After Apartheid: Truth and After Apartheid: Truth and Reconciliation in South Reconciliation in South

AfricaAfrica

Definition of ApartheidDefinition of Apartheid

ApartheidApartheid: the system of racial : the system of racial segregation that existed in South segregation that existed in South Africa from 1948 to 1994 Africa from 1948 to 1994

Summary of ApartheidSummary of Apartheid

19481948: National Party narrowly wins power : National Party narrowly wins power First 12 years:First 12 years: Three Goals Three Goals 1) Reorganized state power1) Reorganized state power Consolidated their hold on the civil service by giving Consolidated their hold on the civil service by giving

Afrikaans important positions Afrikaans important positions Imposed tight new controls over civil society in the form of Imposed tight new controls over civil society in the form of

legislation legislation ExamplesExamples: 1950 Suppression of Communism Act : 1950 Suppression of Communism Act 1960:1960: Banning of their rivals the African National Congress Banning of their rivals the African National Congress

(ANC) and the Pan-African Congress (PAC) in 1960(ANC) and the Pan-African Congress (PAC) in 1960

2) Elaboration and implementation of 2) Elaboration and implementation of ApartheidApartheid: :

Africans should not be allowed in urban areas. Africans should not be allowed in urban areas. 1950 Population Registration Act1950 Population Registration Act: implemented : implemented

mandatory classification of all individuals into four mandatory classification of all individuals into four categories, white, Bantu (African), coloured categories, white, Bantu (African), coloured (racially mixed) or Asiatic. (racially mixed) or Asiatic.

1950 Group Areas Act1950 Group Areas Act: gave the government : gave the government sweeping powers to remove Africans from urban sweeping powers to remove Africans from urban areas and to relocate them to reserves which were areas and to relocate them to reserves which were scattered throughout South Africa. scattered throughout South Africa.

1951 Bantu Authorities Act1951 Bantu Authorities Act: placed government : placed government approved ‘chiefs’ in control of the reserves. approved ‘chiefs’ in control of the reserves.

Elaboration and implementation of Apartheid Elaboration and implementation of Apartheid ContinuedContinued……

Millions of Africans were displaced as a result and Millions of Africans were displaced as a result and were usually placed into poorer living conditions were usually placed into poorer living conditions where they had little control over their day-to-day where they had little control over their day-to-day lives. lives.

Africans were no longer allowed to live Africans were no longer allowed to live permanently in cities, except for male labourers. permanently in cities, except for male labourers.

1955 Pass Law1955 Pass Law: required that everyone must carry : required that everyone must carry a pass at all times which identified their race and a pass at all times which identified their race and what areas they were authorized to enter. what areas they were authorized to enter.

Bantu education:Bantu education: prepared Africans for a life as a prepared Africans for a life as a low wage labourerlow wage labourer

Pass LawPass Law

The most hated The most hated regulation in regulation in South Africa South Africa

3) Consolidating and Advancing the 3) Consolidating and Advancing the Interests of Afrikaner NationalismInterests of Afrikaner Nationalism..

Supporting Afrikaner businessesSupporting Afrikaner businesses Supporting white workers in the form of job Supporting white workers in the form of job

reservation and the colour barreservation and the colour bar Restricting sexual relations between races Restricting sexual relations between races 1953 Separation of Amenities Act1953 Separation of Amenities Act: created : created

separate facilities for different races, such separate facilities for different races, such as beaches, buses, washrooms, and even as beaches, buses, washrooms, and even in some cases separate doors.in some cases separate doors.

Separation of AmenitiesSeparation of Amenities

Separation of AmenitiesSeparation of Amenities

A private sign A private sign emblematic of emblematic of the tense the tense relations of the relations of the eraera

Resistance in the 1950sResistance in the 1950s

as the new government worked to reshape South as the new government worked to reshape South African society, much resistance came from the African society, much resistance came from the oppressed populations, and in particular from the oppressed populations, and in particular from the African ANC, PAC, and the National Indian African ANC, PAC, and the National Indian Congress (NIC). Congress (NIC).

Resistance was exercised through boycotts, Resistance was exercised through boycotts, strikes, and general civil disobediencestrikes, and general civil disobedience

An early example of resistance occurred with a An early example of resistance occurred with a strike on May 1st 1950 in which 18 people were strike on May 1st 1950 in which 18 people were killed and 30 wounded by open police fire in the killed and 30 wounded by open police fire in the night.night.

