Professional background and experience:

Angela qualified as a social worker in 1977. After briefly practicing in the welfare sector, she specialised in social work in the workplace at masters level (Oxford University, 1983) and received her doctorate in this specialisation from Wits University in 1995.

Throughout her career, Angela held various positions in the corporate sector, specialising in employee relations and organisational development. In 1986, she was instrumental in establishing and overseeing the first Honors and Master’s courses in occupational social work in South Africa at Wits University, whilst also extending her consultancy work widely within the mining and financial sectors during this period.

Combining her clinical and employee relations skills, Angela acquired accreditations as a mediator and trainer. Since 1980, she has worked with troubled individuals, teams and organisations, focusing on race and sexual harassment matters, and presenting numerous conference papers on such topics.

Mediation experience and style:

In 1996 Angela was appointed as a Level 1 commissioner at the CCMA (Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration) mediating over 4000 disputes. Due to her clinical background, Angela conducts a deep diagnostic overview of conflicts, guiding parties to resolution, especially in interpersonal and intra-team processes presenting as difficult or challenging. 

Facilitation experience and style:

Angela excels in facilitating interpersonal, intra-team and inter-team conflict. Her process involves individual participant interviews and aggregating versions for a comprehensive overview before tailoring a process. This may include facilitating difficult or courageous conversations between the participants.

Chairing enquiries and investigations experience:

With arbitrator experience at the CCMA, Angela often serves as an external chairperson in labour matters, particularly in complex cases requiring an understanding of personal and organizational dynamics. Angela has led or partnered in both formal and informal investigations, addressing sensitive issues such as alleged discrimination or victimization.

Recommendations to senior managers require a deep understanding of workplace cultures and interpersonal dynamics, shaping outcomes in line with ethical employee relations practice.

Coaching experience and style:

Angela’s coaching practice complements many interventions or stands alone, aiding employers or employees in assessing potential or actual disputes and guiding conflict resolution. Angela brings extensive training experience in conflict handling and resolution. 

Comments from clients:

“Angela is able to facilitate sensitive conversations without apportioning blame. This is the first time we have understood why our relationship is in trouble.”

"We did not expect to get such a positive outcome from mediating a sexual harassment dispute with such a high level of conflict between the parties."

"Thank you to Angela for her empathy and professionalism in holding a difficult space. The context leading up to the mediation is complex and mirrors a wider complexity in our institution. So, within the boundaries of our specific conflict, I thought Angela managed the process with wisdom."