khulumani: a support group. a social movement. a strong voice.

Calls for compensation for slavery and colonial rule as well as reparation for rasist policies or acts are likely to be some of the most contentious issues on the agenda of the upcoming World Conference against Racism in Durban.

By Marianne Merten. In December 1986 Benjamin Olifant was on his way to visit his mother when Klerksdorp police arrested him for "causing unrest". He was shot dead in a police cell. Elsie Olifant received interim reparations of R2000. More than 30 months after the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) recommended various forms of reparations for about 21000 survivors of apartheid-era human rights violations, organisations such as Khulumani ó a survivor support group ó are frustrated over the government's apparent lack of action.

Obstacles hampering the process of reparation for apartheid victims will be the key aspect of an indaba to be held in Cape Town on April 25-26.

The TRC this week shut down its Eastern Cape office, which will be followed by the closure of its other two regional offices by July. The head office in Cape Town is expected to close by September.

The issue of reparation and compensation for victims of slavery and exploitation would undoubtedly come up at the United Nations World Conference against Racism in Durban later this year, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson said.