The Institute for Healing of Memories NGO founded by Fr Michael Lapsley in Claremont and the Restitution Foundation NGO founded by Deon Snyman are busy rolling out community dialogues on restitution in the context of past injustices in South Africa.
One was held in Masiphumelele and recently in Atlantis and Dunoon.
We are now moving to Delft and then to other places. These dialogues on this particular topic aim to give communities at grassroots level a space to reflect deeply on this concept. What is restitution for them? Or how do they see it happening in relation to their socio-economic realities?
What role do each of us have to play in making things right?
The idea of these dialogues came after noticing a gap that: this conversation seems to be only at the tables of civil society, not so much at community level.
We noticed this, after the conference on restitution that was held at the Castle of Good Hope last year.
In essence, these dialogues intend to get these communities into the conversation on restitution in South Africa and to get their voices heard.
These community dialogues also serve as part of our contribution as an organisation towards transformation in this country. As the Institute for Healing of Memories, we seek to contribute to the emotional healing of people, to empower and to prevent further human rights violation.
It is critical that we give people a platform to get their views, cries, pain and opinions heard in this regard.
What are we seeking to transform in South Africa, if we are not engaging with those most affected by past injustices in South Africa?
The process of these community dialogues also aims to bring healing to people in the context of our history, as it provides a safe space for people to share experiences – testimonies which they probably never had a chance to share.If people are emotionally healed in the context of past traumatic events, chances are their judgments in situations like our history become more positive going forward.
The way they see restitution might be more inclusive rather than dividing people, which may result in racial tension and a more divided nation.
The outcomes of these community dialogues will be compiled and shared to many relevant platforms including those of communities themselves. And it is hoped that those who are in governance and in civil society at large will take them seriously. They can be used as some of the guidelines on the restitution train in South Africa.