News | The Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance

The University of Cape Town's autumn 2026 graduation

At the Nelson Mandela School, we have a longstanding tradition of gathering around a shared meal with our students, their families and friends during graduation season

Trade Talks Africa | Policy, Progress and People behind the AfCFTA: Issue 9

This issue comes at a time of escalating conflict in the Middle East, an unfolding crisis that is not a distant geopolitical concern for Africa, but a direct economic shock with significant implications for the continent’s trade agenda.

The Nelson Mandela School appoints a new director

The University of Cape Town’s Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance is pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Cheryl Hendricks as the new Director of the School, effective 1 April 2026.

Calls for South Africa to enter global migration debate

Academic study offers governments independent and rigorous analysis around complex mobility dynamics, policy outcomes and future challenges.

Trade Talks Africa | Policy, Progress and People behind the AfCFTA: Issue 8

Developments in February 2026 indicated that the AfCFTA is entering a decisive implementation phase, with increasing attention shifting from policy frameworks to practical delivery.

Celebrating a legacy of leadership in public governance

Trade Talks Africa | Policy, Progress and the People behind the AfCFTA: Issue 7

This edition of Trade Talks Africa provides an overview of the most significant events and developments from January 2026 and assesses their implications for the broader continental trade agenda.

UCT scholar earns international honour for ethics work

Executive Short Course to address gender-based violence

Call for applications to participate in a Leadership for systems change in addressing gender-based violence Executive Short Course

Trade Talks Africa | Policy, Progress and the People behind the AfCFTA: Issue 6

Trade Talks Africa provides comprehensive updates on the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area | Issue 6

Trade Talks Africa | Policy, Progress and the People behind the AfCFTA

The Fifth Issue of Trade Talks Africa provides comprehensive updates on the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Dialogue calls for renewed academic solidarity with Palestine

AfCFTA Trade and Industrial Development Advisory Council Meeting and Trade Ministers’ Retreat

A common theme in both the Advisory Council meeting and the Ministerial Retreat was the urgent need for a continental industrial policy, which currently does not exist.

A New Voice for African Trade Integration | Issue IV

The Fourth Issue of Trade Talks Africa examines significant developments affecting the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Pathways to Green African Industrialisation report launched at Africa Climate Summit in Addis Ababa

Africa’s path to sustainable growth must put industrialisation first while maximising green opportunities, advises the Green Industrial Development Expert Panel (GIDEP).

Pathways to green African industrialisation

Launch of the GIDEP Position Paper on the sidelines of the Africa Climate Summit 2 in Addis Ababa

A New Voice for African Trade Integration | Issue III

The third issue of Trade Talks Africa examines significant developments affecting the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

A New Voice for African Trade Integration | Issue II

Trade Talks Africa | Policy, Progress and People behind the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)

‘May we choose humanity, again and again’

Reflecting on Nelson Mandela International Day

Nelson Mandela legacy and commitment to justice, equality and human rights

Book Launch | Reclaiming Economic Sovereignty in Africa - Prof Horman Chitonge

In his remarks, Prof Chitonge expressed gratitude to all who contributed to the book’s development.

Workshop | Reimagining cooperation on Trade and Sustainability: An African Perspective

The “Reimagining Cooperation on Trade and Sustainability: An African Perspective” workshop focused on aligning Africa’s trade and development goals with sustainability.

Policy, Progress and People behind the African Continental Free Trade Area

Trade Talks Africa | Policy, Progress and People behind the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)

Gain the knowledge and skills you need to make a lasting impact!

Application for the 2026 academic year are currently open and will remain open until November 2025.

Building Democratic Resilience and Economic Transformation in Africa

The Nelson Mandela School hosts interdisciplinary and cross-regional Fellows

Every reflection emphasises a significant academic journey, promoting dynamic experiences for personal and professional growth.

