About Us

The South African Coalition for Transitional Justice is a member-based organisation which aims to mobilize South African society towards the goals of transitional and transformative justice, and to support transitional justice efforts globally. A key part of our work is holding the South African government accountable to the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
29 April 201 4 demanding reparation concourt KSG
At the end of the apartheid era many social justice civil society organisations were established in South Africa with the aim of seeking justice and redress and promoting human rights. At the close of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission these organisations began to form informal networks and partnerships to hold the government accountable on transitional justice issues – such as reparations.
1995
Khulumani Support Group is founded, as an advocacy group representing victims and survivors of apartheid era violations.
1998
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission handed over its reports containing its recommendations, including those concerning reparations.
1999
Emergency interim reparations were paid to approximately 15000 people.
2002
The first ‘We never give up’ film is made, detailing the struggles of Khulumani members in the Western Cape.
2003
a once off amount of R30 000 was paid by the government to approximately 16 000 persons, supposedly as a final reparation payment. This was significantly less than the amount recommended by the TRC.
2008
A group of civil society organisations convened a loose association to object to President Mbeki’s proposal to pardon 149 offenders convicted of crimes which occurred during the Apartheid era. Ultimately, the proposal was struck down by the courts as unlawful. This victory confirmed the need for a collective effort to hold the South African government to account to its transitional justice obligations. This included implementing the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation, Commission (TRC) on prosecutions of apartheid-era human rights violations, disappearances, and reparations.
2011
The SACTJ was formalised through a a memorandum of understanding signed by the founding members: Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR), Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI), Human Rights Media Centre (HRMC), Institute for Justice and Reconciliation (IJR), International Centre for Transitional Justice (ICTJ), Khulumani Support Group (KSG), South African History Archive (SAHA), Trauma Centre for Victims of Violence and Torture. New organisational and individual members joining the Coalition today sign this founding Memorandum of Understanding. The coalition currently has 12 organisational members and 15 individual members.
2017-2023
Dr Hoosen Haffejee

Re-Opened Inquests took place in the cases of Ahmed Timol, Hoosen Haffejee, Neil Aggett, Imam Haron - all political activists who died in custody under the apartheid regime - the family’s legal teams were supported by Foundation for Human Rights.

2022
Haroon Gunn-Salie hosts the ‘Crying for Justice’ event at the Castle of Good Hope in Central Cape Town.
2022-2023
khulumani support group

Photo credit: Kimberly Mutandiro

Khulumani Support Group protestors campaigned at the Constitutional Court to protest the government’s failure to pay out comprehensive reparations. The protests were paused thanks to a deal brokered by Foundation for Human Rights, however they have now resumed due to the government’s lack of action.

2022

SACTJ received funding from the Constitutionalism Fund to formalise its structures.

2023

SACTJ received funding from the Open Society Foundation Africa to conduct project work on reparations.

Our Vision

A humane world in which the South African government and people, and humankind globally respect their transitional and transformative justice obligations, impunity is challenged and social harmony is achieved to ensure that violations never happen again.

Our Mission

To harness the collective skills, experience and expertise of our members in order to:

Advocate for and secure the rights of victims of apartheid-era violations including reparations and access to justice

Support efforts aimed at ensuring criminal accountability for apartheid era-crimes

Hold the South African government accountable to their national and international obligations with regard to victims’ rights as well as transitional and transformative justice

Educate, inform and mobilise South African society to ensure their transitional justice rights are advocated for and defended

Engage in and support transitional justice efforts globally