Welcome to SAAM
The South African Association of Mediators, also known as SAAM, is a registered Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) that acts as a professional regulatory body for its members.
SAAM is a Member Organisation for Family Mediators
Proudly, SAAM is a founding member of the National Accreditation Board for Family Mediators (NABFAM). In accordance with this, SAAM occupies two seats on the NABFAM Executive Board. As part of the process of defining and adopting sound standards, the executive committee sought to align South African Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) standards with international best practices.
As such SAAM accreditation aims at supporting standards consistent with that of the International Mediation Institute (IMI). Fundamentally SAAM’s contribution to the complex and valued function of the practice of mediation in South Africa is based on solid foundations. These foundations are upheld by sound education and the training of mediators. Driven to transform as a current and up-to-date organisation continually.
SAAM Annual Conference
We warmly invite you to the South African Association of Mediators (SAAM) Annual Conference, scheduled for the 29th of August 2024 at the Premier Hotel in Midrand.
This year’s conference, themed "Updates on Mediation, Parenting Coordination, and Other ADR Methods in South Africa", offers crucial discussions regarding the latest developments and practices within the field.
Special Announcements:
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Venue: Premier Hotel Midrand, Gauteng
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Conference Timing: Join us from 8:30 AM to 16:30 PM for a full day of enriching discussions and networking opportunities.
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Limited Seats Available: Please register early as seating is limited.
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Hospitality: Attendees will enjoy refreshments and snacks throughout the conference, courtesy of the venue. Additionally, SAAM will provide a welcome pack to all participants.
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Dietary Requirements: We aim to accommodate all dietary needs. Kindly inform us of any specific requirements to ensure we can provide for you adequately during the conference.
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Online Participation Available: Ensuring broad access, the conference will be available online.
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Introducing Our Esteemed Speakers and Host and Their Topics of Discussion.
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Prof. John Faris: SAAM Chairperson and Emeritus Professor at Unisa, will grace us as the conference host, bringing his vast experience and leadership in mediation and ADR to the forefront of our discussions.
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Mr. Magwayi Mabena: Serving as the Master of Ceremonies, Mr. Mabena is a distinguished SAAM EXCO member and a well-known labour law consultant and facilitator with Farisanani & Associates. His expertise in public relations brings a dynamic presence to our conference.
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Judge Norman Davis: A key figure in the Gauteng Division of the High Court, Pretoria, Judge Davis is our keynote speaker. His insights into Rule 41A of the Uniform Rules of Court promise to enlighten and provoke thoughtful discussion.
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Regional Court President Jakkie Wessels: Representing Limpopo as a keynote speaker, Ms Wessels will explore the new Chapter 2 mediation rules in the Magistrates’ Courts, providing valuable legal perspectives.
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Dr. Dellene Clark and Ms. Karabo Ozah: Dr. Clark, the SALRC researcher on Project 100A, and Ms. Ozah, a member of the Advisory Committee on Project 100A and Director of the Centre for Child Law at UP, will jointly present on the latest developments on Project 100D and the Family Dispute Resolution Bill.
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Mr. Pierre van Wyk: The SALRC researcher on Project 94, Mr. van Wyk, and possibly another member of the Advisory Committee on this project will share his/their perspectives on the advancement of Project 94 and the generic Mediation Bill.
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Dr. Astrid Martalas and Mr. Craig Schneider: Dr. Martalas, a counselling psychologist, mediator, and parenting coordinator at Pomegranate Therapy and Beyond, along with Mr. Schneider, co-chair of FAMAC and a respected lawyer, mediator, and parenting coordinator, will host a collaborative session with practical perspectives on mediation and parenting coordination.
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Ms. Zenobia du Toit: An attorney and family law arbitrator with Miller du Toit Cloete Inc, Ms. du Toit, will update us on the status of family-law arbitration in South Africa, highlighting key developments in this area.
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Dr. Lynette Roux: Representing SAAM on the new ADRP-SA, Dr. Roux, a clinical psychologist, will offer insights into the inception and future directions of this overarching body for ADR professionals.
