Derek Ronnie

Accredited mediator, conflict transformation practitioner and facilitator

A Biographical overview of Derek Alexnder

Derek Ronnie

Derek is a seasoned mediator and facilitator with experience across a broad range of sectors with faith, education and community falling within his experience. His keen sense of justice and the need for conflict transformation within a country that is experiencing a heightened level of racial and class polarisation is what drives his passion for mediation. He is a strong advocate of building environments that are conducive to healing, restoring and the embracing of a common humanity. Derek is adept at facilitating at all levels and as such has the necessary skills to co-ordinate projects using his mediation skills to create the necessary synergies for diverse teams to work together.

His deep passion and commitment to bringing about social transformation that has a positive impact on the lives of those he engages with emerges from a deeper understanding of the Gospel imperative “a new commandment I give to you, love one another just as I have loved you”. This drives his impulse to restoring wholeness to the fractures created by our individual and collective past.

Derek has been a mediator in elections and community settings since 1994 and has intervened in disputes in South Africa and in the region. He has also been very involved in training and building the capacity in local communities to deal with violent conflicts (especially pre-election conflict) in Mozambique, Burundi and Zimbabwe. Locally, Derek has been involved in resolving disputes in a number of communities disputes from Vrygrond and Westlake to Hangberg and Imizamo Yethu.