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 31
... story ? - MR SIKWEPERE : I feel what – what has brought my sight back , my eyesight back is to come back here and tell the story . But I feel what has been making me sick all the time is the fact that I couldn't tell my story . But now ...
... story ? - MR SIKWEPERE : I feel what – what has brought my sight back , my eyesight back is to come back here and tell the story . But I feel what has been making me sick all the time is the fact that I couldn't tell my story . But now ...
Page 154
... story , off the record , is just the women fighting among themselves . ' Despite all these denials , the story makes headlines for days . It is the story everyone wants to hear , because it reflects the problems every other integrated ...
... story , off the record , is just the women fighting among themselves . ' Despite all these denials , the story makes headlines for days . It is the story everyone wants to hear , because it reflects the problems every other integrated ...
Page 238
... story , a story that has cost him his life ? " He looked at me , and then he said : " Do you want the awful truth ? How else would it get out ? How else would the story be told ? " " " - ' I'll tell you how ... The reluctance of German ...
... story , a story that has cost him his life ? " He looked at me , and then he said : " Do you want the awful truth ? How else would it get out ? How else would the story be told ? " " " - ' I'll tell you how ... The reluctance of German ...
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