Unpacking G20 — SA experts explore summit’s key topics in Daily Maverick series

In a series of articles, experts from the Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance at the University of Cape Town will this week provide an overview of the key themes and issues to be discussed in more than 140 major official meetings unt

Master of Philosophy in Development Policy and Practice (MPhil)

The School takes immense pride in our MPhil graduates; their achievements represent the culmination of hard work and dedication. We have no doubt they will excel in their future endeavors and continue to make a significant impact!

Are you passionate about leading positive change in Africa's development?

Pursue a Master of Development Policy and Practice at the Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance, University of Cape Town

Curiosity, commitment and leadership: Aloy Gowne’s journey of growth

Aloy Gowne describes himself as a “curious” person. This deep-rooted curiosity, coupled with a passion for growth, has shaped his personal, academic, and professional journey – propelling him to greater heights.

UCT partners with French university to launch Africa’s first dual degree

The dual collaborative degree offers two master’s programmes: governance and international relations – a partnership between the Paris School of International Affairs and UCT’s Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance.

Defending open society values in a fractured world

“We continue to be inspired by the leadership of Nelson Mandela who taught us how to navigate complex challenges – not only at home, but also across the African continent and the world,” Prof Faizel Ismail.

Africans have resilience

'The word is resilience, Africans have resilience', says Prof Carlos in his opening remarks at the Mining Series 2025 hosted by Invest Africa

Q&A with Charline Chikomo – a master’s student at the Nelson Mandela School

Shaping the future of sustainable industrialisation: Launch of African-led Green Industrial Development Expert Panel (GIDEP)

The Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance at the University of Cape Town, and the African Climate Foundation (ACF) are excited to announce the establishment of the Green Industrial Development Expert Panel (GIDEP).

Rethinking Activism in Africa essay collections

Application for Rethinking Activism in Africa essay collections will open on Monday, 27 January 2025. Applications should be made online.

Meet our Democracy and Development Fellows based at UCT

The Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance, University of Cape Town (UCT) is pleased to welcome eight post-doctoral and senior research fellows for a residential fellowship programme.

Rethinking activism in a time of desperation and despair

Thoughts on rethinking activism in Africa: Enhancing civic leadership in a time of uncertainty and transition

Advancing a just green trade and industrial transition

Prof Faizel Ismail, director at the Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance, was a panel member at a webinar that explored the challenges and opportunities of greening production, trade, and industrial development in the African context

News and updates from the Nelson Mandela School

‘A place of encounter, a place of exchange of ideas and sparkle’- Judge Albie Sachs reflecting on the Nelson Mandela Memorial Centre and School of Public Governance

‘We will continue to thrive and achieve greater things’

Academic director at the Nelson Mandela School, Dr Musa Nxele, said, “Our School has come a long way, and the future looks incredibly bright.

Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance – a decade on

The University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance, which forms a part of the Faculty of Commerce, reached a significant milestone in 2024: 10 years of teaching and learning.

South Africa’s democracy has come of age — now is the time for transformational leadership

Learning to work together at the highest level of power is essential, especially now that President Cyril Ramaphosa has unveiled the final shape of our new government of national unity.

Nelson Mandela Memorial Centre will make a significant contribution to scholarship

The Nelson Mandela Memorial Centre will promote the ideals of Chuck Feeney. It will educate, train and develop ethical leadership that serves communities, nations and the world.

Mr Chris Oechsli, President and CEO of Atlantic Philanthropies

Funding enables launch of the proposed Nelson Mandela Memorial Centre

The University of Cape Town (UCT) has received a generous grant of US $21.5 million from Atlantic Philanthropies, which has enabled the construction of the proposed Nelson Mandela Memorial Centre and School of Public Governance.

Man building tangram, icons representing people on each block

Help us grow Nelson Mandela’s legacy for ethical African leaders

We have a pan-African agenda, focusing on challenges around economic transformation, climate change, technology and geo-political tension — to ensure Africans can be agents of change locally and globally, participating on a world stage.

‘It’s not personal; it’s Constitutional’

The Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance at the University of Cape Town (UCT) hosted an intimate afternoon to reflect on the early years of Constitutionalism.

