Centre for Mediation in Africa

Youth Day in South Africa commemorates the historic Soweto Uprising of June 16, 1976. It honours the thousands of courageous students who marched to protest oppressive Apartheid education policies - specifically the forced instruction of Afrikaans - and remembers the hundreds of young people who were killed by Apartheid police during the demonstrations.

🔔 MEDIATION MONDAY
This Mediation Monday, we reflect on listening across differences, inclusive participation, rebuilding trust, and the importance of including traditional leaders and rural communities in South Africa’s National Dialogue. What do you think a meaningful dialogue requires? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.

Be sure to look out for our monthly Mediation Monday posts.


Kingdom of the Netherlands in South Africa

This World Environment Day, let's remember that protecting our planet is not only about conserving natural resources—it's also about strengthening relationships, building consensus, and working together for a sustainable future. Because when people come together, solutions grow. 🌱

A valuable exchange of ideas at the Centre for Mediation in Africa! We were delighted to sit down with Arda Spijker from the University of Limpopo and engage in meaningful discussions around our shared interests in mediation, conflict resolution, and collaboration. We look forward to strengthening these connections and advancing the mediation space together as we actively contribute to the growth of alternative dispute resolution, especially in Universities in South Africa.

University of Limpopo

CMA’s Dr. Edknowledge Mandikwaza writes on how effective rural governance depends on strong, collaborative relationships between traditional leaders and local government authorities.

In this policy brief entitled “Mapping and Strengthening Co-operative Governance Between Traditional Leaders and Local Authorities in South Africa”, Dr. Mandikwaza examines the institutional, policy and relational challenges that continue to hinder cooperative governance in South Africa’s rural communities.

The brief highlights both the opportunities for collaboration and the tensions that arise from competing mandates, overlapping jurisdictions, and exclusion from decision-making processes. It also offers practical recommendations to strengthen cooperation, including sustained dialogue platforms, clearer role clarification, and joint resource stewardship.

Advancing these reforms is critical to improving rural service delivery, strengthening social cohesion, and realising the constitutional vision of cooperative governance.

Read here: https://centreformediationafrica.org/projects/policy-brief-mapping-and-strengthening-co-operative-governance-between-traditional-leaders-and-local-authorities-in-south-africa/

🎓

The Centre for Mediation in Africa proudly congratulates our researchers, Dr. David Kabwa on the successful attainment of his PhD, and Ms. Bokani Motsu on earning her Master’s degree with distinction.

Your dedication, perseverance, and excellence continue to inspire us all. Wishing you both continued success in your academic and professional journeys! 👏✨

As we come to the end of celebrating Africa month, we'd like to hear from you. Share your thoughts in the comments on the current social tensions in South Africa and if there is a space for dialogue.

CMA’s Sokfa John and Makhethe Makamase wrote a policy brief titled ‘Building a Culture of Peace: Lessons from the Ubunye & Ukuthula Community Initiatives in Mthatha, Eastern Cape’

In this policy brief, they highlight the Ubunye and Ukhuthula projects that are centred on community-led peacebuilding approaches and lasting peace requires continuous engagement, genuine local ownership, and respect for existing customary structures.

In the Eastern Cape, traditional leaders, headmen, and sub-headmen play a vital role in resolving disputes related to land, marriage, resources, and community safety through customary processes.

Religious leaders, school principals, and community counsellors perform similar functions within their domains. When these structures are recognised and supported alongside formal institutions such as the Magistrates' Courts and SAPS, conflict resolution becomes quicker, more legitimate, and more likely to lead to enduring solutions.

Read more on the policy brief here: https://centreformediationafrica.org/projects/policy-brief-building-a-culture-of-peace-lessons-from-the-ubunye-ukuthula-community-initiatives-in-mthatha-eastern-cape/