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 62
... Dirk Coetzee tells of how Griffiths Mxenge was stabbed , how the knife was twisted in behind his ribs and couldn't be pulled out , how his throat was cut and his intestines jerked out , his security men sit behind him , half - concealed ...
... Dirk Coetzee tells of how Griffiths Mxenge was stabbed , how the knife was twisted in behind his ribs and couldn't be pulled out , how his throat was cut and his intestines jerked out , his security men sit behind him , half - concealed ...
Page 64
... Dirk Coetzee . After the hearing , Mamasela phones a Sesotho - speaking colleague and tells him Coetzee is talking a lot of nonsense . It was Coetzee himself who wanted the dia- monds , that's why he borrowed the money from his mother ...
... Dirk Coetzee . After the hearing , Mamasela phones a Sesotho - speaking colleague and tells him Coetzee is talking a lot of nonsense . It was Coetzee himself who wanted the dia- monds , that's why he borrowed the money from his mother ...
Page 67
... Coetzee's young advocate lies motionless on his back as he navigates the evidence . He puts sharp and critical ... Dirk Coetzee is an industry . Not so Nofomela . He is defended by a one - man team with a two - file argument . On the ...
... Coetzee's young advocate lies motionless on his back as he navigates the evidence . He puts sharp and critical ... Dirk Coetzee is an industry . Not so Nofomela . He is defended by a one - man team with a two - file argument . On 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