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A Human Being Died That Night: A South African Story of Forgiveness

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Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela's encounter with Eugene De Kock, known as South Africa's "Prime Evil" of the apartheid system-- tested her boundaries for forgiveness and compassion. It is an essential text for anyone interested in learning how--after traumatic events--it is possible to transcend feelings of revenge and move on.

It's a pity more of our current political leaders aren't reading books such as this one. Forgiveness, open hearts, the space to grow - how can this be anything but good? I heard Gobodo-Madikizela on NPR, inspiring me to read her book. It's amazing. I'd recommend it highly.

I was extremely fortunate to hear Ms. Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela present her book on booktv on December 7, 2003. I strongly urge you who are reading this amazon comment to seek her out and go to listen to her if she is speaking anywhere near your area. Read this book by one of the world's most remarkable women and a true seeker of peace. Judge Albie Sachs also spoke in conjunction with Dr. Gobodo-Madikizela's book presentation and I would encourage the reader to seek him out as well. These two are truly exceptional human beings.

BOOKTV description of the presentation:
A Human Being Died That Night: A South African Story of Forgiveness
from March 9, 2003
From John Carroll University in University Heights, Ohio, South African activist Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela discusses her book "A Human Being Died That Night." A psychologist, Ms. Gobodo-Madikizela had many conversations with Eugene de Kock, the former commanding officer of the apartheid police squads. De Koch, whose nicknames include "Dr. Death" and "Prime Evil," is currently serving 212 years in prison for crimes against humanity. Much of the book is set during the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) hearings, during which both the perpetrators and their victims were given the right to be heard. Ms. Gobodo-Madikizela suggests that the TRC hearings may not have produced complete reconciliation, but the validation the victims received and the absolution they subsequently offered was therapeutic and necessary for the creation of the new democracy. Albie Sachs, a judge with the Constitutional Court of South Africa joins Ms. Gobodo-Madikizela. This program is hosted by Facing History and Ourselves, a nonprofit educational organization that encourages an interdisciplinary approach to teaching history by relating it to the daily experiences of the students.

This book is not only a great reference for studying forgiveness and conflict resolution, as other reviewers have suggested, but also for anyone looking for an understanding of apartheid and post-apartheid in South Africa. I purchased this book as a student of human rights law, and found it incredibly helpful in detailing background and implementation of such law in South Africa. A good choice for a student or for entertainment.

This is one of the most powerful books I've read on the power of forgiveness and what it means to be human. I highly, highly recommend it.

I'm becoming a student of forgiveness because of this book. It details an amazing, and yet understandably human, encounter between a man who chose evil as his path, and the woman whose compassion allowed him room to turn away from it. It's the anti-Hannibal, the cure for all of the pain of the world and the evil that humans wreak on one another. If you;ve ever struggled to forgive someone, you'll find a new place to look in your heart to inspire that forgiveness after reading this book.

The lust for power and complete control bears the fruit of cruel dehumanization of those who become the objects of its victimization. Interestingly enough the ones most responsible for this human tragedy become the most dehumanized! This is very apparent in the book, A Human Being Died That Night, by Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela, a clinical psychologist in South Africa. Having served with Desmond Tutu on the Human Rights Violations Committee of South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission, she has written a very moving account of the power of a beleaguered race of people who chose to forgive those who so wrongfully mistreated them.

The monster behind the apartheid, de Kock seemed devil possessed to wipe out every native African in South Africa. Now that Apartheid was over Gobodo-Madikizela dared to interview him and offer her people's forgiveness for the terrible atrocities he engineered. Could a man of his caliber be touched by their offer of forgiveness?

Reading this book is an unforgettable experience. Forgiveness is a god-like thing. Would that all of us would learn how powerful it is!

Dr. Gobodo-Madikizela is a remarkable human being. I am awestruck by her depth of soul. She puts so many of us to shame. I hope I can learn at least a little of her understanding and compassion.