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 28
... Policemen were celebrating . They said : " We've got Looksmart ! " I was in my cell when I saw Looksmart being dragged up a flight of stairs by two policemen . They were beating him as he went up the stairs . I noticed that his beard ...
... Policemen were celebrating . They said : " We've got Looksmart ! " I was in my cell when I saw Looksmart being dragged up a flight of stairs by two policemen . They were beating him as he went up the stairs . I noticed that his beard ...
Page 213
... policemen , you are just boers . ' One of them pushed me outside - that is where I fell on my shoulder and hurt ... policemen are thieves . You want to take us all outside so that you can implicate us . I know . You're going to ...
... policemen , you are just boers . ' One of them pushed me outside - that is where I fell on my shoulder and hurt ... policemen are thieves . You want to take us all outside so that you can implicate us . I know . You're going to ...
Page 216
Antjie Krog. how can you report policemen to policemen ? They were going to attack us . That is why I said to them , ' Kill us all so that there is no trouble thereafter . It is much better to die - all of us . ' It was even going to be ...
Antjie Krog. how can you report policemen to policemen ? They were going to attack us . That is why I said to them , ' Kill us all so that there is no trouble thereafter . It is much better to die - all of us . ' It was even going to be ...
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 boers Boraine Botha 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 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