Find a Mediator

Long before modern mediation, African communities gathered under a tree where every voice mattered and peace could begin. From a young age, I believed that every voice deserves to be heard. Across Africa, communities once gathered beneath the shade of a tree to resolve conflict, restore peace, and find a way forward together. That spirit of compassionate dialogue and restoration remains at the heart of my work as a mediator today. I believe mediation is not simply about resolving disputes — it is about restoring dignity, understanding, and the possibility of peace. My approach is grounded in empathy, patience, and the belief that even in difficult situations, people can find common ground when they are truly listened to. My particular passion lies in assisting parents and families of children with special needs, including ADHD, ADD, autism, learning disabilities, and related behavioural challenges. These matters require far more than standard mediation approaches. They demand compassion, specialised insight, and parenting and maintenance plans that genuinely serve the unique needs of both the child and the family. This area of work is deeply personal to me. For four years, I cared for children with special needs in a children’s home, where I gained first-hand experience and understanding of their behavioural, emotional, and developmental challenges. That experience shaped my ability to approach families with sensitivity, practical understanding, and care. I have completed my LLB degree, which further strengthens my ability to guide parties through complex family and relational disputes with professionalism, fairness, and integrity. My goal is always to help people move forward — not as enemies, but with restored respect, workable solutions, and the peace of knowing they were heard.

I spent many years as a minister, offering guidance and counselling to individuals and families. Since retiring, I have carried that passion into my work as a mediator, where I have built substantial experience, especially through pro bono work at the Pretoria North Magistrate’s Court.

Debbie Chetty is an admitted attorney and accredited mediator specialising in family, civil, and commercial disputes. She has completed specialised training in RAF and medical negligence mediation through AFSA, equipping her to effectively manage complex, high-value claims. Debbie is committed to facilitating constructive dialogue and helping parties reach practical, cost-effective resolutions outside of the courtroom. With a strong legal background and a client-centered approach, she brings empathy, professionalism, and strategic insight to every mediation process. She is also a trained Voice of the Child Practitioner, ensuring that children’s perspectives are appropriately considered in family matters. Debbie has been a part of the Pro Bono project working at the Protea Magistrate Court and the Johannesburg Magistrate court.

Youlander Jele Chaz is an attorney and Mediator with experience as a business and family law mediator.

with over 15 years of experience as a Human Resources Practitioner, I bring a deep understanding of people and interpersonal dynamics to work as a professionally accredited Family Law Mediator and member of the Social Justice Association. I am passionate about creating a safe, supportive space where clients can work together to find common ground - Particularly in Rule 41 applications and development of parenting plans in accordance with section 33 of the Children's Act. My approach is rooted in empathy, fairness and genuine commitment to helping families navigate challenging transitions with dignity and care.

After a 24year career in mostly financial services, banking and insurance, I stepped into that calling in 2017 and founded The Talking Point when I qualified as a Family Law Mediator. What began as a Family Law and Divorce Mediation practice has evolved into an integrated mental health, mediation, and wellbeing ecosystem built on one foundational belief: #HUMAN1ST. Our work is rooted in the Biopsychosocial Model of Health, integrating emotional, psychological and social support. Providing professional services across all 9 provinces, 24/7/365, serving individuals, families, employees, and organisations. Since 2017, we have touched more than 300,000 lives! Not through transactions, but through transformation. Not through theory, but through presence, compassion, and sustainable solutions. The tragic loss of my husband changed my life forever and, in that grief, I understood something profound: God had been preparing me all along. The Talking Point was never just a business. It was a purpose placed at my feet. Today, we serve so many different industries, bridging the gap between mental health and mediation, ensuring support is accessible, affordable, and life changing. I am a proud African. A servant leader. A believer in restoration. And above all - passionate about people. We don’t just offer solutions. We change lives - one conversation at a time.

Through the past 25 years, I have gained extensive experience in all Family Law-related matters, and I am perfectly equipped to mediate complex matters relating to Maintenance, Contact and Care for Minor Children, and all matrimonial property affairs.

Sabonga Mpongosha is an accomplished Accredited Mediator, distinguished legal professional with extensive experience in dispute resolution. Backed by a strong legal background, he is dedicated to resolving complex disputes through mediation, delivering practical, strategic and commercial sound solutions that preserve relationships and achieve lasting outcomes,

Accredited mediator with a background in Mental Health. Have a passion for psychology: appreciating all qualities of the human condition. Studied for several years, and work as a counsellor in Cape Town, working with couples, individuals, and groups. I also volunteer at a number of NPOs working in South Africa to create safe spaces for people to discover and speak themselves heard, seen, and felt. Working on the ground to provide mental and social health resource accessible and integrated into the absolutely ordinary way humans are unique, different, and wonderful. I am from Cape Town's Southern Suburbs.

Experienced Wineburg Magistrates Court Mediator, Comfortable with maintenance calculations. Trained by Conflict Dynamics and Social Justice

I am a person that loves a world without conflict. Therefore, my passion is to help people to resolve conflict and live in a peaceful environment. Litigation is stressful, takes time and is costly. Mediation is the answer and although not all dynamics/conflicts between people can be resolved by way of mediation I believe that any attempt is better than none at all.

Theresa Luyt is a multi-disciplinary dispute resolution specialist, family mediator at MV ADR Attorneys (Malan Vermeulen Incorporated), with a practice focused on family and workplace mediation, restorative justice, and court-connected ADR. With a career spanning law, financial services, business ownership, and coaching, Theresa brings a uniquely integrated perspective to conflict resolution. Her work is grounded in the understanding that effective mediation sits at the intersection of legal, emotional, financial, and behavioural dynamics. Theresa holds a B.Proc degree from the University of the Free State and a Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning (CFP). Her professional background includes experience as a pension fund administrator, consultant, and compliance officer, as well as managing and operating small to medium-sized businesses in the retail and service sectors. She has been practicing as a mediator since 2016 and is a SJA NABFAM-certified Family Mediator (2020) and a trained Restorative Justice Practitioner (2021). In addition, she is a qualified life and purpose coach and has been applying coaching methodologies in her dispute resolution work since 2014. Theresa plays an active role in developing the mediation profession. As a mediation mentor and NABFAM assessor, she co-leads the Mediation Mentorship Programme at ACR (Pty) Ltd, contributing to the training and accreditation of emerging mediators. She is also involved in advancing access to justice through the ADR Children’s Court Project, operating in the Protea Court (Soweto) and Johannesburg Central Court, where mediation is integrated into the court process to support families in conflict. From 2023 to 2025, Theresa served as Vice Chair of the SJA Exco Committee, advocating for professional standards, governance, and the structured growth of the ADR industry in South Africa.