Generational forgiveness and historical injustices: perspectives of descendants of victims of Apartheid-era gross human rights violations in South Africa

Abstract

This study explored the issue of generational forgiveness in the political sphere in contemporary South Africa. It is based on qualitative interviews conducted with 20 children and grandchildren (females = 10, males = 10) of victims of Apartheidera gross human rights violations. The interview data were interpretively analysed to uncover underlying meaning. The results yielded three main themes namely: the myth of forgiveness in politics; political forgiveness as an inherently difficult human enterprise; and the intrinsic value of political forgiveness. Findings suggest that political forgiveness is likely if solutions are found to persistent poverty and inequality, which are structural legacies of the past.

Keywords:

• generational forgiveness
• historical trauma
• Apartheid
• gross human rights violations
• multi-layered interpretation

Notes

1 For the definition of victims of Apartheid-era gross human rights violations, see The Promotion of National Unity and Reconciliation Act No. 34 (1995, pp. 2–3).

2 The term is used here in its exclusive sense and refers to South Africans of African descent.

3 At the time of conducting the research, the author was employed as Project Manager in the CSVR Transitional Justice Programme. CSVR has had an ongoing relationship with KSG, which facilitated the author's engagement with them.