Resistance in the 1950s Resistance in the 1950s Continued…Continued…

1953 Public Safety Act:1953 Public Safety Act: gave the government gave the government extreme power to control the country’s citizens.extreme power to control the country’s citizens.

The Treason TrialThe Treason Trial: in 1956 156 leaders were : in 1956 156 leaders were arrested on charges of treason and ‘conspiracy to arrested on charges of treason and ‘conspiracy to overthrow the state.’overthrow the state.’

Sharpeville MassacreSharpeville Massacre: in March of 1960 69 : in March of 1960 69 people were killed and 180 were injured after people were killed and 180 were injured after 1000s of people gathered in resistance in front of 1000s of people gathered in resistance in front of a police station. Constables were alarmed by the a police station. Constables were alarmed by the size of the crowd, panicked and opened fire.size of the crowd, panicked and opened fire.

South African police South African police officers standing officers standing over people killed in over people killed in the Sharpeville the Sharpeville massacre.massacre.

1960s: The Quite Decade1960s: The Quite Decade

Many leaders were imprisoned and controls over Many leaders were imprisoned and controls over movement and segregation were at their peak.movement and segregation were at their peak.

By all normal indicators, rate of growth, rate of By all normal indicators, rate of growth, rate of inflation, rate of job creation, rates of savings and inflation, rate of job creation, rates of savings and investments, etc. the South African economy was investments, etc. the South African economy was extremely successful extremely successful

One of the most important elements of the One of the most important elements of the Apartheid economy was gold which contributed Apartheid economy was gold which contributed more than a third of South Africa’s exports.more than a third of South Africa’s exports.

Gold Mining Gold Mining in South in South AfricaAfrica

The 1970s: Time for ChangeThe 1970s: Time for Change

Economic success began to waver. Economic success began to waver. South Africa’s share of world gold sales fell South Africa’s share of world gold sales fell

rapidly. rapidly. Led to dissatisfaction with the National Party. Led to dissatisfaction with the National Party. Revolt against the government was revived in the Revolt against the government was revived in the

1970s. 1970s. major growth in the number of African’s attending major growth in the number of African’s attending

schools. schools. Black Consciousness movementBlack Consciousness movement which became a which became a

strong impetus for change.strong impetus for change.

Black Consciousness MovementBlack Consciousness Movement

The Soweto RiotsThe Soweto Riots::

Resistance movement which took place in June of Resistance movement which took place in June of 1976 1976

A protest by 15,000 students resulted in the death A protest by 15,000 students resulted in the death of several school children which led to widespread of several school children which led to widespread attacks on police, administrative buildings, attacks on police, administrative buildings, beerhalls, etc. beerhalls, etc.

Students began to boycott classes and even burn Students began to boycott classes and even burn school buildings, which led to a counter attack and school buildings, which led to a counter attack and raids by police. raids by police.

In the end it is estimated that 575 died and 2389 In the end it is estimated that 575 died and 2389 were wounded in the riots.were wounded in the riots.

Soweto RiotsSoweto Riots

Famous photograph Famous photograph of the Soweto Riots of the Soweto Riots showing a scholar showing a scholar carrying the body of carrying the body of Hector Pieterson, one Hector Pieterson, one of the first casualties.of the first casualties.

1980s: Resistance Renewed1980s: Resistance Renewed

The state attempted to retain control with military The state attempted to retain control with military power, detentions and increased repression power, detentions and increased repression

But as international condemnation grew and But as international condemnation grew and economic sanctions began to take hold, it became economic sanctions began to take hold, it became more and more clear that change was needed. more and more clear that change was needed.

On February 2, 1990, President F.F. de Klerk On February 2, 1990, President F.F. de Klerk unbanned the ANC and the PAC and made a unbanned the ANC and the PAC and made a commitment to meaningful change. commitment to meaningful change.

The collapse of Apartheid thus followed. The collapse of Apartheid thus followed.

The End of ApartheidThe End of Apartheid

May 10th 1994: The inauguration of President May 10th 1994: The inauguration of President Nelson Mandela on May 10th 1994, after 27 years Nelson Mandela on May 10th 1994, after 27 years of incarceration, seemed to signal a turning point of incarceration, seemed to signal a turning point in South African society. in South African society.

