A restoration of humanity

The Durham event of the Beyond Forgiving tour, hosted by Hatfield College, the Durham Global Security Institute and Durham Cathedral, took place in the Prior's Hall of the Cathedral on 28 May. Dr Anthony Bash, senior tutor at Hatfield College, University of Durham, welcomed the audience and the two protagonists of the film, Letlapa Mphahlele and Ginn Fourie.

Following a screening of the DVD, the first person to respond was Mr Archie Sibeko, once a senior commander of the ANC and a trade union leader. Turning to Mpahlele and Fourie, he remarked on their bravery. Looking at Fourie, he said, 'there are very few people in South Africa like you – this is the problem'. He went on to explain that Mandela put his head on the block to build bridges with white South Africans, expecting that they would respond by realising that they should now be sharing the fruits of South Africa with all. They have let him down, but Fourie is following him, acknowledging the crimes that her ancestors committed against black people and trying to build bridges too. Mr Sibeko said that many white South Africans are afraid to enter townships; that they only go when visitors from Britain and Europe accompany them. 'They need education – that's you!', he said to those present.

'This is the catharsis that we are seeking' responded Mphahlele, adding 'the sharing of political freedom with economic emancipation is taking us nowhere...When Ginn told her friends that she was coming to my village, she was told “You won't come out alive”. We don't interact enough at a social level.'

A lady in the audience said that she and her friend (also in the audience) had been visiting an area south of Durban annually since 2001, caring for children who have HIV. 'It is a privilege and an honour going in to Zulu homes– do it!', she urged everyone. 'I'm called “Aunty Joan”, my heart is left there, I have two homes now'.

Dr Anthony Bash shared that he had had a powerful reaction to the film, his stomach was in knots. 'We share in the wickedness that has been perpetrated in South Africa … look at Britain this week (thinking of the local and European elections), where is our humanity? We need to acknowledge our own participation and say sorry.'

An interesting observation was made by a lady in the audience, who said to Fourie, 'you were able to forgive before there was a “sorry”. In Australia the “sorry” has been refused as it is seen as an empty gesture. Forgiveness is different to saying sorry'.

Fourie responded by saying that, in fact, Mphahlele had never said the word 'sorry' or asked for forgiveness. She made a decision to give up the right to revenge, motivated by the gospel. 'My mission is “to extend God's grace to every person I meet”. I realised that it was grace when I forgave. Mphahlele could have said “Thanks very much, cheerio”, but he commented by inviting me to his homecoming ceremony... he wrote a poem to Lyndi and planted trees in his home town of Khayelitsha. He never said “I'm sorry”.'

Mphahlele added to this, 'Before forgiveness, I was supposed to celebrate with a welcome home ceremony. Forgiveness – it was like a restoration of humanity in me, something restored. Later, when in the Solomon Islands, journalists had reported something factually incorrect about my being released from prison after Fourie had said that she forgave me. This was metaphorically correct. In future I would not resort to violence. I am not a pacifist but I am now firmly on a peaceful engagement.' To this, Archie Sibeko responded, 'Religion and politics, I see no difference'.

The event was closed by historian Dr Peter Shambrook, 'You've reminded us that forgiveness and reconciliation is a process, a journey over many years. A journey with no map. Tonight was an arresting experience of heart and mind. You have also reminded us of Britain's need as a nation with a legacy of an empire that needs to engage with the question of forgiveness, redemption and acknowledgement. We live in a cocoon-like mentality, but what is relevant to us is the legacy of the slave trade and our relationship with Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland. We need a national debate which includes forgiveness and reconciliation... There is encouragement and hope from tonight, tested in the fire, that it is, indeed, possible to emerge from appalling circumstances and injustices, to bring meaning and hope out of tragedy and injustice.'

Photos and report by Barbara Down

To learn more about Ginn Fourie and Letlapa Mphahlele's story you can read Michael Henderson's book No Enemy to Conquer which is available from Amazon (also a Kindle version). For a link on his website click here.