Hello, I’m Tegwyn.
I am a NABFAM-accredited SJA mediator. The Social Justice Association of ADR Practitioners (SJA) is a Recognised Mediator Organisation (RMO) in terms of the High Court Mediation Protocol, which took effect on 22 April 2025.
I did my initial training with the Social Justice Network (Pty) Ltd, and I am assisting as a senior mediator on a pro bono basis in the ACR Community NPC ADR Children’s Court Project in Protea Court, Soweto.
As an accredited member of SJA, I subscribe to my organisation’s Code of Conduct. I am well-versed in soft skills and communication, which positions me in an excellent position to understand both sides while maintaining my impartiality and neutrality.
As from 2025, I serve on the Exco Board of SJA, with the portfolio as an assistant for Marketing and Social Media.
What is Mediation?
- Mediation is voluntary; either party or the mediator can withdraw from the mediation at any time.
- Mediation is confidential; nothing said in mediation can be used in court by either party or the mediator.
- The mediator is neutral, playing a supportive and impartial role for both parties.
- The mediator cannot make decisions on your behalf. The mediator is there to facilitate conversation and dialogue on difficult-to-speak-of topics.
- The very nature of mediation allows you to make decisions based on the best information available, bringing together a process that looks at the issues and not at the people involved. An ‘us against the problem’ attitude is very useful and far better than an attack on one another.
- Mediation allows for flexibility in the decision-making process. You can choose your outcomes, and this makes them unique. Should the matter go to court, it will be subject to the strict obedience to the law, and may not be something either of you wants. So working it out amicably and civilly is a real opportunity for nobody to be the loser.
What is an ideal mediation?
I understand where you are now. You’ve decided mediation may be an option, but you’re unsure what to expect or do next. My goal is for you to have as much information as possible before contacting me, so that you understand what you are looking to achieve.
An ideal mediation may look different to how you imagine it. You could work out an entire settlement agreement on a few other points. You may only find a resolution to one or two points, or come to no resolution.
It is essential to approach mediation with a clear goal. However, it is also important to be flexible during negotiations / conversations because a more streamlined and better outcome can often be achieved through synergistic input from all parties. We do our best together by following my lead and my way of communicating, so you can model your communication on mine. I do not make decisions on your behalf, but I can guide you through decision-making peacefully and calmly.
Emotions are at the centre of conflict — we all know this — and emotion feeds the flames of conflict. However, we don’t want to exclude emotions from our mediation, so I encourage sharing, particularly the feelings driving the conflict. I also contain this using various communication tools so you are heard through the noise of emotions. Emotions can also defuse conflict, so we keep that balance by allowing emotions to be vented in mediation.
Escalating conflict.
Could you nip it in the bud? I am by no means a marriage counselor or a psychologist. However, mediating a specific topic early on is an ideal way to prevent it from escalating. Parting as amicably as possible is a great way to ensure a relationship is kept as intact as possible during separation and divorce, especially when your children are involved. You still must have a good communicative relationship for their sake.
One of the real benefits of mediation is being ‘heard’ and telling your side of the story; each participant is given an equal opportunity to do this.
Sometimes, being heard takes the sting out of an issue long enough to resolve it. We aim to do this without aggression or intimidation but by collaborating on a solution.
Mediation is exceptionally beneficial to couples experiencing a dispute. It is built on goal setting and working through the matter with a mediator to keep things on track and achieve a higher outcome for everyone involved.
I look forward to working with you both to find a smoother path ahead, and I am available anytime you would like to book an appointment.
