Summary and analysis of "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

 

                          SUMMARY OF “LONG WALK TO FREEDOM”

                                    BY NELSOM MANDELA

                                                    


This chapter is an extract from the autobiography of Nelson Mandela (born 18th July 1918), the first Black President of South Africa.  Excerpts from “Long Walk to Freedom” include a description of the inauguration ceremony, 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 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.

This chapter begins with the description of their inaugural ceremony which took place on the 10th of May 1994 where the entire nation along with many international leaders embraced the victory of a newly and fairly elected government.  It involved speeches by the President and the two Deputy Presidents followed by an impressive air show of fighter jets and helicopters.  Long ago, in the first decade of the twentieth century, white supremacy introduced the system of apartheid and made life a living hell for the dark-skinned population.  It gave rise to one of the most inhumane societies of the world.  Many people have struggled and sacrificed for basic human rights.  The author expressed his desire to thank all those freedom fighters who couldn’t live to see this autumn day.  He referred to the citizens as the greatest asset of the country.  It is these people he gathered his courage from.  Mandela believes that courageous is not the man who is fearless, but the man who has overcome fear.  He also mentioned the two responsibilities every human has and how in order to fulfil his obligation towards the society, his obligation towards his family was neglected.  He became a man of people when he realised that the idea of freedom was an illusion for him and people like him.  It was then he joined the African National Congress and fought for his rights till he became the first black President of the nation.  According to him, the oppressor, is as much a prisoner as the oppressed.  As soon as the former robs the oppressed of their freedom he, himself gets robbed of his humanity.  Thus, the oppressor too, is not free.

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