Sociology in practice : H W van der Merwe's contribution to conflict resolution and mediation in South Africa
Date
2011
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
SUN MeDIA Bloemfontein
Abstract
Conflict, repression and resistance had an alienating effect on a micro- and macro-level in apartheid South Africa. This brings to mind Hendrik Willem van der Merwe as a person who united South Africa's enemies. This article explores auto-ethnographic insights in a discussion of his approach to mediation, involvement with the Centre for Intergroup Studies and his establishing of the South African Association for Conflict Intervention (SAACI). His approach differed from others at the time such as the Institute for Democracy in South Africa (IDASA). The value of his work is noted and further research advised. The article suggests that scholarly activism (or the activist scholar) is again needed to build peace and justice in the context of South Africa and our continent.
Description
CITATION: Liebenberg, I. 2011. Sociology in practice: H W van der Merwe's contribution to conflict resolution and mediation in South Africa. Acta Academica, 43(1):1-38.
The original publication is available at http://journals.ufs.ac.za
The original publication is available at http://journals.ufs.ac.za
Keywords
Sociology in practice, Conflict resolution -- South Africa, Mediation -- South Africa, Peace activists -- South Africa, Centre for Intergroup Studies (CIS), South African Association for Conflict Intervention (SAACI)
Citation
Liebenberg, I. 2011. Sociology in practice: H W van der Merwe's contribution to conflict resolution and mediation in South Africa. Acta Academica, 43(1):1-38