Bonhoeffer and costly reconciliation in South Africa – through the lens of the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission

Abstract

It was a day to remember, the 25th of April 1999. In the French Cathedral, in Berlin, former Archbishop Desmond Tutu, chairman of the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and Dr Alex Boraine, deputy chair, were given a resounding applause when the Dietrich Bonhoeffer Prize was handed to them. In the award document, it was stated that ’the Commission has courageously and energetically supported the process of finding out the truth and made forgiveness possible’ (Evangelical Church in Germany [EKD] 1999:1).