What was the unintended effect that the decades of oppression and brutality had?
The decades of oppression and brutality had produced men of extraordinary courage, wisdom and generosity that their like may never be known again. Few of them are the Oliver Tambos, the Walter Sisulus, the Chief Luthulis, the Yusuf Dadoos, the Bram Fischers, the Robert Sobukwes.
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?
Where did the ceremonies take place? Can you name any public buildings in India that are made of sandstone?
Can you say how 10 May is an ‘autumn day’ in South Africa?
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?
What ideals does he set out for the future of South Africa?
What does courage mean to Mandela?
Which does he think is natural, to love or to hate?
What “twin obligations” does Mandela mention?
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”?
Mock Test Series
