Our Staff
Prof Chris Landsberg
SARChI Chair: African Diplomacy and Foreign Policy and Foreign Policy and the Director of CADL. Prof Landsberg is a renowned foreign policy scholar and the former University of Johannesburg head of Politics department, former director for Centre for Policy Studies and Codirector of Centre for Africa’s International Relations (CAIR) at Wits. His expertise is African diplomacy, and South Africa’s foreign policy analysis.
Prof Kikaya Bin Karubi
Distinguished Research Associate at CADL. He is a former Democratic Republic of Congo public official, serving as Ambassador of the DRC to Zimbabwe, United Kingdom and a former Member of Parliament, former Minister of Communication and Press and President’s Senior Diplomatic Advisor. His areas of research include conflict resolution, diplomacy, politics of modernisation and change, mass communication and journalism.
Dr Oscar Van Heerden
Dr Van Heerden is a Research Associate at CADL. He is a former Executive Manager for University of Johannesburg, Executive Manager for Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo, Director of operations at the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic reflections (Mistra) and most recently the former Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic Affairs at the University of Fort Hare. He is a scholar of International Relations (IR), with research interest on International Political Economy, with an emphasis on Africa, and SADC.
Dr G.S Sithole
Dr GS Sithole is a Senior Research Associate at CADL. He holds an LLD from the University of South Africa and his research area focuses on prosecutional discretion, strategic studies and national will and power (patriotism).
Dr Nattalie Leibradt-Loxton
Dr. Leibrand-Loxton is a Research Associate at CADL, bringing her expertise as a parliamentary official and legislative specialist to the team. Her responsibilities include compiling policy briefs and research materials, drafting speeches and parliamentary motions, conducting policy analysis on international frameworks, and preparing official parliamentary reports with recommendations for action. She is a scholar-practitioner, and her research focuses on parliamentary diplomacy, where she combines her practical experience with academic interests to develop innovative approaches for how parliaments engage in international relations.
Dr Mbulaheni Mulaudzi
Dr. Mulaudzi is a Senior Research Associate at CADL, bringing with him extensive experience as a public servant in the field of social security and social development. He currently holds the position of Chief Director for Social Mobilisation and Community Empowerment at the Department of Social Development. Prior to this role, he served as the director of Community Development Practice and Deputy Director for Policy Development within the same department. Dr. Mulaudzi holds a Doctorate in Political Studies from the University of Johannesburg. His research interests focus on social security and human security, reflecting his dedication to understanding and improving societal well-being.
Dr Samukele Hadebe
Dr Hadebe is a Senior Research Associate at CADL. He worked as a senior researcher at Chris Hani Institute a research think tank for COSATU and South African Communist Party. A lexicographer by training he taught African Languages and Literature at the University of Zimbabwe, he served as a Deputy Dean of Faculty of Arts and founding director of Confucius Institute. He was head of Protocol in the Office of the Prime Minister during the Government of National Unity and later founding director of the Public Policy Research Institute of Zimbabwe and Centre of Public Engagement. Areas of research focus include Sino-Africa relations. His research interests are cultural diplomacy.
Mr Kwezi Mngqibisa
Kwezi Mngqibisa is a Senior Research Associate in CADL. He is a former Programme Officer in the Peacekeeping Unit at African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD). He studied at the University of the Western Cape and the Rand Afrikaans University. He holds a Bachelor of Administration degree, majoring in Public Administration and Political Science. His research focuses on various aspects of conflict resolution, including mediation, peacekeeping, conflict management, and strategic studies, addressing issues regional and continental conflict.
Mr. Yalaghuli Sele
Mr Yalaghuli is a former Finance Minister and National Treasurer of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He has served as both the finance minister and National Treasurer of the country, along with holding key positions such as director general of the national tax authority (DGI) and director of cabinet for the Minister of Finance and Prime Minister. He is an Economist that has worked in the World Bank as a representative of the DRC. He graduated from the University of Kinshasa, and his interests primarily revolve around economic diplomacy, reflecting his deep involvement in economic and diplomatic matters throughout his career.
Mr Themba Langa
Mr Langa is a Senior Research Associate at CADL. He has extensive legal experience spanning from legal advice and support to all areas of the business and ensuring regulatory compliance. He drafts, negotiates, and finalises marketing partnerships, sponsorships, and contracts. He also provides ad hoc legal advice on day-to-day matters arising from such as contracts and arrangements, including contract clause interpretation and disputes. His research interests are statecraft and strategic studies.