Sunday, December 21, 1997 at 23:05:52
To those who think reconciliation is possible please wake up before it is to late. The absolute hate in this country will never cease. It is too little to late.
anon, Centurion, SA
**********************************************
Monday, December 22, 1997 at 08:07:36
I could have done more - in future may we all speak out with the conviction of right which is in us. The past must never be repeated.
Michael J King, Cape Town, SA
**********************************************
Monday, December 22, 1997 at 08:27:21
I am a white male South African and for me the change in this country couldn't have come sooner. I take pride in the fact that I never voted for the previous regime (NP) and I never will. However, I recognise that this was not enough. I am sorry for being part of the SADF and for not doing more to get rid of appartheid. I am committed to the rebuilding of this country, the creation of jobs, education and the combating of crime and racism. I am also a christian and believe that the solution for the people of this country is to come to know Christ as their personal saviour. God bless South Africa.
Duncan Ramsbottom, Somerset West, SA
**********************************************
Monday, December 22, 1997 at 14:30:59
Towards fellow South Africans, I have done those things which I ought not to have done. Maybe I'll be pardoned some day.
Frances Anne Stoy, Cape Town, SA
**********************************************
Monday, December 22, 1997 at 14:35:57
I am ashamed that I did not do more. To say "We did not know what was going on" is a lie.
We could have resisted more.
BUT
I will not apologise for being white.
The TRC is the only vehicle for healing in this country, but I don't believe that it will, at the end of the day solve much as there are too many people who are not prepared to tell the whole story.
Rod Mill, King William's Town, SA
**********************************************
Monday, December 22, 1997 at 14:47:42
I acknowledge that I was a beneficiary of the Apartheid policy. I deeply regret my silence and my failure and omission to do all that I could have done to prevent the violations of human rights which have occurred during my lifetime. I am committed to never again remaining silent whenever I become aware of human rights abuses taking place.I wish to be involved in building a better society.
Susan Ruth Harris, Johannesburg, SA
**********************************************
Monday, December 22, 1997 at 15:57:51
I feel guilty that even though I knew what kind of atrocities were being committed and even though I did oppose them, that I didn't do enough. At the end of the day, it didn't affect me directly. Children weren't being shot in my neighbourhood, I wasn't being woken by policemen in the middle of night. I was safe in my white suburb. So I am sorry that I didn't do more to oppose Apartheid.
Nicola Lang, Cape Town, SA
**********************************************
Monday, December 22, 1997 at 22:34:19
Good Morning,
I am from France, and lived here for the past year and a half. I would like to express my support for the astonishing work you are doing. The TRC is an example to the world of what construction, humanity, hope and goodwill are all about. You most probably saved this country from a bloodbath (past or future) and make it ready for full on reconstruction and unity. Many thanks for the hope on our wonderful world you brought to every one. You are the least regarded building block of a future in this country by many people, but the one without which theire would be none.
Although I was not here during apartheid, as one from an ex-colonialist country, I suppose I benefitted through the wealth of France of similar human right violations...
I have great faith in South Africa. We are here on a tightrope, but so far it nearly all goes in the right direction. This country could well be the one from which a new society for the next millenium is emerging.
I send you all the love I can and wish you strength.
Nicolas Berthelot, Cape Town, SA
**********************************************
Tuesday, December 23, 1997 at 09:10:31
I am very sorry that I did not oppose racial discrimination more vigorously. Although I spoke out at many occasions and may have been discriminated against in my very conservative environment, I could and should have done much more. I am so ashamed that as a very active member of the DRC we were so sure of our dogmatic and moral superiority that we did not see that we were wrong in the real basics like the congregation in Laodicea {Rev. 3:17}. I apologize to all our fellow South Africans that I did not do much much more. Thank you for this opportunity to publicly state my sorrow and also my intention to work for reconciliation and reparation.
Kobus Eloff, Pretoria, SA
**********************************************
Tuesday, December 23, 1997 at 09:50:12
I deeply regret being part of a culture where mature men and women were referred to as "the girl" or the "garden boy". I also regret being part of a culture where Black men and women were forced to address whites as "master" and "madam" -- even having to address young children as "master" or "miss".
Reinette van Rooyen, Cape Town, SA
**********************************************