Explanation

Apartheid was an institutionalized system of racial segregation and discrimination enforced by the white-minority government in South Africa. Under this policy, citizens were legally divided, disenfranchised, and socially subjugated based solely on their skin colour and racial background.

Explanation

The term obligation refers to a moral or legal requirement, commitment, or duty. Mandela emphasizes that every man has dual duties in civil life: first, to his family, parents, wife, and children; second, to his people, community, and nation.

Explanation

Mandela acknowledges that South Africa is geographically endowed with immense subterranean wealth, being remarkably rich in minerals and gems that lie beneath its soil. However, he goes on to assert that the country's greatest and truest wealth is its people, who are finer and truer than the purest diamonds.

Explanation

Prejudice refers to a preconceived opinion or irrational hostility directed against an individual or group, characterized by strong dislike without any valid justification. Mandela notes that someone who deprives another of their freedom is himself a prisoner behind the bars of prejudice and narrow-mindedness.

Explanation

On 10th May 1994, during the landmark inauguration ceremony held at the Union Buildings amphitheatre in Pretoria, Nelson Mandela was accompanied on the podium by his beloved daughter, Zenani.

Explanation

The playing of two national anthems—‘Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika’ (sung by the whites) and ‘Die Stem’ (the old anthem sung by the blacks)—took place during the historic swearing-in ceremony of Nelson Mandela as South Africa’s first Black President, symbolising racial equality and national unity.

Explanation

• Statement 1 is True: On the inauguration day, Mandela reflected deeply on the past century, recalling the Anglo-Boer war and the decades of racial oppression that preceded this triumph.
• Statement 2 is True: Observing his comrades risk their lives, Mandela realized that true bravery does not mean being fearless, but having the strength to conquer and triumph over fear.

Explanation

For decades, the Union Buildings in Pretoria were the seat of white supremacist rule. The 10th May ceremony marked the dawn of South Africa's very first democratic and non-racial government, elected freely by all citizens regardless of their race.

Explanation

The structure refers to the cruel political and societal framework of racial domination and apartheid erected by the white rulers against the dark-skinned majority, establishing one of the most inhumane systems in human history.

Explanation

Apartheid was an institutionalised policy of racial segregation and political subjugation in South Africa. It forcibly classified and divided the population into strict legal categories based solely on their skin colour and racial background.

Explanation

The oath-taking ceremony was hosted in the lovely sandstone amphitheatre formed by the Union Buildings in Pretoria. For decades this site had stood as the premier seat of white supremacy, but on 10th May 1994, it became the home of multiracial democracy.

Explanation

• a – 3 (Nelson Mandela): Took the oath as the supreme head of state, becoming South Africa's first Black President.
• b – 1 (Thabo Mbeki): Sworn in second on the podium as the first Deputy President.
• c – 2 (Mr de Klerk): First to take the oath on the podium, designated as the second Deputy President.

Explanation

During the swearing-in proceedings, Mr de Klerk was first sworn in as second Deputy President. Following him, Thabo Mbeki took the oath as first Deputy President, before Mandela pledged his devotion as President.

Explanation

Historically, Nelson Mandela was imprisoned from 1962 to 1990—spending precisely 27 years in prison before his release. (Note: The NCERT First Flight introductory summary rounds this struggle off as "thirty years in prison".)

Explanation

• Assertion Analysis: Mandela was besieged by international dignitaries paying respects, making it the largest international summit ever hosted on South African soil (True).
• Reasoning Analysis: The event drew heads of state from over 140 different countries to celebrate human justice and equality, directly explaining the unprecedented scale of the gathering (True, and explains A).

Explanation

Mandela observed that brave individuals are not those who feel no fear, but those who conquer it. True courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is one who stands firm despite feeling afraid.

Explanation

Mandela argues that since human infants do not naturally despise others, hatred is socially conditioned and taught. If people can be conditioned to hate, they can even more easily be taught to love, because love originates more naturally in the human soul.

Explanation

National reconciliation was signified by the performance of two national anthems: the white community's anthem ‘Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika’ and the black community's historic anthem ‘Die Stem’, symbolizing shared identity and equality.

