-
Moneri Teffo
Restoration of the dignity and livelihoods of Africans in their country of birth.
#RestitutionConference #SomethingForEveryone
-
Paul Prozesky, CSIR
Restitution means levelling the economic and educational playing fields for all South Africans.
#RestitutionConference #SomethingForEveryone
-
Maxi Mahloane, Kwa-Ndabeni Communal Trust
'Paying back', making things right for wrongs previously committed. To be given back what was rightfully ours as we were dishonored, dispossessed and enslaved.
#RestitutionConference #SomethingForEveryone
-
Chief Autshumao Francisco Mackenzie, Western Cape Khoisan Legislative Counsel
As an aboriginal Khoen San, RESTITUTION means correcting the: "Legal Democratic Alienation of the Aboriginal KhoenSan Nation"
#RestitutionConference #SomethingForEveryone
-
Rev. Rene August, The Warehouse
Equality is levelling the playing fields. Restoration is levelling the score regarding economics, gender, race, etc.
#RestitutionConference #SomethingForEveryone
-
Marlyn Faure, UCT
Take responsibility for benefiting from historical injustice in both material and symbolic ways.
#RestitutionConference #SomethingForEveryone
-
Jacqui Tooke
Finding a way for South Africans to see - really see that we all benefit from authentic engagements in restitution.
#RestitutionConference #SomethingForEveryone
-
Dr Na-iem Dollie
Restitution is an act of liberation, a window of conscience and an exploration of justice. It means giving back what has been taken from people and should be accompanied by adequate compensation.
#RestitutionConference #SomethingForEveryone
-
Charles Robertson, Visual International
It's about giving back what was taken unjustly. Such giving back helps to bring healing to both the giver and receiver.
#RestitutionConference #SomethingForEveryone
-
Themba Lonzi, Rabulisa Theatre Communications
It is about addressing the fundamental needs of the people. Improving the living conditions of the people of South Africa.
#RestitutionConference #SomethingForEveryone
What is Restitution?
Restitution involves seeking to set right the generational ills inequality by engaging those who have benefited from the systems of colonialism and apartheid, directly or indirectly, in transferring wealth and social capital and reinvesting in communities that are still suffering.
The word “restitution” means to restore something lost or stolen to its proper owner or to recompense or compensate for injury or loss. We normally hear it used in a legal sense when it refers to “paying back” or “making things right” for wrongs previously committed. However, even in courts we recognise that some wrongs can never be made right, for example murder or torture. When considering historical injustice, thinking about restitution forces us to recognise that loss includes both tangibles - such as land - and intangibles - like dignity, a sense of safety or self, and opportunity - compounded over generations. For this reason, we speak about “social restitution” as a project encompassing more than just legal redress.
Why does restitution matter?
It is only possible for people to live in real peace with each other when the root cause of a conflict are addressed. Peace in South Africa will remain fragile as long as the root causes of colonialism and apartheid remain unaddressed, with levels of inequality still deeply entrenched and starkly raced and the wounds of injured humanity evident in all sectors of society.
Restitution speaks about confronting the root causes and actively deciding what needs to be done to address it. While restitution in South Africa includes the problem of land and socio-economic redress, restitution ultimately aims at restoring dignity, a sense of belonging and all our humanity.
Who is the Restitution Foundation?
The Restitution Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, was established in 2003 in response to broader South African society not having taken up a restitution responsibility for the human rights abuses of colonialism and apartheid. It recognised that the transition to democracy called for citizen-led restitution to “level the playing field” alongside state-level redress measures (including the repeal of racist laws and enactment of law aimed at facilitating redress in land, employment and reconciliation). The organisation’s vision is to be a catalyst for broader social restitution that can lead to healing South Africa.
Who is the Restitution Foundation?
The Restitution Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, was established in 2003 in response to broader South African society not having taken up a restitution responsibility for the human rights abuses of colonialism and apartheid. It recognised that the transition to democracy called for citizen-led restitution to “level the playing field” alongside state-level redress measures (including the repeal of racist laws and enactment of law aimed at facilitating redress in land, employment and reconciliation). The organisation’s vision is to be a catalyst for broader social restitution that can lead to healing South Africa.
What does the Restitution Foundation offer you?
The Restitution offers theoretical tools to strengthen the understanding of what restitution is and practical models to assist in the doing of restitution.
