Alexander Lionel Boraine, Ph.D.

Alexander Lionel Boraine (1931–2018) was a South African politician, scholar, and visionary who played a pivotal role in shaping the field of transitional justice. Best known as the Deputy Chair of South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) under Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Boraine was instrumental in designing and implementing one of the most influential transitional justice mechanisms in history.

Before his work in transitional justice, Boraine had a long career as a Methodist minister and politician. He served as a member of South Africa’s Parliament, representing the opposition during apartheid, before resigning in protest against systemic injustice. In the 1980s, he became deeply engaged in anti-apartheid work, using his academic and moral leadership to advocate for democracy and reconciliation.

Following the end of apartheid, Boraine was appointed as Deputy Chair of the TRC (1995–1998), where he worked alongside Desmond Tutu to oversee public hearings that gave voice to both victims and perpetrators of apartheid-era violence. His contributions were essential in shaping the TRC’s mandate of truth-telling, forgiveness, and reconciliation, which became a model for truth commissions worldwide.

Recognizing the need for transitional justice beyond South Africa, Boraine co-founded the International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ) in 2001, serving as its first president. Under his leadership, ICTJ grew into the world’s leading organization in the field, advising dozens of countries on truth commissions, reparations, and institutional reform.

Boraine was also a prolific author. His books, including A Country Unmasked (2000) and What’s Gone Wrong? On the Brink of a Failed State (2014), reflect his commitment to democracy, accountability, and reconciliation. Through his writing and teaching, he spread South Africa’s lessons to a global audience, shaping policy and scholarship on transitional justice.

Boraine’s legacy lies in his ability to transform moral conviction into institutional innovation. His work demonstrated that transitional justice is not only about addressing atrocities of the past but also about building inclusive and democratic futures

Last work experience
Alexander Lionel Boraine (1931–2018) was a South African politician, scholar, and visionary who played a pivotal role in shaping the field of transitional justice. Best known as the Deputy Chair of South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) under Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Boraine was instrumental in designing and implementing one of the most influential transitional justice mechanisms in history. Before his work in transitional justice, Boraine had a long career as a Methodist minister and politician. He served as a member of South Africa’s Parliament, representing the opposition during apartheid, before resigning in protest against systemic injustice. In the 1980s, he became deeply engaged in anti-apartheid work, using his academic and moral leadership to advocate for democracy and reconciliation. Following the end of apartheid, Boraine was appointed as Deputy Chair of the TRC (1995–1998), where he worked alongside Desmond Tutu to oversee public hearings that gave voice to both victims and perpetrators of apartheid-era violence. His contributions were essential in shaping the TRC’s mandate of truth-telling, forgiveness, and reconciliation, which became a model for truth commissions worldwide. Recognizing the need for transitional justice beyond South Africa, Boraine co-founded the International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ) in 2001, serving as its first president. Under his leadership, ICTJ grew into the world’s leading organization in the field, advising dozens of countries on truth commissions, reparations, and institutional reform. Boraine was also a prolific author. His books, including A Country Unmasked (2000) and What’s Gone Wrong? On the Brink of a Failed State (2014), reflect his commitment to democracy, accountability, and reconciliation. Through his writing and teaching, he spread South Africa’s lessons to a global audience, shaping policy and scholarship on transitional justice. Boraine’s legacy lies in his ability to transform moral conviction into institutional innovation. His work demonstrated that transitional justice is not only about addressing atrocities of the past but also about building inclusive and democratic futures
Start Date
1995-01-01
End Date
1998-01-01
Position
Co Founder
Description
Co-Founder of ICTJ and Deputy Chair of South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission