Forgiveness, reconciliation, and politics: the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) revisited

Abstract

This study on forgiveness, reconciliation, and politics aims to revisit the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) in order to understand how it dealt with and comprehended the concepts of forgiveness and reconciliation. This is in an effort to understand why South Africa still faces social issues of expanding poverty, violence, crime, low human capital, and human rights violations. It examines the recommendations the Commission had given, and what is to be made of them today. Using a hermeneutical approach as a methodological tool, the study briefly reflects on the history of oppression in South Africa, the 1960 Sharpeville massacre, the tensions of the 1980s and the early 1990s, and the establishment of the TRC. This reflection helps to understand the context in which the Commission found itself, as well as to better understand the thought processes captured in the various criticisms against and interpretations of the TRC. The study then reflects on the reports given by the Commission in order to look through the Commission’s eyes. Lastly, the study examines the recommendations made by the Commission, and with consideration of transformation as a change strategy, looks at what still needs to be done to continue the reconciliatory process.