But some organisations argue that might still not be enough to compensate the qualifying 17?000 victims of apartheid
Jubie Matlou
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) estimates the costs for reparations to victims of apartheid atrocities will be R3-billion. The amount is cited in a final report the TRC will submit to the Office of the President at the end of the month.
The report is a product of more than five years of fieldwork and data-capturing in an attempt to establish the extent of direct human rights violations that marked the peak of apartheid state repression and resistance between 1960 and 1994.
TRC records indicate that about 17 000 people are entitled to some form of reparation.
Human rights violations that took place after April 1994 are referred to and handled by the Human Rights Commission.
So far the government has appropriated R800-million during last month’s budget allocations to be used for reparations. In the past two years the government allocated R300-million on an interim basis to address cases that were considered urgent.
Reparations committee chair Hlengiwe Mkhize is quick to point out that reparations would not necessarily constitute monetary compensation.
“Emotional losses are just incalculable. It is difficult to attach monetary value to the loss of a breadwinner, for example,” Mkhize says.
The TRC recommends a variety of reparation measures for the government’s consideration and approval. Monetary grants are recommended in cases whereby a victim is disabled, and cannot earn a living as a result of his/her condition, whereas other forms of support such as basic maintenance and funding of education are seen as more appropriate to orphans and minor dependants of victims until they reach adulthood.
Other reparatory measures proposed in the draft report include symbolic reparations and community empowerment projects.
“The case of Mapetla Mohapi who died in detention in the 1970s is one example. Mohapi’s beneficiary suggested that the deceased had a passion for human rights issues. In that case the building of a centre that caters for such a need in his hometown would constitute a symbolic measure in honour of the victim,” says Mkhize.
On the other hand, communities that were at the receiving end of political violence in the early 1990s, such as those in the East Rand and KwaZulu-Natal, would have their traumatic past redressed through skills empowerment and job creation projects.
Mkhize says the final word lies with the government, which will determine criteria for reparations as well as the different categories thereof.
Khulumani, the organisation representing many of the victims of apartheid state repression, holds that the R3-billion recommended by the TRC would not be enough to address the diverse needs of the people affected.
Ntomibi Mosekare, the organisation’s representative, says: “The nature of violations are not the same. There are people who are permanently disabled. Such individuals would need a lifetime financial support mechanism that would provide income and cover overheads such as medical bills. I doubt if the R3-billion mooted would suffice.”
Mosekare said although reparations are important from a material viewpoint, the emotional aspect of coping with the loss of a loved one is also important.
“No amount of money would ever be enough. Many families want to establish the truth, that’s why they came to the TRC. They want to know what happened to their loved ones, who killed them and why.”
Another feature to dog the reparations is the contribution of the business sector to the process. The TRC held a workshop three weeks ago to explore the private sector’s role.
Jubilee South Africa, an NGO that champions the cancellation of Third World debt, is spearheading the call for business to match the government’s contribution to the reparations fund. “The business sector has benefited from apartheid policies throughout those years, from the pass laws and the hostel system. Today some of these corporations are taking their investments offshore … there should be a special tribunal to look at how business profited from the system and measures of addressing their past wrongs [should be] worked out,” said Pumelele Giyose, the organisation’s representative.
Within the business sector the overriding feeling is that millions of rands have been and are still pumped into the upliftment of poor communities through corporate social investment projects.
Brian Wasmuth, South African Chamber of Business policy consultant, who took part in the TRC workshop, said his clients are sympathetic to the plight of victims of apartheid atrocities.
“In fact, the business sector has been funding projects in townships and rural villages during the days of apartheid. I can still recall the role of some business leaders in the peace initiatives, and the signing of the Peace Accord by various political parties in the early 1990s. That contribution came in various forms, be it monetary or morally,” said Wasmuth.
Wasmuth told the Mail & Guardian that it would take about two to three months for the federation to consult with its more than 40?000 members throughout the country before an organisational position on the matter is released.
A cautionary note on the matter came from Steven Friedman of the Centre for Policy Studies who advised against an approach that would compel business to make a contribution to reparations.
Friedman said the German approach for a solidarity tax would also not be viable as there is not enough money in the budget. “Private-sector contributions to the reparations should be on a voluntary basis.”