TITLE:
Role of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Healing the Wounds of the Apartheid Era in South Africa (A Qualitative Research)
AUTHORS:
Md. Anowarul Azad
KEYWORDS:
Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Apartheid Regime, Healing, Gray Zone, Retribution, Reparation, Retaliation, Transition, Kleenex Commission, Peace Process
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Social Sciences,
Vol.13 No.8,
August
14,
2025
ABSTRACT: This article examines the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of South Africa, its purpose, and its role in addressing the legacy of the apartheid regime. It emphasizes how the TRC facilitated South Africa’s transition from apartheid through acknowledgment of the past, exploring the policies implemented by the TRC to provide remedial support to those injured by racial segregation. In the context of TRC The terms “gray zone” explicate A term coined by Primo Levi, referring to the morally ambiguous space between victim and perpetrator, often used in transitional justice literature to denote complex roles during conflict where “Kleenex Commission” refers A colloquial, often critical nickname for the TRC, suggesting it emphasized emotional testimony (tears) over material justice or accountability. The study investigates how a white minority determined to hold onto power ultimately agreed to majority rule, and how the extraordinary political transition was achieved without widespread violence. In the absence of empirical data, this examination is guided by a theoretical framework reflecting how international legal institutions can contribute to healing in post-conflict societies marked by human rights abuses. Drawing from relevant literature, the article concludes by assessing the TRC’s successes and shortcomings. Despite noble aims, many victims have seen little material improvement in their lives since apartheid ended, revealing ongoing challenges in South Africa’s journey toward reconciliation.