Special Report Transcript Episode 36, Section 3, Time 10:28

Perhaps this is the real spirit of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, a day requested by and devoted to the communities of Bongulethu and Bridgton in Oudtshoorn. A day to speak not only about their pain and anger but also about their hopes and dreams. There were many unique features to this extraordinary hearing. For the first time ever it was communities and not individuals who came to tell their stories and they did so not only with words and statements but also with an exhibition, with song and serious group discussion. Churches, youth, the families of victims, women and the media were given time to speak in their own voices of what they want from the present to overcome the past. // Times have changed. I belong to the Methodist Church. I only serve my congregation, Piet serves only his congregation. He has nothing to do with other people. White, Black and Brown … with God there is no difference. // We now have to interact on a different level where we have to read the hearts and the minds of the people that distrust us. So, it’s a difficult one that we move into, it’s easy to destabilize, to break down, but it’s a different matter to come together with the intention to build and reconcile. It’s a very very tough call. // That’s why I say education is important. We must get the children of today ready for tomorrow. And if we can’t get the children together, we are fighting a losing battle. That’s why I say it’s so important that we start with the children at schools. // I remember the times when doctor Boesak used to come to Oudtshoorn. He always used to say, whenever he goes to places, he’ll refer to Oudtshoorn as being a place where the people, he doesn’t see colour here, because apart from the whites, the Coloured people and the Black people can work together if we want to because there was a time when we used to work together very nicely. // Let us teach the children to come closer to one another and integrate. Then the future will be better for everyone in Oudtshoorn.

Notes: Choir performance; Exhibition; Church group discussion; Speaker (church group); Media Group discussion; Victims’ Families Group discussion; Women’s group discussion

References: there are no references for this transcript