Khulumani Support Group refuse to let reparation bid be swept away

THE Khulumani Support Group, currently camping outside the Constitutional Hill precinct in Johannesburg, wants the government to honour the recommendations made by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and handed to Nelson Mandela almost 23 years ago.

The national protest, which also saw a similar gathering outside Parliament in Cape Town on Wednesday, saw people sleeping outside Constitutional Hill on Wednesday night.

The group wants reparations, of not less than R1 million, to be paid to all victims and survivors of apartheid.

They base their quest for reparations on a statement made by Mandela, who was then president, on October 29, 1998, after he received the initial report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).

“It is for those who have suffered losses of different kinds and magnitudes to be afforded reparation, proceeding from the premise that freedom and dignity are the real prize that our sacrifices were meant to attain,” the Khulumani Support Group quoted Mandela as saying.

The group is mostly made up of women, especially the elderly, and some men living with disabilities.

The protesters come from different parts of Ekurhuleni, which was known for political killings during apartheid.

Khulumani Support Group national organiser Nomarussia Bonase said some of their members were part of the Truth and Reconciliation process, and others were not.

She said they had raised the issue of reparations more than two decades ago, and had asked for at least R120 000, in 1998, therefore they now wanted a minimum of R1 million.

“The government then asked what could they do to heal our wounds after suffering under the apartheid government. We are aware that our loved ones will not return but families are suffering, physically and emotionally.

“The reparation would make things better and, after discussions, it was decided that each person should receive individual reparation,” Bonase said.

She said this reparation would have been used for proper education for their children, medication for individuals and their families, and the building of proper houses – but that did not happen and the government promised to erect symbolic community reparations to remember victims.

“In 1998, the suggestions were taken to Parliament, then in came former president Thabo Mbeki as the new president at that time. He said since this issue was being discussed in Parliament, they would give us interim reparation so that we go to bed with our stomachs full. The interim reparation was paid, but we did not know how they worked out the amount. Some people were given R2 900, others R5 000, but while we waited for proper reparation, we were poor, hungry, and dying,” said Bonase.

In 1998, Bonase said, they tried to explain to the government that many more people than the State had identified had suffered from atrocities perpetrated by the apartheid government.

“In 2003, there were further reparations paid out by the government to those identified by the TRC as victims of apartheid, but there were many more claimants who had not been part of that process”.

Bonase said that there was no consultation over reparations.

In Cape Town on Wednesday, people held placards reading, “We demand reparations to apartheid victims now” and “Stop paying millions to perpetrators who killed our families while we get nothing”.

Shirley Gunn, the chairperson of the South African Coalition for Transitional Justice and long-standing member of Khulumani National Board, said Wednesday’s picket outside Parliament was a symbolic event as they stood in solidarity with those who were demanding justice, most of whom were in Gauteng.

“This is the first time that we have taken to Parliament to raise our placards and raise our concerns over this injustice,” said Gunn.

She said that they were asking the justice minister for a full consultation and to take their plight seriously.

After sending letters to the department they had not received any feedback from the government, Gunn said.

“It’s urgent, the issues can’t be wished away. They have to be dealt with in an accountable manner.”