A South African church-backed group that helps former combatants involved in violence during the apartheid era to play a peaceful role says its life skills programme is needed in a country where those who have not found a place in the system often resort to violent crime.

Maggie Seiler, director of the National Peace Accord Trust, which runs a rehabilitation programme, told Ecumenical News International, "We have to look at the circumstances in which ex-combatants find themselves, listen to them and put projects in place on the ground to support them in their desire to reintegrate."

Working with local churches, which are well-established in many communities traumatised by political violence, the programme, says Seiler is to "provide all ex-combatants with life skills and vocational qualifications so that they can be absorbed into the formal job market or set up ventures of their own".