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Practice each question, then open the answer or worked solution.
Where did the ceremonies take place? Can you name any public buildings in India that are made of sandstone?
The ceremonies took place in the lovely sandstone amphitheatre formed by the Union Buildings in Pretoria, which were attended by dignitaries and world leaders of several nations. In India, the Rashtrapati Bhavan and Red Fort are two public buildings that are made of red sandstone.
Can you say how 10 May is an ‘autumn day’ in South Africa?
South Africa is located in the Southern Hemisphere, i.e., below the equator. In the Southern Hemisphere, the timing of the seasons is different from that of Europe and Asia, which are in the Northern Hemisphere. In Southern Africa, autumn is from March to April, and winter is from June to September. That is how May 10 becomes a ‘lovely 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?
In Mandela’s speech ‘an extraordinary human disaster’, he wanted to express his strong feelings against the practice of Apartheid in South Africa. Under Apartheid, there was racial segregation of people based on colour, and the blacks suffered the most as they were discriminated against by the rest. They could not enjoy the right to freedom. Mandela was jailed for 18 years on the infamous ‘Robben Island’ where he was mistreated by the authorities. He considered it a “great glorious human achievement” that he became the first Black President of South Africa, where the blacks were deprived of basic needs and suffered different kinds of discrimination, and were treated badly.
What does Mandela thank the international leaders for?
Mandela felt extremely privileged to welcome the dignitaries and international leaders at the swearing-in ceremony because it was not too long ago when the South Africans were considered outlaws. He therefore, thanked all of them for having come from far and wide to witness the historical oath-taking ceremony of the first Black President of South Africa. This was a wonderful gesture of international recognition to a newly born free democratic nation. This event could be considered as a common victory for justice, peace and human dignity.
What ideals does he set out for the future of South Africa?
Mandela set the ideals of liberating the people of South Africa from the continuing bondage of poverty, deprivation, suffering, gender and other discrimination. He wanted the people of the country to enjoy the right to freedom from all forms of bondage and prejudice.