Mapungubwe Institute

Thirty years after South Africa adopted its democratic Constitution, some of its most difficult questions remain unanswered. One of these is the place of traditional leadership within a constitutional democracy – especially when it comes to land, accountability, and the lived experiences of rural communities. Join MISTRA’s public webinar on Traditional Leadership in South Africa’s Democratic Constitution this Thursday, 28 May 2026 at 10h00AM. The webinar will bring together critical voices to reflect on what remains unanswered, why it matters, and what must change in the years ahead. Register through this link: mistra-org-za.zoom.us/webinar/regist… #Constitution30 #TraditionalLeadership #LandGovernance #Democracy #PublicDialogue #MISTRA #SouthAfrica

Unfinished business of traditional leadership in a democracy Millions remain under unelected traditional councils as legislative delays persist. As South Africa marks the 30th anniversary of the adoption of its democratic constitution, it is important to focus on the thorny issue of traditional leaders in our democracy. Article by Dr Yacoob Abba Omar: mistra.org.za/wp-content/upl…

On Wednesday, 20 May 2026, MISTRA hosted a High-Level Roundtable Reflecting on the outcomes of the G20 Summit. The roundtable brought together stakeholders from the G20 Finance tracks, Think Tank (T20), Civil Society (W20) and Business (B20) and included a panel discussion on ‘Interpreting the G20 Outcomes for South Africa and the Global South. Moderate by Nompumelelo Siziba, the discussed aimed to triangulate analytical findings with practitioner perspectives and to explore strategic pathways for South Africa in the post-G20 context. •Finance Track : Samantha Springfield - South African Reserve Bank •Business (B20): Busisiwe Mavuso - Business Leadership South Africa •Civil Society (W20): Prof Narnia Bohler - Human Science Research Council •Think Tank (T20): Mikatekiso Kubayi - University of Johannesburg Discussions from the roundtable will help generate further policy-relevant insights that will inform the next phase of research and engagement.

Iran war can spark turning point for Africa The impact on the African continent has been far-reaching, most visible in the compounding threats to energy and food security. Kenya, Ethiopia and Zambia have all reported oil shortages, with Kenya implementing administrative price freezes; Ethiopia instituting the strict prioritisation of oil supplies for essential vehicles, and Zambia imposing large-scale tax suspensions to compensate for increased prices. Read the article by Lwanda Maqwelane: mistra.org.za/wp-content/upl…

State missing in action in the battle for spaza shop economy The recent “March on March” protest (save for the intimidation of foreign migrants) across major cities in the country suggests that the battle for economic space has transcended the traditional township boundaries where most spaza shops are located. Article by Eddie M Rakabe: mistra.org.za/wp-content/upl…

At a recent summit, Xi Jinping warned Donald Trump that China and the USA need to avoid the 'Thucydides Trap'. But what is the Thucydides Trap? MISTRA examines this topic in its new book, which is the first book ever in the field of international relations to look at great power transitions, not from the perspective of the great powers themselves, but from the vantage point of the African continent. Read the publication policy brief and the review its chapters through this link: mistra.org.za/mistra-publica… #ThucydidesTrap #MISTRA #InternationalRelations

Global shocks expose SA’s lack of crisis buffers The IMF’s April 2026 World Economic Outlook, Global Economy in the Shadow of War, makes worrying reading. It describes the world economy buckling under the weight of compounding shocks, with global growth revised down to 3.1% — well below the 3.7% historical average — as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz threatens a major energy crisis. Read the article by Dr Yacoob Abba Omar: mistra.org.za/wp-content/upl…

A MISTRA Webinar: Traditional Leadership in South Africa’s Democratic Constitution To mark the Constitution’s 30th anniversary, the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection (MISTRA) invites you to a webinar that will bring together critical voices to reflect on what remains unanswered, why it matters, and what must change in the years ahead. Date: Thursday, 28 May 2026 Time: 10h00 – 12h00 Zoom Webinar Register to Join: mistra-org-za.zoom.us/webinar/regist… #DemocraticConstitution #MISTRA

Climate change is overwhelming already failing municipalities South Africa’s already struggling municipalities are facing a “polycrisis” as climate change amplifies existing governance failures, leaving them without the dynamic capabilities needed to respond to disasters while disproportionately harming the country’s most vulnerable communities. Read the article through this link by Zamanzima Mazibuko-Makena: mistra.org.za/wp-content/upl… #Polycrisis #Climatechange

