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 viii
... listen to them and , like Antjie Krog , the people who report on them , are living South Africans . They are struggling to find identity for them- selves , individually and collectively , within the shadows still cast by their coun ...
... listen to them and , like Antjie Krog , the people who report on them , are living South Africans . They are struggling to find identity for them- selves , individually and collectively , within the shadows still cast by their coun ...
Page 23
... listen to the unknown victims - those who have never received any attention from the authorities or the media - and to provide a forum for the exposure of their experiences ' . LISTEN Suddenly people seem to find the idea of amnesty ...
... listen to the unknown victims - those who have never received any attention from the authorities or the media - and to provide a forum for the exposure of their experiences ' . LISTEN Suddenly people seem to find the idea of amnesty ...
Page 131
... listen to four versions of South Africa's past ? ' He spreads his four skinny fingers under my nose . ' Four ... listening to what happened in the past . Many peo- ple are the second and third generation of being persecuted . And if you ...
... listen to four versions of South Africa's past ? ' He spreads his four skinny fingers under my nose . ' Four ... listening to what happened in the past . Many peo- ple are the second and third generation of being persecuted . And if you ...
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 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 honour human it's journalists keep kill kind later leader leave listen 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