South African Occupational Therapy Values: 1997 submission to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission

 

 

Ruth M Watson

BSc OT (Wits), M Ed (US), PhD (US); Honorary Life President, Occupational Therapy Association of Southern Africa

Correspondence

 

 

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ABSTRACT

The Occupational Therapy Association of South Africa made some important commitments to professional development during the closing years of the last century. This article reflects on one of these, a submission to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Health Sector Hearings, and points out its enduring values and significance. The impact of the submission has never been measured, so this article looks both back and ahead, raising questions and commenting on current realities as it explores the document's content and intent. Readers are invited to engage with ideals that the TRC statement embodies and to take them into account in their daily work.

Key words: Reconciliation, Transformation, Agency

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Correspondence:
Ruth M Watson
rwatson@polka.co.za