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to Du Toit (1997:7). However, very few protests against it took place; instead people
were attempting to block its proceedings and that, according to Du Toit (1997), was
tantamount to the acceptance ofits process.
The South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission were based on other
models of similar commissions, especially the Chilean and Argentinean models.
However, the Chilean model influenced the South African TRC because:
~ It did not seek criminal prosecutions for perpetrators: instead it (was)
committed to amnesty for the sake ofnational reconciliation
~ It wanted to discover and accommodate the truth concerning the fate of
victims in order to restore their human and civic digoity
DEMOCRATIC PROCESS
The South African model differed from the Chilean and international models
because it was established through the public debates about its objectives and
parliamentary hearings and debates on its specific terms
of reference and the
appointment ofits commissioners. It was not a Presidential Commission or a tribunal. It
was also characterized by its public hearings with media coverage. Its agenda was also
set through "a process ofhighiy publicized negotiations."
The character of the TRC changed as its actors changed. The TRC was part of
the negotiated political settlement towards democratization and national reconciliation
in Kempton Park, South Africa in 1993.All the major political parties were part of the
process. Dealing with the past meant focusing on the perpetrators and acknowledging
the victims. This was developed by human rights non-governmental organisations
(NGO's), and other civil rights organisations. The appointment of Archbishop
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