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. |
From inside the book
Results 1-3 of 28
Page vii
... Amnesty Committee , which had to eval- uate amnesty applications . This Committee had five members , two of whom were Commissioners and three independent Judges ; it was totally independent and could not be overruled by the Commission ...
... Amnesty Committee , which had to eval- uate amnesty applications . This Committee had five members , two of whom were Commissioners and three independent Judges ; it was totally independent and could not be overruled by the Commission ...
Page 118
... Commission offices , studying the amnesty rulings on twelve applicants . The Amnesty Committee has made its findings public under pressure from the Truth Commission itself : desperate lawyers and advocates have been complain- ing to the ...
... Commission offices , studying the amnesty rulings on twelve applicants . The Amnesty Committee has made its findings public under pressure from the Truth Commission itself : desperate lawyers and advocates have been complain- ing to the ...
Page 121
... Commission started its work stands at about 7 700. ' My God , when we took this job on , we were told to expect about 200 applications , ' a member of the Amnesty Committee tells me with a shudder , ' and now there are 7 000 ! ' Among ...
... Commission started its work stands at about 7 700. ' My God , when we took this job on , we were told to expect about 200 applications , ' a member of the Amnesty Committee tells me with a shudder , ' and now there are 7 000 ! ' Among ...
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