been born out of an ‘extraordinary human disaster’ caused by oppression, torture, and cruelty inflicted by one group of people upon another.
The author talked about a huge noticeable transformation in the attitude of the establishment towards him and his associates once they were voted to power to govern the country. But for the author, it was not an occasion to be boastful about what they achieved. Mandela said that their political victory over the racial government of South Africa was, in fact, a common victory of humanity over torture, oppression, and cruelty. It was a victory for justice, peace, and human dignity and hence should be considered as a victory for mankind and human civilisation over evil and be relished by democracy-loving people all over the world.
Along with ushering in political liberation, Mandela pledged to liberate the people of South Africa from the bondage of poverty, 'Deprivation’, ‘suffering’ and all types of discrimination including gender discrimination.
He concluded by reiterating his commitment to keep his land free from oppression and torture. He held the win over the racial system as a glorious human achievement and passionately wished freedom to thrive in his motherland.
5.What idea do you form about the policies of the newly elected government from the speech delivered by the author at the swearing-in ceremony?
Ans: Nelson Mandela’s address to the gathering in the swearing-in ceremony clearly defined the newly elected democratic government’s principles which were going to be the basis on which the government policies were to be framed. His speech was replete with democratic values. He advocated peace, justice, and human dignity. These were the values that were trampled under the previous regime apartheid.
Nelson Mandela’s speech emphasised upon three key things - declaration of victory of democratic values over oppression and injustice, invitation to the civil society all over the world to be a part of their achievement, determination of the government to keep freedom alive and thriving.
Nelson Mandela’s love for freedom, respect for democratic values, and nationalistic fervour are manifested through his speech before the guests who attended the swearing-in ceremony of the democratically elected government of South Africa.
From what we understand from the author’s speech, we can conclude that the policies of the government could well aim to form a socio-political system that would be inclusive, rule- based and respectful of human dignity.
6. How does a system of oppression help producing leaders of great quality? What is the true meaning of courage?
or,
What does the word ‘courage’ really signify?
Ans: Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, the author of the prose piece ‘Long Walk to Freedom’, talks about the policy of apartheid and its effect on the people of his country in the prose piece ‘Long walk to Freedom’.
He said that the apartheid era had created a deep and lasting wound in his country and his people.
While there is little doubt that the system of oppression and brutality caused havoc to the land called South Africa, there was an altogether different aspect to it. In one area,it really proved a blessing in disguise.
The author had the insight to go deeper and look into it and bring out the out of box explanation as to how the system of brutality and oppression proved to be a blessing in disguise. According to the author, the oppressive system during the apartheid was meant to crush the free spirit of the people and their sense of dignity. The ruling class resorted to torture and brutality to execute their plan. But their journey was not altogether smooth. They faced protest from people who cared little for the consequences they would face. They were subjected to torture. Efforts were made to suppress their voices. But the voice of opposition could not be suppressed and out of this struggle, leaders with exceptional mental strength emerged. Brutal treatment only made them more resolute to continue their fight. The oppression they had to face was nothing but a test of their character. The oppressive political system of South Africa produced leaders with great fighting qualities. There is a saying, ‘Leaders are not made, but born’. Leadership qualities, which so far lay hidden in the people of South Africa, awakened.
The true meaning of courage is not an easy thing to understand. People often misinterpret courage as a mental state which is devoid of fear. But, in reality, courage does not signify fearlessness. The true meaning of courage is quite different. The notion of ‘fearlessness’ is a false notion because no one can be free of fear. Fear is just like any other human emotion. Hence it is perfectly normal for any person to have fear. But when a person succeeds in overcoming fear, he or she should be regarded as a courageous person. It is perfectly normal to have fear. But when one overcomes fear, it indicates courage. To be able to be courageous, one needs to put in a lot of effort, and should have determination and mental strength of superior quality.
8. Write a note on the author’s idea of freedom. Write a note on how the author’s idea of freedom went through changes.
Or,
Write a note on the spirit of freedom manifested by the author.
Ans: The author boastfully declares that he was born free.He sought to elaborate what he meant by freedom in the initial years of his life. His idea of freedom in his boyhood was limited in scope. At this stage, he sought freedom in being allowed to carry out physical activities and in deriving pure physical pleasure of boyhood. His idea of freedom depended on whether he was allowed to ‘run in the fields near his mother’s hut; whether he was allowed ‘to swim in the clear stream’ that ran through his village, whether he was allowed to ‘roast mealies under the stars’ and ‘ride the broad backs of slow-moving bulls’. As long as he obeyed his father and obeyed the customs of his tribe, he was allowed to do all that he wished. He thought himself to be free.
