Features

October 2008

Alex Boraine: A Life in Transition

"You are about to be regaled with the story of one of South Africa's greatest sons... Enjoy it and be moved and inspired." -- Archbishop Desmond Tutu

In his recently released memoir, A Life in Transition, Alex Boraine recounts the story of his journey from a working-class childhood in Cape Town to a high-profile career as president of the South African Methodist Church, a member of the South African Parliament, and deputy chairperson of the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission. His story brings to life some of the most important events, institutions and personalities in contemporary South African history, from life in the halls of parliament in the 1970s and 80s, to negotiations between the African National Congress leadership in exile and the apartheid government, to the dramatic Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearings in the mid-90s.

A Life in Transition provides a candid, personalized view of South Africa and the broader field of transitional justice from a man who was deeply invested in the long struggle against apartheid and working toward a stronger democracy. Dr. Boraine's experiences provide rich lessons about the challenges and opportunities of the transition from repression to democracy.

Alex Boraine is a former member of the South African Parliament as well as former president of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa. In 1995, Dr. Boraine was appointed by President Nelson Mandela to be deputy chair of the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission, serving under Chairman Archbishop Desmond Tutu. He held this post until 1998. In 2001 Dr. Boraine founded the International Center for Transitional Justice and served as ICTJ president for three years. Dr. Boraine is currently chairperson of ICTJ's Board of Directors and a Global Visiting Professor of Law at the NYU School of Law's Hauser Global Law School Program.