News TRC CONSULTATION REPORT

Consultation on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report
Cedar Park Hotel and Conference Centre
27th - 29th November 2002

STATEMENT

The South African Council of Churches held a Consultation on the Truth and Reconciliation at Cedar Park Hotel and Conference Centre from 27-29 November 2002.

A. Conference:

  1. Affirms the process of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission that has taken place in our country from 1996 to the present day. This process while it may be imperfect is regarded as valuable in placing our nation on a solid path for unity and reconciliation.
  2. Expresses deep gratitude to the democratically elected government of South Africa for engaging in the legal and political mechanisms for promoting reconciliation.
  3. Acknowledges the need for ongoing healing of all the people of our land especially for millions of victims of our past history. As adherents to Christ ministry of reconciliation in a sinful world, we are challenged in our daily lives to reconciliation.
  4. Recognises that there are many areas in common life that hinders the process of reconciliation especially the disrespect for life, social and economic inequalities, culture of entitlement, consumerism and continued racism.
  5. Affirms the role of the communities of faith in facilitating the process of healing and reconciliation for all South Africans and request that the SACC institutes TRC information desks at provincial level in order to resource local congregations with study and other materials to embark upon the process of reconciliation and healing.

B. Believing that the issue of Truth and Reconciliation is a matter of justice and acknowledging that both the government and the country face challenges around further amnesty and reparations, conference resolves that:

  1. The South African Council of Churches to call on the government to:
    1. Implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Recommendations without further delay.
    2. Give priority to the matter of reparations to victims above everything.
    3. Pursue the matter of Presidential pardons guided by the objective of furthering reconciliation and a peaceful South Africa for all.

  2. The South African Council of Churches to call on Provincial Councils to:
    1. Work with organisations representing victims such as Khulumani and other victims support groups to extend their work in accessing reparation funds and link up with other communities where they are not active.
    2. Invite all clergy and laity to facilitate, support and encourage communities to form local study and support groups on reconciliation.

  3. Conference calls on the SACC National Executive Committee to:
    1. Approach the President’s Fund Committee about the list of victims and ask that this list be sent to Provincial Councils to assist them in locating victims and monitoring reparations.
    2. Approach the South African private sector and business about their contribution to the President's Fund Committee for reparations to victims.
    3. Appoint a Study Group that will look at:
      1. The TRC recommendations with a view to assist the SACC towards action.
      2. Models of reparations to the communities as a whole in addition to reparations to individuals.
      3. Promotion of liturgies and other rites of reconciliation in public life and during national days.
      4. Pastoral counseling for trauma victims.
      5. Further work on the theme of Restorative Justice in the context of our South African history and experience.
      6. Plan a conference on: Christ Today: Economics, Social disparities and Reconciliation.

  4. Conference calls on the SACC and member churches to:
    1. Recognise their responsibility in assisting victims and cooperating with victims support groups and trauma centres.
    2. Formulate programmes in order to educate youth in the history of apartheid and encourage youth to support the process of reconciliation.

C. Conclusion

Conference encourages all its member churches to utilize their human resources to engage in pastoral programmes to provide life skills training and development especially for those whose dignity has been taken away by events of our past.