Case Study Evaluation

In partial fulfilment

Of the requirement in MDTN6080

At the

Cornerstone Institute

By

Erin Kroot

80541

19 April 2024
Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION 3

CONFLICTS IN OPEN SYSTEMS 3

GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE IN SOUTH AFRICA 3

CONTRIBUTIONS FUELLING THE NEED FOR CONFLICT MEDIATION IN SOUTH

AFRICA 4

INCLUSIVE MEDIATION IS NEEDED TO COMBAT GBV IN SOUTH AFRICA 4

CONCLUSION 5

REFERENCING: 6
Introduction

Gender-Based Violence is a conflict issue that is embedded in forms of differences, value

disputes and social injustices, affecting human rights and the overall well-being of
communities in the context of South Africa. South Africa has one of the highest Gender-
Based Violence reports in the world (Gouws, 2022), representing the deep-rooted societal
norms, inadequate law enforcement and the systemic issues caused by failing to address this
conflict issue. Mediating Gender-Based Violence is imperative to enhance the well-being and
understanding of this form of conflict within South Africa’s communities.

Conflicts in open systems

In the context of this narrative, conflict is defined as the social relationship where two or
more parties believe they are objectively incompatible (Kriesberg, 2012). Gender-based
violence (GBV) can be viewed as a constituting social system because it involves
contentiousness towards particular gender systems (Kriesberg, 2012). Gender-based violence
is considered an open social system, because it is embedded within larger social systems, and
encompasses smaller systems within it, allowing conflitcs to occur in a system of relations
that are subject to being influenced by the other societal factors, known as the meta-narrative
(Kriesberg, 2012). This highlights how the overall well-being of communities are affected by
forms of difference, even if certain gender systems are predominantly and directly affected.

Gender-based violence in South Africa

While evaluating the statistics of crime in South Africa from July 2023 to September 2023 as
stated by Cele (2023), the predominant victims of GBV include the systems of women and
children. In the context of South Africa, domestic violence and sex trafficking are
predominant forms of gender-based violence. Domestic Violence is a result of inadequate law
enforcement and the systemic issue of failing to address this conflict issue, as seen when a
Durban Metro Police officer fatally stabbed his girlfriend, who was also an officer
(Mthethwa, 2024). Recently, a viral case of a missing girl in South Africa is suspected to be a
result of sex trafficking. The little girl, Joshlin, whose mother has apparently sold her to
traffickers to fuel her unhealthy habits as a result of South Africa’s deep societal norms in
poverty-stricken areas (Jumatt, 2024). South African citizens are subjected to becoming
victims of GBV in the form of sex trafficking out of desperation because they are tempted by
needs, hopes and dreams for a better life, highlighting deep-rooted societal issues such as
poverty. South Afrian communities are also affected by sex trafficking due to the failure to
address these issues and the lack of trust in law enforcements. (Martens , Pieczkowski and
Van Vuuren-Smyth, 2003).

Contributions fuelling the need for conflict mediation in South Africa

Furthermore, the main contributing factors of GBV includes gender inequality and male
controlling behaviours associated with beliefs in family honour, male sexual entitlement and
weak legal sanctions (World Health Organisation, 2024). The weak legal sanctions relate
with South Africa’s inadequate law enforcement and the failure to address this conflict issue.
The Police Minister, Cele (2023), mentions the need for a collective effort from law
enforcement, government and society to mediate the conflict against gender systems.

Moreover, in order to foster the understanding of gender-based violence in South Africa,

conflict mediation is imperative. Conflict mediation has evolved into a facilitative process,
allowing participants to actively engage in the mediation process, create their own solutions
to the particular conflict, and take responsibility for their roles within the particular conflict.
This evolution promotes understanding of conflict systems and issues, bettering the overall
well-being of communities (Kriesberg, 2012).

Inclusive mediation is needed to combat GBV in South Africa

Delving deeper into conflict mediation, it is difficult to define this concept because the
context in which mediation takes place requires different emphases for specific desired
outcomes (Harmon‐Darrow et al., 2020). In congruence with Police Minister Cele’s (2023)
emphasis for the need of a collective effort to combat violence, inclusive mediation focuses
on community justice, collective efficacy and power, and the chance for participants to create
their own solutions (Harmon‐Darrow et al., 2020). Inclusive mediation would be beneficial
for GBV in the context of South Africa because of high levels of anger and conflict. This
form of mediation provides the opportunity for participants to express their anger, distrust
and experiences of social injustices appropriately, and therefore begin mediation before
emotions of anger turn into violence (Harmon‐Darrow et al., 2020).

While South Africa may be working towards finding a solution for GBV as an open conflict
system, many current violations of human rights are caused because of deep-rooted societal
beliefs that still exist within our country. Women and children are more vulnerable to GBV
because in society they are conditioned to obey male authority, emphasising the social
injustices within South Africa where males are seen as dominant (Martens , Pieczkowski and
Van Vuuren-Smyth, 2003). Idolising and teaching healthy masculinity to men can result in
positive overall well-being for South Africa’s future generations to come by fostering
understanding and facilitative processes (Wilkinson, 2024).