Explanation

Nelson Mandela was accompanied to the historic swearing-in ceremony by his daughter Zenani, who stood proudly alongside him on the podium at the Union Buildings.

Explanation

• Statement 1 is True: Mandela reflected deeply on the past century, recalling the Anglo-Boer war and decades of struggle that led to this milestone.
• Statement 2 is False: Mandela declared with supreme certainty that the land would never, never again experience the oppression of one by another.

Explanation

• Assertion Analysis: Top generals adorned with ribbons and medals saluted the newly elected democratic President (True).
• Reasoning Analysis: Mandela was mindful of the dramatic political transformation: earlier, those identical officials were compelled by the state to hunt and arrest him as an outlaw (True, and explains the historical significance of A).

Explanation

• Statement 1 is True: Mandela observed that compassion, goodness, and love arise far more instinctively in people than hatred.
• Statement 2 is False: No newborn child arrives with malice; hatred must be actively instilled and taught by an unjust society.

Explanation

Both statements are entirely accurate: the 10th May ceremony formally dismantled centuries of white-minority rule, replacing it with a democratic constitution ensuring equal rights, non-discrimination, and representation for all South Africans.

Explanation

Prejudice refers to an unreasonable bias or hostility held toward people of different backgrounds. Mandela describes oppressors as being trapped behind the "bars of prejudice and narrow-mindedness".

Explanation

Mandela proudly acknowledged that while South Africa boasts precious minerals and gemstones beneath its soil, its greatest wealth is its people, whom he praised as finer and truer than the purest diamonds.

Explanation

The metaphor "rainbow gathering" represents the coming together of people of all skin colours, ethnic backgrounds, and world nations peacefully uniting to inaugurate a non-racial society.

Explanation

Mandela termed apartheid an "extraordinary human disaster" because for decades, human beings were stripped of their dignity, basic rights, and humanity simply because of the colour of their skin.

Explanation

• Assertion Analysis: Mandela came to see that true liberty cannot be selectively enjoyed in fragments; freedom is indivisible.
• Reasoning Analysis: He realized he could not enjoy his own personal freedom so long as his brothers and sisters remained enslaved by prejudice and legal bondage (True, and directly explains A).

Explanation

Mandela remarked that the institutional cruelty of apartheid inflicted a deep and lasting wound on South Africa. He observed that it would take many generations, if not centuries, to fully heal the psychological and social scars of that oppression.

Explanation

South Africa had previously been ostracized as an international outcast due to apartheid. At the inauguration, delegations and heads of state from more than 140 countries assembled in Pretoria to welcome the nation back into the global community.

Explanation

The swearing-in of Nelson Mandela officially established South Africa’s first democratic, non-racial government. This landmark event signaled the permanent end of white-minority rule and guaranteed equal franchise and constitutional protections for all citizens regardless of their skin colour.

Explanation

• Assertion Analysis: Top military generals and police commissioners adorned with medals saluted Mandela and pledged their unwavering loyalty to him as the new President (True).
• Reasoning Analysis: The spectacular flyover by jet fighters and troop carriers was not merely an exhibition of military precision, but an explicit public demonstration of the armed forces' commitment to democratic rule and the newly formed republic (True, and directly explains A).

Explanation

The thrilling military display concluded with a chevron pattern flown by Impala jets that left behind a smoke trail of black, red, green, blue, and gold—the distinct national colours constituting the new South African flag.

Explanation

To honour both sections of society, the crowd sang ‘Nkosi Sikelel-iAfrika’ (the vision song sung by the whites) and ‘Die Stem’ (the old anthem sung by the blacks). While neither group yet knew the exact lyrics by heart, the dual rendition represented a unified nation.

Explanation

• a – 2 (First decade of the 20th century): Shortly after the Anglo-Boer war, white South Africans patched up their differences and erected the system of racial domination against the dark-skinned people.
• b – 3 (Decades of oppression): The unintended effect of intense brutality was that it produced stalwarts of exceptional character such as Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu, and Chief Luthuli.
• c – 1 (Last decade of the 20th century): Saw the oppressive system overturned forever and replaced with a free, democratic republic.

