The Centre for Security, Peace and Conflict Resolution (CSPACR) was established in operation in 2023 July after a knowledge gap was identified to assist communities, governments on the African continent (and across the global) to manage conflict (s) via de-escalation and John Burton’s concept of ‘track two diplomacy’. More specifically, there seems to be a growing concern among many stake holders in South Africa that service delivery protests, strikes, social unrest tend to be violent and pose a threat to democracy. A case in point is the 2021 July political unrest that broke out in parts of Kwa-Zulu Natal and Gauteng. Under the circumstances of COVID-19, women were the hardest hit by the virus and social conflicts with an escalation of Gender-Based Violence and femicide. The field of Conflict Studies have been historically patriarchal in nature by turning a blind eye to women struggles. The CSPACR among other things is aimed at bridging this gap within the context of Conflict and Security Studies. The security architecture of the South African government has been found wanting as well and evidence of this was laid bare at the Zondo Commission. South Africa has been characterised as a violent country; owing to the lack of conflict management skills of both protesters and security officers.
Thus, scholars like Edward Azar and William Zartman have referred to South Africa as a deep-rooted society. This is largely because of the protractedness nature of social conflicts in South Africa. Again, there have been many media coverages regarding conflicts at schools among pupils (including between parents and school authorities). Conflicts are also entrenched in civil society organisations. This signifies that South Africa is not a post-conflict society, precisely because of several security threats. Against this backdrop, the CSPACR seeks to contribute to field of conflict studies (locally and internationally) through the management of different types of social conflicts. Moreover, intends to monitor security threats and enhance social cohesion. The CSPACR recognizes the symbiotic relationship between security and development (alongside democracy). Unmanaged social conflicts have a potential of leading to a break-down of society and democracy. On a large scale, multi-lateral institutions like the African Union and Southern African Development Community from-time to time are unable to successfully managed, resolve and de-escalate conflict. Among other things, CSPACR is meant to fill in this gap on matters of conflict management and security.