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 95
... morning to the evening ... I can- not plan anything for next week or next month ... I cannot go and ask for work - who will give me work ? If you walk into a place , people stop talking and look at you . That time , people slept safe ...
... morning to the evening ... I can- not plan anything for next week or next month ... I cannot go and ask for work - who will give me work ? If you walk into a place , people stop talking and look at you . That time , people slept safe ...
Page 136
... morning . They did exactly the same to me ... When I swallowed the petrol , my husband fell down on the ground and screamed sounds that I had never heard before on this earth and have never heard again ... my children hysterically tried ...
... morning . They did exactly the same to me ... When I swallowed the petrol , my husband fell down on the ground and screamed sounds that I had never heard before on this earth and have never heard again ... my children hysterically tried ...
Page 192
... morning - rushing for a quarter - to - five train , rushing for six o'clock at work . ' It was usual for my son to go through the back kitchen from where he slept . But on that morning , just before I left , he knocked and I opened for ...
... morning - rushing for a quarter - to - five train , rushing for six o'clock at work . ' It was usual for my son to go through the back kitchen from where he slept . But on that morning , just before I left , he knocked and I opened for ...
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