Chapter 2 in the Class 10 English textbook, ‘First Flight,’ is about Nelson Mandela’s autobiography titled “Long Walk to Freedom.” Nelson Mandela, the first black President of South Africa, was a leader in the fight against apartheid. He served as the country’s president from 1994 to 1999. You can read a summary of a passage from the book “Long Walk to Freedom” here. It covers Nelson Mandela’s inauguration ceremony, highlights from his speech, and the challenges he encountered as a freedom fighter.
CBSE Class 10 English Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom Summary
“Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” is a part of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela’s autobiography, portraying the fight for the freedom of black people in South Africa. On May 10, 1994, Nelson Mandela took the oath as South Africa’s first Black President, marking the end of over three centuries of White rule. His party secured 252 seats out of 400 in the first-ever democratic elections in South Africa’s history.
Numerous dignitaries and political leaders from various nations participated in the inauguration ceremony held at the Union Buildings amphitheatre in Pretoria. In his speech, Mandela addressed all dignitaries with respect and reassured his fellow citizens that his country would never face the kind of oppression where one group dominates another. When he took the oath as the first black President, he instated democracy, emphasizing a commitment to no discrimination based on caste, colour, creed, or race. Mandela pledged that the government would consistently treat all people in the country with respect and equality.
The day of Mandela’s inauguration held great symbolism as the South African people sang two national anthems. The white population sang ‘Nkosi Sikelel –iAfrika,’ while the black population sang ‘Die Stem,’ the former anthem of the Republic. These moments served as reminders to Mandela of the historical exploitation of black-skinned people by whites. He keenly felt the pain of his race, emphasizing that the previous suppression and racial dominance of white-skinned people over dark-skinned people on their own land created one of the harshest and most inhumane societies ever seen. Mandela strongly believed that individuals are not born to hate others based on skin colour, background, or religion. He expressed the idea that people must learn to hate because if they learn to hate, they can be taught to love as well, as love comes more naturally to humans than hate. Additionally, he highlighted that how a person becomes brave, not because he does not feel afraid, but because he knows how to conquer his fears.
Moreover, Mandela stated that every person has two big responsibilities in life. The first is to take care of their family, like parents, spouse, and kids. The second is to care for their country, fellow citizens, and community. People can fulfill these duties in ways that suit their interests. But for a black person in South Africa before democracy, it was hard to do both. Mandela realized as he grew up that freedom seemed like a fake and temporary thing for black people in his country. He felt they were treated unfairly, like they were slaves, by the white people.
Mandela believed that freedom should apply to everyone, without exception. However, people of his colour and race were trapped in oppressive and tyrannical conditions. He understood that both the oppressors and the oppressed needed liberation because those who take away someone else’s freedom also become prisoners of the same oppression. Therefore, the oppressor is not truly free and also experiences the restriction of oppression.
Conclusion of Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
In the chapter “Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom,” we discovered that courageous individuals are not those who never feel afraid but rather those who know how to overcome it. Mandela firmly believed that each person has specific duties and responsibilities to fulfill towards their own country and community.
We trust that this summary of the CBSE Class 10 English First Flight Prose, Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom has provided you with a quick grasp of the chapter. Stay connected with GK Publications for the latest updates on CBSE and study materials. Explore sample papers and question papers from various years to enhance your preparation for the Board exams.
