Peacebuilding, Structural Violence & Spatial Reparations in Post-Colonial South Africa

Abstract

Traditionally, peacebuilding approaches have placed emphasis on the restoration of political relationships as well as more symbolic notions of community reconciliation and dialogue, resulting in limited attention to the material causes of violence. One example of this is South Africa, wherein the historical structural economic violence of the unequal distribution of resources has been maintained, and after the formal end of apartheid, a lack of equitable distribution of resources is ongoing. This article conceptually and empirically argues that distributive justice and spatial reparations are a way of compensating those affected by structural economic violence and addressing structural inequalities. Reparations should be considered as mechanisms to support readjustment of the socio-economic causes and consequences of violence and war in conjunction with long-term projects promoting social justice.