Wednesday, December 17, 1997 at 08:20:50

Mary Burton expressed it perfectly above:

I wish to indicate my regret for my failure in the past to do all I could to prevent the gross human rights violations that I learn about daily. I see this as a symbolic commitment to a new kind of future in South Africa.

Lesley Shackleton, Cape Town, SA
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Wednesday, December 17, 1997 at 11:44:59

As a white South African, I am deeply ashamed of my own ignorance / indifference of what had been happening in South Africa, humbled by the sacrifices made but thrilled by the opportunity to ask for forgiveness, be reconciled and to go on and build a new future.

I am committed and making my contribution to building our nation through promoting the role and outreach of the Christian church not only to talk reconciliation but to express and demonstrate it.

I am concerned that the process needs to go on beyond the life of the TRC and would like to be informed what other organs within society will continue to steer a fallible but distinctly human process thereafter.

I would like particularly to be put in touch with other Christians who are as concerned about reconciliation.

Thank you all at the TRC for what you are doing. Be encouraged that there is progress, and there will continue to be, so long as there is a willingness to listen, understand and effect necessary change. It is a tough and slow process!

Nigel Lowe, Pretoria, SA
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Wednesday, December 17, 1997 at 11:54:35

I am one of the little people, with no influence or authority to change the course of events on a large scale. Yet, if all the little people believe in something strongly enough and stand together to make it happen, we are strong and will be able to achieve the desired results. Not enough of us who saw wrong being done to our fellow South Africans stood up for what we believed to be right, and thus evil prevailed. I apologise for my lethargy in the face of the sufferings of other South Africans and commit myself to defending the rights of others with honesty and energy in the future. We are a great people.

Jill Gribble, Cape Town, SA
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Wednesday, December 17, 1997 at 13:30:45

Live your life in a way as to be proud to watch the replay.

Andrew Human, Johannesburg, SA
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Wednesday, December 17, 1997 at 13:40:00

I would like to add my name to this register, as I feel that as opposed as I was to the hideous apartheid regime that ruled this country from 1948 to 1994, I was basically apathetic and did not get involved in the "physical" struggle for a truly democratic South Africa.

I now however pledge to support the democratic and non-racial ideals and goals that will assist in the "healing" of South Africans (as a whole).

I also pledge to be of positive mind in all matters relating to the current state and future of this country.

Clive Allan Matthews, Johannesburg, SA
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Wednesday, December 17, 1997 at 13:50:56

I wish to register my deep regret that I did not speak out publicly about abuses that I suspected were taking place. From the independent media I know that people were being tortured and even killed by the our government. I knew that basic human rights were being denied to my fellow countrymen solely because of their skin colour.

For not being bold enough to take a strong and public stand I humbly apologise to my fellow South Africans and promise to do all I can to promote reconciliation and to build a just South Africa where we can all live and prosper in peace. Thank you for the opportunity given me to say this.

Jean Richter, Pretoria, SA
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Wednesday, December 17, 1997 at 15:18:01

I am a South African who also suffered from the injustices of the past. After I have heard gross human violations on TRC's hearings, I am convinced that sufferings were very little as compared to the victims of the atrocities.

Apartheid was a crime against humanity, it is a pity that some people (including myself) did very little or nothing to stop or bring to a halt these injustices. We hope that the country has learned lot of things from the Commission on the past social injustices.

I hereby pledge my support to the victims who have survived to tell the tales, honour those who sacrificed their lives for a free and democratic South Africa.

May God bless our country and its people.

Edgar Lindelihle Ngubeni, Pretoria, SA
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Wednesday, December 17, 1997 at 15:33:40

I failed my country by silence and inactivity! I pledge that in my lifetime, I shall not be silent again!

Kevin Lester, Cape Town, SA
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Wednesday, December 17, 1997 at 15:59:08

The abuses of human rights and common decency that occurred over the past 45 years and more not only caused enormous suffering, they also prevented many South Africans from attaining their full potential, from living full and happy lives, and from contributing to the well-being and growth of South Africa and its people. As a citizen I should have seen through the propaganda of the leaders at that time, and should have expressed my convictions more strongly.

I have done what I at the time believed was the right thing, and have educated, I hope, my children to respect people as individuals and not as members of a group or ethnic unit. As such I believe that I made a contribution to changing the culture of the country, but I regret not doing more in the past.

Coen van Wyk, Pretoria, SA
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Thursday, December 18, 1997 at 02:28:18

I did a lot of talking.

I only wish I could compare that with action.

Keith Martin, Hayes, Middlesex, UK

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