Forgiveness, reconciliation, and politics: the truth and reconciliation commission (TRC) revisited

[摘要] This study on forgiveness, reconciliation, and politics aims to revisit the Truth andReconciliation Commission (TRC) in order to understand how it dealt with andcomprehended the concepts of forgiveness and reconciliation. This is in an effort tounderstand why South Africa still faces social issues of expanding poverty, violence,crime, low human capital, and human rights violations. It examines the recommendationsthe Commission had given, and what is to be made of them today. Using a hermeneuticalapproach as a methodological tool, the study briefly reflects on the history of oppressionin South Africa, the 1960 Sharpeville massacre, the tensions of the 1980s and the early1990s, and the establishment of the TRC. This reflection helps to understand the contextin which the Commission found itself, as well as to better understand the thoughtprocesses captured in the various criticisms against and interpretations of the TRC. Thestudy then reflects on the reports given by the Commission in order to look through theCommission's eyes. Lastly, the study examines the recommendations made by theCommission, and with consideration of transformation as a change strategy, looks at whatstill needs to be done to continue the reconciliatory process.

[发布机构] University of the Free State