Introduction

• This chapter is an extract from the autobiography of Nelson Mandela

( born – 18 July 1918), Excerpts from “ Long Walk to Freedom” throws light on the
historic occasion of inauguration ceremony, a glimpse of his early life, citations
from his speech, his journey to being a freedom fighter, the struggle, along with a
tribute to other freedom fighters and countless other people who fought for their
freedom. In South Africa , a brutal practice named “apartheid” was followed.
Apartheid refers to the discrimination between people on the basis of their race. It
was one of the most brutal societies where dark-skinned people were deprived of
their basic rights. This lesson gives us an overview as to how Nelson Mandela along
with others, carved their way to a society where there will be no discrimination on
the basis of their colour, caste, race, age or gender.
 SYNOPSIS
• The inauguration day
• The place of inauguration
• The swearing- in ceremony
• Mandela’s speech
• Impressive display of jets and helicopters
• Singing of the National Anthem
• The sense of history
• The author’s regret
• Freedom fighters remembered
• The struggle of comrades
• Man’s natural goodness
• Twin responsibilities
• Freedom defined
• Hunger for real freedom
• Joining the African National Congress
• The Inauguration Day
The inaugural ceremony , which celebrated history’s one of the most iconic human
achievements, was held on May 10, 1994. It was a momentous occasion for the
citizens of South Africa. International leaders and dignitaries from more than one
hundred and forty countries from around the world were present at the ceremony
and also to pay respect to Mandela.

• The place of inauguration

The inauguration ceremonies took place in the Union Buildings amphitheatre ,
which was made of sandstone, in Pretoria. Pretoria had been under white supremacy
for decades. It was certainly a sight to see, as people of different races from
different parts of the world, united, to be a part of the joyous moment.
• The swearing-in ceremony
On that day, he was in the company of his daughter, Zenani. His colleagues, Mr. De
Klerk was first sworn in as the second Deputy President and Mr.Thabo Mbeki was
sworn in as the first Deputy President respectively. Then, it was Mr. Mandela’s turn.
He was sworn in as the first Black President of Independent South Africa. He
pledged to obey and uphold the constitution and devote himself to the well-being of
the republic and its people.
• Mandela’s speech
President Mandela addressed the guests. He welcomed and thanked all the
international guests for having come to take possession with the people of his
country for a common victory of justice, peace and human dignity. He said in his
speech that after achieving political freedom, he and his government pledged
themselves to free each and every
individual from the bondage of poverty, suffering, deprivation, gender and other
discriminations. He wished the sun of freedom to shine on his country forever.

• Impressive display of jets and helicopters

After the ceremony, there was a spectacular display by South African military jets,
helicopters and troop carriers and the salute by the African defence force and police,
who pledged their loyalty; it was a demonstration of military’s loyalty to democracy.
Mr. Mandela mentions that he was well aware that few years back, the same officers
would have arrested him instead of saluting him. Finally, the Impala jets left off
smoke trails of black, red, green, blue and gold, the colours of the new South
African flag.
• Singing of the National Anthem
In the end, the two National Anthems “ Nkosi Sikelel -iAfrika” was sung by the
whites and “Die stem”, the old anthem of Republic was sung by the blacks, thus
symbolising the equality between them and the establishment of a new political
system – democracy in South Africa.

• The sense of history

Mr. Mandela remembered the time in history, few years after the Anglo-Boer war
and before his birth, the white skinned people patched up their differences and
erected a system of racial domination against the dark skinned people of South
Africa. It was the birth of Apartheid, the harshest in human creation. In the last
decade of the 20th century, the system stood overturned forever, recognising the
rights of all people irrespective of the colour or religion.
• The author’s regret
This auspicious day came after the sacrifices of thousands of people, who fought
against Apartheid. He remembered the suffering and courage of thousands of
patriots who participated in the long struggles, but were not there to witness the
fruit of their achievement. He was pained that he couldn’t thank them.

• Freedom fighters remembered

The policy of Apartheid created a lasting wound in his country and his people. Mr.
Mandela especially remembered and expressed his gratitude towards prominent
freedom fighters, such as Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu, Chief Luthuli, Bram Fischer,
Robert Sobukwes – men of unparallel courage, wisdom and generosity who made
great sacrifices and suffered profoundly in their struggles against apartheid.
Mandela thinks that South Africa’s real wealth is its people who are finer, truer than
the purest diamonds.
• The struggle of comrades
Nelson Mandela learnt the meaning of courage from such brave comrades. Both
men and women stood up to attacks and torture, showing strength and resilience. He
defined courage as “not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.” One who does
not feel the fear is not brave; brave is… someone who conquers that fear.

• Man’s natural goodness

The author says that no one is born hating another person due to colour or religion.
They could be taught to love. Love comes more naturally to the humans. He
believed in the goodness of man that never dies. Goodness in humans is like a flame
that one might be able to hide, but not extinguish.
• Twin responsibilities
He goes on to talk about the twin responsibilities /obligations each of us have in life
– one is towards our own family and the other is towards our country and
community. Unlike others, people of the black community did not have the right or
freedom to fulfil both these responsibilities. Mr. Mandela said in his speech that in
order to serve his country and community, he couldn’t serve his family.

• Freedom defined
Mandela had different concepts of freedom at different stages of his life. As a young
boy, he had the freedom to run in the fields, swim in the stream and ride on a bull.
As a student, he cared for transitory freedom – freedom to stay out at night, read
books of his choice and
go wherever he liked. When he became a young man, he yearned for basic and
honourable freedom.

• Hunger for real freedom

Mandela slowly realised that it was not just his freedom that was curtailed, but the
freedom of all blacks. His desire for the freedom of his people totally animated
Mandela’s life. He was transformed from a frightened young man to a fearless rebel.
The desire turned a law abiding attorney to a criminal; a family- loving husband
into a man without a home; a life-loving man into a monk. He couldn’t even enjoy
poor and limited freedom. He felt himself robbed when he came to know that his
people were not free. He felt the slavery of his people the slavery of his own. It was
this desire for freedom of his people to live their lives with dignity and self-respect
that changed his life.
• Joining the African National Congress
Mr. Mandela wanted a life for all black people where they were free to live with
dignity and self respect. He felt that he couldn’t be truly free if others were not free.
This desire for freedom led him to join the African National Congress and fight for
the liberation of his people from white supremacy.
According to Mr. Mandela, both the oppressed and the oppressor were prisoners of
some sort and did not enjoy the freedom in its truest sense. While the oppressed was
denied of equal rights and the freedom to live one’s life with dignity and self
respect, the oppressor was a prisoner of hatred, prejudice and narrow mindedness.
This way they both were robbed of their humanity. Mr. Mandela believed that both
oppressed and the oppressor needed to be freed.