Webinar Explores Intergenerational Trauma and Healing in Post-Conflict Societies
The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Legacies of Violence Programme recently hosted a webinar exploring the transgenerational transmission of trauma in the context of mass violence.
The webinar was co-facilitated by Professor Vaughn John, South African Research Chair (SARChI) in Peace and Justice Education, and Professor Philippe Denis, a senior researcher in UKZN’s Humanities Institute.
Three explored how peace-building interventions can reduce the effects of transgenerational trauma and violence. They focused on Zimbabwe, Rwanda and Burundi – countries that have all experienced mass violence in recent decades. Lessons were also drawn for KwaZulu-Natal and other parts of South Africa, which have endured similarly high levels of violence.
Dr Dumisani Ngwenya examined Zimbabwe’s unresolved national trauma, which continues to shape the country’s socio-political landscape. He noted that during the Gukurahundi period (1983-1987), systematic state violence targeted Ndebele people in Matabeleland and the Midlands regions.
He reported that more than 20 000 civilians were killed and thousands were tortured, detained, or displaced through the attacks of the Fifth Brigade, a military unit operating under government orders. He argued that younger generations may be more prone to violent behaviour than the original victims, as they feel a duty to defend their parents’ honour. “There is a cycle of violence if there is no healing,” he said. “The youth are seeing the response as a matter of family honour – to avenge their parents.”
He explained that trauma can be consciously or unconsciously transmitted by parents through narratives, behaviours and emotional states, often causing second-generation trauma to escalate. He highlighted three critical intervention points for preventive work, each reflecting the distinct needs of different generations. He also criticised the state’s role in perpetuating trauma and anger by refusing to acknowledge the harm it inflicted a generation ago.
Professor David Niyonzima, a life counsellor and academic, described the successive waves of violence that struck Burundi between 1965 and 2015, particularly in 1993. In each case, children of survivors from earlier generations became involved in acts of violence. He also shared his experience as a facilitator of psychological support programmes focusing on stress management and wellness.
Niyonzima is dedicated to peace and reconciliation, firmly believing that healing trauma and addressing historical wounds is essential. “As life counsellors, we look at the multiple pressures affecting individuals and try to make the entire system more positive,” he said.
Dr Munyurangabo Benda from the Queen’s Foundation in Birmingham shared lessons from Rwanda He noted that during the 1994 genocide, approximately one million people – mostly Tutsi – were killed; 250 000 women were raped; 95 000 children were orphaned; and around 120 000 people were imprisoned and, in most cases, convicted after the genocide.
He noted that many survivors experienced post-traumatic stress in the form of a specific Rwandan condition called ihahamuka, which involves the blockage of breath in the lungs.
Benda also discussed the phenomenon of trauma inheritance, where children of victims and witnesses become entangled in cycles of adult violence. He proposed that perpetrators and their descendants embrace peace-building through what he calls the “art of peace” and “aesthetics of trauma”- a strategy termed Urungano. He also suggested adopting a national intergenerational pact, guided by reflections on the past (rear-view) and aspirations for the future (windshield).
Professor Philippe Denis concluded the meeting with a summary of key insights. While most presentations focused on Zimbabwe, Rwanda and Burundi, the challenge now lies in applying these lessons to KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa. Several common themes emerged: first, the urgency of action – silence perpetuates trauma, and without intervention, conditions will worsen. Second, the role of the state in memory and memorialisation must be critically examined. Third, spiritual healing – including African traditional practices such as cleansing rituals and the respectful handling of victims’ remains – is vital. Finally, the centrality of children and families was evident, as speakers reflected on the experiences of children during past violence and those growing up today in its aftermath.
Words: Sinoyolo Mahlasela
Photograph: Supplied
