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 77
... Leave me God , just leave me alone . ' ... - The clearest description of what Benzien was experiencing comes from Kotze's testimony . She says Benzien was sitting on his veranda one evening , smoking a cigarette , and then he had a ...
... Leave me God , just leave me alone . ' ... - The clearest description of what Benzien was experiencing comes from Kotze's testimony . She says Benzien was sitting on his veranda one evening , smoking a cigarette , and then he had a ...
Page 83
... leave the media room , go down the passage , winking as I pass one of my ancestors in a portrait : Magistrate Krog ... leave behind ? Certain that the fire will soon be under control , we leave behind our laptops , the tape recorders ...
... leave the media room , go down the passage , winking as I pass one of my ancestors in a portrait : Magistrate Krog ... leave behind ? Certain that the fire will soon be under control , we leave behind our laptops , the tape recorders ...
Page 189
... leave . No one organizes food . No one can say when the power will be sorted out . Whether the hearing will go ahead ... leaves the Cen- tre . By half past two the singing stops . The joking stops . Everyone sits down . The women of ...
... leave . No one organizes food . No one can say when the power will be sorted out . Whether the hearing will go ahead ... leaves the Cen- tre . By half past two the singing stops . The joking stops . Everyone sits down . The women of ...
Contents
They Never Wept the Men of My Race | 1 |
None More Parted than Us | 14 |
First Hearings | 22 |
Copyright | |
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Common terms and phrases
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