Dr. Stephen Phiri is a Senior Researcher at the Institute of Pan-African Thought and Conversation (IPATC). He obtained a doctorate in Education and Development from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) in South Africa. He was a lecturer at UKZN and co-supervised students at both Honours and Masters levels. He acted as a Junior Researcher at Mzala Nxumalo Centre and worked at Kwame Nkrumah’s Ideological Institute on diversifying its Pan-African activities beyond Ghana. He is the author of the book, Zimbabwean Political Crisis: The Catholic Church on the Crossroads. Dr Phiri has published several articles.  He specialises in emancipatory politics, education, and development studies.

Ms. Thandeka Nomvele is a Research Assistant at the Institute for Pan-African Thought and Conversation. She completed her Undergraduate Degree in Political Studies and an Honours Degree in Politics and International Relations, both from the University of Johannesburg (UJ). She previously worked as a Student Assistant with the Institute.

Mr. Berneth Koopman is a Personal and Research Assistant at the Institute for Pan-African Thought and Conversation. He previously worked at the UJ Division for Internationalisation where he was the Administrator for Study Abroad.  He also  worked at TransAfrica Radio in South Africa as the Account Executive.

Dr. Adeoye O. Akinola is the Head of Research and Teaching at the Institute for Pan-African Thought and Conversation (IPATC). He obtained a doctorate in Political Science from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) in South Africa. He was a Lecturer at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Nigeria; a Post-Doctoral Fellow at UKZN and the University of Zululand; and a Visiting Professor at the United Nations University  for Peace (UPEACE) in Addis Ababa. He is the author of  the book, Globalization, Democracy and Oil Sector Reform in Nigeria; co-author of Boko Haram’s Terrorism and the Nigerian State; and editor and co-editor respectively of The Political Economy of Xenophobia in Africa, and The Trajectory of Land Reform in Post-Colonial African States. Dr. Akinola has published about 40 articles in accredited journals. He specializes in globalization, African political economy, development studies, resource governance, conflict and peace studies.

Ms. Khabonina Masango is a Research Coordinator at The Institute for Pan-African Thought and Conversation (IPATC). She holds a Master’s Degree in Urban Studies, specialising in sustainable energy and efficient cities from the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits). Ms. Masango is a former researcher for the Wits – TUB Urban Lab and published a policy paper with the Political Economy of Southern Africa (PESA) on land reform and rural transformation in Southern Africa. Her research interests include the international political economy of African development, urban resilience in African cities, and renewable energy sources.

Ms. Nomusa Nkwanyana is a Research Coordinator at The Institute for Pan-African Thought and Conversation (IPATC). She holds a Master’s Degree in International Relations from the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits). Ms. Nkwanyana is a former researcher for the South African Labour Bulletin and the Development Institute for Training, Support and Education for Labour (DITSELA). Her research interests include international relations of Africa, African development, African political economy, South-South cooperation, power relations between the global North and South, and Indigenous knowledge systems.

Ms. Terri Maggott is a Research Coordinator at The Institute for Pan-African Thought and Conversation  (IPATC). She holds a Master’s Degree in Anthropology and Development Studies from the University of Johannesburg (UJ). Ms. Maggott is a former student activist, and her research and political interests include issues related to community organising, gender, protest, and a post-capitalist future.

Mr. Stephen Mashatola is a Research Coordinator at the Institute for Pan-African Thought and Conversation (IPATC). He holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Social Research and a Master’s degree in Social Impact Assessment and Public Participation, both from the University of Johannesburg (UJ) in South Africa. Mr. Mashatola has diverse experience in media and library administration, and in the media newsroom and on its commercial side. He worked for the Times Media Group in Johannesburg for 12 years. He also has experience in media advocacy in the non-profit sector. His areas of research include Social Capital and Retrenchment.

Ms. Phumzile Ntuli is an Administrative Assistant at the Institute for Pan-African Thought and Conversation. She previously worked as an Administrative Assistant in various departments at the universities of Johannesburg and the Witwatersrand between 2002 and 2017. She completed her National Diploma in Office Management and Technology at the Tehcnikon Witwatersrand (now University of Johannesburg). She received Best Student of the Year awards in her class in 2000 and 2002.