Democratic Governance and Leadership Series

Mandela and our constitutional democracy - a conversation with Albie Sachs

Intergenerational conversations to unpack leadership in Africa

A Conversation with Albie Sachs: Mandela the lawbreaker

Re-imagining the State and Civil Society

The global citizenry is currently facing a series of overlapping and lethal political, economic, and environmental crises.

I am here to serve!

Dr Musa Nxele is the winner of ROAPE’s Ruth First Prize, he was awarded the best-published article for his 2022 journal article.

Reflections, Call-to-Action, and Hope for the Future

Dear Nelson Mandela School community Thank you for your continued support, collaboration and belief in the Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance.

The Evolving Structure of South Africa’s Economy | Book Launch

On Tuesday, 5 December, Prof Faizel Ismail, School Director and Dr Rob Davies, Honorary Professor at the Nelson Mandela School were in discussion with book contributors Jesse Burton and Seeraj Mohamed.

From South Africa to Greece

Congratulations to Prof Lindiwe Msengana-Ndlela on her recent prestigious public office appointment. Prof Msengana-Ndlela is South Africa's Ambassador to the Hellenic Republic, Greece.

Applications are still open for the 2024 Master of Development Policy and Practice

Discover the art of balancing complex technical and ethical choices in development policy. Join the Master of Development Policy and Practice programme and become a policy expert.

UCT mourns the passing of the Founder of Atlantic Philanthropies, Mr Chuck Feeney

We have always been inspired by Mr Feeney's legendary humility, frugality, and modesty.

Creating One African Market | AfCFTA Key Updates

This newsletter provides an update on the activities undertaken by the Nelson Mandela School to support the AfCFTA Secretariat during the review period of July 2022 to July 2023.

Shirley Kandabu, African adventurer, leader, social entrepreneur

“You come from a background like that, and you’re constantly empowered,” said the Emerging African Leaders Programme graduate from the University of Cape Town’s Nelson Mandela School.

In honour of Pieter Pretorius

A few years later, in 2016, it was a pleasure to have Pieter in my Public Leadership course on the Master of Development Policy and Practice at UCT's Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance.

UCT's Nelson Mandela School set to build a world class African Policy School

The Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance at UCT is building a world class African Policy School dedicated to developing the next generation of Africa’s ethical leaders.

Make public procurement mechanisms accessible to local manufacturers of health products

Supporting South Africa and Africa’s capacity to manufacture vaccines and other medical products is a complex and challenging task with real public health consequences, needing coordinated capabilities and infrastructure.

The fourth scramble for Africa – an opportunity for Africans to dictate the rules of the game

In recent months a flurry of Western and Eastern officials and leaders to African shores has showcased that the fourth scramble for Africa is under way. On the table are Africa’s valuable resources, its growing markets for foreign businesse

How political polarisation eclipsed State Capture in Ethiopia | Op-Ed

Political polarisation and State Capture are inextricably linked since both can lead to a breakdown of democratic norms and institutions.

The State of the South African State: Capacity, capability, ethics

The Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection (MISTRA) is currently undertaking a priority research project, The State of the South African State: Capacity, capability, ethics. This project aims to provide a comprehensive and up-to-date

AfCFTA and rules of origin for the textile and apparel industry in Africa

Working paper intended to stimulate a debate on rules of origin for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in the textile and apparel sector.

Creating an integrated One African Market - the AfCFTA Business Forum

The AfCFTA Trade and Industrial Development Advisory Council will host a hybrid textile-to-apparel panel discussion at the AfCFTA Business Forum 2023.

The African Youth for Local Access of Health Products (AYLAHP) initiative

This World Health Day (7 April), the Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance is supporting the African Youth for Local Access of Health Products (AYLAHP), a newly established initiative.

The first quarter of 2023 has been another exciting time for the School

Thank you for being part of the Nelson Mandela School’s family, circle of friends, colleagues and supporters. Together we can advance transformation in Africa.

