Country of My Skull: Guilt, Sorrow, and the Limits of Forgiveness in the New South AfricaEver since Nelson Mandela dramatically walked out of prison in 1990 after twenty-seven years behind bars, South Africa has been undergoing a radical transformation. In one of the most miraculous events of the century, the oppressive system of apartheid was dismantled. Repressive laws mandating separation of the races were thrown out. The country, which had been carved into a crazy quilt that reserved the most prosperous areas for whites and the most desolate and backward for blacks, was reunited. The dreaded and dangerous security force, which for years had systematically tortured, spied upon, and harassed people of color and their white supporters, was dismantled. But how could this country--one of spectacular beauty and promise--come to terms with its ugly past? How could its people, whom the oppressive white government had pitted against one another, live side by side as friends and neighbors? To begin the healing process, Nelson Mandela created the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, headed by the renowned cleric Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Established in 1995, the commission faced the awesome task of hearing the testimony of the victims of apartheid as well as the oppressors. Amnesty was granted to those who offered a full confession of any crimes associated with apartheid. Since the commission began its work, it has been the central player in a drama that has riveted the country. In this book, Antjie Krog, a South African journalist and poet who has covered the work of the commission, recounts the drama, the horrors, the wrenching personal stories of the victims and their families. Through the testimonies of victims of abuse and violence, from the appearance of Winnie Mandela to former South African president P. W. Botha's extraordinary courthouse press conference, this award-winning poet leads us on an amazing journey. Country of My Skull captures the complexity of the Truth Commission's work. The narrative is often traumatic, vivid, and provocative. Krog's powerful prose lures the reader actively and inventively through a mosaic of insights, impressions, and secret themes. This compelling tale is Antjie Krog's profound literary account of the mending of a country that was in colossal need of change. |
From inside the book
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Page 154
... amnesty deadline . I'm sitting in one of the pas- sages at the Truth Commission offices , studying the amnesty rulings on twelve applicants . The Amnesty Committee has made its findings pub- lic under pressure from the Truth Commission ...
... amnesty deadline . I'm sitting in one of the pas- sages at the Truth Commission offices , studying the amnesty rulings on twelve applicants . The Amnesty Committee has made its findings pub- lic under pressure from the Truth Commission ...
Page 385
... Amnesty Committee was struggling to stay afloat on a choppy political sea . In its own clumsy way it tried to ... amnesty . On its heels followed a statement to say that twenty - seven high profile ANC activists ( among them Thabo ...
... Amnesty Committee was struggling to stay afloat on a choppy political sea . In its own clumsy way it tried to ... amnesty . On its heels followed a statement to say that twenty - seven high profile ANC activists ( among them Thabo ...
Page 386
... Amnesty Committee actu- ally granted amnesty that was subsequently overturned in court . " We have been cheated and made ridiculous , " one of the foot sol- diers hissed through his teeth at the hearing . " This is a farce - those with ...
... Amnesty Committee actu- ally granted amnesty that was subsequently overturned in court . " We have been cheated and made ridiculous , " one of the foot sol- diers hissed through his teeth at the hearing . " This is a farce - those with ...
Contents
ONE They Never Wept the Men of My Race | 3 |
TWO None More Parted Than Us | 19 |
THREE Stretched Thinner and Thinner over Pitches of Grief | 37 |
Copyright | |
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Afrikaner Alex Boraine amnesty amnesty applications Amnesty Committee apartheid Archbishop asked Benzien blood body Boer Boraine Botha Bram called Cape Town child commissioners crying death Dirk Coetzee door eastern Cape eyes F. W. de Klerk face feel front hand happened head heard hearing Hechter honor human rights Johannesburg journalists killed Klerk lawyer leader Lekotse live look Madikizela-Mandela Mamasela Mbeki Michael Lapsley minister morning mother murder National Party Nelson Mandela never night Nomonde Ntsebeza P. W. Botha Parliament past perpetrators person police policemen political politicians president prison radio reconciliation remember Robben Island says Seipei shot someone South African stand Stompie story submission talk tell Thabo Mbeki things told took torture Truth Commission Tutu victims Viljoen Vlakplaas voice walk wife Winnie Winnie Madikizela-Mandela words Xhosa