Professor Jannie Malan joined ACCORD in 1993, just a year after we opened our doors. It was Professor Jakes Gerwel, our first Chairperson, who recommended him. “He’ll be an asset,” Professor Gerwel had said. That turned out to be an understatement. Professor Malan didn’t just contribute to ACCORD, he helped define it.
Writing these words is as difficult as it is necessary. Difficult, because it is hard to encapsulate the breadth of a life so meaningfully lived. Necessary, because Professor Malan’s legacy deserves to be shared, not just with those of us who had the privilege to work alongside him, but with all who believe in the power of peace and knowledge to change the world.
From the start Professor Malan was never just another academic. Certainly, he was brilliant and his intellectual contributions are widely recognised, especially his pioneering work on traditional African conflict resolution. But what truly set him apart was the way he carried that brilliance: with humility, gentleness, and a deep sense of purpose. He was the rarest of scholars, one who combined rigorous academic discipline with a profound belief in human dignity.
At ACCORD he quickly became one of our ‘chief scientists.’ He helped anchor our mission in academic integrity, offering structure and substance to our ideas. But more than that, he offered wisdom. In meetings he would often be the quietest voice—until he spoke, and everyone leaned in. He didn’t speak to impress. He spoke to illuminate. His insights were always thoughtful, grounded in evidence, and guided by a deep moral compass.
Professor Malan’s belief in Africa was unshakeable. He recognised that Africa’s future would be shaped not just by innovation, but also by a deep engagement with its past. His work on indigenous conflict resolution systems remains one of the most respected contributions to the field. Through it, he reminded us that Africa already possesses many of the tools it needs to build peace, tools that are rooted in communal values, restorative justice, and lived experience.
Professor Malan’s belief in Africa was unshakeable. He recognised that Africa’s future would be shaped not just by innovation, but also by a deep engagement with its past. His work on indigenous conflict resolution systems remains one of the most respected contributions.
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One of his most enduring legacies is ACCORD’s African Journal on Conflict Resolution (AJCR), which he stewarded from its inception. It was the first academic journal of its kind on the Continent and quickly established itself as a respected voice, both in Africa and internationally. Under Professor Malan’s editorship, the AJCR became a benchmark of quality. His standards were high, but his mentorship was generous. He inspired those around him to give their best, not for personal acclaim, but in pursuit of a greater mission.
Yet, what many of us will remember most is not his academic output, but his presence. Professor Malan was, in every sense, “Oom Jannie”—a beloved elder whose warmth and sense of humour lit up any room. At staff retreats, even into his seventies and eighties, he would join in all the activities—from games to discussions—often outpacing much younger colleagues. He participated fully in everything he did, always with discipline, quiet joy, and a wry competitiveness that kept us all on our toes!
His door was always open. His feedback, always constructive. He had a particular gift for seeing potential in people, especially in young people. Many of today’s leading peacebuilders across Africa owe much of their growth to his patient mentorship and quiet encouragement.
In 2022, during ACCORD’s 30th anniversary celebration, Professor Malan was there with us. It was a moment of pride for all of us, but especially for him. After all, he was there at the beginning. He helped shape our journey every step of the way. That evening I watched as young staff members approached him, some wide-eyed, others awestruck. He was a living legend. And still, he remained the same Jannie: humble, kind, gracious.
Today, we honour a man of deep faith, of profound conviction, and of unwavering service. He believed that peace is more than the absence of conflict; it is the presence of justice, compassion, and understanding. And he gave his life to building that peace—not in the spotlight, but in the quiet, persistent way that true leaders do.
We honour a man of deep faith, of profound conviction, and of unwavering service. He believed that peace is more than the absence of conflict; it is the presence of justice, compassion, and understanding.
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Professor Malan was a mentor, a scholar, and a friend. We will miss his wisdom. We will miss his steady, reassuring presence. But we will carry his legacy forward—in our work, in our values, and in our ongoing belief that peace is possible.
Go well, dear Jannie. Thank you for everything. The world is better because you were in it.
