For the event of Apartheid the process of reconciliation has been put into practice by The TRC ( truth and reconcilitaion commison) was set up in terms of the Promotion of National Unity and Reconciliation Act, No. 34 of 1995, It was based in Cape Town where the apartheid happened. This commission was introduced to bear witness, to record and to give freedom to the offender of crimes relating to human rights violations and also offering improvements to victims. Reconciliation was established so that ordinary South Africans who wished to express regret for past failures could also express their guilt.
The TRC had a number of high profile members such as Archbishop Desmong Tutu (chairman), Alex boraine ( deputy chairman), Sisi Khampepe, Wynand Malan and Emma Mashinini. The work of of TRC was accomplished through three committees; The Human Rights Violations Committee, The Reparation and Rehabilitation Committee and The Amnesty Committee. The Human Rights Violations Committee investigated human rights abuses that occurred between 1960 and 1994.
The Reparation and Rehabilitation Committee was charged with restoring victims’ dignity and formulating proposals to assist with rehabilitation and The Amnesty Committee considered applications from individuals who applied for amnesty in accordance with the provisions of the Act. Public hearings for the The Human Rights Violations Committee and The Amnesty Committee were held at many events in South Africa including Cape Town at the University of the Western Cape, Johannesburg at the Central Methodist Mission and Randburg at Rhema Bible Church.
The commission’s purpose was to give forgiveness to those who committed abuses during the apartheid, as long as they were politically motivated and there was full decleration for the person seeking forgiveness. The commission heard about the Human Right Violations and considered forgiveness applications from all sides, for the apartheid side to the Liberian forces, including the African National Congress.
