Violence Prevention Through Transformative Mediation in South Africa - by Andreas Velthuizen & Sokfa John (Hardcover)

About the Book

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.

Book Synopsis

In our book, new voices from the African landscape join the conversation on making peace in spaces often ruined by violence. Academics, mediation professionals and community leaders have come together to share their experiences with mediation. It not only restores or creates relationships but also transforms people's thoughts about making peace. Some lessons in this book are for sharing lived experiences for public benefit, others are aimed at conceptualising mediations, and some contribute to theory building, but all the contributions inspire peace action.
Overall, peace leaders in Africa manage violent conflict much better than observed from other vantage points outside Africa. Despite long-term poverty, terrorism and internal wars, international contests for Africa's resources, governance dysfunctions, natural disasters, limited access to technology, and transnational crime, community leaders (some contributing to this book) are coming forward daily to apply their knowledge to mediate peace.
This book will appeal to peace-building students and professionals focusing on socio-economic development in safe and secure conditions. It is also unique in that it intersects and transcends many academic disciplines and is a valuable guidebook for curricula on peace and conflict studies, security studies, law studies, African development studies, public safety management, and public affairs. It demonstrates the interconnections between these dimensions of society. A new shift in the humanities to understand non-Western management approaches makes this book of exceptional value.

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.