Post-Apartheid South Africa: A Need for Genuine Conflict Transformation

Abstract

South Africa emerged from the apartheid system in 1994 with great hopes for the transformation of the country from a crisis-ridden one to a more united and truly ‘rainbow’ country that would cater for the interests of the different races and groups that make up the nation. Shortly after independence, the country developed various programmes to transform the nation. These ranged from the creation of the Reconstruction and Development Program (RDP) to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), as well as other measures such as Affirmative Action. In spite of these efforts, both internal and external conflicts have become the hallmark of South African society even after apartheid. There has been a growing crisis of confidence between white and black communities, the poor and the rich, and between males and females. This has led to many violent clashes, which at times have threatened the very foundation upon which the post-apartheid South Africa was built. It is against this background that this paper argues for genuine conflict transformation in South Africa, over and above the conflict settlement and conflict resolution processes that have taken place in the country so far. It is a fact that real conflict transformation has not taken place in South Africa since democratization in 1994, and there is a need for it now if South Africa is to achieve genuine, meaningful development.