REGISTER OF
RECONCILIATION - Page 1
Monday, December 15, 1997 at 16:26:15 I am an Afrikaner who has been grossly misled by my peers of the time. I was led to believe that all was well both in the Christian and worldly sense. I now realise that this was not so and will do all in my power to make amends for the wrongs of the past and ensure that those who follow me will be exposed differently. Therefore they will act differently as I and my family shall now do. Ulrich Swart, Rivonia, Sandton, SA ********************************************** My Grandfather fought WW1, my Father fought WW2, I fought Apartheid's Wars and I pray that my Son will be the first male in four generations of my family not to have to fight a war. Craig Michael Williamson, Johannesburg, SA ********************************************** Along this way I wish to say I am sorry for evading the issue and not doing my bit to stop the SINS of the past by doing more, or for that matter, more. I wish to show my repentance by signing this GREAT effort, and show my faith in the new dispensation. I know it will work. Long live the TRUTH.!! Pieter Douwes Sorgdrager, Klerksdorp, SA ********************************************** I am ashamed of the behaviour of my fellow white South Africans and regret my inactivity in not objecting to the human rights abuses of my fellow South Africans. I am eternally grateful to the magnanimous attitude of the ANC leadership with regard to their compassion and belief in democratic principles. I am once again proud to be a South African and congratulate the ANC on the giant strides forward they have made. Peter S Rosmarin, Cape Town, SA ********************************************** Monday, December 15, 1997 at 21:13:11 It is with deep regret that I reflect on my past. It is with deep sorrow that I acknowledge my complicity as a white South African. And it is with immeasurable guilt that I assume responsibility for my role in our shameful past. I cannot say "I did not know". I can only say I chose not to know. I chose the safety of my own family over my moral duty to my compatriots. I chose my own comfort over the pain of knowing and the imperative to risk that this knowledge would bring. I raised and educated my children with privilege, whilst those around me were deprived. I am so deeply sorry! And the opportunity to express this regret and offer apology does not unburden me. This privilege allows me to reach even further into my soul to express the remorse that I feel. It impels me to continue to seek in my own small way to help repair the damage to our people and our land caused not only by "perpetrators", but also by us, the bystanders, in the tragedy of our past. It impels me also to rejoice in the present freedom to build a new and great South Africa Dr Merle Friedman, Johannesburg, SA ********************************************** The past I regret particularly having served in the army in Namibia against my fellow country brothers. I am astounded and hurt on hearing the revelations of ex and current security personnel on the atrosities committed in the past. I further am astounded at the same issues committed by the ANC, AZAPO and other organisations during this period. I further plead with the Government to eradicate the current plauge of vilolence and disregard of law and order in our country. I wish you, the commission, and all South African's peace, justice, love and a light of hope for the comming year. May God Bless South Africa. Peter R Laubscher, Port Elizabeth, SA ********************************************** Monday, December 15, 1997 at 22:21:28
May this truly be a process of humbling and turning from wicked ways that we all, whether actively or passively committed in the past. May God have mercy in restoring the hearts of our people in turning the hearts of the fathers to the sons, and the heart of the sons to the fathers. Heal our land oh Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ we Pray !!!!! Rev PHB Du Plessis, Church on the Rock (Roodepoort), Johannesburg, SA ********************************************** Monday, December 15, 1997 at 22:36:29 Let's learn from the past & build for the future. Quinton van Eeden, Johannesburg, SA ********************************************** Monday, December 15, 1997 at 22:40:22 For being a defence force member in 1983 and 1985 and witnessing the police force involved in brutalities against the local population in and around Uitenhage and failing to do anything to prevent this. To have done anything then, would have involved a court martial, for this, I am truly sorry... Peter Reitemeyer, Cape Town, SA ********************************************** Monday, December 15, 1997 at 22:43:10 For all that I have done and all that I have failed to do. Brendan Girdler-Brown, Johannesburg, SA ********************************************** Monday, December 15, 1997 at 22:53:48 I wish to express my deepest regrets for my non-involvement. Anne Peimer, Cape Town, SA ********************************************** Monday, December 15, 1997 at 23:01:02 The New South Africa has afforded me the opportunity to recognise and respect the dignity of all South Africans. Grant Nurden, Pietermaritzburg, SA ********************************************** Monday, December 15, 1997 at 23:14:29I was born in the fifties in the Eastern Cape and so grew up being a part of the system. I am deeply sorry for any pain caused by my failure to act and stand up for the people of this land who were oppressed. I beg your forgiveness. Alexa (Fuff) Kirsten, Wellington, SA I am sorry for what I did during the bush war. I am sorry for being a racist during the apartheid years. Deon Stols, Centurion, SA One step at a time, we've been still, then crawled, walked to freedom, memories of pain, shame and heroes will run with us through life. Scars take a long time to heal, sometimes never. Let's give and take a hand for reconcilliation even if it's bloodied. I salute all the fallen Heroes,and hope their stolen joy of freedom will have an extra sparkle in it for their children to enjoy. To those dishonest, unrepentant and bloodied handed people out there -- it's a shame that will be hung around the neck until you are buried in the African soil. I ask for forgiveness for being so complacent when so many inhumane injustices were taking place before me. (p.s -has the TRC ever investigated the cicumstances surrounding Neil Aggot's death in detention) Clive Bradford, Gardens, SA Tuesday, December 16, 1997 at 01:50:33 1. As a "white" South African, who served the country in the Army, I was fortunate to be in a medical unit where I mixed with professional people who could easily be considered as mentors for later life. When I and others now hear of certain misdeeds that have taken place I cannot but feel that these people who vilified their rank as officers with their actions should not get away with a simple "apology" but also be personally held financially accountable. The concept of: a) An officer's behaviour always being a gentleman (even in war) needs to be strengthened. The lack thereof concerns me. b) Retribution from the state coffers is wrong as it implies communal responsibility, prevents people from being personally held responsible for their actions. As long as the state pays for our misdeeds there will no motivation to stop this type of malpractice. 2. A aspect that I also would to highlight is that many soldiers were forced to make great personal sacrifices in their personal life whilst serving in the armed forces. For many, especially the lower ranks, there simply was no choice, it was either jail or the Army. It now saddens me to see that the flame of rememberance for these fallen soldiers at Parliament is no longer burning and that the names of soldiers of opposing forces have still not been added. Many of these victims were people of calibre and their contribution needs to be respected and acknowledged. Jozua H. Hugo, Cape Town, SA Tuesday, December 16, 1997 at 02:12:42 I welcome this opportunity to pledge a moral and social commitment to building a better society in the New South Africa. Despite having living abroad for many years, I share the hopes of all those South Africans who are indeed actively translating their regrets about the past into positive acts. I believe that symbolic demonstrations of solidarity such as this register will be imprinted in history, and should be held in the highest esteem by the rest of the world. Sonja Laden, Israel Tuesday, December 16, 1997 at 05:10:08 As a self exiled South African (Dec.15th, 1976) I share in this spiritual rebuilding of South Africa. I offer my name to be counted as a fellow countryman that had to choose leaving the country of my birth in order to survive. While my efforts were put forward to oppose all elements of evil during the apartheid reign, I always felt they were never enough and leaving the country caused so much pain for people I had to leave behind -- friends and loved ones who needed me. I offer once again my regrets and am now raising my children with the truth of this commission and the beautiful people that make up the new South Africa. Thank you for this opportunity. Norman Joss, Atlanta, USA Tuesday, December 16, 1997 at 07:13:10 God bless a united South Africa. Morgan Haylett, Durban, SA |
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