Paulina Hadebe is the Programme Coordinator. She holds a National Diploma in Public Management from Tshwane University of Technology and ensures the smooth running of the programme at Honours and Masters Levels at Wits University, Braamfontein Campus. Paulina can be found in the Robert Sobukwe Building, rm145.
“Why is the Middle East the most conflict-ridden region in the world? More specifically, why has the United Nations repeatedly failed to prevent, or resolve, conflicts in the Middle East?”
Violet Molefe graduated with a Bachelor degree in International Relations. She is a recipient of the Undergraduate Council Merit Scholarship and the Postgraduate Honour’s Merit Award from Wits. Her topics of interest include international law, human rights, public policy, security studies, conflict resolution and crisis management.
“How has South Africa’s tertiary education system reproduced itself in the post-apartheid era?”
Sihle Gili graduated from the University of Witwatersrand with a Bachelor’s in Political Science and International Relations in 2018. She is a former Wits Student Representative Council member that served from 2016 – 2017, and a Golden Key member. Her research interest is the study of power relations within society and elite theory.
“Does information and communications technology (ICT) improve or diminish institutional engagement? More specifically, why has the introduction of online voting at Wits led to decreased voter turnout?”
Richmond Mphephu holds a BA degree in International Relations and Political Science. His research interests include the role of e-governance in improving service delivery in public administrations, as well as African states and civil society formations. He is concerned about getting African states to work for the most marginalised in society
“Why have the United Nation’s Millennium Development Goals worked better in some African countries than others?”
Anivuyina Ketsiwe completed an undergrad in Politics and International Relations at Wits University. She is Chairperson of the African Union Wits Chapter and national representative of the African Union Youth Chapters, and a member of the Thabo Mbeki Foundation Youth Hub.
“Why has institutionalised accountability been lacking in South Africa’s public administration?”
Mabotlhale Mbatane majored in Political Studies and International Relations at Wits University. She is a member at the Wits African Union and Amnesty International. Her interests are in Public Policy and Developmental Studies, and she is passionate about gender issues.
“Why does the South African constitution allow for both the formal defense, and informal violation, of human rights (e.g. ukuthwalwa)?
Nosipho Manana graduated with a diploma in Accounting from the University of Johannesburg, followed by an Advanced Diploma in Financial Management in 2014. A top-ten achiever in 2011, and former student mentor at the UJ HIV/AIDS society, she completed her Post Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning (CFP) at the University of the Free State.
“Why has Johannesburg’s ‘Corridors of Freedom’ project progressed so slowly?”
Tshiamo Moela
“Why did South Africa’s Black Empowerment policy (BEE) fail to empower more than a handful of beneficiaries?”
Obert Nangara holds a double major Bachelor of Arts degree in Marketing and Sociology from the University of the Witwatersrand and a London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Diploma in Marketing from Denmark College. He is a Golden Key International Honour Society member, and is currently carrying out research for his honours degree on Discursive Institutionalism of Continuity and Change on BBBEE Policy.
“Why have some of South Africa’s state-owned enterprises (SOEs) been more susceptible to state capture than others?”
Zola Valashiya studied an LLB at the University of the Free State and is a Mandela Rhodes Scholar (2015) and a YALI Mandela Washington Fellow (2017). While at Corruption Watch he worked as the Schools’ Projects Coordinator. Zola founded an organization called Debate Afrika that uses debate & public speaking as tools for education and youth leadership development. In 2017 he was named one of Mail & Guardian’s Top 200 Young South Africans and also received the University of the Free State Chancellor’s Distinguished Alumni Award.
