TRC Final Report

Volume 6

Section 6

Part CEO_Report

Subsection 6

Concluding remarks

30. In the belief and hope that South Africa will never again be required to set up a similar commission, it is sufficient to make only two general points about setting up any kind of commission of inquiry. First, care should be taken to provide for a proper and well-resourced infrastructure. Second, and more importantly, there should be proper acknowledgement of those who are not in the public eye, but who grind it out in the dungeons and machine rooms.

31. In preparing this report and reflecting on almost six years of serving this extra-ordinary Commission, it was ironic that all the negative experiences were completely surpassed and overshadowed by the positive experiences to such an extent that one is left with a feeling of fulfilment, satisfaction and achievement that can only be experienced and shared by those who also had the opportunity to serve in the same way.

32. It was a humbling experience to have had the opportunity to serve and to be led by a truly remarkable Chairperson assisted by a group of Commissioners and Committee members whose integrity, commitment and dedication have been unrivalled.

33. Tribute must be paid to those persons who decided to forsake their constitutional rights in the interests of finding the truth and striving toward s unity and reconciliation.

34. Acknowledgement is also given to those persons who, for the sake of national unity and reconciliation, and despite humiliation and embarrassment, came forward and were sincere in admitting to horrendous acts of human rights violations.

35. Finally tribute is paid to all the staff members, interpreters, transcribers, technicians, lawyers and all those who came into touch with the Commission and who, through their commitment and dedication, and notwithstanding the huge demands that were made on their personal and family lives, played an integral part in bringing this process to a conclusion and contributing to the history of South Africa.