A hundred thousand people came to see their A hundred thousand people came to see their hero take power.hero take power.

The closing words of Mandela’s speech were “we The closing words of Mandela’s speech were “we enter into a covenant that we shall build a society enter into a covenant that we shall build a society in which all South Africans, both black and white, in which all South Africans, both black and white, will be able to walk tall, without any fear in their will be able to walk tall, without any fear in their hearts, assured of their inaliable right to human hearts, assured of their inaliable right to human dignity.”dignity.”

The End of ApartheidThe End of Apartheid

black black voters, voters, waiting for waiting for hours to hours to cast their cast their votes votes

The End of ApartheidThe End of Apartheid

The election The election of Nelson of Nelson MandelaMandela

The Truth and Reconciliation The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC)Commission (TRC)

A court-like body which was assembled in South A court-like body which was assembled in South Africa following the end of ApartheidAfrica following the end of Apartheid

Anyone who felt that they had been a victim of Anyone who felt that they had been a victim of violence could come forward and be heard at the violence could come forward and be heard at the TRC. TRC.

Perpetrators of violence could also give testimony Perpetrators of violence could also give testimony and request amnesty from prosecution.and request amnesty from prosecution.

The TRC was seen as a crucial component of the The TRC was seen as a crucial component of the transition to full and free democracy in South transition to full and free democracy in South AfricaAfrica

Why Was the TRC Needed?Why Was the TRC Needed?

Some form of accountability had to be taken for the Some form of accountability had to be taken for the immense violence that took place duringimmense violence that took place during

There had to be a diagnosis of what exactly happened, There had to be a diagnosis of what exactly happened, why it happened, and who was responsiblewhy it happened, and who was responsible

It was thought that if there was no accountability made, a It was thought that if there was no accountability made, a message would be given to the new security forces and to message would be given to the new security forces and to the people of South Africa as a whole that future abuses the people of South Africa as a whole that future abuses may be treated similarlymay be treated similarly

Would reinforce the culture of abuse and intolerance that Would reinforce the culture of abuse and intolerance that had been breeding in South Africa for the past several had been breeding in South Africa for the past several hundred yearshundred years

There was a need to record and publicize what happened There was a need to record and publicize what happened from the victims as wellfrom the victims as well

Goal of the TRCGoal of the TRC

There was to be a commission instituted to There was to be a commission instituted to investigate and establish as complete a picture as investigate and establish as complete a picture as possible of the nature, causes and extent of gross possible of the nature, causes and extent of gross violations of human rights committed. This violations of human rights committed. This commission would also play a role in the granting commission would also play a role in the granting of amnesty to persons who make full disclosure of of amnesty to persons who make full disclosure of all relevant facts associated with a political all relevant facts associated with a political objectiveobjective

It would also afford victims an opportunity to relate It would also afford victims an opportunity to relate to others the violations they suffered, grant to others the violations they suffered, grant reparation to victims, restore victim’s dignity, and reparation to victims, restore victim’s dignity, and make a report on the violationsmake a report on the violations

After Much Debate The Truth and After Much Debate The Truth and Reconciliation Commission was Reconciliation Commission was finalized in mid- 1995finalized in mid- 1995

3 Committees:3 Committees:

1) The Amnesty Committee (AC)1) The Amnesty Committee (AC) Grant amnesty to individuals who were deemed worthy Grant amnesty to individuals who were deemed worthy Ensure that applications for amnesty were done in Ensure that applications for amnesty were done in

accordance with the provisions of the Act. accordance with the provisions of the Act. Those actions which were taken to serve a political Those actions which were taken to serve a political

objective would be excusedobjective would be excused Political Objective:Political Objective: “an act, omission or offence directed “an act, omission or offence directed

towards a political opponent or state property of towards a political opponent or state property of personnel if committed under the order of a liberation personnel if committed under the order of a liberation movement, political institution or organization”movement, political institution or organization”

Perpetrator TestimonyPerpetrator Testimony MS GOBODO:MS GOBODO: According to your statement here, you say that in the process of the M-According to your statement here, you say that in the process of the M-

plan you would go to specific houses, and the owners of those houses plan you would go to specific houses, and the owners of those houses would as a result be detained or tortured. Which are these people, would as a result be detained or tortured. Which are these people, what are the names of these people who’s houses you used.what are the names of these people who’s houses you used.

