National Peace Accord Trust

At the time of peace workers were active at community level across the country. These mainly voluntary workers risked their lives to ensure that peace would prevail in South Africa.

A National Peace Accord was signed on September 14, 1991. Signatories included political leaders, trade unions, security forces, business, industry and the church. All committed themselves to peaceful negotiation in the period leading up to the first truly democratic election in April 1994.

With peaceful transition achieved, the 10 regional and 162 local peace committees around the country wound down their activities at the end of 1994, but NPAT, which succeeded the National Peace Accord, continued with its healing mission.

In June 1995 the Trust unveiled a R10-million plan to rebuild community values in KwaZulu-Natal, on the East Rand and in Alexandra, near Johannesburg.

Communities in areas such as these faced serious dislocation and dysfunction as a result of the dehumanising effects of violence and trauma. Rehabilitation required the restoration of community values and trust, and the introduction of counselling before economic upliftment could even be considered.

As part of the move towards peaceful change, a National Peace Accord was signed on September 14, 1991. Signatories included political leaders, trade unions, security forces, business, industry and the church. All committed themselves to peaceful negotiation in the period leading up to the first truly democratic election in April 1994.

With peaceful transition achieved and the consequent loss of donor funding, the 10 regional and 162 local peace committees around South Africa wound down their activities at the end of 1994, but NPAT, which succeeded the National Peace Accord, continued with its healing mission. In June 1995 the Trust unveiled a R10-million plan to rebuild community values in KwaZulu-Natal, on the East Rand and in Alexandra, near Johannesburg.