Long Walk to Freedom

Long Walk to Freedom

by

Nelson Mandela

Long Walk to Freedom: Chapter 97 Summary & Analysis

Summary
Analysis
On July 4, Mandela learns that he will meet President Botha. Mandela is excited but also nervous because of the president’s reputation for having a temper. But the president is friendly, and he and Mandela take a photo together shaking hands. The only tense moment of the meeting is when Mandela asks for the release of all political prisoners and Botha refuses. About a month later, Botha resigns and F. W. de Klerk, who promises a platform of reform, becomes the new acting president.
Although Mandela spends most of the book dealing with people’s unfair and unrealistic expectations of him, in this passage, Mandela reflects on how Botha differed from Mandela’s own expectations. Notably, Mandela does not necessarily endorse Botha and his policies—Botha’s friendliness simply shows that a person can promote unjust policies without being unpleasant in person.
Themes
Negotiation, Democracy, and Progress Theme Icon