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The Legacy of Giving Testimony to the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission for Survivors of Human Rights Violations

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The Legacy of Giving Testimony to the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission for Survivors of Human Rights Violations Fourteen years on : The legacy of giving testimony to the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission for survivors of human rights violations A thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy By Nthabiseng Faku-Juqula Brunel University School of Health Sciences and Social Care January 2014 Revised May 2014 1 Abstract OBJECTIVES : This study focused, unusually, on the experience of people who gave testimony in person to the TRC many years previously. The study’s objectives were firstly to explore the personal, social and political events that participants recounted as motivating them to testify to the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), and secondly to analyse the meanings that participants gave retrospectively, about fourteen years later, to testifying before the TRC. METHOD: 30 participants were recruited, from poor socioeconomic backgrounds, in Gauteng and Western Cape provinces, South Africa. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in participants’ preferred SA languages. Data were analysed using principles of modified grounded theory. FINDINGS: Participants from the two provinces testified through shared hopes for change but differed in the specific political and violent events that they wished to make public. Looking back, many participants expressed disillusionment with the TRC’s effectiveness. Participants were concerned by unfulfilled promises, inadequate reparations and lack of socioeconomic improvement. Memories of horrific abuses were still vivid, and most doubted that the TRC process could result in forgiveness, amnesty, reconciliation and healing. Participants felt unacknowledged, invalidated and inadequately recompensed, symbolically and monetarily. Nonetheless, participants expressed suspended hope, if not for themselves but for the future generations. ‘Misrecognition’ emerged as the overarching theme, an experience of feeling ignored and dismissed, finding promises for material recompense broken, and their contribution to the seemingly successful TRC processes not recognised. CONCLUSION: The TRC process neglected the abuse of the apartheid period, which has left a legacy. This study has shown that many participants continue to struggle with the legacy of a very unequal society, and further follow-up research is vital to review participants’ long-term needs. Lack of improvement in social and economic conditions has led some people in South Africa to question the effectiveness of the TRC. 2 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This thesis is the fruit of the efforts by two most committed and dedicated supervisors who have been the driving force behind this project My heartfelt thanks go to the participants of Khulumani Support Group in South Africa, in Gauteng and the Western Cape Town, for their willingness to share their most painful experiences with me over a period of a few months. Despite horrific stories they recounted, the time spend with them was worthwhile. It enriched my understanding of what was entailed in HRV perpetrated in the name of apartheid South Africa and that I have never imagined before. Whilst it was not possible to spend more time with them their rich stories and their contributions enhanced this research immensely. I will always be indebted to them. Without the support from my supervisors, Dr Frances Reynolds and Dr Lindsey Nicholls, it would not have been possible to see this project through. Your patience, understanding and kindness have made it possible for me not to lose faith. In addition your wisdom, criticism, motivation, unlimited support and unfaltering guidance have enhanced my intellectual development. I’m sincerely grateful to you. To my first supervisor, the late Dr Cathy Aymer, you will always be remembered with fondness. Last but not least my family, my daughter, Lindi, my sons, Zolile and Theko, mother –in- law, Lindiwe Tsele and of course my long suffering partner, Vuyo, you will never imagine how your understanding and belief in me has meant. This thesis is dedicated to my one and only granddaughter, Palesa , my late mother, Bellina and late grandfather Michael Motsomotso. 