Mandela Institute for Development Studies (MINDS)

Mandela Institute for Development Studies (MINDS) The Mandela Institute for Development Studies (MINDS)

The Mandela Institute for Development Studies (MINDS) is a continental institute that seeks to address the short, medium, and long-term development challenges in Africa in a holistic and comprehensive manner. MINDS emerged out of the observation that development efforts in Africa have failed to meet expectations with respect to social, institutional and economic outcomes in comparison to other reg

ions of the world such as Asia. L'Institut Mandela pour les études de développement (MINDS) est un institut continental qui vise à adresser les questions sur les défis de développement en Afrique à court, moyen, et à long terme d'une manière holistique et globale. MINDS a émergé suite à l'observation faite que les efforts de développement en Afrique ont échouée à répondre aux attentes par rapports aux résultats sociaux, institutionnels et économiques en comparaison à d'autres régions du monde comme l'Asie.

World Humanitarian Day is observed on 19 August in memory of those killed in the 2003 Canal Hotel bombing in Baghdad and...
19/08/2026

World Humanitarian Day is observed on 19 August in memory of those killed in the 2003 Canal Hotel bombing in Baghdad and in honour of everyone who serves communities in crisis.

Across West and Central Africa, the need is urgent. UNHCR projects that the region could host 23.1 million forcibly displaced and stateless people by the end of 2026.

Humanitarian action does not only come from outside. Local organisations, community leaders, health workers and displaced people themselves are often the first to respond and the last to leave. In 2025, UNHCR dedicated 60% of its regional project partnerships to local actors.

Today, we honour humanity in action and call for local responders to receive the trust, resources and protection they deserve.

Tag or recognise a local humanitarian or community responder making a difference.

On Day 2 of the MINDS Leadership Development Program, Rachel Nyaradzo Adams led the scholars through sessions on Politic...
18/08/2026

On Day 2 of the MINDS Leadership Development Program, Rachel Nyaradzo Adams led the scholars through sessions on Politics and Contestation and Coordinating Action with Others.

Scholars explored how leaders can navigate competing interests, engage different perspectives and build the trust and alignment needed to act collectively.

In a continent as diverse as Africa, effective leadership requires the ability to work across differences and turn shared purpose into meaningful action.

Day 1 of the MINDS Leadership Development Program in Namibia set a powerful tone for the journey ahead. The session was ...
17/08/2026

Day 1 of the MINDS Leadership Development Program in Namibia set a powerful tone for the journey ahead. The session was facilitated by Rachel Nyaradzo Adams, a member of the MINDS Board of Advisors, who guided scholars through an insightful exploration of leadership as a systemic and situational practice.

Scholars reflected on how their values, identities, environments and the wider systems around them influence the way they lead.

The key lesson? Effective leadership requires knowing yourself, understanding your context and adapting without losing sight of your purpose.

Follow the journey as our scholars continue to learn, connect and strengthen their leadership across borders.

Gabon gained independence from French Equatorial Africa on 17 August 1960. This year’s commemoration comes in a new poli...
17/08/2026

Gabon gained independence from French Equatorial Africa on 17 August 1960. This year’s commemoration comes in a new political chapter. After the 2023 military takeover, Gabon adopted a new constitution in 2024 and held presidential, legislative and local elections in 2025, marking a return to constitutional order. Elections are an important milestone; the deeper test is whether institutions deliver public trust, accountable leadership, economic diversification and opportunity, especially for young people.
Today, we celebrate Gabon’s independence while recognising that every generation must renew the meaning of sovereignty through the institutions it builds.

On 13 August, the Central African Republic marks its independence from French rule in 1960. Its journey has included con...
13/08/2026

On 13 August, the Central African Republic marks its independence from French rule in 1960. Its journey has included conflict and displacement, but also resilience, return and rebuilding.

In 2025, more than 21,400 Central African refugees returned home, the highest annual figure since 2017. Yet returning is only the beginning. Lasting peace also requires safe communities, schools, livelihoods, trusted institutions and opportunities to build a future.

Today, we celebrate the Central African people and honour everyone working to turn the promise of sovereignty into an everyday reality of peace and opportunity.

Happy Independence Day, Central African Republic!

By 2050, four in every ten children worldwide are expected to live in Africa. The education, opportunities and civic spa...
12/08/2026

By 2050, four in every ten children worldwide are expected to live in Africa. The education, opportunities and civic spaces available to them will shape both the continent and the world. Through our programs, MINDS connects a scholar and alumni community from 37 African countries, united by leadership, collaboration and a commitment to continental progress.

This International Youth Day, let us listen, invest and create meaningful opportunities for young Africans to lead today.

On 11 August, Chad marks its independence from French rule in 1960. Its story today is also one of extraordinary solidar...
11/08/2026

On 11 August, Chad marks its independence from French rule in 1960. Its story today is also one of extraordinary solidarity.

By the end of 2025, Chad hosted 1.5 million refugees, including 1.3 million people from Sudan. Behind these numbers are families seeking safety and Chadian communities sharing already stretched schools, water, healthcare and livelihoods.

Today, we honour Chad’s sovereignty and the resilience and generosity of its people.

Happy Independence Day, Chad!

🌍 Meet Milton Nascimento de Sena Paiva, a MINDS EGP Alumnus from Cape Verde 🇨🇻 A lawyer, law professor, author and forme...
10/08/2026

🌍 Meet Milton Nascimento de Sena Paiva, a MINDS EGP Alumnus from Cape Verde 🇨🇻

A lawyer, law professor, author and former Member of Parliament, Milton has contributed to legal education, institutional development and Pan-African cooperation across Cape Verde and Africa.

For Milton, MINDS strengthened his belief that Africa’s future depends on leaders who can transform ideas into institutions and lasting change.

He now hopes to deepen youth engagement in Cape Verde and explore the creation of a local MINDS alumni chapter.

Today we honour the courage of women who challenged injustice and the generations who continue to lead change today. Acr...
09/08/2026

Today we honour the courage of women who challenged injustice and the generations who continue to lead change today. Across our continent, women are shaping policy, business, education, communities and movements, often while confronting barriers that should no longer exist. Celebrating women also means building institutions where their voices, safety and leadership are fully valued. When women lead, Africa moves forward.

Tag a woman whose leadership is creating change.

On 7 August, Côte d’Ivoire celebrates its independence from French rule in 1960. Today, the country is a global leader i...
07/08/2026

On 7 August, Côte d’Ivoire celebrates its independence from French rule in 1960. Today, the country is a global leader in cocoa and cashew production, and is working to process more of what it grows at home.

Why does this matter? Because Africa’s natural wealth creates greater impact when it builds local industries, develops skills and creates quality jobs for African people. Today, we celebrate the people of Côte d’Ivoire and their ambition to turn agricultural strength into shared prosperity.

Happy Independence Day, Côte d’Ivoire!

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Investment Place, Block C, 10th Road, Hyde Park
Johannesburg
2010

Opening Hours

Monday 09:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 09:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 09:00 - 17:00
Thursday 09:00 - 17:00
Friday 09:00 - 17:00

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+27113250501

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