Alternative and Innovative Approaches to Reconciliation: A South African Perspective

Twenty years after the transition in South Africa, the violence of today’s student protests resembles that of a ticking ‘time bomb’ on the brink of explosion. To understand this complex reality, Christo Thesnaar assesses the role of the Truth and Reconciliation (TRC) process during this time. Although throughout the post-TRC period faith communities have been predominantly absent in their calling to reconcile the people of South Africa, this contribution argues that they must take a more proactive role in healing and reconciling the nation. In seeking to find suitable ways to overcome this challenge, Thesnaar’s contribution engages critically with two alternative and innovative approaches to reconciliation and healing: the re-enactment of the TRC faith hearing, and the approach adopted by the Restitution Foundation (RF).