Clear, piercing high tones, smooth melodious low tones. The singing voices of 50 men and women generate a wave that rushes toward us. The Zola Central Youth Choir represents the famous Black township, Soweto.

One Sunday afternoon, the Hiroshima World Peace Mission visited a high school in the Zola district. The choir, comprising parishioners from their teens to their thirties who attend the service on Sunday, uses a borrowed classroom. We were greeted by the hundred-some parishioners wearing formal clothes.

-Reverberating song of the soul

After listening gladly to the singing, Takashi Teramoto (69) related his A-bomb experience. "Immediately after the atomic bomb fell, I hated the people who dropped it. However, if we let hatred continue the chains of retaliation, we will never have peace." In response to this appeal, he received enthusiastic applause.

Pastor Victor Mthembu (40), the conductor of the choir, said in his greeting, "We, too, are victims, victims of apartheid. The path to forgiveness and overcoming our grief has not been easy. We have no money, but we have voices and souls. Let's put our strengths together for peace."

In those days, Black Africans were unjustly imprisoned and tortured. Many were killed by Whites, and countless numbers have disappeared without a trace. After the coming of democracy, the government is investigating previous criminal acts and is continuing its efforts toward reconciliation.

One of the parishioners, a woman names Phindile Mayaba (53) told how her cousin was shot to death by police. "I will never forget, but unless I forgive, those who are left will never be able to live positive lives."

In gratitude for the songs, the members of the Peace Mission presented the paper cranes sent by the children of Hiroshima International School (Asakita-ku, Hiroshima).

-Speaking of the past

"Forgiveness is the key to resolving conflict." Father Michael Lapsley (58) brought a tea cup to his lips with an artificial hand. We're in a house in a quiet residential neighborhood in Cape Town. In 1998 he founded the Institute for the Healing of Memories, opening workshops to heal the psychological wounds of war, violent conflict and crime. It is an attempt to sever the chains of hatred by telling the truth about the past.

Born in New Zealand, he went to South Africa in 1973 to participate in the anti-apartheid campaign. In 1990 when he was in exile in Zimbabwe, he opened a small package sent to him by the South African government. It exploded and took off both of his hands. Teramoto, having also been a victim of violence, asked, "Is your ability to forgive a result of your faith?" Father Lapsley replied, "Faith has given me strength. But more than that, it was the encouragement, prayers and loving support I received from people around the world that sustained me on the journey toward healing. If I had remained a victim, I would have continued to hate."

Activities to help others assisted these two, who continue long after the damage was done. And, these activities opened the path through which they themselves were saved. Repeating the sentiment presented by Mr. Teramoto, Father Lapsley said, "Victims who conquer the past are the true victors."

On the way back to the hotel, Haruka Katarao (21), a college senior from Asakita-ku, Hiroshima, wearing a hat down over her face sat in the passenger seat, tears glistening on her cheeks. "I was touched by the incredible violence of the attack on Father Lapsley and by his willingness to let it go."

She also said that as she listened to Father Lapsley, she recalled a young man with whom she traded emails for two years. He had lost his older brother to the September 11 terrorist attack on the US, but while continuing to feel as if he is living a nightmare, he appeals for a non-violent solution.

She tells herself, "I want to be strong like them and face the harsh reality of violence."

(Caption)(above) Father Lapsley warns, "The chain of hatred continues to bind the next generation."
(below) On the right -- the Youth Choir (Soweto) that charmed the Peace Mission with its powerful harmonies and overflowing humor.