Historical Memory and a New Democracy

Abstract

This essay explores the meaning and the form of historical memory in the context of the young South African democracy. Differentiating between the concepts of constructive and responsive memory and the inclusive or exclusive character each can take, it attempts to determine what kind of historical memory is necessary to forge a common political enterprise in a multi-ethnic and multi-racial environment. In this regard it refers to some sharply divisive collective memories and suggests ways in which the naturally ethnocentric consciousness of any given cultural group might be supplemented and enriched by the emergence of a national consciousness built around the idea that people bond not despite their differences but because of them. The paper touches on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission as an example of responsive memory focusing on the meaning of truth both in the process of dealing with the past and as a means towards reconciliation in the future.

Notes

1. For more on these concepts see van Beek (2005, 2006), chaps 9, 10 and 11.

2. Following Connor (1994), a nation is understood to be a self-defined community who share a feeling of belonging together, whereas a state is a territorial unit that may or may not coincide or nearly coincide with a particular nation.

3. The concept is usually traced back to Johann Herder, the German poet and philosopher who conceived of a volk centred on a common language as a keeper and carrier of common heritage (Isaacs, 1975).

4. The address evoked a reciprocal reaction from more than a 100 prominent Afrikaans speakers in an open letter of support entitled: ‘10 times 10 plus 10 congratulations’ that lauded President Mbeki for his policies and congratulated him on his re-election for a second term in office. Political analysts described the letter as signalling Afrikaners' willingness to cooperate, especially in economic transformation. And the presidential spokesman said the letter showed that there can bee critical engagement and ‘This is how we are going to build a viable and stable democracy in our country’ (‘Top Afrikaners Heap Praise on Mbeki’, 2004, p. 4).

5. For details of the debate see Witz (2003, pp. 254–256).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ursula J. Van Beek

* Transformation Research Initiative (TRI), Department of Information Science, Stellenbosch University. Email: [email protected]