The School contributes to building African Continental Free Trade Area

Our Building Bridges Programme enables the School to maintain its network of over 1 000 alumni and fellows, and to learn from their experiences on the ground as they continue to contribute to the process of change and transformation in over

Do all African countries need just transition partnership deals?

The Just Energy Transition Partnership between South Africa and several international partners has garnered significant global interest, and rightly so.

What is Adaptive Leadership and Public Governance

The School's next Guest Lecture will be delivered by Dr Jafar Javan, Director of the United Nations System Staff College (UNSSC).

Supply Chain and Cold Chain Management of Vaccines

The Nelson Mandela School is hosting its first webinar of 2023, "Challenges and Opportunities in Supply Chain and Cold Chain Management of Vaccines."

Climate Change, the AfCFTA and Africa’s Transformation

The Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance at the University of Cape Town (UCT) is hosting a series of dialogues on climate change, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and Africa’s Transformation in the lead up to COP 27, to be

A school for the next generation of Africa’s ethical leaders!

The Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance is a graduate school located at the globally recognised University of Cape Town (UCT).

Call for Expression of Interest: Re-imagining the State and Civil Society

As part of the Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance’s thematic focus on Democratic Governance, an executive course will be convened on: Democratic Governance: R

UCT’s Nelson Mandela School signs a five-year partnership with the United Nations System Staff College

The University of Cape Town (UCT) through its Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance and the United Nations System Staff College (UNSSC), recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will guide cooperation between the institutions over

Prof Francis Wilson was a superb leader and an activist academic

The Nelson Mandela School mourns the passing of Professor Francis Wilson, founding director of UCT’s Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Unit (SALDRU).

News from the Nelson Mandela School

The Nelson Mandela School is pleased to share the first quarter newsletter with you, a place where we share the School’s heartbeat and invite you to journey with us.

Upcoming Roundtable Discussion delves into Drug Substance Manufacturing for Vaccines

UCT’s Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance launched Roundtable series in 2022 as part of the ongoing support for the implementation of the AfCFTA. The AfCFTA and Transformative Industrialisation Roundtable series brings together polic

The AfCFTA and Transformative Industrialisation Roundtable series

The School invites you to attend the first roundtable focusing on "The Opportunity for Vaccine Production in Africa: Creating Regional Value Chains through Localisation".

Applications open for the Atlantic Fellows for Social and Economic Equity programme

Applications are now open for LSE’s Atlantic Fellows for Social and Economic Equity programme for social-change leaders who are working to tackle inequality.

Making the TRIPS Agreement Work Effectively

The Doha Declaration on TRIPS Agreement and Public Health has been of limited relevance in addressing the challenges of the pandemic. Learn more in a recent policy brief published by the

Leading in Public Life: Women, Influence, Power Programme 2021

The Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance at the University of Cape Town, together with the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung’s Rule of Law Programme for Sub-Saharan Africa, are pleased to announce the Leading in Public Life: Women, Influence, Power

Op-Ed | The world needs a different type of ambition

Op-Ed | Africa has a great strategic plan: now it needs to roll up its sleeves and take action

When the United Nations started framing its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2012 – a shared blueprint for working towards global peace and prosperity by 2030 – Africa was the first region to submit its list of priorities.

Policy Brief | The WTO TRIPS Waiver Should Help Build Vaccine Manufacturing Capacity in Africa

Professor Faizel Ismail, the School Director, has recently published a policy brief on vaccine manufacturing capacity in Africa with The South Centre.

Vacancy: Researcher on Climate Change and Development

The Mandela School is seeking a researcher candidate for a twelve-month fellowship in climate change and development, based at the University of Cape Town.

Virtual July graduation celebration

Professor Faizel Ismail (Director) and Dr Shanil Haricharan (Academic Director) at the University of Cape Town's Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance congratulate the 2021 Master of Development Policy and Practice graduates.

Nigeria: The politicisation of election management bodies comes at a high cost to democracy and must stop

[Op-Ed] Samson Itodo, an experienced community organiser and development practitioner with over a decade of experience in constitution building, governance reform, electoral governance, civic engagement, and political organising, writes about the polit