First Flight - Lesson 2 Nelson Mandela - Long Walk to Freedom THANKS, MINENHLE SHELEMBE Glossary, Summary, Questions, And Answers Glossary...
First Flight - Lesson 2
Nelson Mandela - Long Walk to Freedom
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| THANKS, MINENHLE SHELEMBE |
Glossary, Summary, Questions, And Answers
Glossary -
1. Apartheid - A political system that separates people according to their race.
2. Besieged - to be surrounded closely by.
3. Confer - give.
4. Emancipation - freedom from restriction.
5. Deprivation - not having enough.
6. Discrimination - being treated differently.
7. Oppression - exploitation.
8. Reign - to rule the country.
9. Awe - a feeling of respect.
10. Array - large collection.
11. Precision - the quality of being clear.
12. Bedecked - to decorate.
13. Chevron - a pattern in the shape of a V.
14. Despised - had a very low opinion of.
15. Anglo-Boer War - war between South Africa and Great Britain.
16. Harshest - very hard.
17. Wrought - achieved, done.
18. Profound - deep and strong.
19. Resilience - the ability to deal with any kind of hardship.
20. Defies - refuse to obey.
21. Grimmest - very serious.
22. Glimmer - to shine.
23. Inclinations - natural tendencies of behavior.
24. Inevitably - unavoidably.
25. Secrecy - something secret.
26. Rebellion - an act of resistance.
27. Transitory - temporary.
28. Illusion - something appears to be real but is not.
29. Yearned - intense desire.
30. Obstructed - to prevent.
31. Animated - bring to life.
32. Virtuous - having a moral standard.
33. Alike - similar.
Oral Comprehension Check -
1. Where did the ceremonies take place? Can you name any public buildings in India that are made of sandstone?
Ans - The ceremonies took place in the lovely sandstone amphitheater. It was made by the union building in Pretoria. In India, several buildings are made from sandstone such as The Red Fort, Jama Masjid, and Parliament. In the olden days, it was a practice to make buildings of sandstone.
2. Can you say how the 10th of May is an 'autumn day' in South Africa?
Ans - It is because of the weather and the dawning of freedom after about 300 years of white rule in South Africa. It is the most important day celebrated in South Africa.
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?
Ans - He calls it an extraordinary human disaster because of the rule of white people over black people in the name of apartheid for a long time, and it was a glorious achievement because of getting political freedom by the black people for which he fought with other freedom fighters of the country.
4. What does Mandela thank the international leaders for?
Ans - Mandela thanks the international leaders for coming to take possession of the native people of South Africa, because after all, it is a common victory for justice, peace, and human dignity.
5. What ideals does he set out for the future of South Africa?
Ans - He sets ideals for the future of South Africa to liberate it from the bondage of poverty, deprivation, suffering, gender, and other discrimination.
Oral Comprehension Check -
1. What do the military generals do? How has their attitude changed, and why?
Ans - The military generals discharged their duties, saluted Mandela, and pledged their loyalty, and now they are saluting blacks. Their attitude changed because black people became independent like them.
2. Why were two national anthems sung?
Ans - Two national anthems were sung because one was, " Nkosin Sikelel- iAfrika" sung by whites and another was," Die- Stem, sung by blacks which was the old anthem of the Republic.
3. How does Mandela describe the system of government in his country in the first decade, and in the final decade, of the twentieth century?
Ans - The first decade of the century was ruled by whites in the name of apartheid, that is the racial discrimination against blacks and in the final decade it was overturned by blacks which was the symbol of freedom from racial discrimination and all other differences.
4. What does courage mean to Mandela?
Ans - By courage, Mandela means not the absence of fear but triumph over it.
5. Which does he think is natural, to love or to hate?
Ans - According to Mandela love is the most natural wisdom of a human being compared to hate because love comes naturally, but one has to cultivate hatred.
Oral Comprehension Check -
1. What "twin obligation" does Mandela mention?
Ans - Mandela mentions two foremost duties or obligations one has to perform, the first one is to his family, parents, wife, and children, and the second one is to his people, community, and country.
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 honorable freedoms"?
Ans - Mandela, as a boy, he had the freedom to swim in the river, run through the village, wander in the fields near his hut, and ride the bulls.
