How to Become a Mediator in South Africa

Mediation Academy
Jul 27, 2023
3 min read

Updated: Jun 9

With the growing demand for dispute resolution outside of court, mediation is a respected and rewarding profession. This blog will guide you through everything you need to know about mediation certification, from accredited mediator training in South Africa to the steps required to become a certified family mediator. Whether you're pursuing mediation through the ADR International Register or other professional bodies, we’ve got you covered.

What is the process for becoming a certified mediator in South Africa?

To become a certified mediator in South Africa, you must complete an accredited training course, apply for professional certification, and optionally register with an international body like the ADR International Register.

Planning
Studying
Accreditation
Implementation
Continuous professional development

1. PLANNING

The decision to become a mediator involves carefully weighing your options, and a thorough self-examination.

Use this checklist to aid in your planning:

Personality and aptitude for dealing with conflict
Minimum entry requirements
Financial planning
Choice of institution and course
Committing to a date

Focused man in blue shirt sketching architectural plans in a bright office, illustrating precision and professional planning.

You’ll want to be sure that the course you’re committing to is accredited as you’ll need to attain accreditation as a mediator further down the road.

2. STUDYING

The first step is enrolling in an accredited mediator training South Africa course. Mediation Academy SA offers an 80-hour online course focused on family law mediation, covering both theory and practical components. This training equips you with the foundational knowledge and skills needed to mediate effectively across a range of disputes.

At Mediation Academy, this entails 64 hours of self-study and 16 hours of practical role-plays. The course runs over a total of 80 hours and is self-paced.

The self-study component involves working through videos, with mini-assessments throughout the course. The role-plays component is more hands-on: here we’ll meet with teaching staff and other learners on a video call, and over the course of 2 days we’ll practice mediating from the ground up.

On completion you’ll receive a certificate, which is necessary for mediator accreditation.

Focused woman in a modern classroom using a laptop during accredited mediator training in South Africa. Notebooks nearby suggest active participation in online mediation certification.

3. ACCREDITATION

This refers to the seal of quality bestowed on an individual mediator by a professional membership organisation, and is often referred to as ‘certification’ in the international community. The mediator’s skills are tested against preset criteria and the mediator pledges to abide by a code of conduct. It is the mark of a professional mediator who has fully committed to the discipline.

While accreditation of mediators is not currently a legal requirement, this aspect will become a critical component once the planned Mediation Bill has been enacted and the government regulator has been established. The writer of this article is of the opinion that no mediator should start practicing without having attained this milestone.

Once you've completed the training, you can apply for mediation certification through a professional body. Two popular options are:

South African Association of Mediators (SAAM): Apply online and complete a supervised assessment. SAAM-certified mediators must adhere to a code of conduct and undergo supervision.
ADR International Register: Offers internationally recognised certification. Entry-level certification begins after training, with full certification requiring proof of mediation experience and a recorded session.

Your Mediation Academy qualification provides you with access to accreditation with different professional bodies. Accrediting with any of the NABFAM organisations (including the SA Assoc. of Mediators, SAAM) entails a mandatory supervision process, where your skills will be tested in either real-life cases or in a simulated environment. The ADR International Register’s accreditation process includes passing an exam. We are thrilled to add that our 80h Family Law Mediation course is also accredited with the South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP) and carries 30 CPD points.

Fees apply to both the accreditation process (R2,500-R2,800 and payable directly to the chosen membership organisation), as well as to your chosen supervisor (R3,500-R6,500).

even professionals in business attire engaged in a lively conversation in a bright office. A woman in a red dress stands out, symbolising diversity and energy in a mediation or training environment.

4. IMPLEMENTATION

The most difficult step in any long journey is the first one. We’ll show you how to kick off your new mediation practice by implementing the final task in your portfolio of evidence: your business plan.

5. CONTINUOUS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Keeping your tools sharp is key to staying ahead of the curve; and you’ll want to meet other professionals in the industry. We’ll keep you informed of industry events via newsletter.