Ch 2Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

Author: Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela — this chapter is an excerpt from his autobiography Long Walk to Freedom. Mandela was South Africa's first Black President and a Nobel Peace Prize winner who spent nearly three decades in prison fighting apartheid.

Introduction

This extract describes the historic inauguration of Nelson Mandela as the first Black President of South Africa on 10 May 1994, marking the end of apartheid — the brutal system of racial segregation under white rule. Along with the celebrations, Mandela reflects on the meaning of courage, the nature of oppression, his idea of freedom, and the "twin obligations" every man has in life.

Detailed Summary

On 10 May 1994, a lovely autumn day in South Africa, the inauguration ceremony took place in the sandstone amphitheatre formed by the Union Buildings in Pretoria. Dignitaries and world leaders from more than 140 countries attended — the largest gathering of international leaders ever on South African soil. Mandela describes it as a celebration of the installation of South Africa's first democratic, non-racial government.

Mandela was accompanied by his daughter Zenani. Mr de Klerk was sworn in as second deputy president and Thabo Mbeki as first deputy president; then Mandela took the oath as President, pledging to obey and uphold the Constitution and to devote himself to the well-being of the Republic and its people. In his speech he declared that "never, never and never again" would that beautiful land experience the oppression of one by another, and that the sun would never set on "so glorious a human achievement".

Soon after, a spectacular display of South African jets, helicopters and troop carriers roared over the Union Buildings. For Mandela this was not only a display of military precision but a demonstration of the military's loyalty to democracy — the same generals and police officers who would once have arrested him now saluted him. The highest generals, their chests bedecked with ribbons and medals, saluted the new government. On that day two national anthems were sung: the whites sang 'Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika' and the blacks sang 'Die Stem', the old anthem of the Republic — a symbol of unity between the two races.

Mandela then reflects on history. In the first decade of the twentieth century, the white-skinned peoples of South Africa had erected a system of racial domination against the dark-skinned peoples — one of the harshest and most inhumane societies the world had ever known. That system was finally overturned and replaced by one that recognised the rights and freedoms of all peoples, regardless of the colour of their skin. He remembers the thousands of patriots — Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu, Chief Luthuli, Yusuf Dadoo, Bram Fischer, Robert Sobukwe — men of extraordinary courage, wisdom and generosity, who sacrificed everything for freedom. He feels he is "simply the sum of all those African patriots" who had gone before him. He observes that the policy of apartheid created a deep and lasting wound, but the decades of oppression also produced men of such extraordinary character that "the greatest wealth" of South Africa may be its people.

Mandela shares his understanding of courage: he learnt that courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it — the brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear. He also believes that no one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, background or religion; people learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart. Even in prison he would see a glimmer of humanity in one of the guards, which reassured him that man's goodness is a flame that can be hidden but never extinguished.

He then explains that every man has twin obligations — obligations to his family, parents, wife and children; and obligations to his people, his community and his country. In a civil society a man can fulfil both, but in South Africa a man of colour who tried to live as a human being was punished and isolated. Mandela was thus forced to choose his people over his family.

Finally, Mandela traces the growth of his hunger for freedom. As a boy, freedom meant the transitory freedoms of running in the fields, swimming in the stream and roasting mealies. As a student and young man he wanted the basic and honourable freedoms of earning, marrying and having a family. Slowly he realised that not just his freedom but the freedom of everyone who looked like him was curtailed. The hunger for his own freedom became the hunger for the freedom of his people; this desire transformed a frightened young man into a bold one and a law-abiding attorney into a criminal. He concludes that the oppressor is as much a prisoner as the oppressed, because the oppressor is a prisoner of hatred, locked behind the bars of prejudice — both are robbed of their humanity. The oppressed and the oppressor alike must be liberated.

Themes

• Triumph of freedom over apartheid: The end of racial domination and the birth of a democratic, non-racial South Africa.
• Courage: True courage is not the absence of fear but the victory over it.
• Love over hatred: Hatred is learnt, and love comes more naturally to the human heart.
• Twin obligations: Duty to one's family versus duty to one's people and country.
• True freedom: Freedom is indivisible — the oppressor and the oppressed both need liberation.

Character Sketches

Nelson Mandela

Mandela emerges as a humble, courageous and far-sighted leader. Despite spending long years in prison, he harbours no bitterness — he even remembers the humanity of his jailers. He is selfless, crediting his comrades rather than himself for freedom, calling himself "the sum of all those African patriots". His greatness lies in his large-heartedness: he seeks liberation not only for the oppressed but also for the oppressor, believing both are robbed of their humanity by hatred and prejudice.

Important Word Meanings