january 2018
more than peace
1
january 2018
Photo: #FeesMust Fall protesters at Cape Town Parliament, 2016.
Founded in 2015 through The South African Christian Leaders Initiative (SACLI), alongside partners Christ Church Kenilworth, The Warehouse Trust and The Mennonite Central Committee, More Than Peace (MTP) is a coalition representing various like-minded churches and organisations, mandated to work towards the establishment of peace and social justice in our nation.
Our context After the fall of the apartheid system and South Africa’s transition into democracy, hopes, both domestic and global, were high, for a more just and equitable future for the country’s citizens. However, more than two decades later, the levels of frustration at how little has changed for so many, are high. The narrative of the socalled ‘rainbow nation’ is being challenged from all directions, as wealth, land and other resources continue to be unjustly divided across racial lines, and the legacy of apartheid remains all too present.
2
january 2018
This frustration has manifested in the steady increase of civic protest and demonstration in what has been termed South Africa’s second democratic transition. While these calls for justice are beginning to mobilise and unite civil society, in many cases they have led to even deeper polarisation and everwidening chasms, as conflicting parties struggle to listen to each other, simply becoming further entrenched in their own views. As a society we are sitting on a knife edge, our future dependent on how we respond to this present moment. While there is potential for increased conflict, chaos and unrest, deep and authentic transformation is equally possible.
Photo: #ZumaMustFall protester calling for those opposing corruption to stand with communities facing extreme crime and violence in the Cape Flats.
To realise this potential, we need to nurture and model sustained and productive dialogue that will enable opposing parties to draw closer in a posture of listening and openness for the the dialogue and relationships to transform and guide us forwards.
Photo: Faith Leaders lead a march to parliament in solidarity with students, 2016
3
january 2018
Pre-94 , the South African church played a key role in the struggle for freedom, taking on the roles of, among other things, negotiator, mediator, peace-builder and intercessor. However, over the past couple of decades, the church has in many ways lost its voice within the public sphere and become deskilled in mediation and peace-making. We believe that the church still has a crucial role to play in fighting for freedom and justice, through once again embodying its identity as peace-builder . In a country in which the majority of citizens identify themselves as Christian, the church has significant reach and influence. In a time where trust is a scarce and precious resource, the significance of being the country’s most trusted institution cannot be understated. We believe that the work of equipping and empowering the church to have a voice within civil society again, as well as to bring much-needed mediation and negotiation skills to contexts of conflict, is key in the building of a just and equitable society.
Photo: Archbishop Thabo Makgoba addresses the Anti-Corruption March in Cape Town, September 2015
4
january 2018
Our story so far In 2015, SACLI and members of the the National Unite Against Corruption Coalition, organised protests across major cities which led to the development of #ZumaMustFall, SAVE SA and #UniteBehind Movements. This led to the formation of a Church based monitoring team for the 2016 municipal elections under the banner of the More Than Peace coalition.
Photo: Observers visiting polling station during the 2016 Municipal Elections in Langa, Cape Town.
Photo: Ghalib Galant, IEC Mediator and Miles Giljam, SACLI, facilitate Observer training for 2016 Municipal Elections at Christ Church Kenilworth.
In September 2016, More Than Peace was rapidly scaled up as a response to the student-led #FeesMustFall protests across Higher Education Institutions. IEC mediators joined with Church leaders and our growing observer teams (PJWs) to intervene on campuses. An integrated sustained engagement was implemented at the four main Western Cape Universities, with additional interventions and training in the Eastern Cape, KZN, Gauteng and in dialogues at a national policy level. Simultaneously demonstrations and unrest in response to poor service-delivery, inadequate housing, land ownership, and threats to livelihoods for historically and currently disadvantaged communities were increasing and gaining prominence.
5
january 2018
In 2017 More Than Peace was invited to engage in the Hout Bay area, where tensions and conflict erupted in and between residents of Imizamo Yethu, Hangberg and the Valley. Hout Bay is in many ways a microcosm of the historical legacies and ongoing inequalities across South Africa. We recognised a major peacebuilding vacuum and saw the vital need and responsibility for the church to respond. We receive invitations to intervene on campuses and local communities and so, as we look ahead, we aim to scale up our operations to help South Africans try and find each other in a rapidly changing nation. Photo: Cllr Rob Quintas addressing a peaceful protest organised by The Harbour Community in Hout Bay demanding adequate housing and just fishing quotas.
