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QUESTION 2: HOW DID THE TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION (TRC) EXPOSE LEADERS OF THE APARTHEID GOVERNMENT FOR GROSS VIOLATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTED BETWEEN 1960 AND 1994? Use Source 2A - NSC History - Question 2 - 2023 - Paper 2
Question 2
QUESTION 2: HOW DID THE TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION (TRC) EXPOSE LEADERS OF THE APARTHEID GOVERNMENT FOR GROSS VIOLATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTED BETWEEN 1... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:QUESTION 2: HOW DID THE TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION (TRC) EXPOSE LEADERS OF THE APARTHEID GOVERNMENT FOR GROSS VIOLATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTED BETWEEN 1960 AND 1994? Use Source 2A - NSC History - Question 2 - 2023 - Paper 2
Step 1
According to the source, why did the National Party support the idea of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC)?
Answer
The National Party supported the TRC mainly to avoid responsibility for past atrocities and to create a platform for dialogue between parties that were previously in conflict. This initiative aimed to facilitate healing and reconciliation among South Africans.
Step 2
Define the term amnesty in your own words.
Answer
Amnesty is a legal process that grants forgiveness to individuals for past offenses, allowing them to be free from prosecution. It serves as a mechanism to encourage individuals to disclose their involvement in politically motivated crimes.
Step 3
Why do you think black South Africans demanded explanations from perpetrators, and not only disclosure by the National Party?
Answer
Black South Africans sought explanations from perpetrators to gain a more complete understanding of the injustices they suffered. They desired accountability beyond the National Party’s narrative, emphasizing the need for personal recognition of suffering and truth from those directly involved.
Step 4
Explain the implication of the statement of the Minister of Justice, Dullah Omar, about the TRC: ‘… to enable South Africans to come to terms with their past … to advance the cause of reconciliation’.
Answer
Dullah Omar’s statement emphasizes that the TRC was a crucial step towards national healing. By confronting the past, South Africans could reconcile their differences, create a united front, and prevent the recurrence of violence and segregation.
Step 5
What, according to the source, were the opinions of the following regarding the granting of general amnesty by the TRC? (a) De Klerk
Answer
De Klerk viewed general amnesty as necessary for the peaceful transition from apartheid, supporting the notion that it would facilitate reconciliation.
Step 6
Step 7
Quote THREE pieces of evidence from the source suggesting that Botha's government entered the ‘realm of criminal misconduct’ in the late 1970s.
Answer
Evidence includes: 1. The government's involvement in 'abduction' and 'killing' related to political opposition. 2. Use of 'torture' against dissenters. 3. Engagement in 'arson' and 'sabotage' as methods to suppress opposition.
Step 8
Explain the term third force in the context of the apartheid government’s way of dealing with the ANC.
Answer
The term 'third force' refers to an alleged network of clandestine support for violent actions against the ANC, orchestrated by the apartheid government to undermine the ANC and create internal discord.
Step 9
Comment on why you think De Klerk did not act on the allegations made by General Steyn, of third force activities.
Answer
De Klerk likely avoided action against the allegations to maintain political stability and avoid escalating tensions during the transition to a democratic government. This inaction also reflected the divided loyalties within the government.
Step 10
Step 11
Explain the significance of the phrase, ‘FINALLY, A BIG ONE!’, in the context of the amnesty process.
Answer
This phrase suggests a pivotal moment in the amnesty negotiations where significant figures were finally being held accountable and their confessions were recognized, marking a turning point for the TRC.
Step 12
What is the implication of Tutu’s words, ‘YOU SHOULD HAVE SEEN THE ONES THAT GOT AWAY ...’, regarding the TRC process?
Answer
Tutu’s remark implies that there are many individuals who escaped justice and accountability for their actions during apartheid. This highlights the incomplete nature of the TRC process in addressing all violations.
Step 13
Step 14
Why, according to the source, did P Erasmus mention, ‘... I felt that old fury (anger) burning bright as ever inside me’?
Answer
P Erasmus felt a deep sense of betrayal and unresolved anger towards the TRC process, reflecting the emotional turmoil experienced by those involved in previous government actions.
Step 15
Comment on why the foot soldiers felt thrown away by the leadership of the government that employed them.
Answer
The foot soldiers felt discarded as they were not given protection or acknowledgment for their sacrifices, engendering feelings of betrayal once the TRC began to expose wrongful actions.
Step 16
Why would a historian regard this source as reliable when researching the accountability of the National Party leadership in the TRC processes?
Answer
A historian could consider this source reliable due to its firsthand accounts and the credibility of the individuals involved, providing unique insights into the operations and accountability measures of the National Party.
Step 17
Explain how the information in Source 2D supports the evidence in Source 2C regarding how the leaders of the apartheid government avoided accountability between 1960 and 1994.
Answer
Both sources illustrate a consistent pattern of avoidance among apartheid leaders regarding accountability. Source 2D highlights individual instances of denial and absence of responsibility, supporting Source 2C's broader claims of systematic evasion among leaders.
Step 18
Using the information in the relevant sources and your own knowledge, write a paragraph of EIGHT lines about how the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) exposed leaders of the apartheid government for gross violations of human rights committed between 1960 and 1994.
Answer
The TRC served as a critical platform for uncovering the atrocities committed during apartheid. By facilitating testimonies from victims and perpetrators alike, it illuminated the extent of human rights violations, fostering a culture of accountability that was previously absent. High-profile confessions revealed complicity at the highest levels of government, challenging the narratives of denial propagated by leaders. The amnesty process encouraged disclosures that helped document the truth while grappling with the complexities of reconciliation. Ultimately, the TRC provided a historical record that forced acknowledgment of the injustices faced by many, advancing the cause of healing and transparency in post-apartheid South Africa.