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IAPSS Africa is a consortium of students, early career researchers and emerging industry professionals with backgrounds in political science and its allied fields. The region hosts members from across the African continent whose interests intersect the diverse issues that embody socio-political and economic gaps and priorities in African affairs. This includes issues transcending youth and development, peace and conflict, geopolitics, digital revolution, governance, development finance, trade, climate change and emergencies among others.
The IAPSS Africa outreach strategy responds to the career aspirations of students and young professionals in Africa, who are in pursuit of opportunities by which they could lead meaningful change on the continent, as well as channels to build and expand productive networks. We pursue IAPSS’ regionalisation vision – which seeks to make the association more accessible, inclusive, and global – by organising workshops, webinars and conferences that congregate members and friends of the association from different countries on the continent.
Our goal is to build IAPSS Africa into becoming a powerhouse of human and material governance resources, and home to passionate Africans who will lead the next generation of change-makers globally.
Ontlotlile Seemela
Regional Chair | IAPSS Africa
africa@iapss.org
Ontlotlile Seemela is a Political Science lecturer at the North West University (NWU and is currently studying her PhD in Political Science at the University of South Africa (UNISA). She is currently the Africa Chair of the International Association for Political Science Students (IAPSS). Her previous roles at IAPSS include being part of the Crisis Observatory Think Tank; She examined conflicts that are taking place across Sudan & the Eastern Region of Africa. She has also worked as a Projects and Markets Researcher, where she focused on
investigating geopolitical trends, conflict analysis, projects opportunities and expansion opportunities across Africa for Multinational Corporations. She is also an art writer who has written for ArtsHelp the largest digital art publisher in the world. She is an internationally published author and is part of the Qatari based Arak Art writing fellowship. Her research focuses on examining the historical significance and cultural contribution of key figures in African history through art.
Jinjimali Mpopwe
Regional Project and Events Coordinator | IAPSS Africa
events.africa@iapss.org
Jinjimali Mpopwe is a Project Officer for the African Region at the International Association for Political Science Students (IAPSS). Based in Lusaka, Zambia, Jinjimali brings over seven years of experience in project management, advocacy, and stakeholder engagement. She holds a Master’s Degree in Law (LLM) from the University of Zambia and is currently pursuing a Postgraduate Diploma in Political Science at the Africa Institute for Project Management Studies. In her role at IAPSS, Jinjimali focuses on fostering partnerships with institutions and organizations, organizing impactful events, and advancing governance and political science discussions across the African continent. Her research interests explore the transformative role of women in politics, particularly how their leadership impacts governance, policymaking, and social equity in Africa.
VACANT
Regional Media Coordinator | IAPSS Africa
media.africa@iapss.org
Vacant.
Nkosana Sithole
Regional Liaison Coordinator | IAPSS Africa
liaison.africa@iapss.org
Bafokeng Moeti
Country Coordinator (Lesotho) | IAPSS Africa
lesotho.africa@iapss.org
Christopher Ebikebena
Country Coordinator (Nigeria) | IAPSS Africa
nigeria.africa@iapss.org
Mihaja Steven Goulzaraly
Country Coordinator (Madagascar) | IAPSS Africa
madagascar.africa@iapss.org
Mihaja Steven Goulzaraly is a political science graduate and civic engagement advocate from Madagascar. Mihaja formerly worked with Transparency International – Initiative Madagascar on citizen and community mobilization and is focused on governance, citizen participation, and civic engagement. Their academic pursuit entails continuing their studies in public policy and governance. They look forward to collaborating closely on this event and continuing to grow IAPSS Africa’s presence and impact across the region.
Sifiso Vilakazi
Country Coordinator (South Africa) | IAPSS Africa
southafrica.africa@iapss.org
Sifiso Vilakazi is a dynamic researcher and PhD candidate at the North-West University (NWU), building on his foundation as a Master’s graduate in Public Administration from the same institution. Vilakazi’s research agenda is highly relevant to contemporary governance challenges, specifically focusing on the nexus of public policy, green energy transitions, public sector innovation, and their inherent linkages with political science. This interdisciplinary focus seeks to generate novel insights into sustainable policy implementation and administrative reform. Sifiso completed his master’s degree with distinction, and his academic output includes a forthcoming book chapter on gentrification studies and several other publications currently in the pipeline. Professionally, his skills encompass coordination of research and events, administrative support, lecturing in areas like public administration, project management, and policy analysing. Sifiso is committed to contributing impactful research and practical expertise to the evolving field of public sector governance and sustainable development.
Available Positions:
- Deputy Regional Chair
- Akin to any deputy role within IAPSS, this position assists and works closely with the region’s chair regarding whatever is needed. This role assumes the position of the Regional Chair in the case of the latter’s resignation or departure. In cases where there is no deputy, one of the members of the RLC may step up.
- Regional Outreach Coordinator
- Akin to a mix of ExCom roles, this position is in charge of seeking grant and funding opportunities which are bound to a region and assisting their respective Chair s in enlarging their Regional Chapter’s network of possible partners It can also look after IAPSS memberships in the region, work with the Regional Media Coordinator for social media outreach, and work on partnerships.
- Social Media Assistant
- Helping the Regional Media Coordinator, this position will help with all things media for IAPSS Africa.
We invite students of political science, researchers, and industry professionals who would be interested in collaborating on and supporting ongoing projects aimed at transforming the governance and development trajectory of the African continent.
We are open to partnerships with student associations, thinktanks, research institutes, civil-society organisations, NGOs, and academic institutions, among others. We would be happy to collaborate on projects that intersect the broad goals of IAPSS and those specific to the Africa region.
Are you interested in collaborating with IAPSS Africa, please send an email to africa@iapss.org
Regional Announcements
IAPSS Global would like to welcome new IAPSS Regional Leadership Committee Chairs! IAPSS Africa – Ontlotlile Seemela, africa@iapss.org IAPSS Asia – Adarsh Prasad, asia@iapss.org IAPSS Canada & USA Chair -… Read More