What does courage mean to Mandela?
To Mandela, courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. He learned the true meaning of courage from his comrades in the struggle, who repeatedly risked and gave their lives for an idea.
He observed men and women standing up to attacks and torture without breaking, displaying a strength and resilience that defies the imagination. Thus, he believes a brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.
Explanation
The textbook explicitly defines Mandela's understanding of courage, which he derived from observing his fellow freedom fighters. He distinguishes between feeling fear and overcoming it, emphasizing that true bravery lies in conquering fear rather than not experiencing it at all.