Kelman Seminar: Roelf Meyer – Sharing the South African Dialogue Experience: How it Prevented a Civil War and its Possible Application in Today’s World of Polarization and Conflict

At the end of the 1980s, South Africa was on the brink of a full-scale civil war. There was no hope of a solution. The world and South Africans were watching the unfolding of an insurmountable conflict. Then the pivotal happened. Nelson Mandela was released from prison after 27 years. Both Mandela and FW de Klerk were prepared to engage in talks that led to dialogue and negotiations. That prevented further escalation of the tensions and led to a peaceful transition from apartheid to democracy. Today, this lesson remains relevant for regions, countries, communities, and societies in conflict.