Gilbert M. Khadiagala is the Jan Smuts Professor of International Relations and Director of the African Centre for the Study of the United States (ACSUS) at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. He was the Head of Department of International Relations at Wits (2007-2017).

Qualifications BAHons,MA, PhD (John Hopkins)

 Research interests: African Politics, African International Relations, Mediation and Conflict Resolution

Contact: Gilbert.Khadiagala@wits.ac.za

Wekesa is Deputy Director at the African Centre for the Study of the United States at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), South Africa. He is secretary to the U.S. Business in Africa Awards and interim chairman of the African Centres for the Study of the United States. He is a senior lecturer in journalism and media studies at the same university where he teaches and supervises international communications. He holds bachelor’s and postgraduate degrees from the universities of Nairobi and the Communication University of China. His area of teaching, research and public engagement is international communication, the intersection of media and international affairs. His research work revolves around media broadly but with a focus on digital diplomacy; city diplomacy; and soft power. He also works on the geopolitics of Africa and established and emerging powers specifically the United States and China. He sits on the boards of various journals and academic networks.

Contact: bob.wekesa@wits.ac.za.

Prince Mudau has an avid interest in corporate law, philanthropy, and stakeholder engagement. He holds an LLB and a Masters in Corporate Law. He is currently finishing his second master’s in management research on the regulation of philanthropy in South Africa.  His work at ACSUS includes the development of strategic partnerships across all projects. He also heads the US Business in Africa Awards & Conference project.

Contact -prince.mudau@wits.ac.za

She obtained her master’s degree from University of Witwatersrand. She holds a bachelor’s and post graduate degree from Rhodes University. She is the project lead for the following Digital Diplomacy, American Studies and Africa-US-China digital competition. Her research work focuses on Africa -US relations.

Contact:amukelani.matsilele@wits.ac.za

A Research Associate and budding Urban Development Planning Practitioner with a well-coached capacity in Research, Data Analysis and Policy Review. Hluma Luvo Ralane holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Political Science, with Joint Honours in Development Studies and Political Science and a Master of Urban Studies in Urban Management from Wits University. Seasoned Researcher and Policy Analyst with interest on the urban agenda.  Hluma Luvo Ralane has worked on various projects including a project by the Department of Development Planning, City of Johannesburg, City Transformation and the Johannesburg Development Agency through Social Survey Africa. Piloting the City of Johannesburg’s first Inner-City Spatial Model, which was centered on the study of land use, urban quality and informality in the Johannesburg inner-city in 2021. Currently he is the project leader of the Africa-U.S. city relations project.

Contact Hluma.ralane@wits.ac.za