LETTER: Culture of reconciliation is dying

Former South African president FW De Klerk arrives to attend President Cyril Ramaphosa's State of the Nation address at parliament in Cape Town on February 13 2020. Picture: Brenton Geach/REUTERS

Reconciliation is based on the ability of opposing sides to see some worth in the other’s actions while each also acknowledges that certain of its actions were wrong. Based on a mutual understanding that a commonality of purpose is the best way to build a future, reconciliation is the oil to ease the way forward. It goes against the idea of opening old wounds and settling scores, which leaves both sides ultimately worse off.

For De Klerk, coming from a background of high apartheid, the choice he made went against the tide of white thought, which had flowed for more than 350 years. It is easy to say he was forced to do this by economic and political pressures, but giving up armed force and political power voluntarily is not easy, especially when there is no guarantee that relinquishing it will end well. That it went well is debatable, but it could have gone far, far worse.

It died a long time ago. Time to be enemies again. It’s what our politicians want.

If anything this letter is perfact example of 'The Danger of a Single Story'. Sentiments taken, but what about the individuals that were on the receiving end?

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