The South Africa Association of Mediators (SAAM) is a non-profit making multidisciplinary professional organisation, established in 1988. It is a regulatory body for its members and is involved in mediation through education and training. SAAM proposes to:

• • Enhance and uphold the status of mediation in South Africa and promote it as a process for dispute resolution in all types of circumstances. ·
  • Establish standards and procedures for admission to the profession of mediation; continue organizing conferences, workshops and lectures.

SAAM is a founding member of the National Accreditation Board for Family Mediators (NABFAM) and holds two seats on the Executive Board of NABFAM. In defining and adopting standards, the Board took notice of and sought to align South African ADR standards with international best practice. Accreditation will be aligned with the standards of the International Mediation Institute (IMI).

Our Mission is to: 

• • Promote mediation, alternative dispute resolution disciplines, including civil and commercial mediation and other disciplines appropriate for mediation and engage in and promote restorative justice; to engage with organizations, institutions and other parties promoting and engaging in the aforesaid;
  • To coordinate training opportunities according to standards set by National Accreditation Board for Family Mediators (NABFAM) and The South African Dispute Resolution Accreditation Council (DiSAC) and/or by the Association and according to international standards;
  • To accredit mediators in Family, Civil/Commercial, Labour and Restorative Justice and other disciplines appropriate for mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) 
  • To provide conferences and training opportunities to its members and interested parties for continuing professional development (CPD) purposes;
  • To set standards and norms of performance and ethics and to ensure that these standards and norms of performance and ethics of its members are maintained.