3 Contents Abstract 2 Acknowledgements 3 Chapter 1 Introduction 8-34 1.1 The focus of this research project 8 1.2 The context of the study 15 1.3 Background to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission 22 1.4 The South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission 30 1.5 Summary 34 Chapter 2 Literature review 35-81 2.1 Introduction 35 2.2 Searching the literature 35 2.3 Studies of complex issues regarding forgiveness, amnesty, truth, reconciliation and healing 44 2.4 Conclusions to the literature review 78 Chapter 3 Methodology and Method 82-129 3.1 Methodology 82 3.2 Method 96 Chapter 4 Findings (1) Psychosocial processes leading participants to give testimony at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission 130-193 4.1 Introduction 130 4.2 Profile of participants 131 4.3 Grounded theory model of categories identified from the Gauteng interviews 134 4.4 Findings from the Western Cape Province 170 4 4.5 Summary: Shared and contrasting themes in the Gauteng and Western Cape groups 191 Chapter 5 Findings (2): Exploring the legacy of giving testimony to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission 194-234 5.1 Introduction 194 5.2 Grounded theory model of categories identified from Gauteng and Western Cape interviews 197 5.3. Understanding the core theme of ‘Misrecognition’ 232 Chapter 6 Discussion 235-270 6.1 Introduction 235 6.2 Overview of the findings in Chapters 4 and 5 235 6.3 Frozen Grief and social suffering 242 6.4 Remaining the poorest of the poor 257 6.5 ‘Black on black’ violence 261 6.6 ‘No recognition without redistribution’ 247 6.7 A flicker of hope 268 Chapter 7 Conclusions 271-287 7.1 Introduction 271 7.2 Overview of the research project 271 7.3 Critical evaluation 273 7.4 Can truth and reconciliation processes ‘heal’ a nation? 279 7.5 Implications for practice 282 7.6 Alternative research strategies 286 7.7 Summary 287 References 288-314 5 Appendices 315-331 Appendix 1: Khulumani approval letter 317 Appendix 2: SHSSC ethics approval letter 319-320 Appendix 3: Khulumani's research procedures letter 321 Appendix 4: Resource information to support participants 323-324 Appendix 5: Information sheet and consent sheet 325-329 Appendix 6: Copy of poster presented to the BPS Health 330-331 Psychology Conference, Sept 2013, Brighton. List of Tables and Figures Table 2.1 Summary of studies 37 Table 3.1 Interview agenda 98 Table 3.2 Participants’ profiles 119 Figure 3.1 Simplified illustration of interplay between analysis and data collection 122 Figure 4.1 Experiences recalled as motivating the giving of testimony to the TRC 133 Figure 5.1 Fourteen years on: reflections on the legacy of giving testimony at the TRC 196 6 Abbreviations ANC African National Congress BiH Bosnia-Herzegovina CSVR Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation DG Disability Grant EFI Enright Forgiveness Inventory GDP Gross Domestic Product GNR Government of National Reconciliation GNU Government of National Unity GTM grounded theory method HIV human immunodeficiency virus ICT International Criminal Tribunal IFP Inkatha Freedom Party MP Member of Parliament NGO non-governmental organisation NP National Party PTSD post-traumatic stress disorder SA South Africa SACP South African Communist Party SADF South African Defence Force SHSSC School of Health Sciences and Social Care SP Special Pension TRC Truth and Reconciliation Commission UDF United Democratic Front UP United Party 7 Chapter 1 Introduction This chapter highlights the historical and socio-political nature of South Africa (SA) during apartheid and later how the South African government dealt with the inevitability of political transformation following the transfer of power by the National Party (NP) to the African National Congress (ANC). The chapter provides a background to how the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) addressed issues arising from creating a space for victims and perpetrators to meet face to face, in public, and to share their experiences of being victims and/or perpetrators of serious human rights violations. This was done with the hope of obtaining the truth regarding the nature and extent of the atrocities perpetrated during the apartheid era and hopefully achieving reconciliation and eventually psychological wellbeing. The chapter is divided into four sections. The first is concerned with the focus of the research, which includes the rationale for the project. The second section deals with the context of the study and includes demographic details, the history of apartheid and a background to the political conflicts that facilitated a change of government. The third section deals with the background history to the TRC, offers brief comparisons with five other, less prominent truth commissions in Africa, including the reasons behind the creation of the TRC. The fourth section introduces the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). 1.1 The focus of this research project This research project has explored reflections on the psycho-social consequences and potential long-term impact for victims and survivors of human rights violations of providing testimony to the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The study is unusual in gathering these reflections about 14 years after the participants originally gave their testimony, in order to explore the longer-term meanings of this experience. The TRC was created under the Promotion of Unity and Reconciliation Act (1995) and was the fifteenth of
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