Nelson Mandela Long Walk to Freedom

Chapter Summary

The story “Long Walk to Freedom” is the autobiography of former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela. This storyline represents the journey of Nelson Mandela for the freedom of South Africa. It also includes the inauguration ceremony and speech for the journey and struggle of all freedom fighters. This story signifies the journey of all the people who participated in the war for freedom for South Africa. One thing which was South Africa is known for its bad practice of apartheid which is discrimination of the citizens based on race and colour. This story also describes the thoughts of a great freedom fighter and the first black president, Nelson Mandela.

As Mandela described himself as simply the sum of all those African patriots, he portrayed the love and tribute for all the citizens who have sacrificed their lives to free South Africa. This noble line described who much passionate he was to establish democracy in the nation. He added gratefulness to his speech for all the heroes for the co-operations and unity that resulted in the freedom of the nation. He also mentioned that he would work to bring equality to the nation forever.

Inauguration of The South African Democracy

The ceremony for the inauguration of the South African democracy took place in the amphitheatre called Union Buildings in the Pretoria. Dignitaries and different politicians from 140 nations across the globe attained the ceremony and witness the establishment of democracy in South Africa. The Red Fort and Rashtrapati Bhavan are Indian buildings that are made out of sandstone.

International leaders from different nations across the globe attained the ceremony to witness the establishment of democracy in South Africa and showcased the gestures of solidarity to the idea of ending the practice of apartheid. It signified the victory of a nation over the evils and the triumph of a society that would not tolerate any discrimination in future. The ceremony represented the story of success for the people in South Africa and managed to portray the sacrifices of the great freedom fighters.

The Two National Anthems

At the ceremony, two national anthems were sung as Mandela believed one anthem was for the white people and another anthem was for the black people. Therefore, it symbolised equality in the nation and referred to no more discrimination.

Mandela’s Speech

President Mandela stated an extraordinary human disaster at the beginning of his speech. With these words, he wanted to draw the attention of the audience toward the apartheid which was practised in South Africa and discriminated against the people based on their skin colour and race. Due to the segregation of the people based on their skin colour, black lives suffered the most in South Africa. Black people were not allowed to demand human rights or freedom.

The way people were getting tortured for being black. In order to get freedom and establishment of human rights for the black people in South Africa. Nelson Mandela fought and went to prison. He considered a black person who became President of the nation would be signified as an achievement of all the black people who were discriminated against colour and race in the nation and humanity would feel proud.

President Mandela believed that leaders and politicians would present from different nations across the globe and attained the ceremony. According to him, it would be the largest gathering of the international leaders on the soil of South Africa. Due to the presence of significant persons across the globe, South Africa would not be considered outlaws anymore. He thanked all the leaders who came across and attained the historical ceremony. It became a gesture across the globe to identify a new democratic country, South Africa that became successful in establishing democracy, human rights, justice, and peace.

Mandela’s Ideas for the Future of South Africa

Due to the achievement of political emancipation, Mandela set the objective of freeing individuals from discrimination, gender, deprivation, and bondage of poverty. The focus of the President was to make the country, free from discrimination based on colour and race.

Change of Attitude in Military

The highest generals of military force and police of South Africa chests bedecked, pledged their loyalty and saluted Nelson Mandela. This situation created a great significance in history, as years before they arrested Mandela as a freedom fighter. It showcased the power of democracy that had been established with the sacrifice of the heroes. It bought changes in their mindset about the discriminations that plasticised for a long time and created the freedom of a nation.

How Did Mandela’s Understanding of Freedom Change with Age and Experience?

Nelson Mandela demonstrated the change in his understanding of the meaning of freedom with experience and age. At a younger age, he used to believe that he was born free and all it required is to obey his father. Later, as he grew up, his thoughts were changed and got influenced and he recognised his thoughts for freedom were selfish. He started to believe in the real meaning of freedom and work to get freedom for all the black people. The real meaning justified freedom from fear and prejudice.

Mandela’s ‘Hunger for Freedom’ Changed his Life

Mandela realised that black people are not free at all and there were no rights for them. He started to work on it and sacrificed the family and comforts to fight for the black lives. He joined the African National Congress and fought for the establishment of democracy and racial prejudice against the black people.

FAQs

Q1. Who was Nelson Mandela?

Ans. Nelson Mandel was the former President of South Africa who fought to free South Africa and work against racial prejudice, and discrimination towards the black people in the nation.

Q2. Why the ceremony was organised in the Union Buildings in Pretoria?

Ans. The ceremony was organised to celebrate the freedom gained in South Africa and to display the fairly elected government which will work to bring peace and equality to the nation. It also demonstrated the success and sacrifice of the freedom fighters.

Q3. What did the story signify?

Ans. The journey of the people of South Africa to establish democracy and no discrimination is written in the Long Walk to Freedom.