Unsettling Apologies

There has recently been a global resurgence of demands for the acknowledgement of historical and contemporary wrongs, as well as for apologies and reparation for harms suffered. Drawing on the histories of injustice, dispossession and violence in South Africa, this book examines the cultural, political and legal role, and value of, an apology. It explores the multiple ways in which ‘sorry’ is instituted, articulated and performed, and critically analyses its various forms and functions in both historical and contemporary moments. Bringing together an interdisciplinary team of contributors, the book’s analysis offers insights that will be invaluable to global debates on the struggle for justice.

"This book is a timely gift! Boldly exploring the much-desired, much-dreaded and much-avoided concept - saying sorry - is vital for any communal health. From these texts a deeply enriching experience flows in a flair of innovatively composed, exceptionally comprehensive and clear, compelling argumentation." Antjie Krog, University of the Western Cape"This is an instructive anthology of harrowingly evocative essays and poetry on our unresolved collective grief. Most of the authors recognise our startling historical poser: not the perpetrators but the victims-turned-ruling-elite bore the full brunt of the minimum material apologies and reparations and, in that, they roundly failed." Dikgang Moseneke, Retired Deputy Chief Justice of South Africa

Melanie Judge works with leading civil society organisations and multilateral institutions on strategy, policy and research for sexual and gender rights in Africa and is Adjunct Associate Professor in Public Law at the University of Cape Town.Dee Smythe is Professor of Public Law and Director of the Centre for Law and Society at the University of Cape Town as well as a member of the Centro de Investigação e Desenvolvimento sobre Direito e Sociedade (CEDIS) at the Nova University of Lisbon School of Law.