MR MAXAM:MR MAXAM: If I were to tell the truth and count the houses that we used, I will count If I were to tell the truth and count the houses that we used, I will count

the whole of Mbekweni, because Mbekweni was a well mobilized the whole of Mbekweni, because Mbekweni was a well mobilized community.community.

MS GOBODO:MS GOBODO: The specific houses that you have listed and the police focused on The specific houses that you have listed and the police focused on

those house, which are these houses?those house, which are these houses? MR MAXAM:MR MAXAM: It was Mr Kathakata’s house, Mr Tsotesi house and the Franch house, It was Mr Kathakata’s house, Mr Tsotesi house and the Franch house,

the Bongo family. I wish to apologize to the owners of those houses. the Bongo family. I wish to apologize to the owners of those houses. Because even in their ignorance they would be taken by the police, be Because even in their ignorance they would be taken by the police, be interrogated and other houses that were affected. I also ask for interrogated and other houses that were affected. I also ask for forgiveness from the Sieberts family that was also affected.forgiveness from the Sieberts family that was also affected.

2) Committee and Human Rights 2) Committee and Human Rights Violations (HRV) CommitteeViolations (HRV) Committee..

Investigated any human rights abuses that took Investigated any human rights abuses that took place between March 1960 and December 1994 place between March 1960 and December 1994

Established the identity of the victims, their Established the identity of the victims, their present condition, and the nature and extent of the present condition, and the nature and extent of the harm they had suffered. harm they had suffered.

Distinguished between whether the violations were Distinguished between whether the violations were the result of deliberate planning by the state or any the result of deliberate planning by the state or any other organization, group or individual. other organization, group or individual.

Once victims of gross human rights violations are Once victims of gross human rights violations are identified, they are referred to the Reparation and identified, they are referred to the Reparation and Rehabilitation Committee. Rehabilitation Committee.

Witness TestimonyWitness Testimony ““Two policemen got on either chair and they Two policemen got on either chair and they

dragged me to the window, and then they said I dragged me to the window, and then they said I can now jump…I refused…they grabbed me by my can now jump…I refused…they grabbed me by my shoulders and lifted me physically up and pushed shoulders and lifted me physically up and pushed me out of the window….and they were holding me me out of the window….and they were holding me by my ankles….each policeman holding one by my ankles….each policeman holding one ankle. All I could see was the concrete floor at the ankle. All I could see was the concrete floor at the bottom- we were three floors up, and all of a bottom- we were three floors up, and all of a sudden one would let go of one foot- as he’s about sudden one would let go of one foot- as he’s about to catch my foot, the one he has released, the to catch my foot, the one he has released, the other chap let go- and they played like that…and other chap let go- and they played like that…and you know you thought….God, this is the end.”you know you thought….God, this is the end.”

Witness Testimony Continued…Witness Testimony Continued… ““On the 13th November 1985 it was a Wednesday morning. On the 13th November 1985 it was a Wednesday morning.

My son was driven out of the house by a crowd of people My son was driven out of the house by a crowd of people who were stoning the house. We were in the house, 405 who were stoning the house. We were in the house, 405 Philani Street. He was driven out of the house and shortly Philani Street. He was driven out of the house and shortly afterwards he was killed and burnt…I have been scarred by afterwards he was killed and burnt…I have been scarred by my son's death….It is now ten years and ten months and 43 my son's death….It is now ten years and ten months and 43 days ago that he died but the pain is still with me, it still lives days ago that he died but the pain is still with me, it still lives inside of me because the whys and the wherefores I still inside of me because the whys and the wherefores I still don't know. Although there are some people who pretend don't know. Although there are some people who pretend that nothing happened, it, there is a peace on the surface. that nothing happened, it, there is a peace on the surface. The pain which I suffered, well I think my second eldest son, The pain which I suffered, well I think my second eldest son, the one just after the deceased, I think his drinking problem the one just after the deceased, I think his drinking problem is the result of the death of his brother. During the time that I is the result of the death of his brother. During the time that I suffered so much, I felt like I had been ostracized from the suffered so much, I felt like I had been ostracized from the community, that I had been rejected by the people. I felt that community, that I had been rejected by the people. I felt that I could not look the world in the eye”I could not look the world in the eye”

