African indigenous conflict transformation approaches in post-conflict relational justice: A case study of the Richmond community in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa (1990-2018).

Abstract

The community of Richmond, which is located in the KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa, has been experiencing intractable violent political conflicts since the early 1990s, albeit it at varying degrees and at different times. One of the prime casualties of these violent political conflicts has been disrupted relations. However, notwithstanding these harmed relations, ongoing Western methods of post-conflict intervention have given frugal attention to the relational dimensions of conflict and peacebuilding, particularly in the Richmond area. Using the Richmond community as a case study, the research examined indigenous approaches to post-conflict intervention and determined if and how such methods can be utilised to achieve postconflict relational justice. This study employed a qualitative exploratory case study approach. Using non-probability purposive and snowball sampling, data were collected from purposively selected participants during face-to-face interviews and one focus group discussion. The collected data were analysed using the thematic approach for evaluation and interpretation. The study was anchored in two theoretical frameworks. The first was the conflict transformation theory which has its focus beyond cessation of physical violence. It focuses on mutual understanding in communities to give them the capacity to resolve conflicts in a manner that is effective and guarantees sustainable and durable peace. The second was the conflict theory, which is a power matrix analysis tool that demonstrates how elites and powerful groups in communities manipulate societal institutions to maintain their dominance. This theory contributes to a broader understanding of power dynamics in a conflict situation. The findings revealed a penchant for indigenous approaches by the residents in the Richmond area as they viewed such methods as an instrument to attain relational justice. However, such indigenous approaches were minimally applied by the Richmond community, if at all. Based on the findings, the study recommends the use of indigenous approaches to restore interpersonal relations among individuals and groups in the Richmond community. The study argues that post-conflict interventions that are locally designed and enacted will ensure self-determination, legitimacy, ownership, and sustainable relational justice in communities emerging out of conflicts and years of political violence. In terms of its contribution to scholarly knowledge, this thesis enters the debate on the use of indigenous approaches to resolve issues and heal post-conflict relations. Hence, the conflict transformation theory was utilised as it was applicable to the context of the African community under study. The study offers a unique point of reference for relationship reconstruction through indigenous approaches following violent political conflicts. Moreover, it foregrounds the use of indigenous African approaches as a viable intervention mechanism in the resolution of post-conflict situations, particularly in traditional African communities.