Advocate Michael Kuper, Chairman of the Arbitration Foundation of Southern Africa (AFSA), has welcomed Andile Nikani as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), ushering in a new era of growth, regional expansion, and leadership in alternative dispute resolution. Speaking at a gathering of legal and corporate professionals, Nikani acknowledged AFSA’s strong legacy and set the tone for its future strategic direction.

Nikani highlighted AFSA’s pivotal role, stating, “AFSA stands on the edge of unparalleled expansion, and I am honoured to join AFSA at this specific moment. To have the opportunity to lead the teams tasked with carrying the vision of AFSA to the next level.”

For almost 30 years, AFSA has been at the forefront of dispute resolution in Africa, supported by leading advocates, lawyers, jurists, and experts. Nikani expressed his deep appreciation for the dedication and hard work that have positioned AFSA as a formidable institution. He further emphasised the need to build on these achievements, ensuring that AFSA continues to operate on the global stage of performance-driven excellence.

“With the recognition of AFSA as the top arbitration centre in Africa, I do not doubt that we have the pedigree to continue with the same consistency. There is still much to do, but I promise our strategies will be inclusive, holistic, and market-driven,” Nikani affirmed.

Nikani also urged Corporate South Africa to embrace confidential dispute resolution mechanisms. “Corporate integrity will never be realised without the confidential dispute resolution platform AFSA offers. Board members and executives must have the foresight to use AFSA when seeking independent and confidential resolutions.”

Looking ahead, AFSA remains committed to fostering knowledge development, promoting solution-driven dispute resolution, and creating an environment that is welcoming and attractive for mediation and arbitration. The organisation’s partnership with the University of Pretoria will continue to play a key role in training and developing arbitration experts.

In his remarks, the Governor of the South African Reserve Bank, Lesetja Kganyago, commended Nikani on his appointment and reinforced the critical role of arbitration in fostering fairness and efficiency in dispute resolution.

“As the field of law and economics has shown us, when you apply economic reasoning to law, you often find that traditional legal approaches overlook the importance of efficiency. In a dispute, especially a professional dispute, parties fear long delays and excessive costs. If you get stuck in a process like that, even winning offers little consolation.

So let me commend you, not only for ensuring fairness but also for doing it efficiently enough that parties freely choose you to resolve their conflicts and voluntarily accept your decisions.”