Professional background and experience:

Zetu was accredited as a mediator in 2011.

She was the first Ombudsman of the University of Cape Town (her alma mater), a position she filled for the past 10 years. During this time she provided conflict management and problem-resolving services to the University and its stakeholders. Mediation is a central feature of what Ombuds do in conflict environments. Zetu worked closely with staff and student mediators at UCT coaching them in their practice.. Zetu has extensive experience in transformation and change management processes as well as managing conflict concerning workplace diversity, gender and sexuality, and other difficult conversations.

Before her recent role as Ombud for UCT, she held the position of Change Management Specialist for PetroSA, a national oil company. Zetu has also spoken on panels at local, national, and international conferences on topics about transformation, gender, and conflict practices (mediation, ombudsing, group facilitation, and consensus building). She is a member of the International Ombudsman Association (IOA) where she serves as the Africa Regional Chairperson of the International Committee. She is also a member of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Task Force for the IOA.

Mediation experience and style:

Zetu is guided in her style by what is required in the context of the conflict. Zetu is committed to a calm, neutral, listening style that conveys a level of warmth and empathy. This, she believes, supports the parties as move towards a mutual understanding of their different perspectives and determine a mutually acceptable agreement, misunderstandings and other forms of conflict. 

Facilitation experience and style:

Zetu has facilitated group processes of different sizes and purposes. Examples include a whole school assembly deliberating on racism in the school and how to achieve diversity and inclusion. An example of a medium-sized group was the UN Leaders Program on Leadership for Transformation and Unity in the workplace. Some facilitation is group targeted and specific, for example, the Africa Liberal Network on gender advocacy for women. Zetu draws from various frameworks when designing a suitable process for the issue at hand.

Coaching experience and style:

Coaching is most effective before problems arise. It can provide reflective and thinking space about dealing with difficulties in general terms. Coaching helps with being intentional about goals, vision, plans, or simply get unstuck. Zetu coaches mediators as part of their training. She has coached several individuals and groups who want an objective view on a matter or who want to think and weigh options with a non-invested person to the problem. In her ombudsing career, she coached several university stakeholders on issues with which they were struggling.  In her coaching practice, Zetu uses a particular range of questions to help people arrive at their solutions.  

Comments from clients:

“I was sceptical, but your mediation approach, especially patience with us, helped both teams to deliver on something greater than us, now we enjoy the time we spend together, and can celebrate the joint breakthroughs Thank you very much.”

“I am writing to express gratitude to you for your indispensable help in resolving this difficult situation. I confess that, by the time of your intervention, the matter had gone unresolved for far too long and the lack of understanding between the participants seemed so complete, that I had despaired of finding a remedy. In the event, your calm, your insight, and your gentle guidance brought about a wholly satisfactory resolution. It is a great relief to finally put this problem behind me. Thank you.”