NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English (First Flight) Chapter 2: Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom (NCERT 2026–27)

Complete solutions for Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 2 – “Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom”: an original summary, theme and message, word meanings, and every textbook exercise (Oral Comprehension Check, Thinking about the Text, Thinking about Language) answered in full. The questions are reproduced exactly as in the NCERT book, with original, exam-ready answers, plus extra questions, MCQs and Assertion–Reason practice.

Class: 10 Subject: English Book: First Flight Type: Prose (Chapter 2) Author: Nelson Mandela Session: 2026–27
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About the author

This chapter is an extract from Long Walk to Freedom, the autobiography of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (1918–2013), the anti-apartheid revolutionary and statesman who became South Africa’s first democratically elected, first Black President in 1994. As a leader of the African National Congress (ANC), Mandela fought the racist system of apartheid and was imprisoned for twenty-seven years, much of it on Robben Island. Released in 1990, he led negotiations that ended apartheid and won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 (shared with F. W. de Klerk). His autobiography traces his journey from a free village childhood to a lifelong struggle for the freedom of all his people.

Summary

The extract describes the historic day of 10 May 1994, when Nelson Mandela was sworn in as the first Black President of a democratic, non-racial South Africa. The inauguration took place in the sandstone amphitheatre of the Union Buildings in Pretoria—for decades the seat of white supremacy, now the site of a “rainbow gathering” of many colours and nations. Dignitaries from more than 140 countries attended. Accompanied by his daughter Zenani, Mandela watched as Mr de Klerk and Thabo Mbeki were sworn in as deputy presidents before he took the oath.

In his speech Mandela pledged to liberate his people from poverty, deprivation and discrimination, declaring that never again would the land experience the oppression of one by another. A spectacular display of jets and helicopters then flew overhead, and the generals who once would have arrested him now saluted him—a sign of the military’s loyalty to the new democracy. Two national anthems were sung by whites and blacks alike.

Mandela reflects on history: in the early twentieth century the white minority built one of the harshest systems of racial domination, which by the century’s end had been overturned. He pays tribute to the countless patriots whose sacrifices made the day possible, saying he was “simply the sum” of those who went before him. He explains that courage is not the absence of fear but the triumph over it, that people learn to hate and can therefore be taught to love, and that man’s goodness is “a flame that can be hidden but never extinguished.” Finally, he speaks of his “twin obligations”—to his family and to his people—and how the struggle for his people’s freedom transformed his life, concluding that the oppressor, no less than the oppressed, must be liberated, for freedom is indivisible.

Theme & message

The chapter celebrates the triumph of freedom, equality and human dignity over apartheid and oppression. Mandela’s central message is that true freedom is indivisible—no one is free while others are in chains, and even the oppressor is robbed of his humanity. The extract also defines courage as the conquest of fear, affirms that love is more natural to the human heart than hate, and honours the countless ordinary patriots whose sacrifices make great achievements possible. It teaches forgiveness, reconciliation and the duty each person owes both to family and to the wider community.

Word meanings

WordEnglish meaning
besiegedsurrounded closely (here, by visitors)
inaugurationa formal ceremony to mark a beginning or take office
amphitheatrean open building with tiered rows of seats around a central space
supremacythe state of being superior to all others
installationthe act of placing someone formally in office
pledgedsolemnly promised
emancipationfreedom from restriction or control
deprivationthe state of not having one’s rightful benefits
discriminationtreating people unfairly because of race, gender, etc.
oppressioncruel and unjust use of power
spectacular arrayan impressive, attractive display
bedeckeddecorated
chevrona pattern in the shape of a V
despisedhad a very low opinion of; looked down on
overwhelmedaffected very strongly with emotion
wrought(old, formal) done, achieved
profounddeep and strong
resiliencethe ability to recover from hardship
glimmera faint or brief sign (of light or feeling)
extinguishedput out; ended completely
twin obligationstwo duties one has at the same time
inclinationsnatural tendencies of behaviour
twilight existencea half-secret life, like living in dim, fading light
transitorynot permanent; short-lived
curtailedreduced; cut short
prejudicea strong dislike formed without good reason

Oral Comprehension Check

Set 1 (Page 19)

1. Where did the ceremonies take place? Can you name any public buildings in India that are made of sandstone?

ANSWERThe inauguration ceremonies took place in the lovely sandstone amphitheatre formed by the Union Buildings in Pretoria, South Africa.Public buildings in India made of (red/other) sandstone include the Red Fort, the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the Parliament House, Humayun’s Tomb and the Agra Fort.

