From tracking the shifting dynamics of South Africa’s coalition politics to exploring Africa’s place in a changing global order, MISTRA continues to research and share diverse perspectives on the issues shaping our collective future. This edition of the MISTRA newsletter highlights key engagements between July and September, from across the continent and beyond. 

One of the big highlights was the launch of the 2026 Coalitions Barometer, which includes a comprehensive dataset, giving researchers, journalists and policymakers a data-driven view of coalition trends. Reflecting on what the world might look like in the future, MISTRA convened its third MISTRA Forum on Africa and Geopolitics, which brought together policymakers, academics and representatives from business, labour and civil society to chart possible geopolitical pathways over the next 15 years. 

In August, to mark the 70th anniversary of the historic 1956 women’s march against the pass laws, MISTRA launched its latest book, Reflections on Women and Social Change in South Africa: MISTRA Collected Works.

In July, MISTRA and the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) South Africa hosted a roundtable looking at the current state and future strategies of civil society. 

You can read about these events in more detail below. But first, here’s a round-up of the other initiatives and activities that kept us busy in the last three months.

JULY



• Director: Research, Dr Sandy Africa, attended a roundtable titled ‘African Agency in a Shifting Global Order: African Priorities and the Reform of the Multilateral System.’ The event was jointly hosted by the African Centre for the Study of the United States (ACSUS), the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation, and the Institute for Global Dialogue. 
• Researcher: Political Economy, Khutso Makua, attended a reception hosted by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in celebration of the 105th anniversary of the Founding of the Communist Party of China. 
• Senior Researcher: Knowledge Economy and Scientific Advancement (KESA), Dr Zamanzima Mazibuko-Makena, co-delivered the Global Speaker Address at the Inaugural Science, Technology and Innovation (ST&I) Public Lecture 2026. Her topic was: ‘A Public-Private Partnership Model for Science and Innovation.’
• Humanity Senior Researcher: Na’eem Jeenah, Director: Operations, Dr Yacoob Abba Omar and Director: Project Management, Nhlanhla Nyide, facilitated a discussion on ‘The Conceptualisation of the Africa Strategy,’ convened by Kagiso Trust. 
• Zamanzima Mazibuko-Makena participated in the National Advisory Council on Innovation’s roundtable discussion titled ‘Facing the Facts: Women's Participation in the National System of Innovation.’
• Na’eem Jeenah and Researcher: Humanity, Dr Lawrence Caromba, attended the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) Thought Leadership Seminar on ‘The Disappearing Labour Theory: Understanding Recent Voting Patterns in South Africa’s Elections.’
• Na'eem Jeenah was a panellist at the National Planning Commission's International Partnerships Task Team roundtable discussion on developing an Africa strategy for South Africa, focusing on peace, security, and mediation. 
• Na’eem Jeenah participated in the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) African Futures and Innovation (AFI) dialogue on ‘Middle East Realignment: What It Means for Africa.’ 

AUGUST

• Executive Director, Joel Netshitenzhe delivered the keynote address at the Old Mutual Provincial Management Board Leadership Conference 2026. His address was on the topic ‘South Africa at a Crossroads: Economic Realities, Political Dynamics and the Future of Financial Services.’ 
• Sandy Africa attended the University of Johannesburg seminar on ‘The Role of Non-State Actors in Governance: Enhancing South Africa’s International Agency,’ hosted in partnership with Nottingham Trent University and the Institute for Global Dialogue. 
• Yacoob Abba Omar attended the Courageous Conversations Advisory Council strategy session at Anglo American.
• Zamanzima Mazibuko-Makena attended the 2026 China-South Africa Seminar on Human Rights Development in China, jointly hosted by the China Foundation for Human Rights Development and the Centre for Africa-China Studies at the University of Johannesburg under the theme ‘Modernisation for All: Advancing Human Rights through Common Development.’ 
• Yacoob Abba Omar attended the Nucleus Institute Seminar on ‘Middle Power Alignment: South Africa and Canada Perspectives.’
• Na’eem Jeenah presented on ‘The State of the State: South Africa at a Turning Point: Reading the State, Reading the Future,’ at The Presidency’s Strategic Planning Session. 

SEPTEMBER

• Nhlanhla Nyide, Na’eem Jeenah and Researcher: KESA, Lwanda Maqwelane, attended the 31^st NEDLAC Annual Summit under the theme ‘Advancing Inclusive Growth and Decent Work in the Age of AI.’
• Joel Netshitenzhe attended the G20 Africa Expert Panel Meeting. MISTRA acts as the Secretariat of the Panel.
• Zamanzima Mazibuko-Makena spoke at the Battery and Energy Storage for Africa 2026 Conference (BEASFA).
• Yacoob Abba Omar presented at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) Labour Conference on the Indlulamithi South Africa Scenarios initiative. 
• Sandy Africa attended a reception in celebration of the 77^th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China at the Chinese Embassy in Pretoria.