Our team of trained mediators facilitate dialogical spaces where parties in conflict can safely and bravely listen to one another, with the goal of journeying towards deep and sustainable transformation. Additionally, to meet the urgent need in every community for conflict transformation, our mediators are training and equipping the Church and like-minded individuals and organisations in skills of mediation and peace-building. Photo: With the support of More Than Peace, Hout Bay Harbour Community Leader's organised a peaceful protest after a week of violence and standoff between protesters and SA Police in response to inadequate housing and unjust fishing quotas.
6
january 2018
Photo: MTP Mediators facilitating an 8-hour mass meeting at CPUT Cape Town Campus where students, staff - cleaning, security, catering, administrative and academic raised their concerns as part of ďźƒFeesMustFall action in 2016.
Our vision We desire to see a South Africa where all voices are heard, and where the practice of democracy builds bridges instead of creating divides. We believe that key to a successful second democratic transition is the facilitation of dialogical spaces where the painful realities and enduring legacies of the past relational, systemic and structural - can be expressed, heard, shared and resolved at an individual and structural level. We see this happening in part through the church reclaiming its place in the fight for justice, and once again embracing its role as a peace-maker within society. More Than Peace seeks to assist in facilitating and sustaining dialogue in the midst of the conflict that is essential for the change we envision. The rainbow nation narrative has in many ways masked deep wounds which have subsequently festered causing increasing pain, anger, mistrust and a need for things to be redressed urgently. We wish to facilitate spaces that allow these wounds to be seen, refusing to shy away from the very real pain and trauma that is present in our nation. Any false peace must be disturbed so that we can pursue true healing, build trust and cocreate a vision of the future together.
7
january 2018
Our strategy Our strategy is encompassed in the following five pillars:
● Church Leaders: We recognise the magnitude of the reach and influence of the Church, particularly in South Africa, and therefore see it as a key role player in the work of establishing a society marked by peace and justice. In the light of this, part of our strategy includes building relationship with church leaders, and training, equipping, and deploying them to assist in conflict management. Additionally, we seek to assist the Church in embracing its identity as a peace-maker in society through the embodiment of a theology that considers peace and justice central pillars. ● Mediation: We recognise the need for professional mediation in conflict resolution, as technical support for church leaders, and have thus built up a team of expert mediators. These mediators are deployed into conflict situations to assist in facilitating authentic and productive dialogue towards resolving disputes between conflicting parties, as well as to increase the negotiation and mediation capacity within these parties. We hope to broaden this team both by seeking to include already-qualified mediators, as well as by training up new ones. ● Peace Justice Witnesses (PJWs): The presence of impartial observers in situations of conflict has been shown to reduce the violence and tension that occurs within them. In light of this, we train and deploy Peace Justice Witnesses (PJWs) to be a peaceful presence within various protests and demonstrations, while observing and recording the happenings therein. In addition to the beneficial effect of their presence in reducing violence and tension, the information recorded by the PJWs has been effectively used to hold both the conflicting parties, the media, and other stakeholders, to account. ● Prayer: We consider prayer as essential within spaces of conflict where supernatural peace, understanding and assistance, are constantly needed. ● Trauma: We recognise the effects of past trauma in erecting barriers to conflict resolution, as well as creating triggers for re-traumatisation. As such we see the necessity of parties involved in mediation to be traumainformed, as well as to have the opportunity to experience healing from their own trauma. In light of this, we are seeking to build relationships with trauma specialists and create a trauma team to raise awareness of trauma and its effects, as well as lead traumatised individuals on journeys of healing. 8
january 2018
