C) The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (1995)

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 20:20:47 +0000

# C) The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (1995): A Historic Step Toward National Healing The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) established in South Africa in 1995 stands as a landmark initiative in the nation’s journey toward justice, healing, and unity after decades of apartheid. Tasked with uncovering the truth about human rights abuses committed between 1960 and 1994, the TRC offered a unique and powerful approach to national reconciliation—one rooted in restorative justice rather than punitive retribution. This article explores the creation, purpose, key findings, and enduring legacy of the truth and reconciliation process as embodied by the 1995 Commission, illustrating how truth-telling became a cornerstone of post-apartheid South Africa. ## Background: Apartheid and the Demand for Justice South Africa’s brutal system of institutionalized racial segregation and oppression, known as apartheid, spanned over four decades from 1948 to 1994. The regime’s systematic violation of human rights left deep scars across the nation, with countless victims of torture, murder, enforced disappearances, and sexual violence. As the apartheid system crumbled and democratic elections were held in 1994, a critical question arose: how could South Africa confront its violent past while building a unified future?