WHO IS KAFAM?
The KwaZulu-Natal Association of Family Mediators is an organisation that aims to help individuals solve their disputes in a dignified and effective manner.
WHAT IS MEDIATION?
Mediation is a process in which a mediator assists disputing parties to resolve the problem by facilitating discussions between them, helping them to identify issues and clarify priorities, explore areas of compromise, and generate alternative options in an attempt to resolve the dispute. While the mediator’s role is essentially to facilitate the mediation process, the parties are encouraged to actively participate in constructive dialogue in order to come to a resolution in the form of an agreement that is mutually acceptable. The outcome of a mediation is determined by the parties themselves. The mediation process is a completely voluntary.
- A mediator:
- Is a neutral party
- Acts impartially
- Keeps all discussions confidential
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF MEDIATION?
VOLUNTARY
Mediation is a completely voluntary process in which all the participating parties have to agree to mediate a particular issue which is in dispute and, furthermore, agree on an independent third party as an acceptable mediator.
INVOLVEMENT
An impartial mediator facilitates the mediation process and helps to establish constructive dialogue between the parties. The parties arrive at an acceptable solution themselves with the help of a mediator, rather than have a person who is not personally involved in the dispute (such as a judge, magistrate or arbitrator) make the decision for them.
TIME & MONEY
Since the courts, judges and lawyers are not involved in the discussions, parties do not have to wait for all the paper work and procedures to be followed before they can start working towards a resolution. Furthermore, mediation is often much more cost-effective than having to fight in court and have someone else decide on a solution for you.
PRIVACY & CONFIDENTIALITY
The use of mediation as an alternative to litigation in court means that neither party is required to publicly voice their positions in front of a judicial officer. Far from the public eye, mediation is performed in a private setting and allows for all disclosed information to be kept confidential.
BINDING SOLUTION
In some cases, the agreement that is shaped by both parties with the assistance of a mediator can be made an order of court. This essentially creates legally enforceable obligations in terms of what was agreed to during the mediation process.
WHAT KINDS OF DISPUTES CAN BE MEDIATED?
Most disputes can be mediated as the process involves coming to a conclusion that is suitable to both or all parties, rather than a resolution that has gone to arbitration or that has been argued in court. In those cases the final decision is made by an arbitrator or judge who is not directly involved in the dispute.
Some examples of disputes that can be mediated are:
- Family relationship disputes
- Parenting Plans
- Child and spousal maintenance
- Property and financial matters
- Rule 43 applications (interim arrangements)
- Divorce
- Arrangements which concern the children
- Care/Contact/Visitation disputes
- Post-divorce disputes
- Permanent relationship disputes
- Same gender relationship disputes
And many more.
LIST OF KAFAM-ACCREDITED MEDIATORS
SUE PILLAY
suepillay@icloud.com
CHANDRA ELLAURIE
chandraellaurie@gmail.com
JEANNÉ VOGEL VAN DER SANDT
Umhlanga, Durban
jeanne@vogelvandersandt.co.za
082 415 8160
MARGIE VAN ZYL
margievz100@gmail.com
Jean-FRANCOIS DE MARIGNY
demhow@mweb.co.za
JO DU PLESSIS
joduplessis@me.com
MARLENE JACOBS
m.jacobsmediation@gmail.com
TRACEY-LEIGH WESSELS
tlw@law.co.za
NOMBALI NDLOVU
nombalibndlovu@yahoo.com
STEVE MACK
smack@iafrica.com
HELEN KEEN
mmhk@mweb.co.za
CHARMAINE DE WAARD
dewaardpractice@telkomsa.net
IRENE DUGMORE
idugmore@telkomsa.net
CAROL FRIEDMAN
carol@seedtrust.net
HELEN KEEN
mmhk@mweb.co.za
CONTACT US
For more information or to apply to join KAFam, please fill out the form below and we will get in touch with you.
Alternatively, e-mail info@kafam.co.za for information
KAFam is associated with The National Accreditation Board for Family Mediators (“NABFAM”) you may view their website at http://nabfam.co.za/