Conflict resolution wisdom from Africa

Abstract

One of the major constraints to nation-building in post-colonial Africa is that externally generated and directed processes of state formation and development have tended to undermine indigenous values, institutions and patterns of solving problems. This has fostered a tendency to look outside the continent for solutions to Africa's problems. The challenge now is to reverse this mindset, not to reject good ideas from outside the continent, but rather to integrate them with the weather of accumulated knowledge, wisdom and expertise with Africa. Professor Jannie Malan's Conflict Resolution Wisdom from Africa is a major contribution to this challenge. Insightful, intellectually stimulating and functionally targeted, it is a remarkable blend of that which is humanly universal to humanity and that which is distinctive to Africa. It should serve as a useful guide to scholars, political leaders, peacemakers and other activities anywhere in the world, but particularly in the African...