ABSTRACT

In this chapter the writer explains the story in the context of South Africa’s current psychological trauma and why histories such as these are important both in the country the story is set in and around the world. Examples of remembering and storytelling as a form of healing, the context of the trial which shapes this story in the country moving towards democracy as well as why it is universally important are discussed.

They say trauma lives in our DNA. It’s simple science, really. We are made up of many parts of microscopic bits. Some of these parts are physical, and others exist on a different level – subtle, intangible parts, in the form of memories, emotions and experiences.