Dear Humanities Colleagues

African Academy of Sciences Award

Congratulations to De Wet Swanepoel who was awarded the African Academy of Sciences’ (AAS) science prize for his innovative research in tele-health and mobile health, specifically in the field of audiology. You can read more about his award here. 

Swedish Research Council Grant

I would also like to recognise Sithembile Mbete who, together with Angela Muvumba-Sellström (Uppsala University/Nordic Africa Institute) and Louise Olsson (PRIO), received funding from the Swedish Research Council to deepen the understanding of African countries' opportunities to make the UN Security Council more inclusive and responsive to women’s participation and security. For more information click here.

Appearances on Media Platforms

 • Henning Melber (Political Sciences) wrote the article “Namibia’s democracy enters new era as ruling Swapo continues to lose its lustre” in The Conversation.

 • Roland Henwood (Political Sciences) was interviewed on:

 • Pretoria FM on Ramaphosa and the motion of no-confidence

 • Pretoria FM on the Zondo Commission and removal of ANC members

 • SAfm on World Aids Day

 • RSG on false accusations by Chinese state official over an Australian soldier

 • Sithembile Mbete (Political Sciences) had been interviewed about South Africa's presidency of the UNSC by PassBlue, an online publication focusing on the UN. Her extended remarks were also included in a podcast. 

 • Christopher Isike (Political Sciences) presented his paper, “Electoral democracy, bad governance and public health in Africa" at the “Year Ahead” Conference organised by the Canadian Defence and Security Network (CDSN) hosted by Carleton University. 

 • He was also a panel speaker at the University of Pretoria #SpeakOutUP 16 days against gender based violence campaign.

 • UP Museums e-Newsletter for December is available and includes an interview with Christopher Till, the outgoing Director of Javett-UP, and profiles the Museum’s new Archivists.

 • Kyle Rath (School of the Arts) was interviewed by Masego Panyane about the Information Design Programme’s success at the Loeries for the UP website

Publications on academic platforms:

 • Charne Lavery (English) has co-edited a special issue of the journal Eastern African Literacy and Cultural Studies Vol 6 No 4

 • Christopher Isike (Political Sciences) and Dikeledi Madise published the article “Ubuntu diplomacy: Broadening soft power in an African context.” in the Journal of Public Affairs. 2020;e2097. https://doi.org/10.1002/pa.2097