Peace is a Practice: How the Peace Centre Is Rebuilding Communities from the Inside Out

 In the shadow of structural inequality and daily violence, peace can seem abstract — but for the Peace Centre, based in Cape Town, peace is both a philosophy and a practical commitment to healing, justice, and community transformation. Originally founded during apartheid as the Quaker Peace Centre, the organization has spent over three decades working to break cycles of violence and create safe, empowered spaces — especially for youth and women.

We spoke with Nontutuzelo Ntutu Mtwana, current chairperson of the Peace Centre’s board and a lifelong peace builder, about the organization’s history, its mission, and the everyday work of teaching tolerance, nonviolence, and self-worth.

From Resistance to Rebuilding

The Peace Centre evolved from its origins in apartheid resistance to a new focus in the 1990s: transforming the internalized violence left behind by systemic oppression. The goal is not only to end violence but to replace it with structures and relationships rooted in equality, dignity, and care.

“We began focusing on healing — emotional, spiritual, and community healing,” explained Mtwana. “Especially among youth, who inherited anger and trauma from families affected by years of oppression.”

A Focus on Gender, Power, and Equality

In South Africa, gender-based violence (GBV) remains one of the most critical and pervasive challenges. Mtwana emphasized that women and children are often the first and most frequent recipients of violence, but lasting change requires addressing the power imbalances at the root of that violence.

“We’re not just opposing GBV — we are working to balance power,” she said. “Our programs promote the idea that everyone, regardless of gender, has value and agency. We focus on transforming that imbalance.”

The Peace Centre's approach uplifts the inherent good in every person while recognizing that social systems — not individual failures — often perpetuate cycles of abuse, especially in homes.

Community Dialogues and Conflict Mediation

Dialogue, not punishment, is the centre’s core tool. Through community-based mediation, the Peace Centre trains civil society leaders, educators, and ordinary citizens in conflict transformation, family mediation, and positive communication.

By working in neighborhoods, families, and institutions, the Centre has empowered countless individuals to manage conflict constructively and respectfully — without resorting to violence or shame.

Schools as Foundations for Peace

A cornerstone of the Centre’s work is in schools, where they teach positive discipline, anti-bullying, and self-esteem building among learners. Mtwana explained that many children internalize harmful social beliefs — such as boys being stronger or more important — which lead to bullying, exclusion, and toxic dynamics.

“Our programs are about self-love, emotional literacy, and the belief that your circumstance does not define your future,” Mtwana said. “Even children who bully are often doing so out of pain.”

By teaching children to respect themselves and others, the Peace Centre helps build a culture of tolerance that extends beyond the classroom and into their homes and communities.

Current Campaign: Stand Against Bullying

The Peace Centre is currently calling on schools, NGOs, and individuals to join their national anti-bullying campaign — a growing crisis among South African youth. They believe it’s a form of social violence that demands coordinated, multi-stakeholder responses.

“There is no one solution,” said Mtwana. “We need partners. We need a network. Everyone who works with children has a role to play.”

The campaign invites organizations to collaborate on:

• Emotional healing and resilience training
• Peer support groups
• Educational workshops for parents and teachers
• Community-driven prevention strategies

To join the campaign or initiate a partnership, visit www.peacecentre.org.za.

Final Word: A Shared Responsibility

“No one deserves to live as a victim,” Mtwana reminded us. “Peace is possible, but only if we build it together — with respect, with healing, and with Ubuntu.”

Whether you're a teacher, a parent, a policymaker, or a community leader, the message is clear: peace starts with how we treat each other, and change begins in our homes, schools, and everyday conversations.

Presenter: Jasnine Roberts

Producer: Lydia M