Oral Comprehension Check

Page 18,19

Question 1.
Where did the ceremonies take place ? Can you name any public buildings in India that
are made of sandstones?
Answer:
The ceremonies took place in the campus of the Union Building of Pretoria, which were
attended by dignitaries and leaders of many nations. In India; Rashtrapati Bhavan and
Red Fort are buildings made of red sandstone.

Question 2.
Can you say how 10th May is an ‘autumn day’ in South Africa?
Answer:
As South Africa is in the Southern Hemisphere, may falls in the autumn season. Thus
10th May is an ‘autumn day’.

Question 3.
At the beginning of his speech, Mandela mentions “an extraordinary human disaster”.
What does he mean by this? What is the “glorious human achievement” he speaks of at
the end?
Answer:
By ‘an extraordinary human disaster’ Mandela means to state the practice of apartheid
in South Africa. During this there was a racial segregation based on colour and the
blacks suffered a lot. They were not allowed to demand freedom or any right. Mandela
himself did spend many years on infamous ‘Robben Island’ as a prisoner where he was
beaten mercilessly. He considered it as great glorious human achievement that a black
person became the President of a country where the blacks were not even considered
human beings and were treated badly.
Question 4.
What does Mandela thank the international leaders for ?
Answer:
Mandela felt very privileged to welcome the international leaders at the swearing – in
ceremony because not too long ago, the South Africans were considered outlaws. He
thus thanks all of them for having come to witness the historical ceremony. This was a
gesture of international recognition to a newly born free democratic nation and it could
be considered as a common victory for justice, peace and human dignity.
Question 5.
What ideals does Nelson Mandela set for the future of South Africa?
Answer:
Nelson Mandela set the ideals of liberating people from bondage of poverty, deprivation
and suffering. He also set the ideal for a society where there would be no discrimination
based on gender or racial origins.
Page 21

Question 1.
What did the military generals do ? How did their attitude change and why?
Answer:
The highest military generals of South African defence force saluted Mandela and
pledged their loyalty which was of great significance as during apartheid era they would
have arrested him. The change in their attitude was because of struggle and sacrifices
put in by many heroes of South Africa. This struggle not only ensured the freedom of a
nation struggling with apartheid, bur brought a change in mindsets of many. He believed
that love can also be taught and human being is naturally inclined towards love rather
than hate.

Question 2.
Why were two national anthems sung?
Answer:
On the auspicious occasion of the inauguration two national anthems: one by the
Whites and the other by the Blacks symbolising the equality of the Blacks and the
Whites were sung.

Question 3.
How does Mandela describe the systems of government in his country
(i) in the first decade, and
(ii) in the final decade, of the twentieth century?
Answer:
(i) In the first decade of the century, the whites erected a system of racial domination
against the blacks, thus creating the basis of one of the harshest and most inhumane
societies the world had ever known.
(ii) In the final decade of the 20th century, the previous system had been overturned
and replaced by one which recognised rights and freedom of all people regardless of
color of their skin.

Question 4.
What does courage mean to Mandela?
Answer:
For Mandela courage does not mean the absence of fear but a victory over fear.
According to him brave men need not be fearless but should be able to conquer fear.

Question 5.
Which does Mandela think is natural, to love or to hate?
Answer:
For Mandela, love comes more naturally to the human heart than hate.

Page 4

Question 1.
What “twin obligations” does Mandela mention?
Answer:
Mandela mentions that every man has twin obligations. The first is to his family, parents,
wife and children; the second obligation is to his people, his community and his country.

Question 2.
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”?
Answer:
Like any other kid, for Mandela freedom meant to make merry and enjoy the blissful life.
Once one becomes an adult, antics of childhood looks like transitory because most of
the childish activities are wasteful from an adult’s perspective. Once you are adult, you
have to earn a livelihood to bring the bacon home. Its only then when you get an
honourable existence in the family and in the society.

Question 3.
Does Mandela think the oppressor is free? Why/why not?
Answer:
Mandela does not think that the oppressor is free because according to him an
oppressor is a victim of hatred who is behind the bars of prejudice and
narrow-mindedness. He realises that both the oppressor and the oppressed are robbed
of their humanity and peace.

Thinking about the Text

Question 1.
Why did such a large number of international leaders attend the inauguration ? What did
it signify the triumph of?
Answer:
To be the part of the inauguration, international leaders showed a gesture of solidarity
from international community to the idea of end of apartheid. It was the significance of
the victory of good over evil and triumph of a tolerant society without any discrimination.

Question 2.
What does Mandela mean when he says he is “simply the sum of all those African
patriots”, who had gone before him ?
Answer:
By saying that he is simply the sum of all those African patriots, Mandela wants to pay
his tribute to all the people who have sacrificed their lives for the sake of freedom. He
says that he is grateful to those who had gone before him because those heroes of past
had paved the path of co-operation and unity for him. Therefore, he could try to come to
power to bring equality for his people with their support.

Question 3.
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 ?
Answer:
I agree with the statement that depths of oppression create heights of character. Nelson
Mandela illustrates this by giving examples of great heroes of South Africa like Oliver
Tambo, Walter Sisulu and others who were inspired to sacrifice their lives in the long
freedom struggle.
India is full of such examples, during our freedom struggle there was a galaxy of leaders
of great characters and the oppression of British rule created and encouraged people of
noble characters like Mahatma Gandhi, Lala Lajpat Rai, JL Nehru, Chandra Shekhar
Ajad, Sardar Bhagat Singh and many more. If we compare them with the quality of
political leaders India is having today, then Nelson Mandela seems to be absolutely
right;

Question 4.
How did Mandela’s understanding of freedom change with age and experience?
Answer:
With age and experience, Mandela understood the real meaning of freedom. As a
young boy, he thought that he was born free and believed that as long as he obeyed his
father and abided by the customs of his tribe, he was free in every possible manner. As
he grew older, freedom to raise a family and freedom to earn livelihood started
dominating his thoughts. Gradually he realised that he was selfish during his boyhood.
He slowly understood that it was not just his freedom that was being curtailed, but the
freedom of all blacks. It was the freedom from fear and prejudice. Age and experience
widened his perspective of freedom.

Question 5.
How did Mandela’s ‘hunger for freedom’ change his life?
Answer:
Mandela realised in his youth that it was not just his freedom that was being curtailed,
but the freedom of all blacks. This changed the fearfulman to a fearless rebel.
He sacrificed the comforts of a settled family life to fight for a greater cause. He joined
the African National Congress and this changed him from a frightened young man into a
bold one who fought against racial prejudice.