Nelson Mandela: ncert solution - class 10

Nelson MandelaActivity Page 17

In column A, are some expressions you will find in the text. Make a guess and  match each expression with an appropriate meaning from Column B

(i)A rainbow gathering of different colours and nations-A beautiful coming together of various peoples, like the colours in a rainbow.

(ii) The seat of white supremacy- The centre of racial superiority.

(iii) Be overwhelmed with a sense of history – Feel deeply emotional, remembering and understanding all the past events that have led up to the moment.

(v) Resilience that defies the imagination- A great ability (almost unimaginable) to remain unchanged by suffering (not losing hope, goodness or courage)

(v) A glimmer of humanity – A sign of human feeling (goodness, kindness, pity, justice, etc.)

(vi) A twilight existence – A half-secret life, like a life lived in the fading light between sunset and darkness.

Oral Comprehension Check Page  18 & 19

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 amphitheatre (made of sandstone) in Pretoria. Parliament House, along with some buildings such as Red Fort, Zama Masjid etc. are examples of sandstone buildings in India.

2. Can you say how 10 May is an ‘autumn day’ in South Africa?

Ans: After 300 years of slavery, a ray of freedom was seen in South Africa. 10  May became its witness. That is why 10May  is considered an autumn day in South Africa.

3. At the beginning of the 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: The governance and rule of the white people over the black ones for 300 consecutive years was a tragic event. Liberation from that human disaster was achieved after a long battle. Today democracy has been established, which became a very good achievement for Nelson Mandela and the opportunity for the common man to feel freedom. The very this was the glorious achievement he speaks of at the end.

4. What does Mandela thank the international leaders for?

Ans: Nelson Mandela thanks the international leaders because of their glorious support and help for maintaining democracy in South Africa. It was a battle for justice and the welfare of the people.

5. What ideals does he set out for the future of South Africa?

Ans: Nelson Mandela took many steps to liberate the people of South Africa from the years of slavery and bondage. It included everything from poverty, castism, racial discrimination, deprivation etc.

Oral comprehension Check       page 21

1. What do the military generals do? How has their attitude changed, and why?

Ans: They do their duty what was important for the country but not for the people. They want to be loyal to the government all the time. Their duty was completely based on military regulations. They completely changed their attitude into personal benefits. They were unaware of the trouble caused by them to the people. Ultimately, they become an embodiment of exploitation in the country.

2. Why were two national anthems sung?

Ans: It is really interesting to know that in South Africa two national anthems are sung. This is because of the two major races of the country. The whites are founders of the old republic whereas the blacks are founders of democracy. Both the races are honoured by their lovely national anthems which play an important role in maintaining racial harmony.

3. How does Mandela describe the system of government in his country (i) in the first decade, and (ii) in the final decade, of the twentieth century?

Ans: Mandela describes that in the first decade of the twentieth century the white developed a system of governance that was based on racial discrimination. It was beneficial for the white only. The black was not able to express even their trouble and grief clearly. They were not able to enjoy their fundamental rights. 

But in the final decade of the twentieth century, the black changed the system of racial discrimination. Now the people of South Africa formed a democratic government suitable to all the people of the country.

Oral Comprehension Check page 24

1. What ‘twin obligation’ does Mandela mention?

Ans: Obligation means moral or legal commitment(duty) to which a  person is found himself bound. Mandela’s first obligation was concerned with his family members who were striving to survive. It was essential for Mandela to look after his family and children very keenly and carefully.

The second obligation of Mandela was concerned with the system of the then governance under which the people of South Africa including his community had been suffering from exploitation based on apartheid and racial discrimination which caused the suspension of fundamental rights(human rights).

2. What did being free mean to Mandela as a boy, and as a student? How does he contrast this ' transitory freedom’’ with the  ‘basic and honourable freedom’?

Ans: Mandela experienced freedom as a boy to wander, to run in his village, to swim, and to ride bull etc as it is seen everywhere because it is done by the boys who do not know about their family and their rights. As a student, Mandela experienced freedom by saying out at night, by reading desired scripts, by measuring his prospects and so on. Now the freedom which is transformed from the freedom of a boy into the freedom of a student is called transitory freedom.

But the basic honourable freedom was quite different from the transitory one because this freedom is concerned with the freedom of self-respect and individual dignity. This is how Mandela mentions what is basic honourable freedom.

3. Does Mandela think that oppressor is free? Why? Why not?

Ans: Mandela does not think that the oppressor is free. It is because the oppressor is the stern slave of hatred, and consequently captivated in a cage, made of narrow-mindedness and prejudice.