Ms Tsitsidzashe Bvute is a Master’s Student in Religion Studies at the University of Johannesburg. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Religious Studies, Classics, and Philosophy from the University of Zimbabwe, and a Special Honours degree in Religious Studies from the University of Zimbabwe. Her research interests include Religion, Migration, Political Economy, and Gender.

Ms Zoliswa Ntsoko (South Africa) is the Institute’s Administrative Assistant who assists with general administration and research. She is a seasoned professional with a background in Disaster Management. She holds an Advanced Diploma in Management from Milpark Business School, and a Post Graduate Diploma in Public Management from Regenesys Business School. She also holds certificates in Project Management, and in Disaster Management. Previously, she has worked as a Disaster Management Specialist at the City of Johannesburg – Disaster Management Centre.

Ms Cecilia Lwiindi Nedziwe-Moyo is the Research Coordinator at the Institute for Pan-African Thought and Conversation. She previously served as a Regional Coordinator at the Centre for Peace Initiatives in Africa (CPIA) in Zimbabwe between 2007 and 2013. She completed her master’s degree in International Studies, Peace, and Conflict Resolution at the University of Queensland in Australia as a Rotary Peace Scholar. She has just completed her doctoral studies at Rhodes University. Her areas of interest include: gender, foreign policy, regional organisations and conflict resolution.

Mr Nhluvuko Mark Nkonwana is a MA in Development Studies candidate at the University of Johannesburg. He holds a BA degree in Sports Development (2015) and a BA honours in Development Studies (2016), both obtained from the University of Johannesburg. His research interests include; Water Governance, Political Ecology, Human Rights, Rural Development, Political Economy, and Sport for Development.

Ms Gcinwemseni Hope Hadebe is the Institute’s Administrative Assistant with a wealth of experience in personal assistance, office administration, and management. She previously worked at Community Medical Scheme as an Executive Personal Assistant and Office Manager for eight years. She has a national diploma in Language Practice, as well as a Certificate in Office Administration.

Mr Zenzo Moyo is a Research Administrator at the Institute for Pan-African Thought and Conversation. He is an educationist with 15 years of work experience in this sector. He holds a Master’s degree in Development Studies from the University of Johannesburg. In 2014, he was awarded a Global Excellence and Stature (GES)scholarship by the University of Johannesburg to undertake a PhD in Development Studies, which he has just completed. His areas of research interest include: African Politics; Civil Society; Education; and Participatory Development.

Professor Adekeye Adebajo is the Director of the Institute for Pan-African Thought and Conversation at the University of Johannesburg. He served on United Nations missions in South Africa, Western Sahara, and Iraq, and is the author of six books including The Curse of Berlin: Africa After the Cold War; Thabo Mbeki: Africa’s Philosopher-King; and The Eagle and the Springbok: Essays on Nigeria and South Africa. He is co-editor or editor of nine books. He obtained his doctorate from Oxford University in England where he studied as a Rhodes Scholar.

David Moore is a Professor of Development Studies. He headed the University of Johannesburg’s Department of Anthropology and Development Studies for six of his nearly 10 years there. At present, he is spending his sabbatical as a Visiting Researcher at IPATC, where he is working on a book, tentatively entitled: From Comrades to Coups: Robert Mugabe, ZANU-PF, and their Zimbabwe. His PhD on the contradictions of constructing hegemony in Zimbabwe (1956-1980) is from York University in Toronto. He has continued his scholarly interest on Zimbabwe since 1984, when he began his doctoral fieldwork. David has edited and co-edited three books ranging from Zimbabwean Political history, and current affairs to development discourse and theory, as well as publishing over sixty academic articles, chapters, and popularly-oriented works.

Ms Thembeka Somtseu is a seasoned professional with a background in the textile and construction sectors.  She holds a National Diploma in Business Administration  from the Durban University of Technology, and studied Development Communication and Media Studies at the University of the Witwatersrand. She worked as a corporate communications specialist for more than ten years, serving in both local and multinational companies.