Echoes of Apartheid: Discontent Over Unfulfilled Promises Resurface in South Africa

Four decades after apartheid's fall, many survivors report a deep sense of betrayal as reparations remain largely unspent, leaving lasting scars on the nation. Advocates call for the government to address historical injustices and improve healthcare and living conditions for those impacted by the regime.

The night of December 10, 1987, remains vividly etched in Mzolisi Dyasi’s memory. Awakened from sleep at a prison in South Africa's Eastern Cape, he was taken to a hospital morgue to identify the bodies of his pregnant girlfriend, his cousin, and a fellow anti-apartheid fighter. Overwhelmed by grief, he recalls trying to shout "amandla!" ("power" in Zulu), only to be silenced by heartbreak. Now, decades later, he finds himself haunted by painful memories and living with the enduring consequences of the physical and psychological torture he endured during four years in prison.

Dyasi was part of a struggle against the apartheid regime, which officially ended in 1994 with the African National Congress (ANC) attaining power in the country's first multi-racial elections. In its wake, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was formed to uncover the regime's horrors and a reparations fund was established. Yet, a significant amount of that fund remains unutilized, leaving many victims like Dyasi feeling forgotten.

Having received a one-off compensation in 2003, Dyasi contends that the sum of 30,000 rand (about $3,900 in 2003) was insufficient, framing his struggles to complete education and manage chronic health issues as examples of a system failing its advocates. According to Professor Tshepo Madlingozi of the South African Human Rights Commission, the repercussions of apartheid still loom large, locking many into cycles of poverty.

The reparations fund reportedly contains around $110 million, but there is confusion regarding its intended purpose or the failure to allocate it to those in need. Lawyer Howard Varney, who has dedicated his career to representing apartheid victims, critiques the government for its inadequate handling of cases highlighted by the TRC.

Brian Mphahlele, another survivor who suffered tremendously in Pollsmoor Prison, described the reparation payment as an affront. Despite receiving the same compensation, he lamented that it slipped through his hands and did little to improve his living conditions, ultimately leading to his passing still seeking a better life.

Prof. Madlingozi emphasizes the need for accountability, suggesting that South Africa has a unique chance to amend past mistakes after 30 years of democracy. Reflecting on his release from prison in 1990, Dyasi recalls a sense of freedom, yet now feels a deep disappointment. He, along with many others who endured the struggle, yearn for basic recognition and support rather than wealth.

With echoes of the past still haunting many, Dyasi advocates for the government to prioritize healthcare and opportunities for survivors and their families, ensuring that those who sacrificed their lives for freedom are not left destitute. "What is it that you can show for it?" he ponders, underscoring the ongoing battle for just recognition in the sight of a nation still healing from its tumultuous history.