In the early hours of December 10, 1987, Mzolisi Dyasi was abruptly awakened by prison guards in South Africa's Eastern Cape. He was taken on a rough journey to a hospital morgue, where he faced the devastating task of identifying the bodies of his pregnant girlfriend, cousin, and a fellow anti-apartheid activist. Overcome with grief, Dyasi attempted to raise his fist and shout "amandla!"—a Zulu word for power—but found himself unable to speak, shattered by the sight before him.
Decades later, Dyasi still leaves the lights on at night, haunted by the memories of the torture he endured during his four-year imprisonment. Despite his efforts as a covert operative for uMkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing of the then-outlawed African National Congress (ANC), he struggles to find his place in the society he helped fight to liberate. The ANC's efforts culminated in the end of apartheid in 1994, leading to South Africa's first multi-racial elections.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), co-chaired by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, was established to address the atrocities of apartheid, and a reparations fund was created to aid victims. However, much of this fund remains unused. In 2003, Dyasi was among approximately 17,000 recipients of a one-time payment of 30,000 rand, which he says barely made a difference. He had hoped to finish his university education but still owes for courses from 1997. Now in his 60s, Dyasi faces chronic health issues and struggles to afford medication on his special pension for veterans of the freedom struggle.
Professor Tshepo Madlingozi, a member of South Africa's Human Rights Commission, notes that apartheid's legacy continues to inflict damage. He explains that apartheid was not just about violence and disappearances but also about trapping people in poverty across generations. Despite advancements over the past 30 years, many South Africans born after 1994 still face these challenges. The reparations fund has about $110 million unspent, with no clear explanation for its status.
Lawyer Howard Varney, who has long represented victims of apartheid-era crimes, describes the reparations process as a "deep betrayal" for affected families. He is currently representing victims' families and survivors in a lawsuit against the South African government for $1.9 million, accusing it of failing to pursue political crime cases highlighted by the TRC.
Brian Mphahlele, a former prisoner who suffered memory loss from his torture at Pollsmoor Prison, expressed his frustration with the 30,000 rand compensation he received, which he felt was insufficient. Living in Langa township, Cape Town, he relied on a soup kitchen for meals. Mphahlele passed away without seeing his hopes for a better life realized.
Professor Madlingozi reflects on South Africa's global reputation as a model for racial reconciliation post-apartheid but warns that it inadvertently suggests crimes against humanity can go unpunished. He believes there is still a chance for South Africa to correct its course 30 years into democracy.
Dyasi recalls the hope and freedom he felt upon his release in 1990, following the unbanning of the ANC and other liberation movements, which paved the way for Nelson Mandela's presidency. Yet, he and many others who fought for freedom feel let down by the current state of affairs. Dyasi calls for the government to address healthcare, livelihoods, and economic inclusion for those who sacrificed so much, including the children orphaned by the struggle and those still unable to access education or housing.