With time his outlook regarding the idea of freedom changed. He, in his youth, began to realise the limitations in his boyhood idea of freedom. As a youngman, he was concerned with graver issues relating to life - political, personal, and professional. He found that his rights as a human being were curtailed and his aspirations and potentials as a professional and as a family man were suppressed. He realised that freedom is not all about being allowed to engage in self-centric pleasure activities. It is not about running,swimming, playing, eating,laughing, and merrymaking. Freedom is all about finding an atmosphere in which one can grow into a complete human being by thriving spiritually as well as materially and contribute to the well being of the society. The author realised the true meaning of freedom in his youth.
12. Write a note on the democratic and human values propagated by the author in the prose piece ‘Long Walk to Freedom’.
Ans: The prose piece ‘Long Way to Freedom’ by Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela is an extract from the autobiography of the author also titled ‘Long Way to Freedom’.
The prose piece ‘Long Way to Freedom’ propounds the ideas and values of the author to a great extent. The extracted text deals with the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected democratic government of South Africa that marked an end to the apartheid era based on oppression and racial discrimination.
The history and background behind the installation of the non-racial, democratic government was an extraordinary one full of struggle,suffering, and self-sacrifice. The events that culminated into the installation of the democratic government were in reality, events of struggle for the installation of democratic and human values in South African society as well as in polity. The author, in this prose piece, mentioned the speech he gave before the guests who attended the swearing-in ceremony of his government. The speech he gave was a forceful testimony to the author’s love and respect for democratic and human values. When we go through the lines he uttered before the gathering, we get an idea as to how determined he had been to protect those values in his motherland. An air force show on the occasion of the swearing-in ceremony of the democratic government, made the author say that this was a mark of military’s loyalty to democracy. The author offers a little bit of historical perspective as to how and when the two groups of white men of European origin came to an understanding ending their long standing feud after the bitter Anglo- Boer war and erected a system of oppression over the indigenous people of the land. The prose offers an insight into the making of leaders of great character in an oppressive political system. According to the author, these leaders and the people who follow these leaders are the greatest wealth of a nation. Thus, the author uttered the greatest truth about democracy.The very basis of democracy is its people and the able leaders who serve these people.
Democratic values include freedom, justice, peace, and human rights. Oppression is an anathema to democratic values. It is also opposed to human dignity. Democracy means freedom and justice for all. It is not a matter of personal freedom . It was for the sake of collective freedom, the author sacrificed his personal life and whatever limited freedom he enjoyed. In the concluding paragraph of the prose piece ‘Long Way to Freedom’, the author iterated the need to free the oppressed as well as the oppressor respectively from the bondage of oppression and the feeling of hatred towards the oppressed. There is room for everyone in democracy and it propagates dignified living for all.
15. ‘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.’ - Explain
Ans: The extracted statement was a part of the speech made by Nelson Mandela before the gathering at the swearing in ceremony of the new democratic government of South Africa and was mentioned by the author in the prose piece titled ‘Long walk to Freedom’.
In this line, we see the author talking about ‘an extraordinary human disaster’. By ‘extraordinary human disaster,’ he refers to the era of apartheid during which a socio-political system of oppression was erected and the people of colour were subjected to torture and oppression because of the colour of their skin. As a result, the democratic rights of a large number of people got trampled by the whims of the white people of European origin. But how could such a socio-political order which was heavily tilted in favour of the white people have been sustainable for long? Can a government corner one section of people solely on the basis of the colour of their skin? People of South Africa experienced such a thing during the apartheid era in which the indigenous people of the land were stripped of all the rights and were treated as second class citizens. They were denied the opportunity to live a dignified life. Such a system brought unimaginable suffering for the people in South Africa and such a system continued for years until it was replaced by a democratically elected government led by Nelson Mandela, the author.
In his speech on the occasion of the swearing-in ceremony of his government, the author expressed his commitment to build an ideal society devoid of oppression and injustice. The author expressed his hope to build such a perfect society on the ashes of the one held as one of the most draconian systems of oppression in the history of mankind. After all, out of chaos emerges order and stability. Injustice gives us the opportunity to build a system based on justice, peace, and equality.
