NP says TRC has failed

CAPE TOWN -- The risk of 1999 was that reconciliation could disappear in the heat of a confrontational election campaign, New National Party leader Marthinus van Schalkwyk said yesterday.

The task of political leaders would be to strike a balance between healthy debate and the national interest, he said in a statement.

Mr Van Schalkwyk said 1998 was meant to be the year of great reconciliation, with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission as the major instrument of reconciliation.

"Unfortunately, the TRC failed in bringing South Africans closer together. As a matter of fact, South Africans are further apart than before the start of the TRC's biased activities," Van Schalkwyk said.

It was now necessary to ensure a proper process of reconciliation. Basic elements for success included:

l the recognition that minorities needed to feel accommodated as part of the process of unlocking their potential to the benefit of all;

l a form of inclusive government making provision for the country's broad range of interests; and

l changing the struggle culture of entitlement and aggressiveness to one of empowerment and constructive participation.

Hate speech by senior members of political parties did not contribute to reconciliation, Mr Van Schalkwyk said.

"Reconciliation should not be a PR exercise reserved for one day in a year -- it must be a continuous process of which responsible leaders of all parties are co-owners," he said. -- Sapa