Special Hearings — Conscription Hearings — 1997-07-23

CHAIRPERSON: Thank you very much Mr Gagiano.  We unfortunately have to proceed to our next speaker.  Thank you so much, we really appreciate your input, and it was wonderful to get that insight.
 Could we call upon Reverend Neels du Plooy. Now we see where Louis takes his good looks from!  Louis is one of our staff members in the Commission.  Before you start Neels I would like to read a letter that the Archbishop has sent to us.  It was faxed through on the 22nd of July and this is a message for the conscripts, Special Submission on Conscription.
"Greetings to all of you from a sweltering New York.  I value the prayers of all for my recovery.  My treatment is going quite well.  The TRC is required by law to investigate all aspects of the conflicts of the past which gave rise to gross violations of human rights and to consider the perspectives and motives of the various participants within that conflict.  We know that there have been different points of view about the sensitive issue of conscription.  Indeed there have been strong views expressed for and against the old SADF.  Some held very firmly to the view that South Africa was facing a total onslaught from the Communist empire and its surrogates and who believed that they were constrained to defend South Africa against what they perceived as an atheistic, unchristian foe.  Others equally vehemently believed that the enemy was not out there, that the border was here in our midst, that certain things happened in waging wars that were thought to be totally unnecessary, things which must make us all hang our heads in shame.  Many believed whether a war was justifiable or not.  No-one should be compelled to fight against the dictates of their conscience.
 This issue, like so many in our apartheid past, divided our nation.  We want to know as much as possible about the truth involved from all perspectives so that we, as the TRC, may be able to suggest ways in which a divided and traumatised nation could be healed and make recommendations about how to ensure that the mistakes of the past on all sides should never be repeated.
 Thank you.  Much love and God's blessing.
 Signed:  "Father".
That was the letter from the Archbishop that was sent from his office in New York. 
 Dr Orr has an announcement to make.  Could you do so Wendy.

WENDY ORR: I have been asked by the two researchers who are assisting us with these hearings, Chief and Wilhelm who are sitting in the front row on my right-hand side, that if people wish to ask questions but constraints of time don't allow them to do so, could they put them in writing and give them to Chief or Wilhelm and we'll try and address them in our closing session, or otherwise take the issues forward in the follow-up work that happens after this hearing.  Thank you.
RELIGIOUS CONTEXT OF CONSCRIPTION

CHAIRPERSON: Now who are these people, Chief and Wilhelm?  There they are, thank you.  Welcome Neels, and this is Reverend Neels du Plooy.  I will just hand over to you and to Glenda Wildschut who is going to lead you.

GLENDA WILDSCHUT: I guess I don't have very much to do Reverend du Plooy but except to invite you to give us your statement.  There will be one or two questions from me certainly after the presentation.  We just want to reassure you that we won't be having a question time from the audience, it's probably quite a daunting thing for that to happen but there will be one or two questions from the panel after you have finished.  Please go ahead.  Thank you.