Changemakers Special Forgiveness Issue | Page 23

generosity but a rehumanising gift emphasising the humanity of the perpetrator. During the 10-day speaking tour, the story was a public demonstration of how Ginn’s forgiveness of the man who gave the orders for an attack that killed her only daughter can rehabilitate the offender, assist in a victim’s recovery and generate healing on a personal and societal level. Again, as Letlapa said, “It was only when people extended gifts of forgiveness that the roots of my heart were shaken and something was restored inside me.” Their meeting and the subsequent work they have done together to promote peace and understanding round the world is an example of reconciliation in a profoundly human sense, in Letlapa’s words through ‘meeting soul to soul, person to person.’ It would appear that to listen to the other’s story when no one else will, or when you’ve been deeply hurt or violated yourself, is the greatest catalyst for change in countries with a history of sectarian violence. The story of these two remarkable South Africans, a relationship clearly based on honesty and integrity, was presented to audiences across the UK as people unpacked their own stories and related to the pain of others. Referencing her own ancestors’ responsibility for their Anglo-Boer past, at times Ginn would challenge the British audience about their own complicity in the injustices of the past, namely colonialism and the exploits of the British Empire. The insinuation was that it is the responsibility of the living to heal the dead. The reason why this story was so compelling, and why Beyond Forgiving is so important, is that this healing narrative can illuminate the way ahead on a dark and tangled road – whether for groups or individuals. As Letlapa says, ‘Storytelling is part of the healing process, you release and share something verbally. It’s a catharsis.’ And this catharsis isn’t just for the protagonists but also for those of us who choose to embrace the journey with them, to be able to see, as Ginn puts it, ‘the woundedness of the other’. Voices ‘Never believe there’s nothing you can do, it lies with us to stand together for peace.’ – Terry Waite ‘I found the film to be extremely humbling and moving. We have had our own well-documented troubles in Northern Ireland and I found myself feeling guilty that so many people here seem unable to move on from the past when Ginn & Letlapa have been able to do so in such a profound way. I now find myself thinking twice in situations where forgiveness is an option as opposed to bearing a grudge or retaliating.’ Jordan McNeill, Year 11 Student, Hazelwood Integrated College ‘Really powerful, moving and inspiring #BeyondForgiving.’ – Dipesh Dhimar ‘It is amazing to see how just two people can inspire change and reconciliation in communities torn apart by wars and secularism. We all have a responsibility to make this world a better place.’ – Louise Cook ‘We’ve burdened our youth with the duty of protecting us from a repeat of our dreadful past #BeyondForgiving.’ – Matthew Pitman Books and DVDs Beyond Forgiving is a documentary film, which depicts the journey of two South Africans to bring healing and reconciliation to their country postApartheid. A beautifully crafted film about two people's journey of forgiveness. Emerging through trauma, pain and finally towards transformation, the film gives voice to a humanity born out of intense sorrow, and shows forgiveness as a way of living creatively with the problem of irreversibility.’ No Enemy to Conquer shares the stories of people of diverse faiths and cultures who against all odds found the courage to reconcile with their enemies. To buy your copy of Beyond Forgiving or No Enemy to Conquer please call Intiatives of Change on 020 7798 6000 or visit www.uk.iofc.org