“ “The police came - I couldn’t count them, because there The police came - I couldn’t count them, because there were a lot. They said to him he must go out - out of the were a lot. They said to him he must go out - out of the house…I told the police that they must leave him alone house…I told the police that they must leave him alone because he is not feeling well. The police ignored me. One of because he is not feeling well. The police ignored me. One of the policeman then dragged him out but he resisted and he the policeman then dragged him out but he resisted and he managed to get inside the shack and close the door. The managed to get inside the shack and close the door. The police then used force - they kicked the door and I cried to police then used force - they kicked the door and I cried to the police - begging them to leave my brother alone. Others the police - begging them to leave my brother alone. Others were around the windows, trying to break the windows. One were around the windows, trying to break the windows. One of the policeman tried to kick the door. And I tried to talk to of the policeman tried to kick the door. And I tried to talk to them to leave my brother alone. The policemen were around them to leave my brother alone. The policemen were around the windows - they were putting in tear gas threw the the windows - they were putting in tear gas threw the windows. One of the them tried to kick the door hard and windows. One of the them tried to kick the door hard and they - he managed to kick the door. I was still crying - they - he managed to kick the door. I was still crying - begging them to leave my brother alone. My brother was begging them to leave my brother alone. My brother was dizzy at the time with the tear gas and he got out of the dizzy at the time with the tear gas and he got out of the shack. The police came through the window and I could see shack. The police came through the window and I could see my brother bleeding. He couldn’t even breath. He was quiet. my brother bleeding. He couldn’t even breath. He was quiet. They dragged him to the van outside. One of the policeman They dragged him to the van outside. One of the policeman tramped on his head. Two of the policemen threw him into tramped on his head. Two of the policemen threw him into the van. That’s all I saw that day.”the van. That’s all I saw that day.”

3) Reparation and Rehabilitation 3) Reparation and Rehabilitation (R&R) (R&R)

Provided the victims with different forms of support Provided the victims with different forms of support to ensure that the Truth Commission process to ensure that the Truth Commission process restored the victims' dignityrestored the victims' dignity

Formulated policy proposals and Formulated policy proposals and recommendations on rehabilitation and the healing recommendations on rehabilitation and the healing of survivors, their families and the community at of survivors, their families and the community at largelarge

Ensure healing and healthy co-existence, and also Ensure healing and healthy co-existence, and also to ensure that similar events would not happen to ensure that similar events would not happen again in the future.again in the future.

CompensationCompensation

Compensation was given to victims in Compensation was given to victims in different forms, the most common of which different forms, the most common of which was financial, but which also included the was financial, but which also included the reburial of deceased loved ones, the reburial of deceased loved ones, the renaming of certain streets, cultural renaming of certain streets, cultural ceremonies, etc. Over 22, 000 victims were ceremonies, etc. Over 22, 000 victims were deemed eligible for reparations.deemed eligible for reparations.

Conclusion of the CommissionConclusion of the Commission

The commission was officially finished in The commission was officially finished in March 2003 when it handed over the final 2 March 2003 when it handed over the final 2 volumes of its 7 volume report. volumes of its 7 volume report.

Initially intended to take only 18 months it Initially intended to take only 18 months it had lasted for over four yearshad lasted for over four years

In total, 7116 individuals applied for amnesty In total, 7116 individuals applied for amnesty and almost 22,000 victims testifiedand almost 22,000 victims testified

5392 people were refused amnesty and 849 5392 people were refused amnesty and 849 were granted amnestywere granted amnesty

Challenges/ CriticismsChallenges/ Criticisms

Many of these institutions and personally were directly Many of these institutions and personally were directly involved in the torture, executions and disappearances involved in the torture, executions and disappearances of those involved in resistance to the system, but at the of those involved in resistance to the system, but at the same time they were still responsible for sustaining law same time they were still responsible for sustaining law and order within the 'new' society. and order within the 'new' society.

Many of those who were now in power within the new Many of those who were now in power within the new government were themselves actively involved in the government were themselves actively involved in the armed resistance to Apartheid.armed resistance to Apartheid.

