February 14, 2008, An Najah University warmly welcomed the South African Ambassador to the Palestinian Authority, Dr. L S T Pekane.   He came to speak about South Africa’s Day of Reconciliation, which symbolically marks the end of racial apartheid in the country.  The Polish Ambassador was also in attendance.
The event was held in the auditorium on the New Campus. University President Prof. Rami Hamdallah opened by welcoming Ambassador Pekane and thanking him for South Africa’s unrelenting support for the Palestinian people.  He cited South Africa’s story as an inspiration to Palestinians who are claiming their own rights.
When Ambassador Pekane took the floor, he began by outlining the meaning of reconciliation after the long history of forced racial separation in his country. He asserted South Africa’s continuing commitment to justice and democracy.  The day of reconciliation celebrates the progress made in ending apartheid and healing the wounds of the past but is also a reminder of the work yet to be done.
He said, in South Africa, courage used to be measured in blood, but now it is measured in mutual respect and acknowledgement of racial equality.  Reconciliation does not mean forgetting the past, it means coming to terms with past crimes so the nation can move forward and live in peace.  Reconciliation is not an event, but a process that is critical for nation building.
After the Ambassador’s speech, a film was shown about the history of apartheid in South Africa and about the process of reconciliation.It detailed how victims of atrocities faced their perpetrators and tried to forgive in the interest of the nation, peace and justice. It also showed the racial inequalities that have yet to be overcome.It was a powerful show of the depth of human spirit.It proved that justice and peace will come to those who can forgive.
At the end of the film, Ambassador Pekane took several questions from the audience.  Afterwards, he was warmly thanked for his presentation by a luncheon attended by distinguished guests.The Ambassador’s message came through loud and clear: reconciliation is critical for building any nation scarred by a history of conflict.Reconciliation is not an event, but a process, a process in which we must all participate.