Nelson Mandela

Introduction 

• The Chapter is Extract from the autobiography of Nelson Mandela , “the first black president of South Africa “
• it provides us with a glimpse of the early life of nelson Mandela his education thirty years in prison &  the pains he had suffered at his young age
• it also recounts his fight or the freedom of his own people who were tortured by the whites.
• It also monitors the contribution of other freedom fighters of this nation.
• As per Mandela, he , who conquers his fear is a real brave man.
• The Guard show humanity to Nelson Mandela in Prison by encouraging him to continue his struggle

The Inauguration Day

• Tenth May dawned – it was bright and clear
• Many world leaders had been coming to Mandela  to pay respect to him.
• It was before the Inauguration
• The Inauguration was to be the largest gathering of world leaders there .

The place of Inauguration

• The Inauguration ceremonies took place in Union buildings amphitheater in Pretoria.
• Here South Africa’s first democratic non-racial government was to be Installed

The Swearing-in Ceremony

• On that Mandela was in the company of his daughter Zenani
• Mr. De klerk was the 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

Mandela Addresses

• Mandela spoke of newborn liberty He thanked all the international guests
• He said that they had come there to be with his countrymen
• It was the common victory for justice peace & human dignity
• He pledged to liberate his people from poverty suffering and discrimination

Display by Jets & Helicopters

• After a few moments colorful south African jets & helicopters flew over the Union buildings there
• It was for the military’s loyalty to democracy for a new government
• Then the highest military generals having medals on their chests saluted Mandela
• He thought that they would have arrested him many years before

Singing of the National anthem

• The day was symbolized 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

Mandela’s Thoughts

• On that day of the Inauguration Mandela 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 recognized the  rights & freedom of all people

Freedom Fighters Remembered

• The Policy of apartheid created & lasting wound in his country & his people
• This Policy had produced great freedom fighters like oliver Tambo’s , Walter Sisulu, chief Luthuli , Yusuf dadoos   etc.
• They were men of uncommon courage wisdom & generosity .
• This Country was reach in minerals but its greatest wealth was its people

The Definition of Courage

• From these people the author learnt the meaning of courage
• They risked their lives. they underwent great torture
• He learnt that courage was not the absence of fear but the victory over it

Man’s Natural Goodness

• The author says that no one is born hating another person due to color 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 heart of the guards
• It was man’s essential goodness it can’t be put out

Man’s Duties

• In life every man has twin duties – to his family , to his community & country
• Mandela 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 Desire for Freedom made him bold

• Mandela Joined the African National Congress. this hunger for freedom became great 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.

Oppressors and the Oppressed

• Mandela knew that he oppressor must be liberated like the oppressed
• A man who takes away another’s freedom becomes hated
• No one is free if he is taking someone else’s freedom
• Both the oppressor and the oppressed are robbed of humanity

Theme of the Story

• Freedom from racism is the central theme of the lesson Nelson Mandela ; A long walk to freedom
• It is an excerpt from the autobiography of Nelson Mandela who was the first black president of South Africa

Moral

“Courageous is not the man who is fearless but the man who has overcome fear “

Vocabulary

• Despised -Hated
• Defies- Challenges
• Patched up- Settled
• Grimmest -Saddest
• Erected- Built
• Inhumane -Cruel
• Overturned -abolished
• Reign- Rule
• Awe- Respect & fear