Country of My Skull

Title: Country of My Skull: Guilt, Sorrow, and the Limits of Forgiveness in the New South Africa

Author: Anjie Krog

From the Inside Flap:

"Ever 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. Repressive laws mandating separation of the races were thrown out. The country, which had been carved into a crazy quilt that reserved the most prosperous areas for whites and the most desolate and backward for blacks, was reunited. The dreaded and dangerous security force, which for years had systematically tortured, spied upon, and harassed people of color and their white supporters, 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. Amnesty was granted to those who offered a full confession of any crimes associated with apartheid. Since the commission began its work, it has been the central player in a drama that has riveted the country. 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."

I picked up this book about a year ago and let it languish on my TBR pile for far too long.  I've done quite a bit of work on South Africa and its democratization during the early 1990s, but I've never read such a poignant, painful, but ultimately beautiful account of the TRC process.  Anjie Krog's narration draws you right into the action and gives you a unique look at the powerful personalities who shaped the fate of the new South African nation. Her descriptions of amnesty hearings were unbelievably moving-- reading the stories of victims (black and white) and the justifications of perpetrators (black and white) really brought home the horror of the apartheid system. The most fascinating/horrifying section, for me, was when Krog documented the testimony of former S.A. president F.W. de Klerk. In this testimony de Klerk dismisses gross human rights violation as "the bad judgement, overzealousness or negligence of individual policemen".  It was fascinating to think of the lengths to which people will go to cling to power and privilege.

This is not an easy, or a pleasant read-- I cried several times. But its final message is one of hope. S.A. did progress to a democratic style of government and the TRC gave hundreds of people the opportunity to speak their stories, and, in many cases, to come face to face with their persecutors.  

I would absolutely recommend this book to anybody interested in African politics, in questions of morality and humanity, or in the remarkable triumph of forgiveness.