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Truth Games: Mrs Jansen – can never forgive – Afrika Hlapo

Sue Williamson
Truth Games: Mrs Jansen – can never forgive – Afrika Hlapo, 1998
Laminated colour laser print, wood, metal, plastic
Work: 84 x 121 x 6 cm

Truth Games highlights the most important cases investigated by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Each piece pictures an accuser, a defender, and an image of the event in question. Evidence taken from press reports summarises the accusations and defense. These texts are printed on slats obscuring sections of the work. In order to see hidden parts of the images, viewers must slide the slats across the work to uncover what is beneath. This implies the question: Is the truth finally coming out or is it still hidden? Frederick Jansen was the victim of mob violence in 1980 in the squatter camp of Crossroads, Cape Town, when his small truck was stoned, overturned and set alight. He died the following day. Afrika Hlapo was jailed for his part in the killing. Seeking reconciliation. Hlapo, said his intention had been to seek a better world for South Africa. He received amnesty from the TRC in 1999, and expressed his desire to meet with the Jansen family, a request refused by Jansen's widow, Pearl.