At the end of the reporting year MISTRA was in discussion with renowned researcher and scholar, Professor Thandika Mkandawire, from the London School of Economics, who has agreed to deliver the Institute’s Inaugural Annual Lecture in March 2012. This flagship event is one of many important dialogues MISTRA researchers will conduct with the South African public through the print and electronic media. Professor Mkandawire’s willingness to accept our invitation to present our Inaugural Annual Lecture and to engage through research and discussion on the African continent’s major growth successes and leadership is greatly appreciated. MISTRA also experienced exceptional participation of policymakers, policy implementers and private sector actors in the research work it is pursuing. The centrality of MISTRA in the research agenda of the country was thus firmly confirmed; and it proved helpful to policymakers and the public at large in making relevant development choices and engaging in public discourse on critical issues facing the country.