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 123
... arms and hands held despairingly in front of him . I first made sure that it wasn't a computer or a coat or ... arm across the bench behind him . When he was stabbed , this messenger heard him say : ' No son , what are you doing ? ' The ...
... arms and hands held despairingly in front of him . I first made sure that it wasn't a computer or a coat or ... arm across the bench behind him . When he was stabbed , this messenger heard him say : ' No son , what are you doing ? ' The ...
Page 167
... arm and hitting an arm . But I will die . I will absolutely die if I have to talk about this before any committee . ' Other people want us to describe the incident over and over , because no one has ever heard you even raising your ...
... arm and hitting an arm . But I will die . I will absolutely die if I have to talk about this before any committee . ' Other people want us to describe the incident over and over , because no one has ever heard you even raising your ...
Page 184
... arms , my veins in my hands and my arms , and I ... I felt pains across my chest and suddenly I started feeling like ... all my insides were going to come out ... And I said to them , “ I am going to get sick ... " And the one guy ran ...
... arms , my veins in my hands and my arms , and I ... I felt pains across my chest and suddenly I started feeling like ... all my insides were going to come out ... And I said to them , “ I am going to get sick ... " And the one guy ran ...
Contents
They Never Wept the Men of My Race | 1 |
None More Parted than Us | 14 |
First Hearings | 22 |
Copyright | |
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ADV NTSEBEZA Afrikaner Alex Boraine amnesty amnesty applications Amnesty Committee Apartheid Archbishop asked become Benzien blood body Boer Boraine Bram Bram Fischer called Cape Casspir Chairperson child Commissioners crying death Dirk Coetzee door Eastern Cape eyes face father feel forgive front guilt hand happened head heard hearing Hechter honour human rights Johannesburg journalists kill Klerk lawyer leader Lekotse Lesotho live look Madikizela-Mandela Mamasela Mandela Mbeki Michael Lapsley morning mother murder National Party Nelson Mandela never night Nomonde P.W. Botha past person police policemen political politicians radio reconciliation remember Robben Island SABC says Seipei shoot shot Sibaya someone South African stand Steve Biko Stompie story submission talk tell things told took torture town Truth Commission Tutu victims Vlakplaas voice walk wife Winnie Winnie Madikizela-Mandela woman words Xhosa