Once again, the MISTRA team has had a few busy weeks – producing research, hosting webinars and roundtables, and giving presentations on a variety of topics. Given the recent general election, it’s unsurprising that many of these were focused on our democracy and the state of local politics.

Our Executive Director, Joel Netshitenzhe, delivered a keynote address titled: ‘’Political Economy 30 Years into Democracy – Where is South Africa Headed in the Next 30 years?’’ at the Black Business Summit at the end of April. MISTRA hosted a roundtable at which Professor Susan Booysen, MISTRA’s Director of Research and the author of MISTRA’s Coalitions Barometer 2021–2023, unpacked South Africa’s experience of local government coalitions thus far, laying bare the alliances that have and haven’t worked, and the trends and themes that make for a stable coalition government. Professor Booysen also participated in a panel discussion about the viability of party coalitions in South Africa hosted by the HSRC at the end of May.

In addition, MISTRA staff attended, and presented at, the following events.

  • In April, Researcher: Humanity, Dr Laurence Caromba, gave a presentation at the DIRCO Strategic Engagement Session 2025-2030. His presentation explored the implications of a peace-centred foreign policy and its impact on the work of DIRCO. Caromba also attended the annual Europe Day celebrations in Pretoria.
  • Researcher for KESA, Dr Nqobile Xaba, attended Southern African Resource Watch’s ‘’International Dialogue on Strategic Minerals and Energy Transition in South Africa‘’. The dialogue focused on policy and practices relating to these minerals and their impact on the global energy transition.
  • Also in April, MISTRA Director: Operations, Dr Yacoob Abba Omar, met the Consul General of India, Anand Sharma, Former Union Cabinet Minister for the Government of India and a leading light in the Indian National Congress.
  • Executive Director, Joel Netshitenzhe, represented MISTRA at a farewell to Dr Phil Mjwara, former DG of the DSI, given the long relationship MISTRA has had with him and his department.
  • At the beginning of May, Senior Researcher: Humanity, Na’eem Jeenah, co-presented the Indlulamithi Scenarios 2035 to the Anglo-American Advisory Panel.
  • Also in May, Abba Omar attended the launch of the President’s report on ‘’30 Years Review of South Africa’s Democracy’’.
  • Company Secretary, Gloria Britain, attended a symposium on ‘’The One-China Principle and the Future of China-South Africa Relations’’ held at the Embassy of the People’s Republic in South Africa.
  • Abba Omar and Jeenah also attended an engagement hosted by the FES on ‘’Mapping South African Interests in Reforming the Multilateral Global Order’’.

Read more about what’s been happening at MISTRA below.

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