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Keen to play our part in ensuring that complex national challenges are met with intellectual rigour, independent analysis and strategic foresight, MISTRA has appointed Professor Itumeleng Mosala, Dr Reneva Fourie and Professor Sarah Mosoetsa to the Board of Governors and Dr Ayanda Ntsaluba, Mr Mandla Nkomfe, Professor Hein Willemse and Dr Tanya Abrahamse to the Council of Advisors. Talking about the appointments, Executive Director and Deputy Chairperson, Mr Joel Netshitenzhe, explained that the changes to the Board come at a critical time in our country’s development trajectory. “MISTRA exists to produce ideas that matter; ideas that not only inform decision-making but also elevate the national discourse. With the calibre of leadership joining our board and council, we are better equipped to navigate the complexities of the current moment without losing sight of our long-term developmental horizon.”
Again, MISTRA extends heartfelt gratitude to the Board and Council members retiring from their tenure; your contributions have left an indelible mark on the MISTRA way.
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| | | US President Donald Trump’s comments about taking control of Greenland, combined with threats directed at Canada, Mexico and other states, have raised many concerns. But his push for what seems like a land grab are far from a sudden or impulsive sentiment. These calls are based on years of agitation in US policy circles, and have a lot to do with what the US regards as threats posed by China and Russia in the Arctic Circle. In a recent paper, Na'eem Jeenah unpacks the complexities of the matter. | | MISTRA Executive Director Joel Netshitenzhe delivered the closing keynote at the F20 Climate Solutions Forum 2025 in Cape Town at the end of May. In his address, he reflected on the complex challenges of making climate finance work more effectively for both people and the planet. He emphasised the need for inclusive, multi-sector collaboration – across governments, business, civil society, and research institutions – and highlighted an urgent need to restructure funding models to ensure equitable access. | | | | | |
At the end of May, the Fraymedia Foundation hosted the Rise & Shine Women in Media Breakfast Series and MISTRA’s Dr Abba Omar was the featured speaker. Dr Abba Omar led the session under the theme: "Trying to Make Sense of Troubled Times."
Bringing together 20 women from across the media and business sectors, attendees discussed global affairs and their implications for media, entrepreneurship, and society at large.
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In 2012, a heated debate was happening between Adcorp and Statistics SA around employment and unemployment numbers. At the time, MISTRA hosted a Roundtable and invited representatives from Adcorp and Stats SA – and others – to discuss labour statistics and the unrecorded economy. This conversation remains relevant today amid debate around the true unemployment rate in South Africa.
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Think tanks play a vital role in shaping policy. They engage with a diverse range of actors within the policy ecosystem to facilitate dialogues, prepare future generations of analysts and decision-makers, and enhance the capacity of various entities, including political parties and the private sector. At the OTT Conference 2025, held in Johannesburg in June, MISTRA’s Director Research, Dr Africa, participated in a session about getting policy unstuck and the importance of evidence-informed policymaking. The session explored why efforts to promote evidence use sometimes fail, drawing from case studies in the UK, South Africa, and beyond.
| | In 2023, MISTRA was appointed by Mintek to help develop South Africa’s Critical Minerals Strategy, which was officially approved by Cabinet in May 2025. This strategy emerged from an intensive consultative process, during which MISTRA actively engaged with government departments, industry experts, and diverse stakeholder groups to shape a robust strategy that will drive the sustainable exploitation and management of critical minerals. | | | | | MISTRA was appointed by the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME) to assist with research and drafting in the development of South Africa's Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP) for 2024-2029. Officially adopted by Cabinet on 26 February 2025, this plan provides a comprehensive roadmap outlining the nation’s development priorities over the next five years. Serving as a strategic blueprint for the 7th Administration, this plan was crafted through extensive consultations involving government officials, subject matter experts, and numerous stakeholders. | | On 30 June, the SAFP Forum brought together diplomats, scholars, and policy experts to examine a rapidly shifting world order signified by global crises, dwindling Western dominance and the rise of new power centres. The discussions, led by Ambassador Jorge Heine, Dr Africa, Mr. Simon Freemantle, and Professor Nick Binedell explored the concept of “active non-alignment” as a modern strategy for nations seeking to prioritise their own interests amidst intensifying great-power tensions. From the war in Ukraine to China’s growing influence, the dialogue questioned traditional alliances and proposed bold ways for countries like South Africa to assert agency in an increasingly fragmented world. | | | Looking ahead, MISTRA has various events coming up. Look out for invitations in the coming weeks. | | |
As part of MISTRA’s ongoing work around geopolitics, we will be hosting a webinar focused on the critical issue of disarmament. This issue has become ever more urgent with recent developments in the Middle East.
The webinar is schedule for Tuesday, 29 July 2025, from 15h00 to 17h00
| | Dr Sandy Africa, Na'eem Jeenah and Dr Musa Nxele | | | | |