The perpetrators were benefiting more than the victims, The perpetrators were benefiting more than the victims, as they were receiving amnesty, where as in most cases as they were receiving amnesty, where as in most cases the victims did not receive reparations for their sufferingthe victims did not receive reparations for their suffering

Many individual victims feel that their needs have not Many individual victims feel that their needs have not been met by the TRCbeen met by the TRC

Challenges/ Criticisms Continued…Challenges/ Criticisms Continued… The commission did not make efforts to create reconciliation The commission did not make efforts to create reconciliation

among apartheid’s ordinary victims. These victims included among apartheid’s ordinary victims. These victims included those affected by forced removals, the migrant labour those affected by forced removals, the migrant labour system, pass laws, Bantu education, etcsystem, pass laws, Bantu education, etc

18 million people were affected by the pass laws.15.5 million 18 million people were affected by the pass laws.15.5 million people were uprooted in the forced removalspeople were uprooted in the forced removals

Millions were condemned to early death as victims of racially Millions were condemned to early death as victims of racially defined poverty. Thousands of ‘dispensable’ mine workers defined poverty. Thousands of ‘dispensable’ mine workers were killed in careless mining incidents. were killed in careless mining incidents.

Under Apartheid, people were racially victimized on a daily Under Apartheid, people were racially victimized on a daily basis and these day to day victims have been largely basis and these day to day victims have been largely excluded from the TRC mandate. excluded from the TRC mandate.

The excuse for this has been that the TRC had neither the The excuse for this has been that the TRC had neither the time nor the resources to undertake a thorough investigation time nor the resources to undertake a thorough investigation of all the violations of human rights that occurred under of all the violations of human rights that occurred under apartheidapartheid

Deputy President Thabo Mbeki Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

Different Ideas of JusticeDifferent Ideas of Justice

Overall, the decision of whether or not people felt that the Overall, the decision of whether or not people felt that the commission was successful or not rested on individual commission was successful or not rested on individual definitions of justicedefinitions of justice

Some believed that truth was needed in order for Some believed that truth was needed in order for reconciliation to occur. reconciliation to occur.

Others believed that truth was not enough, but that criminal Others believed that truth was not enough, but that criminal justice was needed in order for reconciliation to occur. justice was needed in order for reconciliation to occur.

Others believed that reconciliation was an individual Others believed that reconciliation was an individual process, and therefore each individual victim would need to process, and therefore each individual victim would need to be heard in order for them to put the past behind them. be heard in order for them to put the past behind them.

Others believed that reconciliation could only occur if Others believed that reconciliation could only occur if reparations were given to victims, and that simply telling reparations were given to victims, and that simply telling their story was not enough. their story was not enough.

Conclusion: South Africa TodayConclusion: South Africa Today

1.8 million more South Africans in 2000 living with less 1.8 million more South Africans in 2000 living with less than $1/day than there were in 1995than $1/day than there were in 1995

The country's crime rates are among the highest in the The country's crime rates are among the highest in the worldworld

It is estimated that about 12 percent of the population, or It is estimated that about 12 percent of the population, or 5.4 million people are currently living with HIV and that two 5.4 million people are currently living with HIV and that two thousand South Africans contact the disease each day.thousand South Africans contact the disease each day.

It is also estimated that there are currently 700,000 AIDS It is also estimated that there are currently 700,000 AIDS orphans living within the borders of South Africa.orphans living within the borders of South Africa.

The wage gap between the richest and poorest members The wage gap between the richest and poorest members of society is huge and continues to increaseof society is huge and continues to increase

Unemployment rates increased from 17 percent to 24 Unemployment rates increased from 17 percent to 24 percent beween 1995 and 1999.percent beween 1995 and 1999.

Reflection:Reflection:

In a paragraph or two, please answer the following In a paragraph or two, please answer the following questions:questions:

Do you think that justice was served by the TRC Do you think that justice was served by the TRC or should more have been done to ensure that or should more have been done to ensure that perpetrators were punished for their crimes?perpetrators were punished for their crimes?

Do you think that the victim compensation Do you think that the victim compensation provided by the TRC was adequate? Was simply provided by the TRC was adequate? Was simply telling their stories enough to help the victims of telling their stories enough to help the victims of Apartheid heal? Is financial compensation Apartheid heal? Is financial compensation enough?enough?