Explanation

Following the bitter Anglo-Boer war and before Mandela was even born, the white rulers established an institutionalized system of racial domination against the native dark-skinned population, setting up the foundation for the inhumane apparatus of apartheid.

Explanation

Reflecting on the fallen heroes of the resistance who did not live to witness the fruits of their struggle, Mandela felt a heavy weight of indebtedness, noting that their courage and immense sacrifices could never be counted or repaid.

Explanation

• Assertion Analysis: Mandela pointed out the paradox that decades of tyranny produced moral titans possessing unmatched wisdom and generosity (True).
• Reasoning Analysis: The extreme brutality of the regime served as a furnace that tempered men like Sisulu, Tambo, and Dadoo, compelling them to rise to unsurpassed heights of moral fortitude (True, and explains A).

Explanation

Mandela witnessed ordinary men and women routinely risk their lives, face torture without breaking, and show a strength that defied imagination. It was from these comrades in the struggle that he learned courage was not being fearless, but triumphing over fear.

Explanation

In prison, when Mandela and his comrades were pushed to their physical endurance limits, he would occasionally catch a glimmer of humanity in one of the guards. Even if it lasted for just a single second, that fleeting trace of kindness was enough to reassure him that human goodness is a flame that can never be extinguished.

Explanation

• Statement 1 is True: As a child, Mandela felt completely free to run through the village fields, swim in clear streams, and roast mealies under the stars.
• Statement 2 is False: During his boyhood, as long as he obeyed his father and respected the customs of his tribe, he was not troubled by the laws of man or God. Realization of legal oppression only came much later in youth.

Explanation

Initially, as a student in Johannesburg, Mandela wanted selfish, transitory liberties—such as staying out late or reading what he pleased. Later in life, however, that self-centered pursuit grew into a greater, relentless hunger for the freedom of all his brothers and sisters to live with dignity and self-respect.

Explanation

• Statement 1 is False: Mandela discovered that his own personal liberties were severely curtailed the moment he saw that everyone who looked like him was not free.
• Statement 2 is True: He firmly recognized that freedom is indivisible; chains placed on any single individual among his people were effectively chains placed on every one of them.

Explanation

Mandela asserts that anyone who robs another person of their freedom is himself stripped of liberty. An oppressor is trapped in psychological bondage, locked behind the bars of prejudice and narrow-mindedness. Therefore, both the oppressor and the oppressed need to be liberated.

Explanation

Emancipation denotes the act or process of setting someone free from legal, social, or political limitations. Mandela proclaimed: "We have, at last, achieved our political emancipation," celebrating liberation from the bondage of poverty, deprivation, and discrimination.

Explanation

Deprivation refers to the damaging lack of material, legal, or social necessities. Under apartheid, the black majority was systematically subjected to the deprivation of basic human rights, wealth, education, and health.

Explanation

Mandela explains that any South African of colour who attempted to live with dignity was forced away from his family and home, condemned to lead a "twilight existence of secrecy and rebellion"—a fugitive life caught between legal obscurity and hidden resistance.

Explanation

• a – 2 (Resilience): The ability to deal with any kind of hardship and recover from pain, showing indomitable mental strength.
• b – 3 (Emancipation): Attaining complete political and constitutional freedom from restrictions.
• c – 1 (Deprivation): The systemic condition of being denied fundamental human rights and necessities.

Explanation

Mandela was awestruck by the resilience of his comrades—their remarkable capacity to withstand relentless torture, abuse, and prolonged imprisonment, displaying a quiet strength and tenacity that defied imagination.

Explanation

As a young man, Mandela realized that his personal freedom was merely an illusion. Seeing that all dark-skinned South Africans were equally enslaved and disenfranchised, his hunger for personal freedom transformed into a hunger for his people's freedom, prompting him to join the African National Congress.

Explanation

Mandela concludes that the oppressor who steals another person's freedom is himself trapped in prejudice and hatred. Both parties suffer moral destruction under tyranny: the oppressed and the oppressor alike are robbed of their humanity.