Understanding Gauteng’s future requires reflection, debate, and evidence. Finding Our Rhythm: Gauteng Scenarios 2035, developed for GCRO by Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection (MISTRA) explores pathways for the province toward 2035. Join the launch 📅 13 May 2026 | 🕑 14:00–16:30 | 💻 Online 👉 Register for the webinar: wits-za.zoom.us/meeting/regist… hashtag#GCRO hashtag#GautengScenarios2035 hashtag#FutureThinking hashtag#StrategicPlanning hashtag#PublicPolicy

We have officially launched our latest book, ‘Africa and the Thucydides Trap: Strategies for a World in Transition’ The book delves into how African countries can navigate trade, technology, and mineral competition without losing their sovereignty. Read the policy brief for more on the key findings and policy recommendations: mistra.org.za/wp-content/upl… Get your copy today! #MISTRA #ThucydidesTrap #AfricaGlobalSouth #Geopolitics #StrategicReflection #booklaunch

Are rising powers destined for conflict with established ones? 🌍 The new MISTRA T-Trap book ‘Africa and the Thucydides Trap: Strategies for a World in Transition’ dives deep into one of the most urgent global questions of our time – from historical power shifts and case studies, to the evolving dynamics between major powers today. Explore chapters that unpack: 🔹 Power transitions as seen from the African continent 🔹 Great power competition, the Thucydides Trap, and Africa’s agency 🔹 Regime change and the Thucydides Trap As history shows, power transitions have often led to tension — sometimes even war — but this book asks: must it be so? 📖 Read the table of contents and policy brief: mistra.org.za/mistra-publica… #MISTRA #TTrap #GlobalPolitics #Geopolitics #ThucydidesTrap #BookLaunch

Join the panel discussion with the publication authors and editors for more on the ‘Africa and the Thucydides Trap: Strategies for a World in Transition’ Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/watch?v=W0_cWZ… #MISTRA #ThucydidesTrap #AfricaGlobalSouth #Geopolitics #StrategicReflection #BookLaunch

“Powerful countries will increasingly be the ones, not with financial or military cloud, but who possess access to data and who control information flows” – Former Ambassador Welile Nhlapo #KeynoteAddress Follow the conversation on our YouTube channel: youtube.com/watch?v=W0_cWZ… #MISTRA #ThucydidesTrap #AfricaGlobalSouth #Geopolitics #StrategicReflection #BookLaunch

#NowLive the launch of MISTRA’s latest book ‘Africa and the Thucydides Trap: Strategies for a World in Transition’. Join the conversation online now: mistra-org-za.zoom.us/webinar/regist… #MISTRA #ThucydidesTrap #AfricaGlobalSouth #Geopolitics #StrategicReflection #BookLaunch

‘Thucydides Trap’ or an orderly new world? 📖 History tells us that when a rising power threatens to displace an existing one, conflict often follows. But does it have to? MISTRA’s latest book, ‘Africa and the Thucydides Trap: Strategies for a World in Transition,’ brings together experts to show how African countries can navigate trade, technology, and mineral competition without losing their sovereignty. Explore chapters that unpack: 🔹 Power transitions as seen from the African continent 🔹 Great power competition, the Thucydides Trap, and Africa’s agency 🔹 Regime change and the Thucydides Trap 📖 Read the table of contents and preface: mistra.org.za/wp-content/upl… 👉 Register now: mistra-org-za.zoom.us/webinar/regist… #MISTRA #ThucydidesTrap #AfricaGlobalSouth #Geopolitics #StrategicReflection #BookLaunch

Is this South Africa’s moment as a middle power? In this thought-provoking piece, Dr Yacoob Abba Omar explores how domestic divisions and shifting global dynamics could shape SA’s place in the world. 👉 Read the full article to unpack what’s at stake: mistra.org.za/wp-content/upl… #SouthAfrica #ForeignPolicy #GlobalPolitics #MiddlePower #Geopolitics

MISTRA Newsletter Issue 87 is out! 📰 Catch up on the latest insights, research, and conversations shaping South Africa and the world. Read the full newsletter here: myemail.constantcontact.com/MISTRA-Newslet… #MISTRA #Newsletter #Policy #Research