Conflict transformation and truth-seeking : the impact of South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission on the National Party

The main work of South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) took place between 1996 and the publication of its final report in 1998. Its purpose was to assist citizens come to terms with the violence of the past. All participants in the conflict were subjected to the Commission’s investigations including the National Party that had held power from 1948 to 1994. During these years,the party became well established as both an ethnic and racial party. However, support for it fell dramatically between 1994 and 1999 (the year after the TRC published its report). The party’s fortunes worsened in the 2004 elections that resulted in its dissolution in 2005. This article explores the effects of the truth-seeking process on the electoral fortunes of the party. The analysis makes use of unique qualitative material gained from research conducted with former senior members of the National Party including two cabinet ministers.