A woman’s journey has gained global attention. When Ginn Fourie took her first step towards forgiveness, the thought that a personal step would become a global movement and a trigger for social change across borders must have been the farthest thing from her mind at the time. It was just a move that was matched with equal fervour from the former freedom fighter Letlapa Mphahlele.
On 19 May 2014 the South African High Commission hosted the second screening of the Beyond Forgiving UK Tour. The High Commissioner, Obed Mlaba, knows a good story when he sees one. 'What we are seeing today', he tells the gathering, 'What we are talking about today, whilst emotional to me, I think is a very good story to tell and to be told forever and ever by South Africans'.
Forgiveness is a concept with a million shades of layers and meanings but many would agree that no angle of approach, no perspective is an easy one especially in a situation when both parties are victims. Initiatives of Change, through the film Beyond Forgiving, has made the story of two become the journey of many, a lesson of sorts in forgiveness. 'I think the whole idea of forgiveness is a very, very difficult situation whether for two, for three or the nation…' admits His Excellency Mlaba, who agrees that the story of Ginn and Letlapa is a story for all. It is an experience that can produce a ripple effect of reconciliation between individuals, communities and even countries.
Questions often trail the screening of the documentary as members of the audience seek to understand the motivation and underlying themes. Pockets of animated conversations erupt after the screening as people try to make sense of forgiveness and the intensity of the story. Many attest to the emphatic emotions it stirs within as much as it defies comprehension. This is a major part of the vision behind the production says movie director Dr Imad Karam, a man with a quest for world peace, having experienced the conflict in his home country, Palestine. To raise platforms of expressions and dialogue on issues around forgiveness, reconciliation and peace building: 'I personally feel I am seeking hope from this South African story' he confesses. 'The world is filled with places today that are suffering with conflict on a daily basis including where I come from and the Middle East at large'.
Unfinished Business
'How can we finish the business in South Africa'? one man asked. He was keen to know how this story of two can be applied to the healing of a nation with strife still brimming beneath the surface.
It all comes down to politics at the end of the day. Mphahlele believes that this story of interpersonal reconciliation should trigger social justice in South Africa and the rest of the world. He argues that 'We have to redress the injustices of the past in South Africa beginning with the redistribution of land because as we are speaking now, the ownership of land which is a vital means of production hasn't changed dramatically. I think if we are serious we should address the question of fair and just distribution of South African land'. This points towards government attention for a more holistic approach to restorative justice.
Fourie adds that 'It is not just land that needs to be redistributed but we all need to learn how to be self-sustainable and how to be empowered. It’s not only black people who are disempowered by apartheid as whites we were equally disempowered.
South Africa, according to Mphahlele, has the highest statistics of inequality but he recognises that 'It is easy to blame one or the other but I think we should be cooperative in our approach. The civic society, the Government and the corporate sector should be on board'.
Beyond Forgiving is not a prescriptive product. It is not a manual for forgiveness as Fourie points out that 'I think our role is to share a story and it’s not to prescribe how things must happen but I’m also optimistic that we will find a way forward'.
Apartheid lasted for several generations and cannot be undone in a few decades says Chair of the evening Professor Gerald Pillay, the Vice Chancellor of Liverpool Hope University. 'We have to marshal out resources and time and energy'. He calls on the younger generation to run faster and lighter towards the goal of a better South Africa and stand up against negativism.
Beyond South Africa
The story of Ginn and Letlapa opens up possibilities for individuals, communities and nations to reach beyond pain and victimhood, towards the freedom forgiveness offers. It provides a window for building bridges, calling out people to join the discourse that can stimulate action towards forgiveness and reconciliation at any level.
Report by Doris Okenwa
To learn more about Ginn Fourie and Letlapa Mphahlele's story you can read Michael Henderson's book No Enemy to Conquer, available from Amazon (also a Kindle version). For a link to his website click here.
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