The Lingering Legacy of Apartheid: South Africa's Struggle for Reparations

The struggle for justice among apartheid victims highlights unanswered questions about reparations in South Africa. Many feel abandoned by a government that has yet to adequately support those who endured trauma, despite substantial funds remaining unused, raising concerns about equity and the legacy of the anti-apartheid movement.

The night of December 10, 1987, marked a tragic turning point for Mzolisi Dyasi in South Africa’s Eastern Cape. Awakened in his prison cell, he was driven to a hospital morgue to identify the bodies of his pregnant girlfriend, his cousin, and a fellow fighter against the apartheid regime. Overwhelmed with grief, he attempted a shout of defiance—"amandla!"—but broke down instead. Now, nearly 40 years later, the memories of torture and loss haunt him, leading him to keep his lights on at night.

Dyasi was an underground operative for uMkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing of the African National Congress (ANC), which led the fight against apartheid, eventually resulting in the country’s democratic transition in 1994. Despite the establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) to address the injustices of the past, and a reparations fund designed to support some victims, discontent prevails. An estimated $110 million remains unspent in this fund, and Dyasi, among approximately 17,000 others who received a meager payment of 30,000 rand (approximately $3,900), now struggles with chronic illnesses and unpaid education bills.

Professor Tshepo Madlingozi, a member of the Human Rights Commission of South Africa, highlights the broader implications of apartheid's legacy, noting that many young South Africans born after 1994 continue to face intergenerational poverty. He criticizes the government's lack of transparency about the reparations fund, questioning why so much remains unallocated and where those funds truly stand.

Howard Varney, a lawyer representing victims of political crimes, describes the reparations narrative as one of "deep betrayal" and is currently advocating for families and survivors to sue the government for $1.9 million due to failure to investigate cases highlighted by the TRC. The case underscores the ongoing disappointment felt by many South Africans who sacrificed greatly during apartheid.

Brian Mphahlele, who also suffered grievous harm while imprisoned, echoed these sentiments before his recent passing. The compensation he received depicted insufficient recognition of his suffering, and he lamented that he remained reliant on soup kitchens due to the inadequacy of his reparations.

As frustrations mount, Professor Madlingozi states that South Africa, once a beacon of hope for racial reconciliation, faces a test of its commitment to addressing past wrongs. The opportunity to amend the system and prioritize the needs of victims remains urgent, asserting that genuine support is needed to uplift those affected by apartheid. Dyasi reflects on the disillusionment felt by many who once held hope for a better life post-apartheid. He insists the government must provide healthcare and economic participation avenues for those who fought for freedom: “We don’t want to be millionaires,” he says, “but we want to live with dignity.”