By: TPA News Desk | editor@thepointafricanews.com

South Africa’s government has finalized a long-anticipated draft bill that aims to provide reparations for victims of apartheid, including financial compensation, housing reconstruction, and educational bursaries. The announcement was made by Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, during a ceremony commemorating victims of the apartheid-era struggle.

Kubayi said the legislation reflects a “moral and historical responsibility” to implement the full recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), more than two decades after its final report was issued.

“The time has come for the state to deliver on its promises to victims and their families,” said Kubayi. “We will not only compensate those affected financially but also begin rebuilding homes that were destroyed and invest in the next generation through bursaries.”

The planned reparations include a once-off cash payout, assistance to families whose homes were demolished during forced removals, and educational support for descendants of victims, including university scholarships. The legislation is expected to be tabled before Parliament during the third quarter of 2025.

Kubayi also confirmed that the Department of Justice will work closely with the Department of Human Settlements and the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) to coordinate the rollout of housing and bursary benefits. The initiative targets those families identified in the TRC’s recommendations, with priority given to those still living in vulnerable conditions.

Civil society groups welcomed the move but cautioned that implementation must be transparent and inclusive. “This is a significant step, but the government must ensure that victims are not retraumatized by bureaucracy,” said Lukhanyo Mdluli, director of the Reparative Justice Network.

The legislation follows mounting pressure from advocacy groups and TRC survivors who argue that the state has been slow to deliver on its obligations. While a R30,000 once-off payment was previously issued to some victims, many aspects of the TRC’s reparations framework—particularly community rehabilitation and structural support—have remained unfulfilled.

If passed, the bill could mark one of the most comprehensive reparation efforts on the continent, placing South Africa at the forefront of transitional justice enforcement in Africa.