17. ‘ The sun shall never set on so glorious a human achievement.’ - Bring out the tone of hope and optimism as shown in this line.
Ans: The extracted line was a part of what Nelson Mandela said before a gathering that attended the swearing in ceremony of the newly elected democratic government of South Africa. The line was also mentioned in the prose piece ‘Long walk to Freedom’.
Nelson Mandela, the author of ‘Long Walk to Freedom’, and his associates had a long history of struggle against the prevailing political system that was based on the theory white supremacy over the indigenous people of South Africa. The author and his comrades fought for the restoration of democratic values of justice,peace, and human rights over oppression and brutality. Years of struggle and sacrifice finally yielded results in their favour. The fight for democracy and human rights culminated in the installation of the democratic government in South Africa.
The author and his nation had already gone through the most difficult time in their struggle for democracy and in their journey towards democracy. He and his associates had spent years behind the bar. Those were the grimmest years of the author’s life. But he, even then, did not lose hope. And with the final victory over the system of oppression, the democratic forces were emboldened. The installation of the democratic government made the author assertive and that assertiveness is manifested in his speech. He knew that this was only the beginning of a process. The task of making democracy stronger and establishing it as the only permanent political system in South Africa was due.
The statement made by him was a visionary one that determined the course the country was to take in the days to come.
20. ‘........that system had been overwhelmed forever and replaced by one that recognised the rights and freedoms of all peoples, regardless of the colour of their skin.’ - What was the system that had been overturned forever? And how? How was the new system that replaced the old one?
Ans: By the ‘system’, the author refers to the one erected by the white people in South Africa. It was a political system that believed in racial supremacy of the white people of European origin over the indigenous people of South Africa during the apartheid era to exploit the black people of the country by suppressing their rights was overturned forever.
The removal of the system of oppression which was based on racial discrimination was the outcome of a prolonged struggle of the people for the installation of democratic system. People elected a new government to replace the racial government of South Africa.
The new government was democratically elected by the people of South Africa. It was opposed to the racial prejudices and the feudalistic tendencies of the previous government. As the head of the new government, Nelson Mandela pointed out the principles on the basis of which the new government was to function. Speaking to the guests gathered at the swearing-in ceremony, he talked about the human disaster the previous political system had brought in.He then emphasised the importance of building a society which would be markedly different from the one created by the previous political system. The political system under the previous ruling class was based on racial discrimination, oppression, and brutality. There was no room for freedom, peace, and justice; human rights were violated. There was blatant disregard for democratic values. In a sharp departure from such traditions,Nelson Mandela, the head of the new government,pledged to replace the former one with a system that would undeniably be inclusive, pro-people, and would be based on democratic and human values of justice,peace,equality, and freedom.
24. ‘.......courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.’
or,
‘The brave man is not he ……that fear.’- What,according to the author, is the meaning of courage? Why does he think so?
Ans: While talking about how the system of oppression had played its part in producing leaders of great character, Nelson Mandela, the author of ‘Long Walk to Freedom’,made the extracted comment.
According to the author, a country may have a large reserve of precious natural resources, but that does not make a country strong. Visionary leaders make a country strong. When we talk about visionary leaders, it brings us to the issue of human resources that a country possesses. Material wealth in the form of precious natural resources such as diamonds can do no good to a country if it is not backed by dutiful citizens. The common people are the guardians of the wealth of a country. They serve as the supply line of great leaders who guide the country to new heights. So a lot depends on the moral standard of the common people for the prosperity of a country. Precious natural wealth is nothing but tools for prosperity.But the real driving force behind the overall well-being of a country are its common people.
The extracted comment by the author manifests the voice of a mass leader. The opinion shows the author’s respect for common people and his willingness to acknowledge the importance of common people in the mission of nation- building. In doing so,the author leaves his impression on the reader as a visionary leader who has the required wisdom and pragmatism to mingle with the masses and guide them to prosperity.The extracted comment also brings out the author’s respect for democratic values that regard the common people as the key to everything.
Conclusion: Answers to ten out of thirty two questions have been given above. Readers are requested to go through the text and then go through the above piece along with other materials such as Line by line analysis and explanation of Long Way To Freedom Part I, Line by line analysis and explanation of Long Way To Freedom Part II, Long Way to Freedom short question answer for CBSE Class X to have a clear understanding of the prose piece Long way to Freedom.
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