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
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Page 105
... FW de Klerk , accompanied by a large , jubilating coloured contingent , accepts responsibility for some of the repressive measures undertaken by the National Party Government , including the 1985 State of Emergency . De Klerk admits ...
... FW de Klerk , accompanied by a large , jubilating coloured contingent , accepts responsibility for some of the repressive measures undertaken by the National Party Government , including the 1985 State of Emergency . De Klerk admits ...
Page 108
... FW de Klerk and Chris Heunis . De Klerk , Ferri proph- esies , is the Judas . He is the only one looking directly , yet humbly at P.W. Botha . Indeed , P.W. finds himself squeezed to the head of the table next to a limp flag , clutching ...
... FW de Klerk and Chris Heunis . De Klerk , Ferri proph- esies , is the Judas . He is the only one looking directly , yet humbly at P.W. Botha . Indeed , P.W. finds himself squeezed to the head of the table next to a limp flag , clutching ...
Page 133
... FW de Klerk . De Klerk knew of the hit squads - Fred- erik Van Zyl Slabbert himself told me that he told De Klerk about them - but De Klerk chose to do nothing about it . ' Forgive I will be able to , but then the asking of forgiveness ...
... FW de Klerk . De Klerk knew of the hit squads - Fred- erik Van Zyl Slabbert himself told me that he told De Klerk about them - but De Klerk chose to do nothing about it . ' Forgive I will be able to , but then the asking of forgiveness ...
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