Exploring the challenges facing former combatants in post apartheid South Africa.
Date
2008-06-18T07:54:13Z
Authors
Naidoo, Sasha
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Abstract
This study is based on in-depth, semi-structured interviews conducted with six former
combatants residing in the Kathorus area, East of Gauteng. The main aim of this study
was to explore the challenges facing former combatants after twelve years of democracy.
The key findings in the study indicate that many former combatants have not defined
their identities beyond the militarised masculine identity they identified with during the
conflict on the East Rand and this has resulted in some negative social and psychological
consequences for these former combatants. Challenges including stigmatisation from the
communities in which they reside, unemployment, trauma, and betrayal also emerge from
the findings. In conclusion, the many challenges that former combatants face twelve
years into democracy highlight the faults and flaws in the demobilisation, disarmament
and reintegration process that occurred post apartheid. Some key recommendations that
can be made based from this study relate to processes of future demobilisation and social
and economic reintegration.
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Keywords
Combatants, Challenges, Post apartheid South Africa, social reintegration