The document provides background information on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) in South Africa. It discusses the TRC's formation in 1995 to promote reconciliation after apartheid and its three main tasks: to investigate human rights violations between 1960-1994, identify victims for reparations, and grant amnesty to perpetrators who fully disclosed their crimes. Archbishop Desmond Tutu chaired the TRC. Its goals were to acknowledge and record victims' experiences, hold some parties accountable to prevent future abuses, and foster a culture of tolerance rather than covering up past violations.

1. Truth and Reconciliation
Commission.
REASONS FOR THE TRC;

2. Lesson outcomes
 After the lesson learners should able to understand abbreviation “TRC”
means
 After the lesson students should be able to name three committees which
were called into existence in order to for TRC to achieve its purpose.
 After the lesson learners should able to define and describe Truth and
Reconciliation Commission
 After the lesson learners should able to explain reasons for the formation of
the Truth and Reconciliation Commission
 After the lesson learners should able to compare and contrast the positive
and the negative aspects of TRC

3. Background knowledge of TRC
 In July 1995 South Africa’s new parliament passed a law authorising the formation of the
Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
 The Commission, chaired by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, was appointed in December
1995.
 The central purpose of the Commission was to promote re-conciliation and forgiveness
among perpetrators and victims of apartheid by the full disclosure of truth.
 The Commission was charged with three specific tasks:
 To discover the causes and nature of human rights violations in South Africa between
1960 and 1994;
 To identify victims with a view to paying reparations;
 and to allow amnesty to those who fully disclosed their involvement in politically
motivated human rights violations.

4. Background knowledge of TRC
 TRC was a court-like body which was assembled in South Africa following
the end of Apartheid
 Anyone who felt that they had been a victim of violence could come
forward and be heard at the TRC.
 Perpetrators of violence could also give testimony and request amnesty
from prosecution.
 The TRC was seen as a crucial component of the transition to full and free
democracy in South Africa

5. Background knowledge of TRC
 The South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was set up by
the Government of National Unity to help deal with what happened under
apartheid.
 The conflict during this period resulted in violence and human rights
abuses from all sides. No section of society escaped these abuses.

6. Archibishop Desomond Tutu on the
Reasons for the TRC

7. Reasons for the TRC
 Some form of accountability had to be taken for the immense violence
that took place during
 There had to be a diagnosis of what exactly happened, why it happened,
and who was responsible
 It was thought that if there was no accountability made, a message would
be given to the new security forces and to the people of South Africa as a
whole that future abuses may be treated similarly
 Would reinforce the culture of abuse and intolerance that had been
breeding in South Africa for the past several hundred years
 There was a need to record and publicize what happened from the
victims as well

8. Reasons for the Truth and
Reconciliation Commission
 The TRC was based on the Promotion of National Unity and Reconciliation
Act, No 34 of 1995
 To prevent the future violations of human rights.
 The commission promoted the investigation of past abuses and the
uncovering of the truth

9. The commissioners who served on the
Truth and Reconciliation Commission