In issue Number#18 we are proud to announce that MISTRA Executive Director, Joel Netshitenzhe will present the first lecture in the Pixley ka Isaka Seme Annual Lecture Series at Columbia University in New York on the topic: “The Vision of Seme 107 Years On: Is Civilization Still a Dream and is the Regeneration of Africa Possible?”  

MISTRA is also happy to announce the commencement of a book tour of the United States by Barry Gilder, former Director Operations of MISTRA and current MISTRA Fellow, who will be speaking on his book Songs and Secrets: South Africa from Liberation to Governance.

The Institute also takes great pleasure in announcing the finalization of release of the integrated research findings of two of its core research projects: Poverty, Inequality and Patronage and The Evolution Of The Post-1994 South African State.

And we report on a recent dinner hosted by MISTRA Patron Cyril Ramaphosa, Chairman of the Shanduka Group in support of the work of the Institute.

MISTRA regrets to announce the postponement of the launch of the African Transformation Report compiled by the African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET), which was scheduled for Monday, 11 November 2013.

We report on media articles by Dr Mcebisi Ndletyana on “Progress is the essence of tradition” and “Why SA still love their ballot papers”.

And we are proud to announce the appointment of Dr Tanya Abrahamse, MISTRA Board Member and Chief Executive Officer of the South African National Biodiversity Institute, to a Scientific Advisory Board, announced by the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon.  And also announce the appointment of Dr Betchani Tchereni as a Senior Researcher in the Faculty of Political Economy.