A mediator plays a crucial role in divorce disputes in South Africa, serving as an unbiased third party to facilitate communication and negotiation between the divorcing parties. The mediator helps the parties reach a mutually satisfactory resolution of their disputes, without the need for costly and time-consuming litigation.

The mediator helps the parties to identify the issues in dispute and encourages them to come up with creative solutions. The mediator also helps the parties to communicate effectively, by listening to their concerns and helping them to express their needs and feelings in a non-confrontational manner.

Mediation is a voluntary process, which means that both parties must be willing to participate in order for it to be successful. It is important that both parties feel that they have been heard and that their concerns have been taken into account in the final resolution.
Mediation can be an effective alternative to traditional litigation, as it allows the parties to have more control over the outcome of their dispute. It is also generally less expensive and less time-consuming than going to court.

Overall, the role of a mediator in divorce disputes in South Africa is to facilitate communication and negotiation between the parties, and to help them reach a mutually satisfactory resolution of their disputes. By providing a safe and neutral space for the parties to communicate, the mediator can help to reduce the emotional and financial toll of the divorce process.