Book Review: Long Walk to Freedom By Nelson Mandela
Why this Book?
Long Walk to Freedom is more than just Nelson Mandela’s autobiography; it is a vivid, first-person account that unfolds like a cinematic journey, brimming with action, emotion, suspense, violence, and drama. The book deeply immerses readers in apartheid-era South Africa, shedding light on the nation’s struggles and transformations during the 20th century. It stands as a tribute to the unsung heroes of the anti-apartheid movement, highlighting their extraordinary courage, wisdom, charisma, and resilience in the face of oppression. Their fearless struggle, spearheaded by the African National Congress (ANC), endured for 82 years and ultimately achieved true freedom for South Africa.
I learned that courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it
Author’s Profile
Nelson Mandela, born into the Thembu royal house, was originally named Rolihlahla, a Xhosa name that literally means “pulling the branch of a tree” but is informally interpreted as “troublemaker.” His Christian name, Nelson, was given to him on his first day of school. He was born on July 18, 1918, in the village of Mvezo, located on the banks of the Mbashe River in the Umtata district, the capital of Transkei — a former Bantustan territory situated 800 miles east of Cape Town. Bantustans, also known as “homelands,” were territories set aside by the apartheid government of South Africa for black inhabitants, intended to serve as nominally independent states but effectively used to enforce racial segregation and deny citizenship rights to the majority population.
Real leaders must be ready to sacrifice all for the freedom of their people.
Birth of A Freedom Fighter
From an early age, Nelson Mandela questioned the status quo, challenging why things were done in certain ways and not others. In his youth, he defied the tradition of marrying a girl chosen for him by his guardian. At the time, inter-tribal marriages were considered taboo in South Africa, much like in parts of Asia today. Chief Jongintaba Dalindyebo, the regent of the Thembu people and Mandela’s foster father, informed him that he was to marry the daughter of the Thembu priest. The lobola — essentially a dowry, often paid in cattle — had already been arranged. However, Mandela chose to break with tradition, fleeing to Johannesburg to work in a mine rather than fulfilling his royal duty as an advisor to the Thembu king. Ultimately, he rejected any rules, regulations, or laws based solely on racial discrimination, standing firmly against the apartheid policies enforced by South Africa’s National Party (NP).
It always seems impossible until it’s done.
Legal Practice
Before co-founding his own law firm, Mandela and Tambo, Nelson Mandela gained valuable legal experience working at other law firms in South Africa. After completing his studies at the University of the Witwatersrand, Mandela worked briefly at a law firm in Johannesburg, where he became one of the first black law graduates in South Africa. He then joined the Hutchinson and Moss firm, where he worked for a short time before moving on to Victor R. K. Maasdorp, a leading African attorney in Johannesburg. These experiences provided him with a solid foundation in the legal field, particularly in handling civil and criminal cases for black South Africans who were subjected to discriminatory laws.
Mandela’s early legal career also exposed him to the harsh realities of apartheid laws, which severely limited the rights of non-white South Africans. He witnessed firsthand the injustice and inequality that his clients faced, particularly in cases involving land dispossession, forced removals, and the criminalization of black South Africans under segregation laws. These experiences shaped his worldview and motivated his later activism.
In 1944, alongside his colleague Oliver Tambo, Mandela established Mandela and Tambo, a law firm focused on offering legal services to black South Africans who were often denied legal representation due to systemic racism. The firm grew into a significant institution, providing affordable legal assistance to marginalized communities and becoming a hub for the anti-apartheid movement. It was through this firm that Mandela and Tambo became more deeply involved in the political resistance against apartheid, using their legal platform to challenge apartheid laws.
Through these earlier positions and his subsequent work at Mandela and Tambo, Mandela developed a practical understanding of the law’s role in upholding systemic injustice, which shaped his strategies for political activism and resistance. His legal career not only provided him with the tools to fight apartheid in court but also gave him a platform to push for broader social and political change.
Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.
African National Party
The African National Congress (ANC) was central to Nelson Mandela’s early political life and the broader struggle against apartheid. Founded in 1912, the ANC aimed to unite Africans in the fight against racial discrimination and oppressive colonial laws. Mandela joined the ANC in 1943, inspired by its commitment to equality and justice.