Our Impact Rev Annie Kirke’s (PJW) story: On the Saturday of the CPUT peace talks, a team of four of us tried to get onto campus after having been given permission from the Vice Chancellor. Upon arriving we were faced with very intimidating-looking private security personnel wearing beanies and face scarves to hide their faces, and rubber ball casings and stun grenades strapped to their bodies. Despite our permission to be on campus, it took three hours of back and forth before they let us in. Photo: PJW Rev Annie Kirke at Student March to Parliament, Finally, we were granted reluctant November 2016. entry, with the parting words of the private security guards, “We cannot vouch for your safety while you are on this campus.” Their intimidating presence and aggressive tone highlighted a real question as to what responsibility they held for the destabilisation and insecurity on the campus. Upon entry, we were met with the terrifying scene of hundreds of rubber balls and casings strewn across the lawns in front of the halls of residence. Every glass window and door had been shattered into tiny pieces. The campus felt like a ghost town. From 9pm until around midnight, we didn’t see any students at all. Just before 12am, as we were sitting in our cars, a group of about thirty students arrived on campus after obviously having been out. As they were walking back to their residences, they came to Freedom Square and started to dance and sing protest songs. Photo: Door to a Student Residence, CPUT Bellville Campus, November 2016
9
january 2018
Very quickly, we saw a private security van drive up and park opposite the students roughly 100m away. In the moonlight we caught the glint of riot shields as guards began to get out of the van and put on their riot gear. Suddenly, there was a tap on our car window, and a security guard said, “Sorry, you are going to have to leave now”. We told him that we had permission from the Vice Chancellor to be there, which the guard then said had been revoked, and that things were not safe, and they could not vouch for our safety. When we questioned him further about this ‘unsafety’, he just repeated that we had to go, and then proceeded to escort us off the campus. Within ten minutes we were receiving messages from students reporting that they were being fired at, and had to run for cover. The following morning before the peace talks started, I sat down with Prof. John Volmink, the acting VC, and showed him some of the rubber balls and their casings we had found and shared what we had seen on campus the previous night. Our observations highlighted critical questions concerning the insecurity, violence and negative peace that this private security group was creating and sustaining in relation to the student protesters. Later that morning, the parties involved in the talks signed a peace agreement and agreed to delay the exams for a week, and Prof. Volmink tasked a student with spreading this message around the residences. As he moved between residences, the private security guards began to chase him. The student ran away from them, and ended up locking himself in a toilet, and then called Prof Volmink to tell him what was going on. John then called us and told us of the situation, and asked us if we could get there as soon as possible to help. We arrived on campus soon after and found out that the student had managed to escape from the toilet, and so we asked him to meet us at the main gate. He came and stood beside our car and began to share his story with us. Suddenly we were surrounded by private security vehicles, and about eight men got out with rifles and pointed them at us saying, “Don’t move or we will shoot you”. They then made a citizen’s arrest of the student, and called SAPS saying that they thought that the student had been carrying a petrol bomb. SAPS then took the student away for questioning, and we were allowed to follow. We met up with Prof. Volmink outside the Joint Operations Command Centre on the campus and after about an hour the student was released as there was no evidence to support the arrest. After debriefing in John’s office, John made the decision to decommission that particular private security company immediately.
10
january 2018
Photo: MTP Mediator talks and waits with students after a student was detained by private security and handed over to SAPS on suspicion of carrying a petrol bomb. The student was released by police without charge. CPUT Bellville Campus November 2016.
The students offered to secure the perimeter of the campus until new arrangements could be made to secure the campus. For 3 hours, students manned the gates successfully. Over the weeks that followed, PJWs volunteered day and night at Belville and Cape Town campus. Fifteen church pastors from The Great Commission Network in Khayelitsha trained as PJWs and volunteered for night shifts at both campuses. Their presence contributed to the calm and stability that ensued as they watched throughout the night and offered pastoral support to students. From that day, there was peace on the campus for nine months. This experience was a very powerful one, with two things in particular standing out for me. Firstly, when we had gone onto the campus and stood amongst the rubber balls and casings, we prayed that it would be restored to its original purpose; a place of learning, recreation and rest, where students could meet together without fear, play sport and enjoy themselves. Amazingly, by 8pm that night, we looked out onto the campus and saw students playing football on top of the rubber balls and casings, riding their bicycles around, cheering and laughing, and so happy to have their campus back. It was really moving.
