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Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela
3. Where did the ‘ceremonies’ take place? Why were the ceremonies so
important?
Ans: The ‘ceremonies’ took place in the lovely sandstone amphitheatre in
Pretoria in South Africa. The ceremonies were so important because these were
meant for the celebration of victory of the South African natives over the ruling
whites and for the installation of South Africa’s first ever democracy.
4. Who were other persons who took oath along with Nelson Mandela?
Ans: The persons who took oath along with Nelson Mandela were Mr de Klerk
and Thabo Mbeki.
7. What ideals does Mandela set out for the future of South Africa?
Ans: Mandela sets out the ideals of courage, generosity and wisdom for the
future of South Africa.
8. What spectacular show was displayed by the South African jets, helicopters
and troop carriers on this important ceremony?
Ans: South African jets, helicopters and troop carriers roared in perfect
formation over the Union Buildings in Pretoria. A chevron of Impala jets left a
smoke trail of the black, red, green, blue and gold of the new South African flag.
10. How had the military generals’ attitude changed, and why?
Ans: The military generals had witnessed the extraordinary courage and
wisdom shown by Nelson Mandela in freeing South Africa from the bondage of
the whites. The military generals, who would have arrested Mandela earlier, have
now pledged their loyalty to him. This shows their change in attitude.
11. State the two national anthems. Why were they sung?
Ans: The two national anthems were – ‘Nkosi Sikelel –iAfrika’ and ‘Die Stem’.
12. How was Mandela overwhelmed with a sense of history?
Ans: In the first decade of the twentieth century and before Mandela’s birth,
the whites in South Africa had erected a system of racial domination known as
‘apartheid’. In the last decade of the twentienth century, when Mandela was in his
eighties, he saw that system crumbling. So, he was overwhelmed with a sense of
history.
13. How did Mandela describe the system of government in his country in the
final decade of the twentieth century?
Ans: Mandela described the system of government in his country in the final
decade of the twentieth century as one that recognises the rights and freedoms of
all people, irrespective of the colour of their skin.
14. What did Mandela think of the patriots of Africa and of himself?
Ans: Mandela thought that the freedom of South Africa had come through the
sufferings and courage of the patriots. He said that he was simply the sum total of
all those patriots. He regretted for having not been able to thank them.
16. What is the view of Mandela about the wealth of his country?
Ans: Mandela was of the view that the greatest wealth of his country was its
people, finer and truer than the purest diamonds.
18. What should people learn so that they can be taught to love?
Ans: People should learn to hate so that they can be taught to love.
21. What problems hinder each man to fulfil these obligations in South Africa?
Ans: Whenever a native South African tries to fulfil his duty to his people, he
is ripped from his family and forced to live an isolated life. He is isolated even if
he tries to live as a human being. So, it is very difficult in South Africa to fulfil
these obligations.
22. What problems were faced by Mandela in the beginning in placing his
people above his family?
Ans: In the beginning, in attempting to serve his people, Mandela found that he
was prevented from fulfilling his obligations as a son, a brother, a father and a
husband.
23. What did being free mean to Mandela as a boy, and as a student?
Ans: As a boy, being free meant to Mandela the freedoms of running in the
fields, swimming in the clear stream, roasting mealies in the open, and riding bulls.
As a student, he understood freedom as the ability to stay out at night, read what he
pleased, and go where he chose.