Many a times in 2008 i tried to buy 'Long Walk to Freedom' but its size (more than 1000 pages) and price deterred me from buying it. Last month the health of Madiba deteriorated so i thought it will be a sort of tribute to read his highly valued autobiography, 'Long Walk to Freedom' in his life time. Some people were born great (like Alexander, Chandragupta, Napoleon etc), others became great because of the challenges they faced despite of born with no great attributes or habits, Mandela belongs to the second set. Born on 18th July in 1918 in a traditional Xhosa African family, related to the royal house of Thembu. He lived a rather ordinary life in highly racist South Africa. He completed B.A. in 1941 and 1943 he joined African National Congress, this association had a seminal effect on him as well as on the future course of South Africa as a country and as a society. With the victory of National Party under the leadership of Dr. Daniel Malan in 1948 elections (only White could vote) South Africa turned into a brutal country based on the principle of Apartheid or racial segregation. This caused a turmoil in ANC and ANC started civil disobedience movement but was crushed by the government. ANC was banned by government in 1960.
ANC had no choice but to go violent, Under the directions of ANC, Nelson Mandela setup a militant organization MK (Spear of the nation) in 1961. He underwent an African tour and he got a huge support from other African countries (Senegal, Ghana, Tanzania, Ethiopia etc), he and his team got Guerrilla training as well (in 1962). He was arrested in Aug 1962 and was convicted by the court on charges of illegal travel (in 1962), later he was charged for sabotage and conspiracy against the government (as MK was involved in sabotage) in 1963 and was sentenced life imprisonment along with others. His lived for 27 years in prison and out of those 27 years he lived 19 years in Robben island prison. It takes infinite courage even for a great soul to come back from this hell without any weakening of beliefs and convictions, and to forgive those who sent him to the jail and to work towards creating a non-racial South Africa without taking any revenge on the Whites for all those crimes they committed in last 100 years or so on their non-White countrymen. He remains master of his fate, he remains captain of his soul.
To an Indian audience and readers, its a matter of great pride that South African Indians participiated in great numbers in the ANC movement and helped Mandela and others with all the resources they had their disposal. Mac Maharaj, Mrs. Pillay etc are few Indian names that any South African can be proud of. India was the first country (perhaps) to award Jawaharlal Nehru Human Right Award to Mandela (while he was in Robben island) in 1979. India later awarded Bharat Ratna to him (in 1990) just before he got Nobel Peace Prize (in 1993). Generally India awards people after they have got Nobel peace prize (Arafat, Aung Saang Suu Kyi etc).
I have only one issue with this book, Madiba has not written a single word about fellow great South African revolutionary Steve Biko (1946 - 1977) who fought against Apartheid and White domination, and founded Black Consciousness Movement when Mr. Mandela was in Robben Island. This great African was murdered by South African government. Overall this book is a great read, very lucid and flowing style. I finished this in 5 days.
Long Live Madiba!
Highly recommended (9/10)
ANC had no choice but to go violent, Under the directions of ANC, Nelson Mandela setup a militant organization MK (Spear of the nation) in 1961. He underwent an African tour and he got a huge support from other African countries (Senegal, Ghana, Tanzania, Ethiopia etc), he and his team got Guerrilla training as well (in 1962). He was arrested in Aug 1962 and was convicted by the court on charges of illegal travel (in 1962), later he was charged for sabotage and conspiracy against the government (as MK was involved in sabotage) in 1963 and was sentenced life imprisonment along with others. His lived for 27 years in prison and out of those 27 years he lived 19 years in Robben island prison. It takes infinite courage even for a great soul to come back from this hell without any weakening of beliefs and convictions, and to forgive those who sent him to the jail and to work towards creating a non-racial South Africa without taking any revenge on the Whites for all those crimes they committed in last 100 years or so on their non-White countrymen. He remains master of his fate, he remains captain of his soul.
To an Indian audience and readers, its a matter of great pride that South African Indians participiated in great numbers in the ANC movement and helped Mandela and others with all the resources they had their disposal. Mac Maharaj, Mrs. Pillay etc are few Indian names that any South African can be proud of. India was the first country (perhaps) to award Jawaharlal Nehru Human Right Award to Mandela (while he was in Robben island) in 1979. India later awarded Bharat Ratna to him (in 1990) just before he got Nobel Peace Prize (in 1993). Generally India awards people after they have got Nobel peace prize (Arafat, Aung Saang Suu Kyi etc).
I have only one issue with this book, Madiba has not written a single word about fellow great South African revolutionary Steve Biko (1946 - 1977) who fought against Apartheid and White domination, and founded Black Consciousness Movement when Mr. Mandela was in Robben Island. This great African was murdered by South African government. Overall this book is a great read, very lucid and flowing style. I finished this in 5 days.
Long Live Madiba!
Highly recommended (9/10)
1 comment:
Good review... will purchase this book soon.
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