The Arbitration Foundation of Southern Africa (AFSA) has launched its Justice Through Mediation campaign – an initiative designed to provide mediation services to individuals and small businesses across South Africa.

In a media release, the AFSA explains that the campaign aims to reduce court case backlogs and to empower a new generation of AFSA-trained mediators under the mentorship and guidance of retired judges and lawyers.

The AFSA says its transformative mediation model is anchored in quality mentorship and inclusivity, and at its core, plans to offer mediation services for disputes.

The campaign also aims to support and develop young, trained mediators by giving them opportunities to mediate real cases under supervision, as well as ensure high standards of professionalism, ethics and educational value embedded in the judicial and legal mentorship.

“Justice Through Mediation – it’s a call to action,” says AFSA CEO Andile Nikani.

“We have asked retired judges, advocates and attorneys to continue their lifelong commitment to justice by mentoring young AFSA-trained mediators. Their experience matters, not only to those they mentor, but to every South African who will gain faster, fairer access to justice.”

The AFSA notes that all participating mentors receive comprehensive training at no cost to align with mediation principles and are formally recognised on the AFSA’s panel of mediators – a public acknowledgement of their role.

“The Justice Through Mediation campaign showcases the AFSA’s commitment to driving innovation in alternative dispute resolution, nurturing tomorrow’s mediators, and expanding access to justice through mediation,” the foundation says.

The AFSA notes that free mediation services are provided within a defined financial threshold and are subject to eligibility criteria and the discretion of participating retired judges and lawyers.

The foundation explains that not all disputes may qualify and that it reserves the right to assess each case individually.