Country of My SkullEver 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. 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. 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. |
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Page 92
... Five exhausted men and five despairing Amnesty Committee members finally complete the process . For me they have become more real than my own life . I ask their lawyer whether I can interview each of them separately . I want to know ...
... Five exhausted men and five despairing Amnesty Committee members finally complete the process . For me they have become more real than my own life . I ask their lawyer whether I can interview each of them separately . I want to know ...
Page 97
... five men . I get up one morning with my face all swollen from a rash . My scalp itch- es so much that I have to empty a bottle of cortisone on it . The question haunts me : why do I want to give evil a human face ? Half an hour after ...
... five men . I get up one morning with my face all swollen from a rash . My scalp itch- es so much that I have to empty a bottle of cortisone on it . The question haunts me : why do I want to give evil a human face ? Half an hour after ...
Page 192
... five children ; the fifth one is Jabulani , he is the one who passed away on 3 March 1986. I am from Bloemfontein . ' On this day , 3 March 1986 , I was working in the offices in town . I had to leave my house at half past four in the ...
... five children ; the fifth one is Jabulani , he is the one who passed away on 3 March 1986. I am from Bloemfontein . ' On this day , 3 March 1986 , I was working in the offices in town . I had to leave my house at half past four in the ...
Contents
They Never Wept the Men of My Race | 1 |
None More Parted than Us | 14 |
First Hearings | 22 |
Copyright | |
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Afrikaner already amnesty answer Apartheid asked become blood body Botha bring busy called changed child coming Commissioners Committee crying death don't door eyes face fact father feel fire force four front give Government hall hand happened head heard hearing heart honour human it's journalists keep kill kind later leader leave live look Mamasela Mandela means months morning mother murder never night offices Party past person police political questions reconciliation remember responsibility says shot someone sound South African speak stand started Stompie stop story taken talk tell things thought told took town Truth Commission turned Tutu victims voice waiting walk week whole wife woman wrong