Profile of the: “In Transformation Initiative”
The In Transformation Initiative aims to support and promote peace processes in different conflict and political transitions within South Africa, Africa and around the world through the sharing of the experience and principles of the South African peace-making process in its transition towards democracy.
History of the Organisation
The “In Transformation Initiative”, has been established in March 2013 as a South African based NPO. Its founding Directors have individually and collectively worked in areas of conflict and transition for over twenty years. With this, they bring with them a wealth of experience that has been called upon by governments, international organizations and individuals throughout the world. ITI has been called upon to assist in conflict and transition situations in various contexts including Bahrain, the Basque region in Spain, Central Africa Republic, Colombia, Cyprus, Iraq, Kenya, Madagascar, Myanmar, Northern Ireland, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tunisia, Yemen, Zimbabwe, and to address the Naga question in India to name but a few. Apart from this ITI’s engagements also include numerous other engagements including academic interactions and interactions with political actors throughout the globe.
The founding Directors were prominent actors in the strategy, the discussions, and the negotiations that eventually led to the peaceful transition to democracy in South Africa. Their direct involvement in the South African transition and the lessons learnt from this experience helped develop skills that are regularly called upon to assist in areas of the globe that are experiencing conflict or are in the process of transition. The "In Transformation Initiative" establishes an institutional base for this collective experience and skill set.
Approach to Peace Making
The approach of the “In Transformation Initiative” is premised on the philosophy that any solution to differences or even conflict must be designed, must evolve, and must be developed and settled domestically as solutions cannot be prescribed from external actors. This philosophy ensures ownership and sustainability. ITI’s approach to any situation is made in this spirit and involves the application of the principles and processes that contributed to the eventual peaceful transition in South Africa. With the passing of more than thirty years since the inception of the negotiating process in South Africa, the entire experience serves as a useful and often insightful reference point to many. It offers a reference point to consider and evaluate some of the constructive measures that were taken and the errors that were made which have had and continue to have an effect on the efficacy and sustainability of South Africa’s democracy.
The values of Trust, Inclusiveness and Ownership are the three pillars on which the South African process was based. This is the fundamental message that underpins the approach of the "In Transformation Initiative". This message is applied, promoted and shared with all the societies where ITI is called upon to render assistance.
Organisation Objectives
The objectives are:
- To share the experiences of the South African peace process with role players in other areas of conflict around the world, with a special focus on the African continent;
- To assist and support peace making processes by drawing from the South African experience;
- To provide opportunities for groups and individuals from conflict areas to visit South Africa and engage with South Africans directly involved with the peace and transformation processes in the country;
- To continue to promote dialogue within South Africa amongst citizens, citizens and government and any other sectors where a “disconnect” has occurred in relationships and where conflict and violence occurs or might become an option.
Legal Status
In Transformation Initiative has Non-Profit Company (NPC) status and operates as a non-governmental organisation. Though the NPC is registered under the name: Transition to Transformation, it trades as “In Transformation Initiative”. The registration number is: 2013/062520/08. The Company was registered on: 15 April 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa. VAT no is: 4100263625.
Directors
The Founding directors of the Organisation are: Roelf Meyer, Mohammed Bhabha, Ivor Jenkins, and Ebrahim Ebrahim. Shortly later Ms Patience Zonge-Hwenha was added as a director to join the above mentioned four and after the passing of Ebrahim Ebrahim, Mr Daniel Ngwepe joined as director. Current non-executive Directors are of ITI are: Liesl Louw-Vaudran, Nick Binedell, Judith February, Junior Ngulube and Shireen Chengadu.
Non-Executive and Associate Members
Non-executive members are being appointed from time to time and serve on the ITI board for a 3-year term.
A list of more than 30 Associates of ITI is available, of prominent South Africans who were involved with the Peace Making Process in South Africa.
Current and/or recent Contracts (Aug 2014 onwards)
- A South African supported project in Sri Lanka
- A Norway supported project on Asian region
- A Beyond Conflict supported consultancy work in Bahrain
- A DPI supported project on Turkey
- Inter-organisational dialogue in Palestine
- A Zimbabwe Elections project
- A South African Dialogue project
- A UNDP supported project in Cyprus
- A EU supported project in Botswana
- A UNDP supported project in Madagascar
- A Norwegian supported project for Colombia
- IRI support on Zimbabwe
- Intermediate supported project for Myanmar
- DFID Support in Myanmar
- Dutch and PSF peace and development project in Rakhine
- Trust Africa support on Zimbabwe
- Hanns Seidel Foundation on Zimbabwe and South Africa
- SA government supported project in South Soudan
- ARF supported project in CAR and Zimbabwe
- Norwegian support on Central Africa Republic
- Political reform project in Lesotho supported by Norway
- Establishing AGDA a support programme for land and farming access and capacity
- PPGI project in South Africa supported by ASISA, ABSA and Norway
Co-operation Agreements
In Transformation Initiative has established working relationships for co-operation with likeminded national and international organisation such as Humanity United, Beyond Conflict, International Institute for Sustained Dialogue, Berghof Foundation, Common Space, Institute for Justice and Reconciliation, Democracy Progress Institute, Nordic International Support Foundation (NIS), GIBS, Democracy Works, Intermediate, IOM Colombia and numerous others.
Contact Details
Postal address: PO Box 11071, Silver Lakes, 0054, RSA
Office Address: 26 Duiker Crescent, Pretoria, 0054, RSA
Website: www.intransformation.org.za
Email: [email protected] / [email protected] / [email protected] / [email protected] / [email protected]
Mobiles: Mohammed Bhabha +27 (0)83 441 9245, Roelf Meyer +27 (0)82 990 0004, Ivor Jenkins +27 (0)82 445 1193, Daniel Ngwepe +27 (0)82 659 0123, Patience Hwenha- +27 (0)78 521 6208