At the beginning of his speech, Mandela mentions "an extraordinary human disaster". What does he mean by this? What is the "glorious … human achievement" he speaks of at the end?
(i) By "extraordinary human disaster", Mandela refers to the prolonged system of oppression of one by another that lasted too long in South Africa. It signifies the deep bondage of poverty, deprivation, suffering, gender and other discrimination that the people endured, treating them as outlaws.
(ii) The "glorious human achievement" he speaks of at the end is the attainment of political emancipation. It marks the historic triumph of establishing a society where the oppression of one by another will never be experienced again, bringing newborn liberty and dignity to the land.
Explanation
In the textbook chapter 'Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom', Mandela contrasts the dark past of apartheid with the bright future of democracy. The 'human disaster' refers to the brutal apartheid regime characterized by racial discrimination and suffering. The 'human achievement' is the successful establishment of a democratic, non-racial government where such oppression is permanently abolished.