Truth and Reconciliation in South Africa (review)

This brief volume attempts to provide an overview of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of South Africa, including its origins, its operations, the tensions and issues surrounding it, and its effects on South Africa. While the book can be faulted for taking an impressionistic and speculative approach to these topics, it is effective in conveying a vivid picture of the commission's hearings, and presenting extensive comments from theologians, philosophers, and psychologists on the commission's unresolved issues.

The author briefly discusses the political compromises that lay behind establishment of the commission, as well as its mandate. She stresses the tension that existed from the beginning among people's expectations: justice, reconciliation among the races, setting straight the historical record, psychological relief for the victims through their testimony, establishing a record to determine reparations, and more. She discusses the personal journeys of Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu, and how their visions deeply affected the existence, operations, emphasis, and outcomes of the TRC. In particular, she emphasizes how Tutu's personality and Christianity were defining aspects of it.

Graybill is at her best when she explores such issues and tensions as amnesty vs. punishment, amnesty without repentance, the psychological impact it had (at times) on victims and perpetrators, the frustrations blacks generally felt with white lack of interest in the TRC, the contrast between the repentant and the unrepentant, and the contrast between those who could forgive and those who could not. She also discusses the value of amnesty commissions in "setting the record straight" vs. courts in punishing the guilty. She argues that the latter approach will convict a few, but most will escape prosecution, and the truth would be lost. She argues that establishing the truth is paramount for long-run national reconciliation. Her commentary adds insight to these tensions.

The book also reviews how the commission attempted to deal with "bystanders," such as the media, churches, the medical profession, and the relative lack of cooperation from the political parties, government leaders, and bureaucracies. She criticizes the commission for not doing a particularly good job at recognizing and bringing out the unique victimization of women, and not providing sufficient support and counseling to victims after their testimony.

This is a valuable overview, but it is weakened by its essentially impressionistic analysis of the operations of the TRC. Many of the questions the author explores regarding the effect of the commission on participants and the public at large are answered only anecdotally. What proportion of the various actors felt this way? How intensely? Did their feelings change over time? What reactions do we not read about in this book? Furthermore, while Graybill suggests many possible consequences of the commission, they are largely speculative. She marshals quotations from people who gave testimony and others who observed them; however, there is no systematic or empirical analysis of their perspectives. For example, how have people functioned in the months after their testimony? What do public-opinion surveys tell us about attitudes between the races after the TRC had finished its work? Have those who earlier rejected the commission's amnesty in their desire for retributive justice changed their feelings? Indeed, what proportions of those who went through the TRC process came out giving forgiveness and accepting guilt? Rather than systematic information and analysis, the book offers anecdotes and speculation.

Overall, this is nonetheless a valuable book. The reader finishes it with a much greater understanding of both the limits to and the hopes placed on such commissions. The reader also understands that these are imperfect mechanisms, incapable of fulfilling the multiple expectations of them, and dependent on exceptional leadership. Finally, it is clear they are not appropriate to all situations where one finds conflict-torn nations. Finally, the reader will learn much about South Africa's postapartheid struggle to build an inclusive, democratic, political community.