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

ANSWERSouth Africa lies in the Southern Hemisphere, where the seasons are the reverse of ours. So when it is summer in the Northern Hemisphere, it is winter there, and the months of March, April and May fall in autumn. That is why 10 May is described as a lovely autumn day 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?

ANSWERBy “an extraordinary human disaster” Mandela means the cruel and inhuman system of apartheid, under which the black majority was oppressed, exploited and denied basic rights for decades.The “glorious … human achievement” is the establishment of a democratic, non-racial government—the freedom and equal rights finally won by all the people of South Africa, ending centuries of racial domination.

4. What does Mandela thank the international leaders for?

ANSWERMandela thanks the distinguished international guests for coming to take possession, along with the people of South Africa, of what he calls “a common victory for justice, for peace, for human dignity”. Their presence honoured the new nation and recognised its triumph over apartheid.

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

ANSWERMandela sets out the ideals of liberty, equality and justice. He pledges to free all his people from the continuing bondage of poverty, deprivation, suffering, and gender and other discrimination. He vows that never again will the land suffer the oppression of one person by another, so that the people may live with dignity and self-respect.

Set 2 (Page 21)

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

ANSWERThe highest generals of the South African defence force and police, their chests bedecked with medals, saluted Mandela and pledged their loyalty to him and to the new government. Earlier, under apartheid, these same officers would not have saluted but would have arrested him. Their attitude changed because South Africa now had a freely and fairly elected democratic government, to which the military offered its loyalty.

2. Why were two national anthems sung?

ANSWERTwo national anthems were sung to mark the unity and reconciliation of a once-divided nation. The whites sang ‘Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika’ (the anthem associated with the black people), and the blacks sang ‘Die Stem’, the old anthem of the (white) Republic. By singing each other’s anthems, both groups showed mutual respect and the spirit of the new, equal South Africa.

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 first decade, the white-skinned people patched up their differences and built a system of racial domination against the dark-skinned people—one of the harshest and most inhumane societies the world has ever known.(ii) In the final decade, that system had been overturned forever and replaced by one that recognised the rights and freedoms of all people, regardless of the colour of their skin.

4. What does courage mean to Mandela?

ANSWERTo Mandela, courage is not the absence of fear but the triumph over it. The brave man is not one who does not feel afraid, but one who conquers his fear. He learnt this from comrades who risked their lives and endured torture without breaking, showing a resilience that defies the imagination.

5. Which does he think is natural, to love or to hate?

ANSWERMandela believes that love is more natural to the human heart than hate. No one is born hating another because of skin, background or religion; people must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can also be taught to love.

Set 3 (Page 23)

1. What “twin obligations” does Mandela mention?

ANSWERMandela says every man has twin obligations: first, an obligation to his family—to his parents, wife and children; and second, an obligation to his people, his community and his 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 honourable freedoms”?

ANSWERAs a boy, being free meant the simple joys of running in the fields, swimming in the stream, roasting mealies and riding the backs of bulls. As a student, freedom meant the “transitory freedoms” of staying out at night, reading what he pleased and going where he chose.He contrasts these with “the basic and honourable freedoms”—the lasting, dignified freedoms of achieving one’s potential, earning a living, marrying and raising a family, and not being obstructed in a lawful life. The first are temporary, personal pleasures; the second are essential human rights for all.

3. Does Mandela think the oppressor is free? Why/Why not?

ANSWERNo. Mandela believes the oppressor is not free. A man who takes away another’s freedom is a prisoner of hatred, locked behind the bars of prejudice and narrow-mindedness. Both the oppressed and the oppressor are robbed of their humanity, so the oppressor too must be liberated.

