Peacemaking in South Africa: A Life in Conflict Resolution, by H.W. van der Merwe

H.W. van der Merwe has been described in the media as "the man who brings South Africa's enemies together". Here he tells his own story, which is also largely the story of the South African "miracle" negotiated settlement.

Van der Merwe arranged the first meetings – in 1984 – between the ANC in exile and government supporters, helping to break a deadlock which had lasted 24 years. He visited Winnie Mandela in Brandfort and developed strong links with the Mandela family, which lead to his involvement with the education of the Mandela children. His many personal contacts stretched across the entire political spectrum, from Steve Biko, Mangosutho Buthelezi, Thabo Mbeki and many National Party cabinet ministers, to Carel Boshoff and the Afrikaner Vryheidstigting.

As head of the Centre for Intergroup Studies at the University of Cape Town for 25 years, H.W. van der Merwe became an internationally recognised peacemaker. In these memoirs he provides a fascinating glimpse into the hidden world of behind-the-scenes peacebrokering.