William Gumede is Associate Professor at the School of Governance, University of the Witwatersrand. He is chairperson of the Democracy Works Foundation. He is also the author of a number of no.1 bestsellers including his most recent book Restless Nation: Making Sense...

Sanya Osha is an author residing in Pretoria, South Africa. His most recent publications include, the novels, An Underground Colony of Summer Bees (2012), and On a Sad Weather-Beaten Couch (2015), the volume of poetry, A Troubadour’s Thread (2013), and the work of...

Kenneth Maine is a Research Psychologist working in the military and conducts research on various issues within the military. He obtained his MA in Research Psychology from the North-West University (NWU) and has currently commenced with a Doctoral Degree at NWU. His...

Mosibudi Mangena enrolled at the University of Zululand (Ngoye) in 1970 for a BSc degree, was elected to the SRC, and became active in the South African Students’ Organisation (SASO). He discontinued his studies and moved back to Pretoria where he became active in the...

Ebrahim Rasool is the former South African Ambassador to the USA. He is a scholar in Residence at Georgetown University and founder of the World for All Foundation

Brian Kamanzi is a Cape Town-based writer and electrical engineering Masters student at the University of Cape Town. He describes himself as committed to the social upliftment of his fellow people. He is a budding Pan-Africanist eager to make contributions to the...

Taryn Isaacs De Vega is completing her PhD on Media Accountability Mechanisms at the University of South Africa (UNISA), whilst working at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU). Taryn is also a researcher for the Media Policy and Democracy Project, a...

Athambile Masola is a Mandela-Rhodes Scholar, who graduated with a Masters in Education. She has taught English in Cape Town and Johannesburg high schools. She is currently working on a PhD on Noni Jabavu's memoirs while working at the University of Pretoria's...

Lauren is a sustainable development specialist and Strategic Director of the Massive Small Collective, focused on urban resilience, energy innovation and equity. Her experience is in policy, strategy and programme development in both the public and private sectors....

Samukelisiwe Maseko is from Newcastle, KwaZulu Natal. She is a performer, actress and forms part of interdisciplinary arts collective called 'Is This a Protest?'. She is completing an honours degree in Drama & Theatre Studies. She is an Open Forum resident.

Alex Lubet, Morse Alumni Distinguished Teaching Professor of Music and Adjunct Professor of American Studies, joined the University of Minnesota faculty in 1979. He is a composer, performer, and author whose specialties include music and text for theatre, dance, and...

Govin Reddy is a media executive who has held several senior positions in South Africa and overseas. He was CEO of SABC Radio, CEO of the Mail & Guardian newspaper, Director of the Media Leadership Institute at Rhodes University, Head of the English Service of...

Laurianne Lingbondo is a first year journalism student at the University of Johannesburg. She is unapologetically black and on a mission to change African minds and narratives.

Professor Gertrude Fester is a feminist activist, educator, poet and writer from South Africa, who is a former Member of Parliament, and a Commissioner of the Gender Commission. A long time activist, she spent time in solitary confinement for her political work during...

Thabang Mojalefa Masiu is a journalism student at the University of the Free State and has a passion for music and writing. He was born in Hartswater, Northern Cape.

Leroy Seletse is currently studying a BA in Corporate and Marketing Communication at the University of the Free State. He is passionate about about photojournalism and has aspirations of one day being published on the front cover of The Sunday Times as well as...

Abenathi Gqomo is a third year Journalism and Media studies student at the university currently known as Rhodes and is passionate about telling untold stories. She specialises in radio, and does isiXhosa as her second major. She is also a budding photographer.

Sam van Heerden is a Rhodes University student currently majoring in Politics, Philosophy, and Journalism. Her other interests include photography, analysis and thinking big thoughts. She also spends an undue amount of time voicing her opinion on social media.

Palesa Mlambo is an aspiring journalist, news anchor and freelance writer at Auzweke magazine. She is a journalism student at the University of Johannesburg.

Dr Barbara Boswell is a senior lecturer at the School of Literature, Language and Media at the University of the Witwatersrand. Her field of specialisation is representations of gender, race and sexuality in South African literature and black feminist literary...