In August MISTRA released the Digital Horizon Report, commissioned by NASPERS, which unpacks the many opportunities South Africa can enjoy by embracing new and emerging digital platforms. We also hosted the Mapungubwe Annual Lecture, which was delivered by Advocate Tembeka Ngcukaitobi SC under the theme Constitutionalism and its malcontents: Critiques of Constitutionalism 30 Years On.
In addition to this, Indlulamithi officially launched the scenarios book, titled: Journeys into our Future: South Africa 2024 – 2035, which provides a glimpse into potential futures and unpacks different trajectories our nation might follow, as influenced by significant trends and dynamics. MISTRA also launched a report analysing the outcome of our recent elections. Assessing everything from results and trends to coalition negotiations, this report provides a comprehensive overview of the 2024 elections.
Looking ahead, we’re excited about our upcoming international conference taking place on 10 and 11 October 2024. Titled: The Thucydides Trap or Orderly Multipolar World? Challenges and Opportunities for Africa, this two-day hybrid event will unpack the complexities of global geopolitics and explore how the African continent can respond to global power competition.
Other key events/engagements over the last few months include:
- At DIRCO’s Strategic Engagement Session 2025-2030 in April, Dr Laurence Caromba, our Researcher: Humanity shared perspectives on the implications of a peace-centred foreign policy and its impact on the work of DIRCO, as well as the key economic components of diplomacy and related collaboration mechanisms required.
- Na’eem Jeenah, Senior Researcher: Humanity co-presented on the Indlulamithi Scenarios to the Anglo-American Advisory Panel in May.
- Dr Caromba attended the Europe Day event in May. Hosted by H.E. Mrs. Sandra Kramer Ambassador of the European Union and Mr Cees-Jan Bevers, Europe Day celebrates peace and unity in Europe.
- MISTRA’s former Director for Research, Susan Booysen participated in the HSRC Panel Discussion exploring the viability of political party coalitions in South Africa, also in May.
- Gloria Britain, MISTRA’s Company Secretary, attended the Symposium on the One-China Policy and the Future of China-South Africa Relations, at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Pretoria.
- Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung South Africa hosted a hybrid dialogue on the Polycrisis and Undermining of Democracy in July, which was attended by our Senior Researcher for Humanity.
- The Director of Operations, Dr Yacoob Abba Omar, spoke as part of the closing panel discussion at the Investec Leadership Programme, held at Constitution Hill in July.
- Our Executive Director, Joel Netshitenzhe, presented on the implications of the elections and the new GNU to Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA) and the Millennium Labour Council (MLC), in June and July respectively.
- MISTRA’s KESA Researcher, Dr Nqobile Xaba, attended a panel discussion on Fostering Gender Equality within the Energy Transition in South Africa at the German Embassy in Pretoria, at the beginning of August.
- Senior KESA Researcher, Dr Zamanzima Mazibuko-Makena, accompanied by Dr Xaba, attended a Women’s Capacity Building Programme on Conflict Resolution, Mediation and Negotiation hosted by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) in August.
- Na’eem Jeenah presented a paper on international law and ways in which the Gaza genocide is altering how international law is considered at the Boğaziçi University School of Law in the Republic of Türkiye. The paper was titled ‘Reframing International Law: Global South Perspectives and Challenges’ in a session entitled ‘Race and Structural Violence in International Law’.