Thinking about the Text

(Page 24)

1. Why did such a large number of international leaders attend the inauguration? What did it signify the triumph of?

ANSWERA large number of international leaders attended because the inauguration marked a historic and rare event—the birth of a free, democratic and non-racial South Africa after centuries of white rule. Their presence signified the triumph of justice, peace, human dignity, freedom and equality over racism and oppression. It was a victory shared by all humanity.

2. What does Mandela mean when he says he is “simply the sum of all those African patriots” who had gone before him?

ANSWERMandela means that his achievement was not his alone but the result of the collective sacrifices of countless patriots who fought and suffered for freedom before him. He saw himself as the heir to that long and noble line of freedom fighters; their courage and suffering made his success possible, so the honour belonged to them all.

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?

ANSWERYes, it is largely true that great suffering can produce extraordinary strength of character. Mandela illustrates this by listing leaders such as Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu, Chief Luthuli, Yusuf Dadoo, Bram Fischer and Robert Sobukwe—men of rare courage, wisdom and generosity produced by decades of oppression. He says it perhaps requires such depths of oppression to create such heights of character.Own examples: Mahatma Gandhi and other freedom fighters who endured British rule and prison; Bhagat Singh; Helen Keller, who rose above blindness and deafness; or victims of hardship who became great reformers—all show how adversity can build remarkable character.

4. How did Mandela’s understanding of freedom change with age and experience?

ANSWERAs a boy, Mandela thought he was born free and freedom meant simple childhood pleasures. As a student, he wanted only the transitory personal freedoms of staying out, reading and travelling as he pleased. As a young man, he longed for the basic and honourable freedoms of earning a living and raising a family.Gradually he realised that not only was he not free, but his brothers and sisters were not free either. His desire for his own freedom then grew into a much greater hunger for the freedom of all his people, which led him to join the ANC.

5. How did Mandela’s ‘hunger for freedom’ change his life?

ANSWERThe hunger for his people’s freedom transformed Mandela completely. It turned a frightened young man into a bold one, drove a law-abiding attorney to become a “criminal” in the eyes of the apartheid state, turned a family-loving husband into a man without a home, and forced a life-loving man to live like a monk. He sacrificed his personal and family life entirely for the larger cause of freedom.

Thinking about Language

I. Nouns formed from verbs (-(at)ion / -ment)

1. Make a list of such pairs of nouns and verbs in the text.

NounVerb
rebellionrebel
constitutionconstitute
formationform
governmentgovern
installationinstall
inaugurationinaugurate
oppressionoppress
emancipationemancipate
dominationdominate
discriminationdiscriminate
deprivationdeprive
achievementachieve

2. Read the paragraph below. Fill in the blanks with the noun forms of the verbs in brackets.

ANSWERMartin Luther King’s contribution (contribute) to our history as an outstanding leader began when he came to the assistance (assist) of Rosa Parks …To break these laws would mean subjugation (subjugate) and humiliation (humiliate) by the police and the legal system. Beatings, imprisonment (imprison) and sometimes death awaited those who defied the System.Martin Luther King’s tactics of protest involved non-violent resistance (resist) to racial injustice.

II. Using the Definite Article with Names

Used in this way with ‘the’ and/or in the plural, a proper noun carries a special meaning. What do you think the names “the Oliver Tambos, the Walter Sisulus …” mean? Choose the right answer.

ANSWER(b) many other men like Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu … / many men of their type or kind, whose names may not be as well known.

Here are some more examples of ‘the’ used with proper names. Try to say what these sentences mean.

ANSWER1. “Mr Singh regularly invites the Amitabh Bachchans and the Shah Rukh Khans to his parties.” → Mr Singh invites famous film stars (celebrities) like Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan—people of that type—to his parties.2. “Many people think that Madhuri Dixit is the Madhubala of our times.” → Many people think Madhuri Dixit is as beautiful and talented an actress as Madhubala was—a Madhubala-like star of today.3. “History is not only the story of the Alexanders, the Napoleons and the Hitlers, but of ordinary people as well.” → History is not only about great conquerors and powerful rulers of that kind, but about ordinary people too.

III. Idiomatic Expressions

Match the italicised phrases in Column A with the phrase nearest in meaning in Column B.

