ROBERT JOHN MCBRIDE
Before I read out my statement, I wish to state that I have already served a sentence for most of the activities detailed in the amnesty application, almost seven years, considerably longer than any apartheid Minister.
	Secondly, since 1987 when I was convicted and sentenced to death for activities on behalf of the ANC, MK, these activities have been in the public realm and there has been no further legal action initiated against me all this time.  I come before this Commission in the spirit of reconciliation, I live reconciliation every day in my life and for me, it is not just a buzz word.  I also wish to clean the slate and put the conflicts of the past, behind me, hence I have included relatively minor incidents such as the burning of Fairvale High School.  I have also included activities for which I was acquitted at the time of the trial.  I place my trust in this Committee that it would treat my case fairly.  Other than reconciliation, I have nothing to gain from applying for amnesty.  For my activities to liberate myself and my fellow oppressed South Africans from apartheid, I have been scorned and insulted by a small minority of South Africans, as well as by that section of the media which is white owned and controlled.   This hearing will also give them an opportunity, the last one, to learn the facts about me and my opposition to apartheid.  I now turn to my formal statement.
"I was born on the 6th of July 1963 as a second class South African citizen, an oppressed person.  I was born in a ghetto, a product of apartheid.  I received inferior education.  My rights as a citizen were denied to me for the benefit of a small minority.  I have experienced since childhood every possible form of racial insult.  The State classified me as coloured, a term I have always detested as it infers being lessened by my black South African blood.  As a result of this, I have developed political consciousness during my early years and I was involved in various non-violent activities directed against apartheid until 1984.  In 1984 I assisted a number of ANC members in the distribution of pamphlets and ANC literature.
	However, I soon realised that the South African government and its surrogates, would not be persuaded to end racism through moral persuasion.   I accepted at this stage that violence was necessary.  The evidence for me of the correctness of this part was that before I was born ..."