Through the Centre for Africa-China Studies, UJ has received a comprehensive collection of ancient Chinese paintings from Zhejiang University, valued at 883,000 RMB (about R2.2 million). The Executive Director of the CACS, Prof David Monyae, the UJ Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Letlhokwa Mpedi, and the Deputy Vice Chancellor: Research and Innovation, Professor Refilwe Phaswana-Mafuya, recently travelled to Hangzhou for the official handover ceremony. Read more >>
Seminar on African agency and modernisation
On Tuesday 3 March 2026, CACS hosted a seminar titled ‘Decolonization, African Agency and African Modernization: The Legacy of Thomas Sankara’. The speakers were Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Former South African Minister and former Chair of the AU Commission; and Mr. Luc Youlouka Damiba, General Secretary, International Committee of the Thomas Sankara Memorial. Read more >>
Launch of book by David Monyae on Xi Jinping and the Global South
On 11 November 2025, Prof David Monyae, in partnership with the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in South Africa and the National Press Club, launched his highly anticipated book titled Xi Jinping and the Global South at the Pretoria Botanical Gardens. The event attracted academics, journalists, government officials and members of the public with an interest in exploring China’s relations with the Global South. Read more >>
Scholars in conversation: SA and the USA
On 11 June 2025, Prof David Monyae spoke at a high-level panel discussion titled ‘Scholars in Conversation: SA and USA Political Tensions’, hosted by the Faculty of Management Sciences at the Durban University of Technology.
2025 Baichuan Forum
In May, Prof David Monyae spoke at the 2025 Baichuan Forum which was themed around: ‘Global South in Transition: Geopolitical Dynamics and Development Cooperation’. The forum, which took place on 24-25 May 2025 in Shenzhen, China, brings together experts, scholars, policy researchers and government officials to discuss various topics, including international order, great power relations, and China’s role in global governance.
Middle Powers Strategic Dialogue
On 9 May 2025, Prof David Monyae attended the Middle Powers Strategic Powers Dialogue in Bangkok, Thailand. The Strategic Dialogue is a forum initiated by the Middle Power Studies Network (MPSN) where experts from middle power countries discuss pressing issues and explore opportunities for cooperation.
New book on civil society in Africa
A book titled The Politics of Civil Society in Africa: Foundational and Rising Issues in Governance and Democracy, edited by CACS Research Director Dr Emmanuel Matambo and Prof Bhaso Ndzendze, has been published by Cambridge Scholars. Read more >>
Webinar on impact of US-China trade war
On 8 May 2025, CACS hosted an online dialogue aimed at unpacking the impact of the US-China trade war on Africa, and how South Africa should position itself to deal with its consequences. Read more >>
New book by Dr Emmanuel Matambo
A book by Dr Emmanuel Matambo, CACS Director of Research, titled Zambia’s Youths and the 2021 General Election: Rescuing Democracy through Activism and Social Media was published in February 2025. The publishers are Lexington Books, a division of the major academic publishers Rowman & Littlefield. According to reviewers, the book provides fascinating insights into the growing potential of younger voters to influence politics in Africa. Read more >>
Webinar on BRICS and the global economy
On 16 April 2025, Prof David Monyae participated in a webinar titled ‘BRICS and the Global Economy: Challenges and Opportunities’. This was the first international event organised under the BRICS Finance Pillar.
Webinar on conflict in the eastern DRC
On 6 March 2025, Prof David Monyae participated in a webinar on the conflict in the Eastern DRC, co-organized by African Centre for the study of the US (ACSUS) at the University of the Witwatersrand and the International Relations Society of Kenya (IRSK). Other speakers were Prof Gilbert Khadiagala, Dr Tatiana Carayannis and Dr Claude Kabemba.
COMMENTS ON TELEVISION
Prof David Monyae comments on protests across Europe, South America, Africa, and Asia. Newzroom Afrika, 24 September 2025.
Dr Chikodiri Nwangwu comments on the potential impact of US tariffs on South Africa, Lesotho, Mauritius and Botswana. Newzroom Afrika, 17 April 2025.
David Monyae comments on US President Donald Trump’s 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs. Newzroom Afrika, 14 April 2025.
Prof David Monyae comments on the appointment of the former deputy deputy minister of finance, Mcebisi Jonas, as special envoy to the United States. SABC News, 14 April 2025.
Prof David Monyae comments on the implications of the developing trade war between the US and China. Newzroom Afrika, 10 April 2025.
ARTICLES IN THE MEDIA, 2025
David Monyae, Lessons from China’s Eight Point Decision for Africa’s anti-graft efforts, IOL, 19 October 2025.
Cliff Mboya and Samir Bhattacharya, Chinese media In Africa: the case of StarTimes In Kenya, Observer Research Foundation (ORF), 3 October 2025.
David Monyae, Lessons from China’s Eight-Point Decision for Africa’s Anti-Graft Efforts, Sunday Tribune, 19 October 2025.
Cliff Mboya, SCO Summit outcomes will be critical for Africa, SA researcher says, Sputnik News Africa, September 2025.
Cliff Mboya, Trump-Putin Alaska Summit could prevent Ukraine’s ‘total collapse,’ says expert. Sputnik News, 11
August 2025.
David Monyae et al, BRICS Summit: takeaways and projections, Stimson, 4 August 2025.
