REGISTER OF
RECONCILIATION - Page 10
Friday, January 9, 1998 at 14:08:32 I want to express regret for not being more active in the struggle to end gross human rights violations is SA. I was rather young, but that is no excuse. I would also call on all my brothers and sisters in South Africa to work together to overcome the forces that hold people apart. Oliver Barnett, Cape Town, SA The movement toward reconciliation is commendable... even though it may not totally succeed. As a reporter who had to carry two passports just in case I had to land in South Africa (and therefore would not be terribly welcome elsewhere in Africa where my assignments were), I have had concerns through the years. Present and future government balance may depend on how well reconciliation actually happens. I hope for the very best with all my heart. Jo Campbell, Ocean City, Maryland, USA All gratitude to those who have brought about this new freedom and opened wonderful possibilities for our troubled country to take a respected place in the world family of nations. With the birth of the New South Africa I felt a lightness and joy in my heart that I hadn't imagined possible.The feeling has matured with the passing of the first euphoria and has opened new gateway s of personal growth and fulfilment. My wish is that it be the same for all South Africans. I fervently desire that all those who suffered the most terrible wrongs of apartheid can find healing and peace within themselves and can forgive the wrong doers. Anger and hatred have been found to be the most toxic and damaging emotions to one's own body whether the anger is directed at one's self or someone else. Thank you to my teacher, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, who showed me, through Transcendental Meditation, how to find the peace and love in my heart during those dark and terrible years and gave me the bless ing of being able to pass it on to others. JAI GURU DEV Kerry Helen Niddrie-Grotz, Sandton, SA Dear Sisters and Brothers, We, the congregation of the Old-Episcopalean Catholic Church in the Netherlands, we are following the efforts of the commission of Truth and Reconcilliation. We have deep respect for your work, we remember you in our prayers. I will specially greet mu collegue and brother Bishop Tutu, who is suffering of cancer (we've heard). Myself I suffer of MS, and since several months, I mostly laying in my bed. May the Lord bless you and your work. Bishop Hieronymus Greveling, The Netherlands My human rights pilgrimage began in my hometown of Memphis, TN, where Martin Luther
King, Jr. was murdered. The degree of possible government complicity in his death may
never be known. Something like South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission may be
our nation's only hope of ever knowing the truth about his death and many others', both
African American and diverse others, who like myself, is a white (sometimes called
"white-Niggers" for supporting human rights in the USA). When news of King's
death spread across Memphis my father, an insurance agent, was inside the home of an
African American. A knock came on the door by a Black man who recognized my father's car.
He said, "Mr. Reed, you better get out of here quick. They killed Martin Luther King
and the Blacks all up and down here are going wild, throwing bricks at the cars of any
white person they see." My father got home safely, I believe, because he respected
the dignity of all persons. The man who warned my father knew that and returned the
respect at a time when it may have saved my father's life. For over 26 years now I have
been teaching in the relatively new discipline of "criminal justice." For the
first time this semester I am teach our course titled, "Race, Gender, and
Corrections." Because I believe that our government probably has abused Native
Americans even more than African Americans (see
Thomas E. Reed, Richmond, Ky., USA I regret that despite clearly understanding the evil of the imposition of Apartheid since my early youth, I did nothing other than offer sterile, conventional, meaningless opposition to the regime. I must now plan an active programme of compensation within my limited resources. Patrick McHarry, South Africa I, STANFORD JOHN ISAACS, ADMIT: that I failed to do more to to bring about the present transformation in our country. Stanford John Isaacs, Cape Town, SA I express my sincere regret for failures in the past to do all I could have done to prevent gross violations of human rights, and I commit myself to a new future in which such violations will not take place. Johanna Rykheer, Pretoria, SA Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika Although we came from diverse backgrounds (English vs. Afrikaans, Catholic vs. Dutch Reformed, city vs. farm), both of us became aware of the evil of apartheid at very young ages. Neither of us however, did anything significant to improve the situation. Our biggest regret is not having been more interested, better informed, louder voices and more active in the struggle against apartheid. We have committed ourselves to actively dispell the negativity which we find prevalent amongst our peers. As two 31 year old professionals we believe that South Africa holds a bright future! May God's favour rest on our beautiful country. Gerard & Tiana van Harmelen, Arcadia, Pretoria, SA I wish to confess my apathy for not standing up against Apartheid when it truly mattered and in fact being in the system ie the Navy. I tell my children of the evil of Apartheid as they sit on my knee. Thank you for all the work that you do. May God bless you. Derrick Peel, Hout Bay, SA ********************************************** |
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