Summary:
One of the most publicized divorces in South African history involved Steve Hofmeyr, the country’s most famous celebrity, and his wife Natasha Sutherland. The matter went before the Supreme Court of South Africa. Peet Viljoen acted for both parties, balancing negotiation, reputation management, and the pressures of public scrutiny.
Case Details:
• Managed negotiations under intense media spotlight.
• Balanced adversarial rights with mediation ethics, keeping both parties engaged in compromise.
• Applied the principle that “a good outcome is when both sides are equally unhappy”, ensuring fairness.
• Later reflection: applying the Black Swan Method of negotiation (tactical empathy, mirroring, accusations audit, calibrated questions) could have produced an even more collaborative resolution.
Outcome:
The divorce was finalized with terms acceptable to both sides. Despite extreme publicity, reputations were preserved and protracted litigation avoided.
Significance:
This case highlights Peet Viljoen’s expertise in celebrity divorces and his ability to negotiate under Supreme Court pressure. It also illustrates his forward-looking adoption of tactical empathy in legal strategy.
