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
Results 1-3 of 59
Page 61
And that if you were really remorseful , you wouldn't apply for amnesty , but in fact stand trial for what you did ... COETZEE : I respect Mrs Kondile's feelings as far as she doesn't want to see me . But I feel that I should not be ...
And that if you were really remorseful , you wouldn't apply for amnesty , but in fact stand trial for what you did ... COETZEE : I respect Mrs Kondile's feelings as far as she doesn't want to see me . But I feel that I should not be ...
Page 207
His statue stands beside the boere - orkes , as if they just might invite him to join in on the next number . ... My wildest dreams have been exceeded – we are all brothers and sisters and at last we all stand together !
His statue stands beside the boere - orkes , as if they just might invite him to join in on the next number . ... My wildest dreams have been exceeded – we are all brothers and sisters and at last we all stand together !
Page 252
And it's become clear : those who didn't have the courage to stand up to her in the past , still don't have it today . It is already dark outside when two former UDF leaders take the stand : Murphy Morobe and Azhar Cachalia .
And it's become clear : those who didn't have the courage to stand up to her in the past , still don't have it today . It is already dark outside when two former UDF leaders take the stand : Murphy Morobe and Azhar Cachalia .
What people are saying - Write a review
Reviews aren't verified, but Google checks for and removes fake content when it's identified
LibraryThing Review
User Review - LibraryCin - LibraryThing2.5 stars Shortly after Nelson Mandela became president of South Africa, the Truth and Reconciliation Committee was formed to listen to victims and perpetrators of apartheid. If perpetrators applied ... Read full review
LibraryThing Review
User Review - patrickgarson - LibraryThingCountry of My Skull is an astonishing book. Krog's attempt to embrace, explicate, and bear witness to South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission is complicated, creative, flawed, distressing ... Read full review
Contents
They Never Wept the Men of My Race | 1 |
None More Parted than Us | 14 |
First Hearings | 22 |
Copyright | |
22 other sections not shown
Other editions - View all
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