Wilhelm Johannes Verwoerd (born 21 February 1964)[1] is a South African facilitator and researcher based at Stellenbosch University and a social activist.
Although raised in a family and environment that frowned on racial integration, he changed his stance on apartheid after studying in the Netherlands and at Oxford University.
[1] Verwoerd's research focuses largely on reconciliation, forgiveness and apology, on which he has written several articles.
He is a former co-director of Beyond Walls Ltd. From 2019 he is a senior researcher and facilitator within Studies in Historical Trauma and Transformation, Stellenbosch University.
In 1992, Verwoerd formally joined the ANC, which drew a lot of criticism and threats from militant Afrikaners - given his family roots.