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Prof. Leentjie de Jong: With updates on the new NABFAM guidelines for hearing the voice of the child in ADR and court processes, Prof. De Jong, SAAM EXCO member and NABFAM chairperson, will discuss innovative approaches in child-informed mediation.
Introducing the
SAAM-Kaelo
Referral Project
Are you a SAAM Accredited Mediator passionate about helping families navigate conflict towards peaceful solutions? Are you eager to expand your practice and make a lasting impact?
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SAAM would like to introduce our newest initiative, the SAAM-Kaelo Referral Project.
This initiative connects SAAM Accredited Mediators with family dispute referrals through the esteemed Kaelo Employee Assistance Program, providing exclusive referrals to expand your practice and make a lasting impact.
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Why Choose
SAAM Accreditation?
Expertise: Gain access to cutting-edge mediation techniques and training resources.
Recognition: Showcase your commitment to excellence in family law mediation.
Network: Connect with a dynamic network of like-minded professionals.
Impact: Empower families to find peaceful resolutions and minimise conflict.
Protection: Safeguard yourself and your clients by adhering to SAAM’s Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility for Accredited Mediators.
Book our Latest Webinar
About our Webinar
Are you unsure about calculating accrual claims?
Join Us for a Comprehensive Webinar on Determination of Accrual Claims!
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Mark your calendar for the 12th of April and join us for a not-to-be-missed, 3 hour webinar.
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This SAAM webinar, hosted by Prof Leentjie de Jong and Ms Stella Coetzee CA(SA), will provide clear pointers for the determination of accrual claims.
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In this comprehensive session, our hosts will address:
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the reasons for the introduction of the accrual system, which has since been negated to a certain extent by the decision of the Constitutional Court in EB (born S) v ER (born B) and KG and Minister of Home Affairs (Greyling case);
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the date on which the value of a spouse’s estate is to be calculated in the mediation process for purposes of accrual sharing, despite the decision of the Supreme Court of Appeal in AB v JB 2016 (5) SA 211 (SCA) (Brookstein case);
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the holistic approach that should be followed and the need not to mediate accrual claims in isolation;
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step-by-step guidelines to calculate the accrual in the spouses’ respective estates;
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the relevant assets and liabilities statement that can be used to determine the accrual in each spouse’s estate;
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how to determine the net commencement or initial value of each spouse’s estate including indexation;
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how to deal with excluded assets as listed in sections 4 and 5 of the Matrimonial Property Act 88 of 1984, including assets that replace excluded assets, proceeds of excluded assets and indexation of the value of such assets;
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a practical example of how an accrual claim should be calculated, offering invaluable insights into real-world application.
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About our Hosts
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Prof. Madelene (Leentjie) de Jong is a renowned family law expert with a career spanning over three decades. She holds degrees including a BLC and an LLB from Pretoria University, and an LLD from UNISA. Prof. de Jong's professional experience covers academia, legal practice, and dispute resolution. As a professor at UNISA, she specialised in Family Law, and she's also an admitted attorney of the High Court of South Africa and an accredited mediator and an accredited parenting coordinator by SAAM. Her achievements include being the chairperson of the SA Law Reform Commission’s Advisory Committee on Project 100D (Review of the Maintenance Act) and a member of the Advisory Committee on Project 100A (Family Dispute Resolution).
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Stella Coetzee CA (SA), combines financial expertise with compassion, holding degrees in B COM (Industrial Psychology) from RAU, B COMPT (Accounting) from UJ, and B COMPT Hons (Accounting) from UNISA. With over two decades in finance management and qualifications as a CA(SA), she has a deep understanding of accounting and the tax implications in divorce settlements. Stella is an accredited mediator with NABFAM and SAAM, focused on family law and specialising in maintenance and accrual calculation for divorce settlements. She also established a service to attorneys and their clients to assist in Financial analysis and Financial Disclosures for interim maintenance applications.
Don't miss this comprehensive webinar on the Determination of Accrual Claims.