11
january 2018
Secondly, what stands out was experiencing John trusting and believing in what we had witnessed and the students testimonies. It was powerful seeing John take the courageous step of decommissioning this private security company and witnessing the students actively work with John to see their campus de-militarised and safety restored. It was very humbling and profound to see the combination of the invisible hand of God, and people who were very much God’s agents, bringing about his purposes.
Derek Ronnie’s (Mediator) story:
Photo:: CPUT Bellville entrance ablaze by protesters, 2016.
Our first engagement as MTP mediators, was a visit to CPUT where the Fees Must Fall (FMF) protests had started to become violent. On reaching CPUT, we were greeted with burning vehicles, broken windows, and a campus in total disarray. Unfortunately, management did not know what to do. We tried to get them to address students, and out of this facilitated two general meetings, where we clarified and scaled down the demands of the students. Soon after, the Vice Chancellor (VC) left CPUT, and acting VC Prof John Volmink was appointed in his place.
12
january 2018
We began to engage him, and additionally gained access to some of the student leaders, and leaders of the workers unions. We then set aside a weekend in November to engage in discussions to work out an agreement. We worked through the demands for the whole day on the Saturday and Sunday, and at 3:30am on Monday morning, we finally signed an agreement. Out of this we formed a Rapid Response Task Team, comprised of mediators who chaired the meetings, and representatives from all stakeholders on campus, and through this team we made sure that the terms of the agreement were expedited.
Photo: CPUT Cape Town Campus: Arson Attack on Exam Venue, November 2016.
We also worked with UCT, assisting in the creation of the Institutional Transformation and Reconciliation Committee (ITRC), with whom we helped facilitate spaces at a faculty level, where people could express themselves and work towards deep, long-term, sustainable transformation. Unlike many mediation consultancies, our goal is more than just a mediated settlement, but something that becomes sustainable and can essentially rebuild the brokenness that has taken place.
Photo: CPUT management, students, workers and unions sign a peace agreement facilitated by MTP in November 2016 enabling exams to proceed and 8,000 students to graduate.
13
january 2018
This is one of the principles that we hold dear to; we are not just there to add a plaster and get things fixed up. If true transformation means excising, really cutting into the wound, then we are going to do that.” Additionally, in Hout Bay, where there are conflicts between the residents of Imizamo Yethu, the Harbour Community, and The City of Cape Town, we have been involved in creating environments conducive to negotiation and mediation, as well as building capacity within the communities in leadership development and conflict transformation. “I’ve developed quite a good relationship with the communities at Hout Bay and have built up a lot of trust there, meaning that much of what I share with them is accepted, whereas other times it would have simply been shouted down.”
Prof John Volmink’s (Acting VC CPUT) “They [More Than Peace] have been my strength and my support, without whom I would not have been able to maintain my peace while I was there (acting VC at CPUT) … I cannot commend them highly enough for the work that they’ve been doing”
Photo: Prof John Volmink listens to concerned students concerning role and action of Private Security after they detained and handed a comrade over to SAPS on suspicion of carrying a petrol bomb. The student was released without charge.
14
january 2018
Where We Are Heading Our next six to nine months will be a period of evaluation, consolidation and building, as we intentionally reflect on, and learn from, our experiences thus far, and allow our future as a coalition to be shaped by what emerges from this time.
Photo: PJWS observe #ZumaMustFall protest 2016.
Our objectives for these next months are as follows: -
-
Strengthen existing relationships: We recognise that the work we do is most effective and sustainable when it is birthed out of a place of trust and relationship, and therefore the strengthening of our existing relationships will be an important focus for the coming months. Build new relationships: MTP came into being in the Western Cape which is where the majority of our networks currently exist. That being said, the need outside of the Western Cape is huge, and we have received requests for our assistance in various conflict situations around the country. Up to this point, we have simply not had the relational capital or capacity to engage. Over the next months, we hope to build connections with like-minded organisations in other parts of the country, that we can partner with to respond to these growing needs.
