President Cyril Ramaphosa has described the provision of housing to victims of apartheid-era violence as a “moral obligation” and a crucial step towards restoring dignity and advancing reconciliation.
The President was speaking at the launch of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Housing Assistance Reparations programme in Ndwedwe, KwaZulu-Natal, on Tuesday.
“The provision of reparations is not just an act of goodwill. It is a moral obligation and a vital part of restoring people’s dignity,” the President said.
President Ramaphosa said the initiative marks a key milestone in South Africa’s journey towards justice.
“Today, we are marking the implementation of regulations that allow victims of apartheid, identified through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission process, to receive housing assistance from the State.
“This reflects our commitment as a country to recognising and healing the divisions of our past, and to honouring all those who suffered for justice and freedom in our land.”
The President emphasised that while truth-telling was central to the TRC process, it was not sufficient on its own.
“As a country, we understand that truth alone is not sufficient to repair the harm that was done. We know that reconciliation cannot be enduring without reparations."
President Ramaphosa said Ndwedwe was one of the communities deeply affected by political violence in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
“People were forced to flee their homes. Homes were burned and property was destroyed. Many innocent lives were lost. Families were rendered homeless and broken up. Many people lost their livelihoods and access to their land. The effects of the violence lasted for many years and some still persist to this day.”
He noted that the Truth and Reconciliation Commission had documented hundreds of cases of violence in the area, formally recognising residents as victims of gross human rights violations.
“Ndwedwe stands as a powerful site of memory and survival, representing rural communities whose suffering often received less public attention but was no less devastating,” President Ramaphosa said.
The newly implemented housing assistance regulations, published in January 2026, flow directly from TRC recommendations and set out how verified beneficiaries will receive support.
“The confirmed beneficiaries are eligible to receive a once-off grant for housing assistance or the construction of a new home,” he said.
The President revealed that 220 beneficiaries have been approved in Ndwedwe, with symbolic cheques representing R40 million in cumulative assistance handed over during the launch.
“The handover of these symbolic cheques today affirms our belief that reconciliation and reparations must be concrete and tangible,” he said.
Linking the programme to broader constitutional commitments, the President said housing remains central to human dignity.
“Our Constitution places a clear obligation on the State to take reasonable legislative and other measures, within available resources, to progressively realise everyone’s right of access to adequate housing.
“Our Constitution places housing as a fundamental pillar of human dignity, safety and security.”
As South Africa marks 30 years of its democratic Constitution, President Ramaphosa said the country must remain committed to addressing historical injustices.
“As we commemorate 30 years of our Constitution this year, we affirm that our future is built on remembering our past and correcting the injustices that were committed.
“United by one Constitution, inspired by one shared destiny, we recommit to completing the work of nation-building that was begun in 1994.”
He added that government would continue working to ensure that victims of apartheid-era injustices receive support and recognition.
“The task of building a truly united, just and equal society continues. We will not rest until all our people can live in peace, security and comfort,” President Ramaphosa said.
Background: TRC reparations and housing assistance rollout
In June 2003, Parliament approved the granting of reparations to TRC-identified victims in respect of:
- final reparation in the form of a once-off grant of R30 000,00;
- medical benefits and other forms of social assistance;
- symbols and monuments; and
- rehabilitation of communities for purposes of contributing to healing the wounds of the past and restoring human dignity.
Government has made significant progress in dealing with each aspect of the recommendations of the parliament-approved TRC report.
The rollout of the once-off R30 000 reparation grant and related benefits has been concluded for all the received applications, and the remaining cases will only arise if there are victims that have not applied that still wish to apply.
A total of 11 783 learners at basic education level have been supported, amounting to just over R134 million. At higher education level, 1 896 students have been funded at a cost of just over R129 million. TRC victims and their relatives and dependents are entitled to access health services in all public health establishments for free.
The Gallows Exhumation Project, aimed at locating and recovering the graves of political prisoners who were executed and whose bodies remained the property of the state, has also been concluded.
The statutory committee of South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission on Reparation and Rehabilitation of Victims recommended various forms of assistance in cases where communities suffered gross human rights violations, including mass destruction of property and forced removals that led to displacement.
For restoration of dignity and property, recommendations included housing assistance.
The Housing Assistance Regulations were published in the Government Gazette on 16 January 2026, following approval by the President.
The regulations provide for housing assistance per incident, per household of approved listed beneficiaries in the form of a once-off housing grant limited to R183 257.00 per beneficiary.
Alternatively, beneficiaries may opt for the construction of a new house, with costs determined by the Minister of Human Settlements in line with the Military Veterans housing quantum.
These forms of assistance are available only to TRC-declared victims who experienced housing-related incidents or were recommended for housing support by the TRC.
Currently, the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development has received 941 applications for housing assistance.
As at 18 March 2026, the total number of approved listed beneficiaries positively verified in Ndwedwe is 220 and all those positively verified have opted for the once-off housing grant.
The estimated total amount to be paid to 220 positively verified Ndwedwe beneficiaries to date is R40 316 540.00.
The cost for the reparations is covered by the President’s Fund, established in terms of section 42 of the TRC Act. The total amount ringfenced for Housing Regulations is R650 million.
The approved listed beneficiaries that will be receiving the money are direct TRC identified victims.
The amount that will be paid to the 476 approved listed beneficiaries in Ndwedwe, once all applications have been verified, is R87 230 332.00. – SAnews.gov.za