ANSWER1. “I was not unmindful of the fact” → (i) had not forgotten; was aware of the fact.2. “when my comrades and I were pushed to our limits” → (iii) felt that we could not endure the suffering any longer.3. “to reassure me and keep me going” → (ii) help me continue to live in hope in this very difficult situation.4. “the basic and honourable freedoms of … earning my keep” → (i) earning enough money to live on.

Looking at Contrasts

I. Use the given phrases to complete the sentences.

ANSWER1. 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.

II. Find in the text the second part of each contrast.

ANSWER1. For decades the Union Buildings had been the seat of white supremacy, and now … it was the site of a rainbow gathering of different colours and nations for the installation of South Africa’s first democratic, non-racial government. (Contrast signalled by: now.)2. Only moments before, the highest generals saluted me and pledged their loyalty … not so many years before they would not have saluted but arrested me. (Signalled by: not so many years before.)3. Although that day neither group knew the lyrics of the anthem … they would soon know the words by heart. (Signalled by: Although … soon.)4. My country is rich in the minerals and gems that lie beneath its soil, but I have always known that its greatest wealth is its people, finer and truer than the purest diamonds. (Signalled by: but.)5. The Air Show was not only a display of pinpoint precision and military force, but a demonstration of the military’s loyalty to democracy. (Signalled by: not only … but.)6. It was this desire for the freedom of my people … that transformed a frightened young man into a bold one, that drove a law-abiding attorney to become a criminal, that turned a family-loving husband into a man without a home.

Talk about it / Expressing Your Opinion

The remaining tasks—the two-minute speech on “True liberty is freedom from poverty, deprivation and all forms of discrimination”, and the 100–150 word paragraph on whether there is colour prejudice in our own country—are speaking and writing practice activities to be done in class. Use the points suggested in the textbook (causes of poverty and means of overcoming it; discrimination based on gender, religion and class; constitutionally guaranteed human rights) to build your own response.

Extra questions

Short answer

1. On what date did Mandela’s inauguration take place, and where?

ANSWERIt took place on 10 May 1994, in the sandstone amphitheatre of the Union Buildings in Pretoria, South Africa.

2. What did Mandela mean by a “rainbow gathering”?

ANSWERHe meant a beautiful coming together of people of many different colours, races and nations—like the colours of a rainbow—at the inauguration.

3. What does Mandela say about man’s goodness?

ANSWERHe says that man’s goodness is “a flame that can be hidden but never extinguished”—even in the grimmest prison times he saw a glimmer of humanity in the guards.

4. Who accompanied Mandela to the inauguration ceremony?

ANSWERHis daughter Zenani accompanied him on that day.

5. Why does Mandela say freedom is “indivisible”?

ANSWERBecause the chains on any one of his people were chains on all of them; no one can be truly free while others are oppressed. Freedom cannot be divided—it must belong to everyone.

Long answer

6. “The oppressed and the oppressor alike are robbed of their humanity.” Discuss this idea with reference to the chapter.

ANSWERMandela argues that oppression dehumanises both the victim and the wrongdoer. The oppressed lose their dignity, rights and freedom. But the oppressor, too, becomes a prisoner—of hatred, prejudice and narrow-mindedness. A man who takes away another’s freedom cannot himself be free, because he is locked behind the bars of his own bigotry. Therefore Mandela insists that the oppressor must be liberated just as surely as the oppressed; true freedom means freeing everyone from hatred and fear, restoring the full humanity of all. This belief in reconciliation, rather than revenge, lay at the heart of his peaceful transformation of South Africa.

7. Describe the tribute Mandela pays to the patriots who struggled before him.

ANSWERMandela humbly says he was “simply the sum of all those African patriots” who had gone before him. He honours the unimaginable sacrifices of thousands of his people—men and women whose suffering and courage can never be counted or repaid. He grieves that he could not thank them and that they could not see what their sacrifices had achieved. He names great leaders such as Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu, Chief Luthuli, Yusuf Dadoo, Bram Fischer and Robert Sobukwe—men of extraordinary courage, wisdom and generosity. He concludes that his country’s greatest wealth is its people, “finer and truer than the purest diamonds.”