In 1944, Mandela co-founded the ANC Youth League (ANCYL) to invigorate the organization with more militant strategies. He advocated for nonviolent resistance, including strikes, boycotts, and protests, to challenge apartheid policies. Mandela played a key role in organizing the Defiance Campaign (1952), the ANC’s first mass civil disobedience movement against discriminatory laws.
The ANC provided Mandela with a platform to emerge as a prominent leader, connecting him with like-minded activists and shaping his belief in the power of collective action. Despite government repression, Mandela and the ANC persisted in their fight, transitioning to armed struggle in the 1960s with the formation of uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) after peaceful methods failed. The ANC remained at the forefront of South Africa’s liberation, culminating in the end of apartheid and Mandela’s election as the country’s first black president in 1994.
I like friends who have independent minds because they tend to make you see problems from all angles.
Rivonia Trial
The Rivonia Trial (1963–1964) was a pivotal trial in South Africa where Nelson Mandela and other anti-apartheid leaders were charged with sabotage and plotting to overthrow the apartheid government. The trial got its name from a secret ANC hideout in Rivonia. Mandela and his co-defendants were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment. During his defense, Mandela famously stated he was willing to die for the cause of freedom. The trial highlighted the global struggle against apartheid and led to Mandela’s long imprisonment, eventually contributing to his release and election as South Africa’s first black president in 1994.
It is in the character of growth that we should learn from both pleasant and unpleasant experiences.
uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK)
uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK), meaning “Spear of the Nation,” was the armed wing of the African National Congress (ANC), co-founded by Nelson Mandela in 1961. MK was established in response to the increasing violence and repression by the apartheid regime, which left peaceful protests ineffective. Its goal was to fight against the injustice of apartheid through acts of sabotage and armed resistance. Mandela saw MK as a necessary step after the government banned peaceful protests and used brutal force against black South Africans. MK’s actions played a crucial role in the struggle for freedom, though it also led to Mandela’s arrest and imprisonment during the Rivonia Trial. The organization’s efforts, alongside global pressure, contributed to the eventual dismantling of apartheid and the establishment of a democratic South Africa.
A freedom fighter learns the hard way that it is the oppressor who defines the nature of the struggle, and the oppressed is often left no recourse but to use methods that mirror those of the oppressor. At a point, one can only fight fire with fire
Prisoner of Conscience
Nelson Mandela is called a Prisoner of Conscience because he was imprisoned for his steadfast opposition to apartheid, a system of racial segregation and discrimination in South Africa. He stood firm in his beliefs for equality, justice, and freedom, refusing to compromise or accept the oppressive laws that marginalized the non-white population. Mandela was sentenced to life imprisonment for his involvement in anti-apartheid activities, including sabotage and armed resistance through uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK).
Mandela spent 27 years in prison, mostly on Robben Island, from 1962 until his release in 1990. His imprisonment symbolized the struggle for racial equality and inspired global movements against apartheid. His time in prison not only solidified his role as a symbol of resistance but also elevated his status as a moral leader in the fight for justice and human rights.
Everyone can rise above their circumstances and achieve success if they are dedicated to and passionate about what they do.
1994’s Election
The First Nonracial Elections of South Africa in 1994 were a historic event where all South African citizens, regardless of race, were allowed to vote, marking the end of apartheid. These elections were held from April 26–29, 1994, and resulted in the election of Nelson Mandela as the first black president of South Africa. This was a monumental shift from decades of institutionalized racial segregation and oppression, bringing to an end the apartheid regime that had denied the majority of South Africans their basic rights.
Nelson Mandela played a pivotal role in this transformation. After being released from prison in 1990, he led negotiations to dismantle apartheid peacefully and establish a democratic system. His leadership, commitment to reconciliation, and emphasis on unity helped South Africa transition from a racially divided society to a democratic nation. Mandela’s presidency symbolized the triumph of justice, equality, and human rights, and his legacy continues to inspire global struggles for freedom and equality.
If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner
