Long walk to freedom....

Mandela's autobiography "Long walk to freedom" is a long, lengthy book. Written mostly in a matter-of-fact manner, the book would not have been as captivating as it is, had it not been so important.Moreover, I might not have brought myself around the idea of reading the book, had it not been for the following two reasons:

One, Mandela is in hospital and, imminently, may breathe his last there. This is a sombre time to remember the man and pay him respects and tributes. Reading Mandela and, in doing so, walking that walk with him is my way of paying homage to the legend.

Two, it is Ramzan and I had the leisure and the quiet of the ramzan nights to be with Mandela, every night till sehri.

Mandela; the name itself has become a by-word for struggle, sacrifice, commitment, sagacity and magnanimity. When I became politically aware, Mandela had already fought his battles and won them, retired from active public life and assumed legendary status of mythical proportions.His name served us the purpose of a ready-example to be used in essays and speeches.His greatness was taken for granted and hence I never really bothered myself with as much as learning about the man behind the legend or his long, torturous journey. This is of course until I read "Long walk to freedom"

Mandela’s journey is not only a journey towards freedom but also towards greatness. His story makes it absolutely clear what it takes to be great in true sense of the word.  And it is not a walk in the park (pun intended). The long walk to freedom is full of supreme sacrifices. It is easy to read and watch the journey from the safe distance and feel awed, inspired and excited with adrenalin pumping and skin breaking into goose-bumps every now and then. It is different and unimaginably difficult, however, to live it. And that is what separates the ordinary from the great.  Mandela is great because he walked that walk unflinchingly and persistently despite innumerable sacrifices, dangers and hardships. What kept him going was not any tangible, concrete physical reality in front of him but an ideal which he could only imagine.

In Mandela’s own eternal words: 

• “During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die”

His sacrifices alone are not what make him great. It is also his sagacity. At different stages of the struggle, it was primarily Mandela, along with some of his like-minded comrades, who adapted it to the changing times. Whether it was about turning ANC into a mass movement or forming a militant organisation or beginning the talks, Mandela always took the initiatives after judging the flow of circumstances and most often correctly. In this sense, Mandela comes across as someone who had his hand firmly placed on the pulse of time, a true sign of a great leader.

‘Long walk to freedom’ can also serve as a text-book and a guide for any freedom fighter. Mandela’s story in many ways represents the stories of freedom fighters treading the uncertain and unsafe path toward their cherished ideal of freedom.

Political prisoners will also find the book and especially its chapter (Robben Island: The dark years) very interesting and relevant.The chapter is obviously about his experiences at Island prison. However, it is also interspersed with many a musing and anecdote about jail life where getting an access to some of the basic things such as cigarettes, newspapers, proper food and clothing, books and information is an adventure unto itself.

In my view, ‘Long walk to freedom’ as opposed to many other autobiographies is not an exercise in self-praise and self-projection. It is honestly written without an attempt to hide and cover-up the inevitable low moments. Its primary purpose is what makes the book important as I mentioned in the beginning. It is to document in great detail one of the most glorious chapters of modern history and that too with the pen of its protagonist.

Also mentioned in the beginning is the fact that the book is mostly written in the matter-of-fact manner. However, it is interlarded with some reflections, truisms and anecdotes. In some passages, Mandela also waxes lyrical.

One example of such a passage is given below: 

• “I love playing with children and chatting with them; it has always been one of the things that make me feel most at peace.I enjoyed relaxing at home, reading quietly, taking in the sweet and savory smells emanating from pots boiling in the kitchen. But I was rarely at home to enjoy these things.”     

And quite befittingly, Mandela waxes lyrical about freedom in the final few pages of the book and I end with the same. 

• “No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”  

• “…for to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others. The true test of our devotion to freedom is just beginning.”