Chapter 2

Nelson Mandela

1. Where did the ceremonies take place? Can you name any public buildings in India that are made of sandstone?

Ans: The ceremonies took place in the Union Buildings amphitheatre in Pretoria, South Africa. This building had long been a symbol of white rule but became the site of South Africa's first democratic government in 1994.

In India, several public buildings made of sandstone include:
  • The Red Fort in Delhi (made of red sandstone)
  • Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi
  • Rashtrapati Bhavan (President’s House) in New Delhi
  • Jantar Mantar in Jaipur
  • Hawa Mahal in Jaipur
    These buildings are well known for their architectural beauty and historical importance.

2. Can you say how 10 May is an 'autumn day' in South Africa?

Ans: Yes, South Africa is located in the Southern Hemisphere, where the seasons are opposite to those in the Northern Hemisphere. While 10 May falls in spring in countries like India, in South Africa it is autumn, as their autumn season typically runs from March to May.

3. What does Mandela thank the international leaders for?

Ans:  Mandela thanks the international leaders for coming to South Africa to attend the inauguration and for standing in solidarity with the people of South Africa. He appreciates their presence as a recognition of the country’s new beginning and calls it a "common victory for justice, for peace, for human dignity." He acknowledges their support in the long struggle against apartheid and their role in celebrating South Africa's newfound democracy.


4 . What ideals does he set out for the future of South Africa?

Ans:  Mandela sets out several key ideals for the future of South Africa:

  • Justice and peace
  • Human dignity and equality
  • Liberation from poverty, deprivation, and suffering
  • Elimination of all forms of discrimination, including gender-based and racial
  • The creation of a society where no one oppresses another
  • A commitment to freedom, unity, and national reconciliation

He envisions a rainbow nation that celebrates diversity and works together for a better, inclusive future.


5. What do the military generals do? How has their attitude changed, and why?

Ans:  The military generals saluted Nelson Mandela and pledged their loyalty to the new democratic government. This marked a significant change in attitude — in the past, they would have arrested him instead of saluting him, as he  5. What do the military generals do? How has their attitude changed, an was once seen as a threat under the apartheid regime. Their changed attitude reflects the transition from a system of racial oppression to a democratic, non-racial government, and symbolizes the military’s acceptance of and loyalty to the new order.


6. Why were two national anthems sung?

Ans:  Two national anthems were sung — 'Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika' (the anthem of the oppressed black majority) and 'Die Stem' (the anthem of the former white government) — to symbolize unity and reconciliation between the country's divided racial groups. It showed the coming together of blacks and whites in a new, democratic South Africa, where both heritages were respected and included.

7. How does Mandela describe the systems of government in his country:

Ans:   (i) In the first decade of the twentieth century:

  • Mandela describes it as a time when white-skinned South Africans united after the Anglo-Boer War to create a system of racial domination. This laid the foundation for apartheid, one of the harshest and most inhumane societies in the world.
  • (ii) In the final decade of the twentieth century:

  • That oppressive system was overturned and replaced by a democratic government that recognized the rights and freedoms of all people, regardless of race. This marked the beginning of equality and justice for all South Africans.

8. What does courage mean to Mandela?


 Ans: To Mandela, courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. A truly brave person is not someone who feels no fear, but someone who overcomes fear. He learned this from comrades who faced torture and even death without giving up on their ideals.

9. Which does he think is natural, to love or to hate?

Ans: : Mandela believes that love is more natural than hate. He says people are not born hating others because of differences like skin colour or religion; rather, they learn to hate. Since hatred is learned, love can be taught — and it comes more naturally to the human heart.




10. What "twin obligations" does Mandela mention?


Ans: Mandela mentions two twin obligations every man has:

  • Obligations to his family—to his parents, wife, and children.
  • Obligations to his people—his community and his country.

He explains that in a fair society, a person can fulfill both, but in apartheid South Africa, it was nearly impossible for a man of his background to do so.

11. What did being free mean to Mandela as a boy, and as a student? How does he contrast these "transitory freedoms" with "the basic and honourable freedoms"?

Ans: As a boy, being free meant simple, natural freedoms: running in the fields, swimming in streams, enjoying life in his village, all within the boundaries of his culture and family.

  • As a student, his idea of freedom was more personal and limited—staying out late, reading what he wanted, and going where he pleased. These are called “transitory freedoms”, meaning temporary or surface-level freedoms.
  • Later, he realized he wanted “basic and honourable freedoms”—fundamental rights like achieving his potential, earning a living, marrying, and living a lawful life without racial barriers. These freedoms are deeper and essential for human dignity.

12. Does Mandela think the oppressor is free? Why/Why not?


 Ans: No, Mandela does not think the oppressor is free. He says the oppressor is a prisoner of hatred, prejudice, and narrow-mindedness—locked behind bars of their own making. Just as the oppressed lose their freedom, the oppressor loses their humanity and is also trapped by their actions. True freedom, Mandela argues, requires that no one’s freedom is taken away, meaning both the oppressed and oppressors are bound by this struggle.

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13. 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 attended Mandela’s inauguration to show their respect and support for South Africa’s historic transition to democracy. Their presence signified the triumph of justice, peace, human dignity, and the end of apartheid—a victory not just for South Africa but for human rights worldwide.

14. What does Mandela mean when he says he is "simply the sum of all those African patriots" who had gone before him?


Ans: Mandela means that his achievements and role were built on the sacrifices, struggles, and courage of countless others who fought for freedom before him. He saw himself as continuing their legacy, standing on the shoulders of those who paved the way, rather than acting alone.

15. 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:Mandela suggests that extreme hardship and suffering can develop extraordinary qualities like courage, wisdom, and resilience. He illustrates this by naming great leaders like Oliver Tambo and Walter Sisulu, who emerged from oppression with remarkable strength.
Your own example: Think of Malala Yousafzai, who, despite being attacked for advocating girls’ education, became a global symbol of courage and activism. Oppression tested and revealed her strength and commitment.

16. How did Mandela's understanding of freedom change with age and experience?


Ans: As a boy, Mandela thought of freedom as simple physical liberty—running free, playing, and living without restrictions. As a student, he longed for personal freedoms like staying out late or reading freely. But with experience, he realized freedom meant much more: it was a collective right to live with dignity, equality, and the ability to fulfill one’s potential without discrimination.

17. How did Mandela's 'hunger for freedom' change his life?


Ans: Mandela’s hunger for freedom transformed him from a frightened young man focused on personal liberty into a committed leader willing to sacrifice family life, personal comfort, and freedom for the cause of his people. It led him to join the ANC, face imprisonment, and dedicate his life to ending apartheid and building a democratic South Africa.


18. Mr Singh regularly invites the Amitabh Bachchans and the Shah Rukh Khans to his parties.

 Ans: Here, “the Amitabh Bachchans” and “the Shah Rukh Khans” are pluralized to mean people like these famous actors — probably meaning glamorous or important guests. It’s a way to say he invites people with star quality or celebrity status.

19. Many people think that Madhuri Dixit is the Madhubala of our times.

Ans: This compares Madhuri Dixit (a famous contemporary actress) to Madhubala (a legendary actress from the past), implying Madhuri has the same charm, beauty, or talent that Madhubala was known for. It’s a comparison through allusion.

20.  History is not only the story 20.  History is not only the of the Alexanders, the Napoleons and the Hitlers, but of ordinary people as well.

Ans: This sentence lists great historical leaders — Alexander the Great, Napoleon Bonaparte, Adolf Hitler — to emphasize that history isn’t just about famous or powerful figures, but also about everyday people. This is an example of using proper nouns as symbols for leadership, conquest, or tyranny.