The book demonstrates how local peace leaders and mediators transform conflict through lived experience, theoretical and interdisciplinary insight, providing a vital South African perspective on sustainable peacebuilding across Africa.
The book's primary goal is to propose local solutions for South African communities' peace and security challenges, emphasising peacebuilding approaches. It aims to publish lessons learned from the real-life experiences of scholars and practitioners regarding solutions for preventing violence in South African communities through transformative approaches to mediation.
Table of Contents:
Chapter 1. An introduction to Violence Prevention and Transformative Mediation in South Africa - Sokfa John and Andreas Velthuizen; Chapter 2. Philosophical and Conceptual Framework for Sustainable Peace, Human Security and Violent Conflict Prevention Education in Africa - Andreas Velthuizen; Chapter 3. Reframing Identity, Ethnicity, Religion, Gender and Cultural Values in Conflict Prevention, Management and Transformation - Sokfa John; Chapter 4. Community Dispute Resolution Leadership Structures for Peace and Security in South Africa: The case of the Lekgotla La Batho - Macdonald Nkhasho Ryke Rammala; Chapter 5. The Heart of the Volunteer: Committing to our Children to Prevent a Future of Violence - Nomawethu Ngangqu, Ruleen de Witt and Eugene de Witt; Chapter 6. How to Reduce the Risk of Women Becoming Victims of Violence - Tshifhiwa Netshapapame; Chapter 7. Collaboration with Multiple Stakeholders during Social Mediation in the Limpopo Province of South Africa - Arda Spijker; Chapter 8. Faith-based Social Justice, Social Cohesion and National Reconciliation: Overcoming Racist Tensions in the Western Cape Province of South Africa - Alan Jackson and Barbara Miller; Chapter 9. Mediating the Dynamics of Resolving the Crisis of Graduate Unemployment in South African Higher Education through Community Engagement - Antonia Makina; Chapter 10. Peace Education and Social Entrepreneurship in South Africa: A work in Progress - Margo Bansda; Chapter 11. Conclusions: Transcending from Conflict to Securing the Community Space through Transformative Mediation - Sokfa John and Andreas Velthuizen; Index
About the Author :
Andreas Velthuizen is a researcher, published writer, experienced editor, engaged educator, trained social mediator and specialist in peace and security. His focus is on social transformation towards sustainable peace and security for growth in Africa.
Sokfa John is a researcher and practitioner in peace mediation, conflict transformation and digital peacebuilding. His research focuses on digital peacebuilding in Africa, localisation and ethnoreligious conflicts.
Review :
"An excellent and timely intervention acknowledging a range of bandage solutions applied to foster non-violence and maintain peace through transformative mediation. Central to the contributions is that efforts aimed at enhancing non-violence cannot be impervious to the root causes and the context within which violence manifests." —Teboho J. Lebakeng, Professor and former Head of Security and Intelligence Studies at the Thabo Mbeki African School of Public and International Affairs.
"A particularly well-written book on the understanding and advancing of Transformative Mediation within South Africa’s complex social fabric. The authors’ collective expertise and diverse perspectives enrich the discourse, making it a valuable resource for mediators, scholars and practitioners committed to healing and reconciliation. The book’s quality of writing and inclusiveness reflect its significance in fostering peace and social transformation in a society marked by deep historical wounds." —Mr Grant Daily, former District Governor of Rotary District 9400 (2016-2017) and Chairperson of the Steering Committee of the African Rotary Community Mediation (ARCom) Project.
"Leaders need to increasingly shift their energies to prevent conflict and to create sustainable peace – apart from having to deal with the growing need for healing societies devastated by ongoing violence. This book offers an integrated, diversely slanted set of perspectives based on research grounded in a range of contexts." —Hetta Pieterse, Unisa Press Commissioning Editor.
"This is a great volume which should be of interest for scholars with a focus on not only mediation and peacebuilding but also contemporary South Africa, multicultural social work and social development. Many of the chapters come with hands-on examples, guidelines and practical reflections ranging from traditional court systems to faith-based approaches, youth employment or entrepreneurship, expanding traditional texts around transformative mediation with vulnerable groups." —Tobias Denskus, School of Arts & Communication, K3, Malmö University, Sweden.
