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 62
... morning ? ' growls another . ' It's ridiculous ! ' shouts a third , beside himself . You refuse to start before ten o'clock in the morning , you adjourn for tea , for lunch , for the demands of nature and the menopause , and oh boy ...
... morning ? ' growls another . ' It's ridiculous ! ' shouts a third , beside himself . You refuse to start before ten o'clock in the morning , you adjourn for tea , for lunch , for the demands of nature and the menopause , and oh boy ...
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 ...
... 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 ...
Page 193
... morning , in the morning we were told : " These children should be buried now because , after all , these seven dogs have been dead for a long time . " ' After his funeral I was so miserable . I had nowhere to go . I live in a shack ...
... morning , in the morning we were told : " These children should be buried now because , after all , these seven dogs have been dead for a long time . " ' After his funeral I was so miserable . I had nowhere to go . I live in a shack ...
Contents
They Never Wept the Men of My Race | 1 |
None More Parted than Us | 14 |
First Hearings | 22 |
Copyright | |
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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