Mandela, as a student, his belief in the freedom to read what he liked, and to go where he wanted. But according to him, the basic freedom was about the people could live with dignity, and self-respect.
3. Does Mandela think the oppressor is free? Why or Why not?
Ans - Mandela thinks the oppressor is not free like the oppressed because a person who takes away another man's freedom is a prisoner of hatred. He is locked in prejudice and narrow-mindedness.
Thinking about the Text -
1. Why did such a large number of international leaders attend the inauguration? What did it signify the triumph of?
Ans - Many international leaders attended the inauguration as a mark of respect for the democratic winning of political independence and freedom from the evil of apartheid and it signified the triumph of human rights, democracy, the feeling of oneness, and brotherhood.
2. What does Mandela mean when he says is" simply the sum of all those African patriots" who had gone before him?
Ans - By the above statement, he wants to say that along with him, many freedom fighters fought for the independence of his country, so the victory belongs to them also, because it was a collective effort and contribution to the freedom struggle.
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?
Ans - I do agree that, in certain cases, the more you get exploited, more stronger you become, and Mandela said it because along with him other African leaders such as Oliver Tambos, Walter Sisulus, Chief Luthulis became stronger and stronger as they had faced tremendous torture and opposition by whites. We can name a few freedom fighters from India like Mahatma Gandhi, Lokmanya Tilak, and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel who fought for India's freedom and became great personalities.
4. How did Mandela's understanding of freedom change with age and experience?
Ans - Earlier, as a child, and as a student his beliefs about freedom were very limited but as he grew up, he realized that freedom of the people, and community with respect and dignity was more valuable. So, he decided to fight for that.
5. How did Mandela's "hunger for freedom change his life"?
Ans -Mandela's hunger for freedom changed him into a great man, a respectable leader, and a visionary. He was in prison for almost 30 years and underwent horrible physical and mental torture, but he never gave up and continuously struggled hard for the freedom of South Africa, during the course he became stronger and stronger, so proudly and popularly known as Mahatma Gandhi of South Africa because he exactly did the same thing that had been done by Mahatma Gandhi for the sake of India.
Thinking about Language -
Make noun forms of the following verbs -
1. rebel - rebellion.
2. constitute - constitution.
3. form - formation.
4. agree - agreement.
5. develop - development.
6. contribute - contribution.
7. assist - assistance.
Writing -
Use the following phrases to complete the sentences given below.
1. they can be taught to love.
2. I was born free.
3. but the triumph over it.
4. but he who conquers that fear.
5. to create such heights of character.
Ans- 1. It requires such depths of oppression to create such heights of character.
2. Courage was not the absence of fear but the triumph over it.
3. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid but he who conquers that fear.
4. If people can learn to hate they can be taught to love.
5. I was not born with a hunger to be free, I was born free.
8. consult - consultancy.
9. humiliate - humiliation.
10. occur - occurrence.
Expressing Your Opinion -
Do you think there is colour prejudice in our own country? Discuss this with your friend and write a paragraph of about 100 to 150 words about this. You have the option of making your paragraph a humorous one. Read the short verse given below.
When you were born you were pink
When you grew up you became white
When you are in the sun you are red
When you are sick you are yellow
When you are angry you are purple
When you are shocked you are grey
And you have the cheek to call me coloured.
Ans -Color prejudice, also known as colorism, is a form of discrimination based on skin color. It exists within and between various racial and ethnic groups, and it perpetuates the belief that lighter skin tones are more desirable or superior to darker skin tones. This prejudice has deep roots in history, stemming from the colonial era when European powers used color to justify their oppression of non-white populations. Today, color prejudice continues to manifest in various ways, including beauty standards, employment opportunities, and even within families. Addressing and eradicating color prejudice is an ongoing challenge that requires education, awareness, and proactive efforts to promote diversity and inclusivity.
In India, I can not say that it has been completely eradicated, at some places, we do come across such a kind of discrimination or kind of partial behavior based on skin colour, but its occurrence is at a lesser pace. But yes, it should be completely banned from our society. Man's Potential must not be decided based on skin colour but it should be judged based on his intellect, talent, skill, art, character, determination, honesty, and hard-working nature, and must be given a chance fairly only on the above virtues but not the skin colour.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: The value of a man should be seen in what he gives and not in what he can receive. ------------- ALBERT EINSTEIN
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