Conclusion

Ultimately, the impact of inclusive mediation in the context of South Africa will allow
participants to express their emotions and create the opportunity for facilitators to mediate
conflicts before feelings of anger manifest into violence. Gender-based violence in South
Africa requires immediate mediation because of deep-rooted societal norms, inadequate law
enforcement, and the systemic failure to address this conflict issue. GBV emphasises the
social injustice of gender inequality and how this affects the human rights of gender systems
within communities as a whole and as open conflict systems in South Africa.

[Word count: 898]

Referencing:
Cele, B. (2023). Second Quarter Crime Statistics 2023/2024. [In-person] Available at:
https://www.gov.za/news/speeches/minister-bheki-cele-second-quarter-crime-statistics-
20232024-17-nov-2023 [Accessed 17 Apr. 2024].

Gouws, A. (2022). Violence against women is staggeringly high in South Africa. [online]
Life. Available at: https://www.news24.com/life/relationships/love/her_story/violence-
against-women-is-staggeringly-high-in-south-africa-20221202 [Accessed 18 Apr. 2024].

Harmon‐Darrow, C., Charkoudian, L., Ford, T., Ennis, M. and Bridgeford, E. (2020).
Defining Inclusive mediation: Theory, practice, and research. Conflict Resolution Quarterly.
doi:https://doi.org/10.1002/crq.21279.

Jumatt, B. (2024). Missing six year old Joshlin Smith was likely sold for muthi, says activist
who joined the search. [online] City Press. Available at:
https://www.news24.com/citypress/news/missing-six-year-old-joshlin-smith-was-likely-sold-
for-muthi-says-activist-who-joined-the-search-20240310 [Accessed 19 Apr. 2024].

Kriesberg, L. (2012). Mediation in Conflict Systems. Systems Research and Behavioral

Science, 29(2), pp.149–162. doi:https://doi.org/10.1002/sres.2103.

Martens , J., Pieczkowski , M. and Van Vuuren-Smyth, B. (2003). SEDUCTION, SALE &
SLAVERY: TRAFFICKING IN WOMEN & CHILDREN FOR SEXUAL EXPLOITATION IN
SOUTHERN AFRICA 3 rd Edition International Organization for Migration (IOM) Regional
Office for Southern Africa. [online] Available at:
https://sarpn.org/documents/d0001633/P1960-IOM_TraffickingReport_May2003.pdf.
[Accessed 17 April 2024].

Mthethwa, C. (2024). Durban metro cop arrested for allegedly fatally stabbing girlfriend and
filming her dying moments. [online] News24. Available at:
https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/durban-metro-cop-arrested-for-allegedly-
fatally-stabbing-girlfriend-and-filming-her-dying-moments-20240331 [Accessed 16 Apr.
2024].

Selisho, K. (2024). MultiChoice suspends Big Brother housemate for saying she wanted to
‘molest’ fellow contestant. [online] Life - News24. Available at:
https://www.news24.com/life/arts-and-entertainment/tv/multichoice-suspends-big-brother-
housemate-for-saying-she-wanted-to-molest-fellow-contestant-20240316 [Accessed 16 Apr.
2024].

Wilkinson, C. (2024). OPINION | Positive masculinity is crucial to ending GBV and

promoting human rights. [online] Life - News24. Available at:
https://www.news24.com/life/relationships/family/opinion-positive-masculinity-is-crucial-to-
ending-gbv-and-promoting-human-rights-20240321.

World Health Organization (2024). Violence against Women. [online] World Health
Organization. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/violence-
against-women [Accessed 18 Apr. 2024].
Plagiarism Declaration / Honour Pledge

Plagiarism is inconsistent with several of Cornerstone’s core values: inasmuch as it

involves academic dishonesty it is contrary to our value of integrity; it does not give due
credit to others and thus constitutes a lack of respect; it reflects a lack of thinking for
oneself and thus demonstrates a lack of creativity; and it is completely opposite of a
commitment to excellence. In recognition of this truth, I hereby declare that:

1. I understand that plagiarism is to use another’s work and represent it as one’s own,
and I know that plagiarism is wrong.

2. I have used the Harvard Referencing convention for citation and referencing. Each
contribution to, and quotation in, this essay/report/project from the work(s) of
other people has been attributed (to the author(s)), and has been cited (with in-text
referencing) and referenced (with full bibliographic details).

3. I acknowledge that copying someone else’s assignment or essay, or part of it, is

wrong, and declare that this essay/report/project is my own work.

4. I have not allowed, and will not allow, anyone to copy my work with the intention
of passing it off as his or her own work.

5. I have read what the Academic Guidelines and Yearbook documents say about
plagiarism and understand that plagiarism may result in failure of an assignment,
failure of a module, and/or other disciplinary actions.

Signature: Erin Kroot

Date: 19/04/2024

Note that agreement to this declaration does not exonerate the student from
Cornerstone Institute’s Academic Integrity Policy.