south africa’s human spirit

“This is an invaluable commentary and record of a remarkable experiment by one nation trying to deal effectively with its horrendous past…”

Archbishop Desmond Tutu
9 April 1999

South Africa's national public broadcaster, the SABC, has produced a pioneering collection of six CDs called south africa’s human spirit – an oral memoir of the truth and reconciliation commission. This six-hour documentary transports the listener through raw sound to the unprecedented public hearings at which survivors - victims, perpetrators and others – testified about gross human rights abuses since 1960. It contains award-winning and brand new radio stories with lots of gripping and contextual sound. Well-known musicians, storytellers, poets, former political prisoners, exiles and most of the Truth Commissioners thread the story of South Africa's past with music, song, poetry and commentary. This oral record aims to preserve for posterity the rich gamut of viewpoints, memories and emotions of South Africa's history - apartheid and democracy. Another aim is to make it accessible to individuals, schools, centres of higher learning, libraries and human rights organisations world-wide. The production was made possible with a grant by the Norwegian Agency for Development Co-operation (Norad).

“This CD collection represents one of the richest compliations of oral history in the world.”

Truth Commissioner Yasmin Sooka
13 April 2000

The CD collection can be ordered from Clarke's Bookshop
Retailers contact PSD Promotions.

These scripts - © SABC 2000. No unauthorised use, copying, adaptation or reproduction permitted without prior written consent of the SABC.