15
january 2018
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Review and assess: We plan to reflect on the paths that we have taken in our journey over the past couple of years as MTP, with the intention to understand what is and is not working and how we can better serve our vision for South Africa through our work as a coalition. Broaden the coalition: We hope to expand the MTP coalition, and include others with diverse skills, understanding and experiences, so that we can act more holistically to what is going on in South Africa, and what is needed in this present time. Mobilise and equip the church: Many churches desire to get involved in the social issues of our time, but feel ill-equipped. Our hope is to train and equip the church in the theology and practice of peace-making - that which encompasses and pursues a peace that is birthed from justice. We see this happening at the local, regional and national expressions of church in South Africa. Solidify our structures, governance and rules of engagement: As we are planning to expand our reach as a coalition, we recognise the importance of developing and strengthening our structures and processes to allow us to scale regionally and nationally. We plan to do this over the coming months, and believe that it will serve and streamline the work that we do. Maintain safety within volatile spaces: A large part of what we do requires people to be present in places of conflict and tension. In order to mitigate personal risk and danger in these spaces, we plan to tighten up our safety protocol. Listen and understand more deeply where we are as a country: A key part of what we do lies in discerning and understanding our context and the moment in time in which we find ourselves. Over the next months we plan to spend more time analysing where we are as a country, and what we as MTP can contribute towards establishing peace and justice in our society. Explore and connect with trauma partners: We recognise the need for awareness and skills in recognising and responding to trauma and its effects in spaces of conflict, but as of yet, do not have the capacity to address this in the way that we would like to. Thus, in this next season, we hope to build relationships and partnerships with trauma experts, and work with them to bring about understanding and healing within the spaces in which we work. Continue our ongoing work: We will be continuing the work that we are already involved in across Western Cape Universities and the communities in Hout Bay. We will also continue to train, equip and deploy mediators and Peace Justice Witnesses into places of protest and conflict as the needs arise regionally and nationally. 16
january 2018
Support More Than Peace As a coalition, we value the support and involvement of a broad group across civil society. There are different ways that you can actively participate in developing More Than Peace:
1. MTP Updates: email info@morethanpeace.org to receive a monthly publication of our focus and the outcomes of our work. 2. MTP Prayer Broadcasts: join us in praying for our nation and the transformation of the inequalities and injustices that need to be transformed for peace to be established. To receive regular updates message +27 (0)612146604 or email info@morethanpeace.org 3. Financial Support: the need and scope of our our work is growing rapidly. Some of our mediation work is renumerated by the clients themselves (institutions, organisations etc…). Other work, particularly pre-mediation work, relationship and trust building etc… requires funding from independent sources. Between 2016-17, we received donations and grants from churches, foundations and individual investors which enabled MTP to maintain impartiality and trust amongst multi-party stakeholders. From 1st February 2018, Rev Annie Kirke is being seconded in a selfsupporting role from Christ Church Kenilworth to help develop the work that she and the MTP team have pioneered together so far. She will be accountable to the MTP Board of Directors and St John’s Parish Team Rector. We are seeking to raise support for her role. Please email annie@morethanpeace.org for more details or donate via: South Africa Bank: Standard Bank Branch No: 025109 Account No: 071883924 Swift Code: SBZAZAJJ Bank Ref: MTP Annie
UK Smile Branch Code: 08-92-86 Account No: 17158398 Swift Code: CPBKGB22. Bank Ref: MTP Annie
17
january 2018
4. Training: attend or host at your church, university, school, or work place: â—? a 4-hour Peace Justice Witness Training â—? 3 day Mediation Training email pjw@morethanpeace.org for further details. 5. Trauma Response: help us to develop a network of trauma practitioners, email info@morethanpeace.org if you are a practitioner or advocate who can help. 6. Other suggestions? Please get in touch with us to share ideas or opportunities that you see which could support and fulfil the vision of MTP via info@morethanpeace.org.
Get in touch MTP Board Members Miles Giljam, SACLI, miles@sacli.org.za Pros Ndimande, Mennonite Central Committee, prosndimande@mcc.org Craig Stewart, The Warehouse Trust, craig@warehouse.org.za
MTP Office General Enquiries: info@morethanpeace.org PJW and Mediation training and assistance: Annie Kirke annie@morethanpeace.org
Writer: Thandi Gamedze, thandi@warehouse.org.za Editors: Annie Kirke and Miles Giljam, More Than Peace
18