Synopsis "White Witness (in English)"
WHITE WITNESS speaks of the historical and social experience of the Apartheid regime from a first - hand living experience of the regime as a non-racist white, artist and academic. In a certain sense the book is an historical social survey, thoroughly researched and contains many facts hitherto not divulged generally. Quite naturally political facts - both known and unknown - are mentioned as have also been listed the names of those who died, suffered or were exiled and names given where possible, as a gesture of honour and respect to those who fought for reason, humanity and social and personal justice. It talks of the complex social structure, the many languages, religious and ethnic groups and the living conditions of all the population, not only the white, together with the myriad prohibitions placed on an entire society intentionally fragmented for reasons of political dominance. However it is not a political book but a human account, containing anecdotes and observations of famous people, many of whom being personal friends and/or teachers of the author. An attempt has been made consciously to be objective but not unfaithful to the immense complexity of the land, its peoples and the society as a whole. Interspersed with the text are poems that express comments on, and anguish over, the deep human problems the regime created and that also reflect the many deep problems humanity faces in its struggle forward to understanding its own evolution - both moral and social. However it is not a sad book but serious and there are also joyous and ironic moments. It is hoped that this book will caste more light on the truth and real meaning hidden in the history of the country that lies at the foot of a very complex, important and also greatly misunderstood continent. It was for this reason that "White Witness" was given a presentation at the UN in Rome in May 2017 to the UNWG, formed primarily but no entirely of African ladies who face these situations everyday of their lives. However, the content is aimed not only at Africa but to all who may seek for the truth or simply have some curiosity about a land that is more important than most dream of, and not for its material mineral wealth but for what it means to humanity as a whole. The land is rich, its people multiple and various and as stated in the introduction "It is a love song that many feel, not only I, and belongs to Man and what he feels in wonder at the strength of Creation that is ours to behold, to enjoy, to have and to share - wherever we may be and whoever we are." Or of the Karoo, "God walks close to his Creation in this land, harsh, dry and magnificent, where the miracle manifests in flower-oceans after the rare rain-fall. It is the land of the diamonds that do not glitter as the stars, and where the word semi- precious can be a stone at your feet. It is a land of fantasy and dreams, bound into a cruel reality of survival, where man feels he is king, but a part of God and Creation." "White Witness" could therefore be qualified as a human comment of a moment in history in a complex and vast land that stands almost, but not quite at the end of the earth. Good reading.
