The Institute for Justice and Reconciliation (IJR) convened a diplomatic briefing on the sidelines of South Africa’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) on February 4, 2025, in Cape Town. The event provided a platform for policy discussions on the Government of National Unity (GNU) and the proposed National Dialogue initiative, with a particular focus on the often-overlooked issue of reparations. The briefing took place in the context of the African Union’s (AU) adoption of reparations as its theme for 2025, alongside the development of an AU Common Position on Reparations for Africans and People of African Descent.

IJR’s Executive Director, Professor Cheryl Hendricks, opened the discussion by providing an overview of the organization’s ongoing work. She emphasized the significance of reparations, highlighting that IJR’s South African Reconciliation Barometer would also focus on this issue in the current year. Prof. Hendricks underscored the importance of exploring the various forms that reparations can take and acknowledged that while SONA would likely address a range of global concerns—including the US Trump administration and the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo—the main focus will be on pressing domestic challenges such as unemployment and crime.

Providing an analysis of the Government of National Unity, Ms. Sanusha Naidu, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for Global Dialogue, explained that the GNU will be held together by a statement of intent—an acknowledgment that no one party can govern alone. However, she also pointed out that the perception of the GNU and its actual effectiveness remain distinct, making it difficult to assess its success 100 days into its tenure. One of the key challenges of the GNU, she added, lies in navigating areas of agreement and disagreement. While common ground has been found on certain issues, such as responses to former US President Donald Trump’s comments on land expropriation, tensions persist regarding the unity and cohesiveness of the coalition.

Reverend Mzwandile Molo of the South African Council of Churches addressed the national dialogue process, emphasizing that such a dialogue must not be monopolized by a select few nor be led solely by the government. He advocated for an inclusive approach that ensures broad-based participation in shaping the nation’s future.

The discussion on reparations in South Africa, titled “Reparations in South Africa: An Elusive Quest,” was led by Dr. Fanie du Toit, Senior Research Fellow at IJR. He acknowledged the complexities surrounding reparations in the country, recalling that victims of historical injustices had expected both justice and reparations as part of South Africa’s transitional justice process. He argued that legitimate reparations, as demonstrated in international law, must be pursued to address these unresolved grievances.

Expanding on the theme of reparations, Professor Tim Murithi, IJR’s Head of Peacebuilding Interventions, provided insights into the African Union’s Reparations Agenda. He noted that the AU’s 2025 theme aligns with African cultural and normative frameworks.

Reparations, including reparatory justice (according to the African Union[1]), have long been recognised as integral to the complete decolonisation process, dating back to the inception of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in 1963 and continuing under the AU. In the continued pursuit of justice and equity, the conversation about reparations has emerged as a critical and transformative concern that requires the collective attention and action of Africans and all people of African descent – going beyond historical injustices and into the current fabric of societies around the world. The complexities of addressing past wrongs, whether from colonialism, trans-Atlantic enslavement, apartheid, systemic discrimination, or climate change, necessitate a thorough examination and strategic approach.

The diplomatic briefing underscored the urgency of engaging with the issue of reparations in both national and continental contexts. As South Africa navigates the complexities of governance through the GNU and seeks to foster meaningful national dialogue, the broader conversation on reparations remains a critical and evolving discourse requiring collective attention and action.

[1] African Union. 2024. Concept Note on the African Union Theme of the Year for 2025: Theme: “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations”

https://archives.au.int/bitstream/handle/123456789/10608/EX%20CL%201528%20%28XLV%29%20Rev%201%20_E.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y