COCOON OF PAIN
DATE OF INCIDENT
December 1987
THE STRUGGLE FOR JUSTICE
37 years
CRIME
Alleged murder
Topsy Madaka was born in New Brighton, Port Elizabeth in 1954. He was the son of Nontsikelelo and Mongameli Madaka. He emerged in politics during the Black Consciousness era when he participated in anti government student activities under the South African Student Movement (SASM). In 1978 his family became aware of his interest in politics through his role in facilitating transport for activists who wanted to cross the border to Lesotho.
Madaka and Siphiwo Mthimkhulu (known as the Cosas Two) played a leading role under difficult conditions in mobilizing the people of Port Elizabeth for various political campaigns.
An order by the security police was given to “eliminate” both Siphiwo and Topsy Madaka. This order was given verbally and the police clearly understood it to mean that they should be killed and their bodies secretly disposed of.
At an Amnesty Committee hearing of the TRC in September 1997 Topsy’s only son Amandla and his family finally got to hear the details of his father’s abduction, killing and where his body had been buried. Amandla talks of being trapped in a Cocoon of Pain as he battles with transgenerational trauma.
“In 1996, I was 19 years old when I went to the Truth Commission, that is when I got to see and hear the perpetrators elaborating on the story of what happened to my dad. It was a shock to me and my whole family at the time, we didn’t even know how to feel. I am still angry at what happened. I can see what role a father can play in the lives of their children and that was taken away from me”.
Amandla Madaka
“For me the TRC was just a show, a talk show in particular. None of the things they promised they said they would do came about. The only thing we got from the TRC was half the truth of what transpired. After that you were left on your own, we are still on our own, you don’t know how to move, there is nothing happening”.
Amandla Madaka
Promo
Michael John Samuel
Excellent treatment of difficult issues.
Andrew Barrett
Very powerful. Great episode.
Mzolisi Dyasi
What a wonderful documentary. It has left me very emotional and
heart broken. Very professional and informative.
Nondyebo Taki
I watched the episode last night… Brutality of the then police in Eastern Cape especially
Gideon. The subsequent event of Topsy’s son meeting with Gideon, a replica of his father
who was a heartless monster… Reconciliation at that level is something else… To me this
was spiritual deep encounter… The pain of not able to bury your loved ones… identified only
as burnt bones… Heaven help us all!!!
Anonymous
I cannot explain the pain I’m feeling about Topsy Madaka’s death.
What bothers me most is that the present government, the one for which
these people died for does not even care about their descendants.
Allan Zinn
Your documentary was so ‘close to the bone’ (excuse the pun). Well
done on keeping the flame alive!
Hammy Petersen
This was a heart-wrenching documentary. Although we knew about all the
atrocities that were committed, to relive those experiences graphically
just makes one feel how lucky all of us were in not facing similar
consequences.
David Forbes
The story of how Topsy’s son met Nieuwoudt’s son is incredible.
Priceless. Well done, another tragic story. Heartrending, very
powerful.
Prof Steve Naidoo
Well done. Really interesting take on the interaction between the
sons of the executed victim and executor respectively and their ability
to make peace with each other.
TRUTH BE TOLD 