Ghosts of apartheid haunt South Africa as compensation anger brews

BBC - Mar 19th, 2025
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Mzolisi Dyasi, a former anti-apartheid fighter, recounts his harrowing past of imprisonment and loss in South Africa's Eastern Cape province. After enduring torture and the murder of loved ones, he finds himself struggling to build a life in the society he fought for. Despite receiving a one-off payment from a state reparations fund, he, along with others, feels abandoned by the government. The fund, which still holds about $110 million, remains largely unspent, leaving many victims, like the late Brian Mphahlele, without the support needed to escape poverty and secure a dignified life.

The story highlights the ongoing impact of apartheid, as many South Africans, including the 'born-free generation,' face intergenerational impoverishment. Despite South Africa's initial post-apartheid reputation as a beacon of racial reconciliation, figures like Professor Tshepo Madlingozi argue that the lack of consequences for apartheid crimes sends a troubling message globally. Lawyer Howard Varney and victims' families are now suing the government for failing to address political crimes identified by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. This situation underscores the need for South Africa to honor its commitments to those who sacrificed for its democracy.

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RATING

7.8
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a compelling and informative examination of the ongoing challenges faced by apartheid victims in South Africa, particularly in relation to reparations. It effectively balances personal narratives with expert insights, offering a comprehensive view of the issue. The story's strengths lie in its clarity, relevance, and ability to engage readers through emotional and factual elements. However, it could benefit from more diverse sources and perspectives, particularly from government officials, to enhance its balance and credibility. Overall, the article is a well-crafted piece that contributes meaningfully to discussions on historical justice and reconciliation.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The article presents a largely accurate portrayal of the struggles faced by apartheid victims in South Africa, focusing on personal stories and broader systemic issues. It accurately depicts the establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and the reparations fund, which are well-documented historical facts. The claim that much of the reparations fund remains unspent is consistent with reports indicating significant amounts of money are still unused. However, the article could benefit from more precise data regarding the current status of the fund and specific reasons for the unspent money. The personal accounts of Mzolisi Dyasi and Brian Mphahlele, while compelling, would be strengthened by additional verification of their experiences and the context surrounding their narratives.

7
Balance

The story provides a balanced view by including perspectives from victims of apartheid, legal experts, and human rights advocates. It highlights the ongoing challenges faced by victims while acknowledging the efforts made by the TRC and the reparations fund. However, the article could improve balance by incorporating responses from the South African government or officials responsible for managing the reparations fund. This would provide a more comprehensive view of the issue and address potential biases by presenting multiple sides of the story.

9
Clarity

The article is well-written and clear, with a logical flow that guides the reader through the personal stories and broader issues of reparations and apartheid's legacy. The language is accessible, and the structure effectively balances personal narratives with expert analysis. The tone is neutral and informative, making the complex topic understandable to a general audience. The article's clarity is one of its strengths, as it effectively communicates the emotional and factual aspects of the story.

8
Source quality

The article relies on credible sources, including personal testimonies from apartheid victims, comments from legal experts, and statements from human rights advocates. The inclusion of Professor Tshepo Madlingozi and lawyer Howard Varney adds authority to the claims about the ongoing impact of apartheid and the challenges with reparations. However, the article would benefit from more diverse sources, such as government officials or independent analysts, to provide a fuller picture of the situation and enhance the credibility of the information presented.

7
Transparency

The article is transparent in its intentions to highlight the struggles of apartheid victims and the issues surrounding reparations. It clearly outlines the basis of its claims, using personal stories and expert opinions to support its narrative. However, the article could improve transparency by providing more details on the methodology used to gather information, such as how victims were selected for interviews and whether any attempts were made to contact government officials for comment.

Sources

  1. https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-11-09-we-wont-leave-ageing-apartheid-victims-continue-sit-in-to-demand-reparations/
  2. https://reparationscomm.org/reparations-news/south-africa-nearly-r2-billion-for-apartheid-reparations-is-unspent/
  3. https://www.justice.gov.za/trc/
  4. https://www.hrw.org/report/2023/06/27/government-failing-me-too/south-africa-compounds-legacy-apartheid-older-people
  5. https://academic.oup.com/book/26106/chapter/194104633