In the process, the role of sincere apologies in the reconciliation process emerged. For instance,
Major Mbina (former Captain of Ciskei Defence Force) testified before the TRC that, “Some
people shot, probably shot without having been given orders, knowing that at the end it’s the boss
that will answer. That is what I want to make clear. I also ask for forgiveness. I empathise with
families that lost their members. I ask forgiveness on behalf of the Ciskeian Defence Force,
especially those that were involved. We ask forgiveness. We will be very glad if the Commission
would forgive us. To the community, we ask for forgiveness” (TRC Report, 1998: pp. 382). The
Commission’s report reiterate that, people came to tell their stories in an attempt to facilitate not
only their own individual healing processes, but also a healing process for the entire nation (TRC
Report, 1998).