Question

What, according to Mandela, is ‘true freedom’?

Hint:

In questions about definitions (like "true freedom"), always explain how the character’s understanding changed over time, from simple to mature.

Answer 1

In his autobiography "Long Walk to Freedom", Nelson Mandela explains what he considered to be true freedom. For him, freedom was not just the absence of chains but the ability to live with dignity and equality.
Step 1: Childhood View of Freedom.
As a child, Mandela thought freedom simply meant being able to run in the fields, swim in streams, and enjoy the simple pleasures of life without restriction. This was his innocent view of freedom.
Step 2: Adult Realization.
As he grew up, Mandela realized that true freedom was much deeper. It was not just about personal liberty but about the collective right of his people to live a life of equality, dignity, and justice, free from racial discrimination.
Step 3: True Freedom Defined.
According to Mandela, true freedom meant the ability to live without fear, without oppression, and with full human rights. It was the right of every person to fulfill their potential without being limited by unjust laws.
Step 4: Conclusion.
Therefore, Mandela believed that true freedom was the liberation of all people from oppression, inequality, and discrimination, allowing them to live with dignity and self-respect.