
Ontlotlile Seemela
Regional Chair for Africa
Ontlotlile Seemela is a Political Science and International Relations lecturer at the North West University (NWU) in South Africa. She is currently working towards her PhD at the University of Johannesburg (UJ). She is currently the chair of the International As-sociation for Political Science Students (IAPSS) Africa’s chapter, her previous roles at IAPSS include acting as a Projects and Events Coordinator, as well as acting as a Crisis Observatory Think Tank; Where she examined the conflict that is taking place in Sudan. She is passionate about researching problems, market trends, and geopolitics across Africa.
She is also an art writer for ArtsHelp the largest digital art publisher in the world, it is an art publication founded on the principle of art making the world a better place. Arts Help uses art to bring attention to the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Ontlotlile is an internationally published author, and a board member of the International Women’s Club (Johannesburg, South Africa). Her research focuses on conflict analysis across the continent as well as Political Art, whereby she examines the historical significance and cultural contribution of key figures in African history through art. Her latest academic publication is Afrobeats and Amapiano artists: powerful human resource tools to reimagining, and revolutionizing Pan-Africanism amongst youth.

Salifyaje Mugala
Social Media Officer
Salifyaje Mugala is a dedicated young professional with a strong academic foundation in global affairs. Holding a degree in Business Administration with a major in International Relations, her passion for social impact has driven her to work with various NGOs, contributing to initiatives focused on community development. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Political Science and International Relations at the University of Lusaka, conducting research on Zambia's economic diplomacy and trade relations with China. Her work explores the dynamics of bilateral partnerships, with a focus on their implications for development and sustainable trade.

Jinjimali Mpopwe
Project Officer
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.

Hlayisani Lordwish Mabasa
Projects Coordinator
Hlayisani Lordwish Mabasa is a Project Coordinator in the Insurance Risks division at the South African Insurance Association (SAIA) and is currently pursuing a Master of Public Affairs at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT). He holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Developmental and Management Studies from the University of Witwatersrand, an Honours Bachelor's degree in Public Administration from the University of South Africa (UNISA), and a BA in Politics and International Relations from the University of Johannesburg. Additionally, he is working towards a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) at UNISA.
With significant experience in project management, stakeholder engagement, and research, Hlayisani has worked with top research institutions, including the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) and the Department of Energy. His professional experience includes providing administrative support, coordinating research, tutoring in public management, and overseeing youth development programs. He has also contributed to parliamentary matters, policy analysis, data management, field research, and project reporting for governmental and research organizations.
Hlayisani's skills include project coordination, report writing, and data analysis, with a strong history of organizing workshops, coordinating stakeholder forums, and preparing detailed reports for boards and committees. His efforts have helped improve research processes, enhance service delivery, and drive operational success.
Fluent in English, Xitsonga (his native language), and Sepedi, Hlayisani continues to apply his broad skill set to foster institutional development and stakeholder collaboration across various sectors.

Lloyd George Banda
Country Coordinator | Malawi
Lloyd is a Political Economist who is currently pursuing a PhD in Political Science (Public Policy) at the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa. He holds a Master of Arts in Development Studies (Political economy of development) and a dual Bachelor of Social Science in Economics and History from the University of Malawi obtained in 2023 and 2019, respectively.
His broad areas of research publications are macroeconomics and the political economy of development. He is mainly interested in questions pertaining to governance and the impact of government policy on domestic and international development issues centered around United Nations global goal 16 - Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, mainly focusing on the Sub-Saharan region. While he has been involved in a number of qualitative academic research papers, most of his published papers are quantitative where he uses economic models and computational tools such as STATA, EViews, R, and SPSS to answer research questions.
Above all, Lloyd aspires to be able to have his research contribute to academic debates and also help inform policy decisions.

Collins Akinujomu
Country Coordinator | Nigeria
Collins Akinujomu is a final year student of Political Science at Adekunle Ajasin University Nigeria, he is a student researcher with an interest in Sino-African relations, international development, and diplomacy. He has co-authored a paper on insecurity challenges in Nigeria and published articles on notable Nigerian dailies.
Outside academia, he’s a passionate social activist who sees community and global development as key responsibilities, he is a member of ONE Campaign, Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), he advocates for community and global issues with a keen interest in SDG 1, 4, and 16.
He has undertaken several leadership trainings in his area of interest some of which include SDGs- A Transdisciplinary Vision for the Future, Rotary Positive Peace Academy, Art of Activism etc. He organizes and participates in seminars that train and develop potential young leaders. He’s an alumnus of USA based Center for Artistic Activism (C4AA) learning lab. He has interned as campus ambassador at the International Model United Nations (IMUN) where his major role is campaigning for SDGs, Collins is a fellow at LEAP Africa 2023 Youth Leadership Development Program (YLDP). Outside formal work, he reads and listens to music of interest.

Siphesihle Mbhele
Country Coordinator | South Africa
Siphesihle Mbhele holds a Bachelor of Social Sciences Honors degree in Public Policy and a Bachelor Social Sciences in Government Business and Ethics degree, both obtained at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, He is currently pursuing a Master of Social Sciences degree in Public Policy with the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Before joining PLAAS he worked as a Project Coordinator at the eThekwini Municipality, Area Based Management Unit (City Managers Operations Office) in Durban KwaZulu-Natal. He has also worked as a Research Assistant at the African Centre for Migration and Society at the University of Witwatersrand under the “Promoting Social Cohesion and Preventing Collective Violence” Research Project.
Siphesihle is also passionate about youth development and social justice, he considers himself a youth and social activist. He is the founder and Convener of the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation Youth Policy Advisory Forum which is a policy space for young people to impact and engage on policy issues in an effective and efficient platform and manner. He has served as Country Coordinator (South Africa) at the International Association for Political Sciences Students, He is also the founder and co-host of “Activating Youth Activism” Podcast which is a for the youth by the youth podcast which aims to bring together voices of young people in various sectors to hold innovative and solution-driven conversations. Siphesihle was also in a cohort of young researchers and activists to co-author the 2020/21 African Peer Review Mechanism Youth Submission Report which he also presented to members of the APRM National Governing Council.