Chapter 2: Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom A Tiger in the Zoo

The highest military generals of South African defence forces and police saluted and pledged their loyalty to Mandela. This was of great significance because, during the Apartheid era, they would have arrested him and put him behind bars. Their attitude towards Blacks changed due to the struggles and sacrifices that were put in by many heroes of South Africa. This struggle for freedom was not just a struggle with Apartheid, it also brought a massive change in the mindsets of many people. Mandela believed that love is something that could be taught and human beings are naturally inclined towards love more, rather than hate.

On the auspicious occasion of the inauguration ceremony, two national anthems were sung – the Whites sang ‘Nkosi Sikelel –iAfrika’ and the Blacks sang ‘Die Stem’ that was the old anthem of the Republic. Singing of both the anthems symbolized the equality of rights between Whites and Blacks.

1. In the first decade of the twentieth century, the white-skinned people of South Africa patched up their differences and erected a system of racial domination against the dark-skinned peoples of their own land. This created the basis of one of the harshest, most inhumane, societies the world has ever seen or known.
2. In the final decade of the twentieth century, the previous system of government had been overturned forever and replaced by one that recognised the rights and freedoms of all peoples, regardless of the colour of their skin.

According to Mandela, courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. A brave man is not one who does not feel afraid, but one who conquers that fear.

Mandela thought that love comes more naturally to the human heart rather than hate.