How South Africa remembers the past
1995: The TRC was founded
➔ NP and ANC agreed on a commision in order to investigate political crimes under
apartheid.
➔ Was created as under the “Promotion of National unity and reconciliation act of
1995.
➔ Chairman: Desmond Tutu.
Vice chairman: Alex Borraine.
Reasons for the TRC
Aims
➔ Overall aim: To investigate politically-motivated crimes during the apartheid era.
➔ Specific aims:
◆ Investigate the causes and extent of the human rights abuse under
Apartheid Government from 1960-1994.
◆ Recommend compensation to victims and families.
● Provide dignity for the victims.
◆ Grant amnesty to perpetrators in return for full discloser if they could
prove political motivation.
● Accountability
◆ Deter future human rights violations.
Purpose
➔ Uncovering truth for victims and families of victims.
➔ Making EVERYONE aware of the past. (played on TV and Radio)
➔ Starting the reconciliation process.
Different ideas when dealing with Crimes against
humanity
Retributive justice - Punishment
➔ Focuses on justice and punishment on perpetrator.
➔ This system was used during the Nuremberg Trials in Germany
◆ Trials of Nazi political and milliatary leaders.
◆ Reasons this was not used in SA:
● Such trials would have had a negative effect on reconciliation.
Restorative Justice- Forgiveness
, ➔ Focuses on forgiveness and reconciliation.
➔ No prosecutions took place (Not a court of law).
➔ TRC aimed to promote restorative justice.
◆ Uncover truth and promote national reconciliation.
How did the TRC function
➔ Held hearings around the country and was broadcasted on TV and on the Radio.
➔ Hearings went on for 2 years
◆ 22 000 made statements to the TRC. (Not a broad spectrum)
➔ Commissioners (chose by Mandela):
◆ Racially diverse and from different political parties and backgrounds.
◆ Were known for promoting human rights and social justice.
➔ There were 3 different committees in the TRC:
◆ Committee on Human Rights violations.
● Aimed to allow victims to testify in order to understand and
identify possible prosecutors.
◆ Committee on Reparation and rehabilitation.
● Investigated further into stories by victims and gave support and
some people were given reparations for their loss.
◆ Committee on Amnesty.
● Could grant amnesty to perpetrators in return for full disclosure if
a political motivation was proved.
● Conditions:
○ Political motive.
○ Whole truth.
○ Full acknowledgement.
The TRC investigated
1995: The TRC was founded
➔ NP and ANC agreed on a commision in order to investigate political crimes under
apartheid.
➔ Was created as under the “Promotion of National unity and reconciliation act of
1995.
➔ Chairman: Desmond Tutu.
Vice chairman: Alex Borraine.
Reasons for the TRC
Aims
➔ Overall aim: To investigate politically-motivated crimes during the apartheid era.
➔ Specific aims:
◆ Investigate the causes and extent of the human rights abuse under
Apartheid Government from 1960-1994.
◆ Recommend compensation to victims and families.
● Provide dignity for the victims.
◆ Grant amnesty to perpetrators in return for full discloser if they could
prove political motivation.
● Accountability
◆ Deter future human rights violations.
Purpose
➔ Uncovering truth for victims and families of victims.
➔ Making EVERYONE aware of the past. (played on TV and Radio)
➔ Starting the reconciliation process.
Different ideas when dealing with Crimes against
humanity
Retributive justice - Punishment
➔ Focuses on justice and punishment on perpetrator.
➔ This system was used during the Nuremberg Trials in Germany
◆ Trials of Nazi political and milliatary leaders.
◆ Reasons this was not used in SA:
● Such trials would have had a negative effect on reconciliation.
Restorative Justice- Forgiveness
, ➔ Focuses on forgiveness and reconciliation.
➔ No prosecutions took place (Not a court of law).
➔ TRC aimed to promote restorative justice.
◆ Uncover truth and promote national reconciliation.
How did the TRC function
➔ Held hearings around the country and was broadcasted on TV and on the Radio.
➔ Hearings went on for 2 years
◆ 22 000 made statements to the TRC. (Not a broad spectrum)
➔ Commissioners (chose by Mandela):
◆ Racially diverse and from different political parties and backgrounds.
◆ Were known for promoting human rights and social justice.
➔ There were 3 different committees in the TRC:
◆ Committee on Human Rights violations.
● Aimed to allow victims to testify in order to understand and
identify possible prosecutors.
◆ Committee on Reparation and rehabilitation.
● Investigated further into stories by victims and gave support and
some people were given reparations for their loss.
◆ Committee on Amnesty.
● Could grant amnesty to perpetrators in return for full disclosure if
a political motivation was proved.
● Conditions:
○ Political motive.
○ Whole truth.
○ Full acknowledgement.
The TRC investigated
