Welcome to the official Truth and Reconciliation Commission Website

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. 

The TRC was based on the Promotion of National Unity and Reconciliation Act, No 34 of 1995 (pdf)

"... a commission is a necessary exercise to enable South Africans to come to terms with their past on a morally accepted basis and to advance the cause of reconciliation."
Mr Dullah Omar, former Minister of Justice

The TRC effected its mandate through 3 committees: the Amnesty Committee, Reparation and Rehabilitation (R&R) Committee and Human Rights Violations (HRV) Committee....more 

The Register of Reconciliation gave members of the public a chance to express their regret at failing to prevent human rights violations and to demonstrate their commitment to reconciliation...more

Regulations relating to Assistance to Victims in respect of Higher Education and Training: Promotion of National Unity and Reconciliation Act, 1995, GG 38157, RG 10305, Vol 593, R 852 & R 853 (Afr), 03 Nov 2014.

The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development hereby invites TRC-identified victims whose names appear on the list below to come forward and claim for their final once-off individual reparation of an amount of R30 000.00.

 Follow this link to view more information and the list of TRC-identified victims.

 

Call for Applications: Educational and/or Housing Assistance for the TRC-Identified Victims

The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development calls on TRC-identified victims of Apartheid that were declared as such by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to apply for assistance with tuition fees for basic and higher education and training and/or housing sssistance. Follow this link to find out who qualifies for TRC assistance.

APPLICATION FORMS: Click here to find the FORMS. The closing date for applications are 30 September each year!

Enquiries and educational assistance application forms can be returned by registered post to:
The Head: TRC Unit
The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, Private Bag X81, Pretoria, 0001
By e-mail: TRCEducation@justice.gov.za

Enquiries and housing assistance application forms can be returned by registered post to:

The Head: TRC Unit,
The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, Private Bag X81, Pretoria, 0001
By e-mail: TRChousing@justice.gov.za

Enquiries can be directed to:
TRC Unit Helpdesk
Tel: 012 315 1234 or 012 357 8834

VIDEOS

TRC: Reflecting on 28 years of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission: Thapelo Mokushane, SABC News, 17 Apr 2024
It has been 28 years since the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was formed. The objectives of the Commission were to promote reconciliation and forgiveness among perpetrators and victims of apartheid who suffered gross human violations between March 1960 and May 1994. To reflect on what the Truth and Reconciliation Commission has achieved over the years, we are joined in the studio by Thapelo Mokushane, Deputy Director of Stakeholder, Information and Research at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Unit in the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development.

The Legacy and Ongoing Impact of South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), Power Talk, 16 Apr 2024
Yesterday marked the 28th Anniversary of South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), a crucial milestone in the country's journey toward upholding human rights and fostering democracy. The TRC's core mission was to uncover truths about severe human rights violations spanning from March 1960 to May 1994. Through over 2,500 hearings, it allowed individuals to seek amnesty and listened to around 21,000 victims, with 2,000 bravely sharing their stories in public sessions. Operating under the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, the TRC's recommendations are still being put into action. This includes compensating victims, creating appropriate memorials, offering medical support, aiding affected communities, and providing educational bursaries to descendants of apartheid-era victims. A crucial part of this effort involves locating and repatriating the remains of victims from the apartheid era, ensuring they are returned to their families. Deputy Director of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development's TRC Unit Thapelo Mokushane joins Lerato Mbele for the conversation.

137 TRC-related cases registered for investigations, Newzroom Afrika, 15 Apr 2024
Today, South Africa marks 28 years since the start of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Thapelo Mokushane says 137 cases emanating from the TRC process have been registered for investigations and prosecution with authorities.

DISCLAIMER: The information contained on this website is presented as compliled by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Therefore the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development doesn’t take responsibility for the accuracy of the contents of this website.