David Monyae, Whale in the White House will spit Jonas out, Sunday Times, 20 April 2025.
Langton Makuwerere Dube, SA’s Expropriation Act and the morbidity of whiteness, The Herald, 6 April 2025.
David Monyae, Foreign Policy: South Africa asserting its sovereignty with clear stance on Taiwan, IOL, 12 March 2025.
David Monyae, Stimulus for development, China Daily Global, 4 March 2025.
Langton Makuwerere Dube, South Africa’s Expropriation Act: Reflections on the Empire and the transnational legacy of land in southern Africa, Newsday, 10 February 2025.
Langton Makuwerere Dube, Trump’s re-election: A new era of re-awakening for Africa?, The African, 6 February 2025.
Edmund Terem Ugar, Trump’s colour-blind America: A dangerous illusion for people of colour, Mail & Guardian, 5 February 2025.
Edmund Terem Ugar, Challenges and prospects of deploying AI and machine learning for clinical diagnosis in African health care, The Thinker, Vol 101 no 4, 2024, 30 January 2025.
Edmund Terem Ugar, Reclaiming identity: Why the name ‘Africa’ deserves scrutiny and possible change, Mail & Guardian, 22 January 2025.
David Monyae, Gaza deal offers welcome relief from horror, but no guarantees, Sunday Times, 19 January 2025.
RADIO AND TV INTERVIEWS, 2025
David Monyae | SAFM: Sanae Takaichi has made history as Japan’s first female prime minister after securing a decisive victory in parliament. 23 October 2025.
David Monyae | SAFM: US President Donald Trump took to social media before meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung to threaten not to do business with Seoul because of a “Purge or Revolution” that he claimed was taking place in the country. 2 September 2025.
David Monyae | SAFM: US President Donald Trump recently questioned the political stability of South Korea via a post on Truth Social, calling the situation “a Purge or Revolution,” and raising concerns about doing business with the country. 27 August 2025.
David Monyae | SAFM: The MK Party’s recent visit to Morocco, the use of the South African flag and the implications that these developments will have for diplomatic relations between South Africa and Morocco. 21 July 2025.
David Monyae | SAFM: Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s ruling coalition failed to secure a majority in the 248-seat upper house in a crucial parliamentary election held on 20 July 2025. 21 July 2025.
David Monyae | SAFM: US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a new trade deal between the US and China. 12 June 2025.
David Monyae | POWER FM: SA watches closely as US tariffs on China soar to 104%: What it means for our economy and global trade, 9 April 2025.
David Monyae | RADIO 702: Navigating trade tensions: SA’s strategic response to US sanctions, 8 April 2025.
David Monyae | CGTN AFRICA: Comments on recent press conference hosted by Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, 12 March 2025.
David Monyae | SAfm: Taiwan has condemned China’s recent military actions, as Beijing staged live-fire drills near the island and deployed a record number of aircraft and warships. 28 February 2025.
David Monyae | SABC NEWS: G20 Meeting: SA prioritises solidarity, equality. 26 February 2025.
David Monyae | SAfm: Chinese President Xi’s meeting with tech leaders indicates a significant shift in China’s policy, potentially impacting global politics and economies. 17 February 2025.
David Monyae | SAfm: Joint SADC/EAC summit paves unclear path to end DRC war as SA reels from Trump’s executive order. 9 February 2025.
David Monyae | SAfm: President Donald Trump has announced a 10% tariff on all Chinese goods, fulfilling a key campaign promise. 4 February 2025.
David Monyae | SABC NEWS: Trump threatens to impose funding cuts on SA. 3 February 2025.
DavId Monyae | SAfm: South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has been indicted on charges of insurrection following his controversial declaration of martial law in December. 27 January 2025.
David Monyae | RADIO 702: Nigeria’s historic entry into BRICS: SA Falls to fourth in African growth and population rankings. 21 January 2025.
David Monyae | SAfm: South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol arrested. 16 January 2025.
David Monyae | SABC NEWS: Israel-Hamas War: Ceasefire deal close after ‘breakthrough’ in Doha. 15 January 2025.
Publications (new series)
Policy Brief No 1
China’s Digital Security Law: Prospects and Recommendations
Edmund Terem Ugar and Emmanuel Matambo
September 2022
Policy Brief No 2
South Africa’s Data Sovereignty Regulations: Merits and Possible Limitations
Emmanuel Matambo and Edmund Terem Ugar
September 2022
Policy Brief No 3
Charting a New Economic Frontier: BRICS+ Collaboration and De-dollarisation in the Global Landscape
Lebo Mosebua and Goitseone Maswabi
January 2024
Occasional Paper No 1
Data Protection and Rights to Privacy in the United States: A Limited State Level View
Emmanuel Matambo and Sizo Nkala
September 2022
Occasional Paper No 2
Djibouti: Africa’s microstate with a military stronghold
Goitseone Maswabi and Lebo Mosebua
November 2022
Occasional Paper No 3
Dedollarisation strategies: Transforming currency dynamics in the BRICS+ Bloc
Lebo Mosebua and Goitseone Maswabi
November 2023
Occasional Paper No 4
The BRICS Expansion, Currency & Implications for the US Dollar
Goitseone Maswabi and Lebo Mosebua
June 2024