RJC is passionate about the value that restorative justice, conflict transformation and peacebuilding have for South Africa at the present time. To this end we promote better understanding of these concepts wherever possible and work for increased implementation of related services. We are convinced that they can help us address the progression from conflict to violence and to crime that we see so often.
The Restorative Justice Centre approach is inspired by a unique blend of perspectives from the Christian tradition and academic disciplines, as well as developments in the fields of conflict transformation, peace studies, criminology, social work and law. We understand restorative justice as being part of the tradition of non-violence. This blend shapes our unique identity as a professional faith based organisation.
Mission
Promoting peacebuilding through restorative justice and conflict transformation policies.
Vision
Create a peaceful society in which communities value peace building and constructive resolution of conflict by caring about one another and fostering individual social well-being.
RJC Board Members
Richard Cazalet
(Chairperson)
Richard is an experienced business leader with over 20 years’ involvement in the telecommunications industry over a wide range of technology and business areas. He is currently the Executive for Strategy at Telkom South Africa, having previously worked for the CSIR, Siemens, Nokia, Deloitte and Accenture. He has been on the RJC Board since 2013 and took over the chair in April 2021. He also serves as deacon at Waterkloof Baptist Church. He is married with two daughters.
Nokukhanya Neptune Mbonambi
Nokukhanya is a Ph.D. graduate lecturing at the University of Pretoria, Department of Social Work and Criminology. Over the years, she has gained numerous skills working as a Junior Researcher at the Safety and Security Sector Education and Training Authority, Senior Tutor at the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, Independent Correctional Centre Visitor at the Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services, Intern at the Department of Community Safety and Liaison, as well as a Senior Administration Clerk at the Department of Education. Her research interests include environmental criminology, female offenders and restorative justice. Her current project is on Resocialization and Resilience in a South African Women’s correctional facility. She has been part of the RJC board since January 2024. She is married.
Refilwe Likotsi
Refilwe is an internationally qualified chartered accountant with a passion for finance and governance.
She completed her articles at PPC Ltd, where she had exposure to the cement and ready-mix manufacturing industry both locally and abroad in PPC’s rest of Africa operations in Zimbabwe, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo.
Refilwe was connected to the RJC through the African Women Chartered Accountants and has been RJC’s treasurer since September 2022.
Rufus Malatji
Rufus is a practising advocate at the Pretoria bar. He is a former prosecutor, magistrate, law lecturer and Chief Director of Legal Services He has been part of RJC governance since 2004, including serving as chairperson from 2013-2021. He also serves on the boards of El NISSI Global Ministries and Heartlines. He has 4 children and 4 grandchildren.
RJC Management
Mike Batley
Mike is a registered social worker and co-founder and CEO of the Restorative Justice Centre. Within this context he has played a pioneering role in bringing restorative justice into the criminal justice system and public discourse, and in developing associated services in South Africa. He was recognised as an Ashoka Fellow for this work.
He has published several book chapters and journal articles on restorative justice, some of which have been quoted in superior court judgements. He was part of the group of experts that reviewed the UN Basic Guidelines for Restorative Justice in November 2017. He developed a strategy for strengthening child justice in Eswatini in 2019. He is married with 4 children and 3 grandchildren.
Dr Martha Potgieter
Trained in law, Dr Martha Potgieter practices mediation and trains mediators. Additionally, she offers a Non Violent Communication course and formed the Art Trauma Therapy class offered at Restorative Justice Centre as a option after mediation. Dr. Martha Potgieter feels conflict well managed produces the most valuable learning experiences that cannot be taught in school settings. While she aims to inspire individuals to embrace self-discovery, cultivate empathy, and build harmonious relationships, her vision is to create a world where people view conflict as an opportunity to practice negotiation skills to create a more peaceful environment where all blossom emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.
She received her doctors in jurisprudence at Trinity Law School, studied ADR at National University’s MBA program, master’s degree in Communication and Culture at Trinity International University, and received specialized mediation training from Peacemaker Ministries in the United States.
Buyi Mbambo
Buyi is a registered Social Worker and and supervises RJC case workers. She works as an Independent Consultant and has over 30 years’ experience in working with children, youth, families and communities. Her area of specialty is children’s rights and protection, for which she received recognition with the “Make a Difference Award” by Nelson Mandela for being a member of a cabinet-appointed Inter-Ministerial Committee on Young People at Risk in South Africa. She is also highly experienced in policy development and legislative reform. She has been at the forefront of the development of restorative justice in direct practice and training.
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