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 196
... town like most other rural towns , where a high unemployment rate causes the tensions between coloured and black , between white , coloured and black , to simmer just below the surface . A deeply divided town like most others . Or you ...
... town like most other rural towns , where a high unemployment rate causes the tensions between coloured and black , between white , coloured and black , to simmer just below the surface . A deeply divided town like most others . Or you ...
Page 207
... town lies among the sweepings of grass and stone and windswept sky . Bare trees stand like tuning forks next to the vleie in a vapour of muggies and steam and birds . How could anything resembling brutality possibly have happened in this ...
... town lies among the sweepings of grass and stone and windswept sky . Bare trees stand like tuning forks next to the vleie in a vapour of muggies and steam and birds . How could anything resembling brutality possibly have happened in this ...
Page 209
... town's over - crowded Ital- ian restaurant . And we talk about the testimony of Mrs Makhutu of Bothaville . The town of Bothaville in the Northern Free State was once called the richest place in South Africa - or rather , it had more ...
... town's over - crowded Ital- ian restaurant . And we talk about the testimony of Mrs Makhutu of Bothaville . The town of Bothaville in the Northern Free State was once called the richest place in South Africa - or rather , it had more ...
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