No Future Without Forgiveness

“The people were quite amazing in their patience. It was a comprehensive disaster waiting to happen. And it did not happen.” 

Describing South Africa’s first free election, Tutu lists the many problems, such as insufficient ballots, lack of supplies, and polls opening hours late. People had to stand in line for many hours, worrying that violence could break out. Despite all these obstacles, the people left the voting sites elated—and even boasted about the hours they waited in line. It became a badge of honor.

“[W]e South Africans will survive and prevail only together, black and white bound together by circumstance and history as we strive to claw our way out of the morass that was apartheid racism.” 

Tutu repeatedly emphasizes that unity is the key for South Africa to succeed. If one group tries to dominate the other, the country will fall into violence and despair. It can no longer be their country or my country; it must be our country.

“We could very well have had justice, retributive justice, and had a South Africa lying in ashes—a truly Pyrrhic victory if ever there was one.” 

If Black South Africans had punished all those responsible for the crimes under apartheid, violence most certainly would have resulted. Given their much greater numbers, Black South Africans could have done just that. However, Tutu argues that no one would win in that scenario, as the country would be in ruins.