Effective mediation in a rural community

Abstract

English: Although mediation is gaining considerable popularity on the African continent, very little research has been conducted into its nature and effectiveness. Even the most basic questions about mediation in rural communities remain largely unanswered. It has not been clearly determined: (a) what types of conflict can be mediated, (b) what responses occur in interpersonal conflict, (c) what solutions may be derived from mediation, and (d) whether there are differences in male-male, female-female, and male-female conflict. This study investigates these issues.Afrikaans: Alhoewel mediasie tans meer onder die soeklig kom, is daar weinig navorsing oor die aard en effektiwitiet van mediasie in Afrika onderneem. Selfs die mees basiese vrae oor mediasie in landelike gemeenskappe bly onbeantwoord. Daar is nog nie duidelikheid verkry oor (a) die werklikheid van mediasie in bepaalde tipes konflik, (b) watter response verwag kan word in interpersoonlike konflik, (c) watter oplossings mediasie bied en (d) of daar ’n verskil is in konflik tussen mans, tussen vrouens en tussen mans en vrouens. Die doel van hierdie studie is om hierdie aspekte te ondersoek.