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Zaheera is an admitted Advocate of the High Court of South Africa and an accredited Mediator. She graduated from the University of the Witwatersrand in 2007, where she obtained her LLB degree. Prior to joining the JSA for pupillage, she practiced as an attorney for 7 years in the fields of corporate and commercial law. During 2015, she completed her pupillage and then joined Group One Advocates. Her private law practice is in the following fields: commercial litigation and arbitrations, insolvency, business rescue, access to information, construction, environmental law, telecommunications, media and entertainment law (particularly defamation and privacy), sports law; trusts and international law. My public law practice is in the fields of administrative law and constitutional litigation. She has appeared in the Constitutional Court; various High Courts; Labour Court; and at arbitrations, tribunals, and mediations. She has acted for many large, national, and global corporations in significant disputes. In 2019, she became an accredited and certified Mediator with Arbitration Foundation of South Africa (“AFSA”). She has mediation experience in the following types of disputes: - Corporate and commercial; - Insolvency; - intellectual property; - Petroleum; - Sports; - Labour; - Medical negligence; and - RAF.

Resolved -+200 family disputes. Neutral and empathetic professional with over two years of experience in successfully facilitating family disputes. Accredited by SAAM and NABFAM with a proven track record of helping conflicting parties identify core issues and reach cost-effective settlement agreements without resorting to litigation. Adv. Nomsy Mndebele has been practicing as a Mediator & Advocate since the mid-1990s. Her practice is situated in Roodeport, Johannesburg. Nomsy has, over the years, acquired a wide range of legal knowledge and experience in civil/commercial disputes, community-oriented disputes, workplace conflict, divorce & family matters, and administration of deceased estates and trusts Nomsy believes that it is important that professionals give back time and expertise to society on a pro bono basis. As a result, she has, over the years, provided legal advice on community-oriented issues, family law matters, domestic violence, conflict resolution, and children's rights. I am committed and diligent in serving the needs and interests of families to preserve and enhance restructured relationships through mediation processes. My specific fields of interest in respect of dispute resolution include: 1. Families: divorce, parenting plans, parenting rights and responsibility agreements, and financial support (maintenance). 2. Labor relations

An Associate Attorney at Hurter Spies Inc. in Pretoria, I am a results-driven professional with more than five years of experience in the South African legal sector. I am particularly passionate about family law, divorce matters, children’s law, and cases involving domestic violence and harassment. I thrive in high-conflict disputes, combining strong negotiation, problem-solving, and client-service skills to deliver clear, strategic, and empathetic outcomes.

Susan Wasserman: social worker, mediator, and adoption specialist: Susan Wasserman has been a qualified social worker since 1980, dedicating her career to supporting individuals and families through lives most significant and challenging transitions. With 43 years of full-time, professional experience – including 36 years in private practice – she has established a distinguished career centred on family care, mediation, and adoption services. As an accredited member of SJA (member of NAPFAM), and accredited adoption social worker, Susan has been facilitating adoptions since 1999. For 22 years, Susan has also been an active practitioner in mediation, where, with a focus on family-related matters, she has helped parties navigate conflict with a view toward long-term resolution. Over the past 17 years, Susan has specialised in counselling with children and families. Her areas of expertise include play therapy, divorce mediation prior to litigation, and adoption services. Susan views her work as a calling: she is deeply committed in making a meaningful difference in the lives of those she serves, ensuring that the wellbeing of children remains the central priority in every family decision. Her approach to mediation is grounded in the principles of neutrality, confidentiality, and mutual respect. She believes that active listening and empathy are the primary tools for helping individuals find restorative solutions. Susan’s ultimate goal is to help parties move forward with clarity and dignity: supporting each individual in becoming their best self, while striving for the best possible outcomes for the whole family.

I am an admitted attorney and accredited family & divorce mediator, registered with the South African Association of Mediators. I am also an accredited commercial mediator, accredited with Conflict Dynamics. In my free time I love painting, reading and traveling. I am a divorced mother of three beautiful children and am currently residing in Pretoria. Alternative Dispute Resolution is my passion.

I am an accredited mediator specialising in conflict and domestic violence related matters. Although I do not currently practice in a formal or paid capacity and do not charge for mediation sessions, I actively support survivors by helping them navigate complex interpersonal challenges. My work is trauma-informed and shaped by both professional qualifications and extensive lived experience. I write comprehensive guides, info sheets, printable safety roadmaps, and educational worksheets designed to help individuals see patterns clearly. This structured support is offered entirely free of charge with a strict focus on safety, empowerment, and informed decision-making through Rise Against Domestic Violence SA. All my services and educational tools are free to survivors navigating domestic abuse or conflict. Approach Mediation is not a one-size-fits-all process, and in the context of domestic violence, it can cause serious harm when applied without care. My approach is trauma-informed and safety-focused, built on the understanding that conflict between people who have experienced abuse is rarely balanced, and pretending otherwise does more damage than good. I do not facilitate traditional mediation where there is an active risk, coercive control, or a power imbalance that could compromise a person’s safety or ability to speak freely. Instead, I use my mediation insights to help people understand their situation clearly, break out of coercive loops, and make decisions that are genuinely their own. My experience is shaped by professional training, active certifications, and deep lived experience. Safety, boundaries, and clear educational frameworks are the foundation of everything I do. All resources and guidance provided to survivors are completely free through Rise. www.riseagainstdomesticviolence.co.za

Family Law Mediator | Educator (SACE) Shannon Staniforth is a family law mediator and experienced educator with 19 years of experience working with children, parents, and families. Her extensive background in education has provided her with valuable insight into child development, family dynamics, communication, and conflict resolution, which she brings to her mediation practice. Shannon is passionate about helping families navigate challenging transitions and disputes in a respectful, constructive, and child-focused manner. Her primary areas of interest include parenting plans, care and contact matters, maintenance and settlement agreements,. She is particularly committed to developing comprehensive, customised parenting plans that reflect the unique needs of each family while promoting the best interests of the child and supporting healthy, ongoing relationships between parents and children. She believes that every family is different and that effective mediation should focus on practical, sustainable solutions rather than adversarial conflict. Her approach encourages open communication, mutual understanding, and collaborative problem-solving, empowering families to reach agreements that are fair, workable, and tailored to their circumstances. Drawing on nearly two decades in education, Shannon understands the significant impact that family conflict can have on children. She is dedicated to ensuring that children's voices and developmental needs are considered throughout the mediation process, helping parents create stable and supportive environments in which children can thrive. Shannon also has a strong interest in school-based mediation and restorative approaches to conflict resolution. She believes in helping children and young people develop accountability, empathy, and effective communication skills, recognising that resolving conflict constructively at an early stage can positively influence future relationships, educational outcomes, and community wellbeing. As both an educator and mediator, Shannon brings a unique understanding of children's developmental, emotional, and educational needs, enabling her to assist families in creating parenting arrangements that work not only in theory but also in everyday life. Her goal is to provide a professional, supportive, and solution-focused environment where families can work through difficult issues with dignity and respect while prioritising the long-term wellbeing of all involved.

I am an experienced Family Law litigation attorney, with extensive experience in parental disputes, maintenance disputes and division of estates. I am passionate about mediation as well, as it can afford families a less invasive and more controlled process to resolve disputes.