Page no 1
Question 1
Can you say how 10 May is an ‘autumn day’ in South Africa?
Answer:
10 May is an ‘autumn day’ in South Africa because on this day there was the largest gathering of international leaders on South African soil for the installation of South Africa’s first democratic, non-racial government
Question 2
What does Mandela thank the international leaders for?
Answer:
Mandela felt privileged to be the host to the nations of the world because not too long ago, the South Africans were considered outlaws. He thus thanked all the international leaders for having come to witness his investiture as President since this event could be considered as a common victory for justice, peace and human dignity.
Question 3:
How does Mandela describe the systems of government in his country (i) in the first decade, and (ii) in the final decade, of the twentieth century?
Answer:
(i) In the last decade of the twentieth century, the previous system had been overturned forever and replaced by one that recognized the rights and freedoms of all peoples, regardless of the colour of their skin.
Question 4
Which does he think is natural, to love or to hate?
Answer:
For Mandela, love comes more naturally to the human heart than hate.
Question 5
What do the military generals do? How has their attitude changed, and why?
Answer:
The highest military generals of the South African defence force and police saluted Mandela and pledged their loyalty. When the military generals saluted Mandela, he was not unmindful of the fact that not too many years ago, they would not have saluted him, but arrested him. This change in attitude was due to the fact that a new, non-racial government was elected and Mandela was then the President of South Africa.
Page no 2
Question 1:
Why did such a large number of international leaders attend the inauguration? What did it signify the triumph of?
Answer:
Before Nelson Mandela became the President, South Africa was in the grips of apartheid and was thus declared an outlaw by other nations. When Mandela became the President, he abolished apartheid and thus diplomatic relations were rebuilt with many countries. The inauguration of a new, non-racial government was a historic moment in South African as well as world history. Thus, several distinguished international leaders attended this inauguration. It signified the triumph of justice, peace and human dignity.
Question 2
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?
Answer:
Yes, I agree that the “depths of oppression” create “heights of character”. Mandela thought that the decades of brutality and oppression had an unintended effect of creating many African patriots with unimaginable heights of character. In similar manner, Bhagat Singh remained courageous while facing utmost cruelty at the hands of British.
Question 3
How did Mandela’s ‘hunger for freedom’ change his life?
Answer:
Mandela realized in his youth that it was not just his freedom that was being curtailed, The hunger for his own freedom became the hunger for the freedom of his people. This desire of a non-racial society transformed him into a virtuous and self-sacrificing man. Thus, he joined the African National Congress and this changed him from a frightened young man into a bold man.
Question 4
Where did the ceremonies take place? Can you name any public buildings in India that are made of sandstone?
Answer:
The Parliament House in New Delhi, the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, the Supreme Court of India in New Delhi and Madras High Court in Chennai are some examples of Indian public buildings that are made of sandstone