MCQs & Assertion–Reason

1. On which date was Nelson Mandela inaugurated as President?

(a) 10 May 1990   (b) 10 May 1994   (c) 27 April 1994   (d) 18 July 1993

2. The inauguration took place in the amphitheatre of which building?

(a) The Union Buildings   (b) Robben Island   (c) Cape Town Castle   (d) Pretoria Fort

3. Who accompanied Mandela on the day of the inauguration?

(a) His wife   (b) Thabo Mbeki   (c) His daughter Zenani   (d) Mr de Klerk

4. Who was sworn in as second deputy president?

(a) Thabo Mbeki   (b) Mr de Klerk   (c) Oliver Tambo   (d) Walter Sisulu

5. According to Mandela, courage is:

(a) the absence of fear   (b) the triumph over fear   (c) physical strength   (d) never feeling afraid

6. The two anthems sung were ‘Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika’ and:

(a) Die Stem   (b) God Save the Queen   (c) Jana Gana Mana   (d) Free Africa

7. The “rainbow gathering” refers to:

(a) a weather event   (b) a collection of flags   (c) people of many colours and nations   (d) coloured lights

8. Mandela says man’s goodness is a flame that can be:

(a) easily put out   (b) hidden but never extinguished   (c) never lit   (d) bought and sold

9. The “twin obligations” Mandela mentions are to his family and to:

(a) his employer   (b) his religion   (c) his people/community/country   (d) the army

10. “Long Walk to Freedom” is Mandela’s:

(a) speech   (b) poem   (c) autobiography   (d) novel

Answer key: 1-(b)   2-(a)   3-(c)   4-(b)   5-(b)   6-(a)   7-(c)   8-(b)   9-(c)   10-(c)

Assertion–Reason – choose: (a) A and R true, R explains A; (b) A and R true, R does not explain A; (c) A true, R false; (d) A false, R true.

1. Assertion (A): The military generals saluted Mandela at the inauguration.

Reason (R): South Africa now had a freely and fairly elected democratic government to which the military pledged loyalty.

2. Assertion (A): 10 May is described as an autumn day in South Africa.

Reason (R): South Africa lies in the Southern Hemisphere, where May falls in autumn.

3. Assertion (A): Mandela believed the oppressor is also not free.

Reason (R): A man who takes away another’s freedom is a prisoner of hatred and prejudice.

4. Assertion (A): Mandela said he was simply the sum of all the African patriots before him.

Reason (R): He single-handedly won freedom for South Africa without any help.

5. Assertion (A): Two national anthems were sung at the ceremony.

Reason (R): The whites refused to recognise the new government.

Answer key: 1-(a)   2-(a)   3-(a)   4-(c)   (A true—he honoured those before him; R false—he stressed the collective sacrifice of thousands, not his solo effort.)   5-(c) (A true; R false—both anthems were sung as a gesture of unity and reconciliation, not refusal.)

Exam tips

Score full marks on this chapter

1. Remember the key facts: the inauguration was on 10 May 1994 at the Union Buildings, Pretoria; Mandela’s daughter Zenani accompanied him; de Klerk (second deputy) and Thabo Mbeki (first deputy) were sworn in first.

2. Learn Mandela’s famous definitions by heart for value-based questions: courage is the triumph over fear; love is more natural than hate; freedom is indivisible; man’s goodness is a flame that can be hidden but never extinguished.

3. For long answers, connect facts to theme—mention apartheid, reconciliation and the “twin obligations.” Always support points with a short reference from the text, but do not copy long passages.

4. Spell proper nouns correctly: apartheid, amphitheatre, Pretoria, Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu.

FAQs

What is the theme of ‘Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom’?

The chapter celebrates the triumph of freedom, equality and human dignity over apartheid, and stresses that freedom is indivisible—no one is truly free while others remain oppressed.

Why is 10 May 1994 important?

On that day Nelson Mandela was inaugurated as the first Black, democratically elected President of South Africa, ending centuries of white minority rule.

What does Mandela mean by ‘twin obligations’?

He means the two duties every person has at the same time—an obligation to his family, and an obligation to his people, community and country.

How does Mandela define courage?

Mandela defines courage not as the absence of fear but as the triumph over it—the brave man is one who conquers his fear.

Questions are taken verbatim from the NCERT First Flight textbook; summaries and answers are written originally by ClearStudy.

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