MP Board · Class 10 · English · First Flight: Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to FreedomHow did Nelson Mandela's understanding of freedom change with age and experience?

As a child, Mandela thought he was born free, as long as he obeyed his father and abided by the customs of his tribe. He was free to run in the fields, swim in the clear stream, and roast mealies. As a student, he wanted 'transitory freedoms' for himself, like staying out at night and reading what he pleased. However, as a young man in Johannesburg, he realized that these were illusions. He began to yearn for the basic and honorable freedoms of achieving his potential, earning his keep, marrying, and having a family. Eventually, he realized that not only was his freedom curtailed, but the freedom of all Black South Africans was severely restricted, which led him to join the African National Congress.