Albie Sachs E-Mail Exchange: Institute of International Studies, UC Berkeley

Albie Sachs's E-Mail Chat with High School Students

E-mail exchange with Doug Woodbrowns's world history course at Marin Academy in San Rafael, California

April, 2000

TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION

"[The Truth and Reconciliation Commission] did not just record our history, it became part of our history."

If you could meet the person who bombed your car (and almost killed you) what would you say to him?

Greer

What are your opinions on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission? Has it been successful in achieving its goals?

Jenna and Erin

I have met one of the persons responsible for the car bomb. I encouraged him to tell everything he knew to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). That process is under way at the moment; in fact, as I write to you, I have just received an e-mail from my office asking for an affidavit about the episode. I think the TRC has done an extraordinary job. It did not just record our history, it became part of our history. It affected national consciousness in deep ways. Its main report has been heavily criticized from all sides. I think that is the way of truth. If it is really true, it hurts, it is full of the contradictions of life. The TRC has done most of its work, although there are still a number of amnesty applications pending. Although its term of office will finally come to an end, the search for truth and understanding never reaches a point of closure.