Human Rights Violation Hearings — Soweto — 1996-07-23

JANET GOLDBLATT: He had no personal fears of Soweto or the people because he worked so closely with them and they were friendly with one another.  For instance, I know that just before he died he had started up a programme for alcoholics, like an alcoholics anonymous.  They were printing magazines, comic books about the importance of togetherness in terms of ones family and not drinking and he was, basically, like a social worker he had adopted in sociology.  They were all, as I say, I mean, he wrote his thesis, he based his thesis on how young africans and how
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young coloureds think.  So he had to work very closely with them, but I do know that about a week or so before the uprisings he had told my mother that he was a bit worried about something that may, you know, that the students were becoming very angry and he had a bad feeling about something that was, he did not know the exact date it would take place.

RUSSELL ALLY: But he never saw himself as a personal target.  I mean he had no fear of his actual presence in the township, that he would be targeted?

JANET GOLDBLATT: Never, no.  No, definitely not.  In fact, apparently, we subsequently heard that he was on his way out of Soweto and he turned back because he worked with a woman by the name of Peret Jacques at the time.  He turned back to go, he was actually worried that she was in trouble and that is when it happened.

RUSSELL ALLY: I think that is important because, you know, as you say nothing can ever bring back your father, but hopefully some better understanding and perspective.  I know that it is, as you said, sort of good and bad that the things become depersonalised, but at the same time it must help to know that it was the situation, it was the context.  It does not justify what happens, but I think it helps us understand.  Just one personal question to you.  I think it is, from the point of view of the Commission, I think it is, sort of, very important that there is a negative perception particularly amongst white South Africans about the work of the Commission.  This is manifested in lack of participation, people coming forward, that people just actually want to forget and put these things aside.  How do you actually feel about the Commission and its work and the
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contribution that it can make?

JANET GOLDBLATT: Up until about a month ago I did not really know much about the Commission to be quite honest.  I was not really that involved until I was asked to come forward.  I think that the last couple of weeks, having shown more interest in the Commission, I think that it is a good thing because at least it gives people an opportunity to come forward, tell their story and, if need be, obviously there are a lot of questions people have unanswered.  This is one way of, maybe, trying to have their questions answered and I think that, obviously, if there is some form of a Reparations Committee that has been set up, it is also a good thing because, obviously, there are people that feel that something, they should get something out of the struggle.  If, as I say, if it is not money, something else.  Some kind of recognition.  So I think it is a very good thing.

RUSSELL ALLY: Thanks Janet and Shana.

PROF MEIRING: Janet, a very brief question.  I have been listening to your testimony about what you said about something to remember your father by, probably, in Soweto at the place where he was killed.  That sets me wondering.  Was there any reaction from the community in Soweto afterwards?  Some of the community leaders, of some of your father's colleagues, did they come speak with your family to explain, to sympathise, can you tell us a little bit about that please?

JANET GOLDBLATT: There was, as I said earlier, there was a man by the name of Hopkirk and another gentleman, an african gentleman who did go and visit my mother a week after this happened.  The one gentleman was, actually, at the
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funeral, but they did not shed as much light on what had, they were very vague about what had happened.  Then he phoned her the next day and said that he was told he could not speak to her by the West Rand Administration.  He was warned not to talk to her.  So, I think people were pretty nervous at the time and things were very political and, I thin, they may have been scared to actually come forward and talk to her because they may have been getting involved in politics.  
 About a year ago there was a programme on 702, John Killarney, and a lot of people phoned in on that programme and I actually received a letter from a very nice lady who had worked with my dad.  A lot of people, as I say, phoned in then, but immediately afterwards, no.  There was a lot press, obviously, but not people who worked with my dad closely.  They did not.

CHAIRPERSON: Joyce Seroke.

MS SEROKE: Janet, it has been said, since the TRC started, by some people that this process is merely opening up old wounds which are best forgotten.  How do you feel now after sharing your story with all of us here?

JANET GOLDBLATT: The wounds have never really closed, they have also been open, the last 20 years, to be quite honest with you.  I have told this story 100 times to people that I meet along the way, people that come into my offices.  They want to know, obviously, about my family.  I feel good about being here today and being able to share my story with other people who also suffered as a result of the riots or any other struggle.  Just so that they know that they are not the only ones that have suffered and battled through the years.  Obviously, it is emotional and everytime I speak
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about it it evokes certain emotions in me, but I am pleased that I could be here today and share my story.  As I say the wounds are always open.

CHAIRPERSON: Are there any other questions?  Janet, I just want to thank you for your courage.  Your sister said, within the family, you seem to be the one who is prepared to break the silence.  You seem to be the one who has the courage to undertake a painful journey of talking about mental pain and anguish.  I do not know whether it will make you feel any better if I would say you are one of those young people, the chosen few, whose history has forced them to undertake a trauma journey at a most vulnerable age.  Like in your case, I suspect, you were 13.

JANET GOLDBLATT: 12.