BACKGROUND

The Khulumani Support Group was formed in 1995 by survivors and families of victims of the political conflict of South Africa's apartheid past. It was set up in response to the pending Truth and Reconciliation Commission by victims who felt the Commission should be used to speak out* about the past to ensure that such violations never occur again.

During the apartheid era in South Africa there were many violations of human rights and it is important that all South Africans are aware of the atrocities committed in our past. We need to expose the truth about disappearances, assassinations, torture and other human rights abuses condoned under the apartheid regime and to identify the perpetrators. The survivors and families of victims of these atrocities must reclaim their dignity and their lives must be restored.

PROBLEM STATEMENT

While all Khulumani's members are survivors of apartheid-era political violence, most of them describe that they continue to be affected by the consequences of apartheid-era violence.

Over the past eleven years of its operations, Khulumani has developed considerable expertise in ways of reaching and supporting survivors of apartheid-era violations towards building their advocacy skills and towards supporting their efforts to become self-reliant. This has become increasingly important given the reality that of Khulumani's membership base of 54,000 individuals**, some 74% are unemployed.

Members report that their greatest need is for assistance and support to deal with interpersonal violence (in particular with domestic violence) and its related challenges including HIV / AIDS infection. About 20% members openly state that they are affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

Khulumani's strategic thrusts are informed by three core functions:

1. 1. Lobbying and advocacy for redress for outstanding TRC issues such as the prosecution of those who failed to apply for amnesty;
2. 2. Capacity building of provincial structures as part of the ongoing move towards decentralisation and consequent sustainability; and
3. 3. The documentation of stories of success.

CRITICAL CAMPAIGNS

1. Initiatives and processes that are geared at ensuring that minimum justice is achieved for survivors of apartheid;
2. Post-TRC focused projects such as lobbying and advocacy for community reparations programmes; the pursuit of prosecutions of those perpetrators who failed to apply for amnesty, and efforts to resolve cases of the disappeare;
3. Livelihoods skills development projects to assist survivors to become mainstreamed into community development activities at local municipality leve
4. Facilitated programmes in healing and memorialisation; an
5. Educational outreach to schools in particular through the use of the performing arts.

STRUCTURES AND CAPACITY

hulumani operates as a national organisation through its National Contact & Support Centre in Johannesburg, in co-operation with Local Branches of Local Groups, Provincial Steering Committees, a National Steering Committee, and a Board of Trustees.

Over the last three years, Khulumani had recruited and developed a small team of professional and experienced programme personnel. These include individuals with skills in programme management, advocacy, research, healing and education. They work with a set of volunteers at national and provincial level to implement the organization's programme interventions.

* Khulumani means "Speaking out" in isiZulu

** Number based on actual membership forms received and processed unto the Khulumani Membership Database.

Attachments:

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KSG_CONSTITUTION.pdf