South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA)

26/08/2026

🔔 IN-PERSON INVITATION | Join SAIIA’s Western Cape branch today for an address by Dr Prabhat Upadhyaya, Senior Adviser at the African Climate Foundation.

He will explore how South Africa-India relations have evolved, what sustains their enduring partnership, and where the relationship might go next.

Details:
📆 26 August 2026
🕰️ 6 pm – 7:30 pm SAST
📍 4th Floor Seminar Room, School of Economics, University of Cape Town

📨 RSVP here ➡️ https://bit.ly/4xlD6Xd

25/08/2026

🌍 Across , governments and regional bodies are building the rails for identity, payments, data exchange, public services, health systems and cross-border trade, but fragmented national systems talk past one another. An would serve as a common architecture that allows national and regional digital systems to work together through shared standards, open protocols and enforceable safeguards, writes Litha Lethu Mzinyati.

🔗 Read more here 👉 https://bit.ly/4y4dUoT

21/08/2026

[📚 NEW] The latest issue of the South African Journal of International Affairs is out!

The special issue, titled “Digital Pathways to Peace in Africa,” explores how are reshaping peace, security, governance, and diplomacy across .

Get insights into:
📱 Africa's agency in the US-China competition in the .
💻 Digital technology as a tool for peace interventions.
📱 Misinformation, disinformation and fact-checking in Kenya’s 2022 elections.
💻 The everyday digital practices of women traditional leaders in South Africa.
📱 Local innovation and the politics of surveillance in African peacebuilding.
💻 How the measures up in Africa’s response to technology-enabled terrorism.
📱 The role of ICT in in Nigeria.

🔗 Read more 👉 https://bit.ly/4x8Nphh

SAJIA 33.2 explores how digital technologies are reshaping peace, security, governance and diplomacy across Africa.

19/08/2026

🎓 SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY | Just a few days left to apply for the highly coveted KAS–SAIIA Scholarship 2027!

🎉 Hear directly from this year's scholars on why this is a career opportunity worth seizing.

❗Deadline: 1 September

Successful applicants can expect:
✅ Full bursary and a monthly stipend
✅ Research and writing development
✅ Networking and career opportunities
✅ Mentorship and skills training

ℹ️ For more information and to apply, visit 👉 https://bit.ly/2027saiiascholarship

KAS Sub-Saharan Africa

19/08/2026

📚 | South Africa’s continues to reflect a developmental orientation, with a growing emphasis on economic outcomes. This signals a shift toward as a central pillar of international relations.

The Foreign Service Act provides the foundation for a more coherent and professional diplomatic system but its impact depends on how it is operationalised, particularly through institutions such as the Diplomatic Academy.

To bridge the gap between foreign policy goals and implementation, Marumo Nkomo argues that the Act’s contribution to will depend on:

⏺️ Strengthening the Diplomatic Academy’s role as a central pillar of professionalisation.
⏺️ Clarifying and enhancing the economic mandates of diplomatic missions.
⏺️ Institutionalising coordination mechanisms between the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, SA and key economic departments.
⏺️ Aligning training and deployment with national economic priorities.

🔗 Read more here 👉 https://bit.ly/4hKHvOs

18/08/2026

| What can humanities graduates do now to prepare for what comes next?

From the value of humanities skills that can unlock non-linear career paths to practical experience and the creation of meaningful networks, speakers at the KAS-SAIIA Careers Event on 29 July shared their advice for navigating an evolving world of work.

💡 Here are some of the insights that stood out.

🔗 Read more here 👉 https://saiia.org.za/news/kas-saiia-careers-event-inspires-humanities-graduates-look-beyond-degree/

KAS Sub-Saharan Africa Youth

18/08/2026

| What can humanities graduates do now to prepare for what comes next?

From the value of humanities skills that can unlock non-linear career paths to practical experience and the creation of meaningful networks, speakers at the KAS-SAIIA Careers Event on 29 July shared their advice for navigating an evolving world of work.

💡 Here are some of the insights that stood out.

🔗 Read more here 👉 https://saiia.org.za/news/kas-saiia-careers-event-inspires-humanities-graduates-look-beyond-degree/

KAS Sub-Saharan Africa Youth

14/08/2026

📺 VIDEO | How has South Africa’s relationship with evolved since 1994 – and how has it shaped alignment, influence and today?

Well, it’s complicated.

In this episode of SAIIA’s series, we trace how the relationship was built, how it has changed and what it now costs.

📺 Watch the video to learn more ▶️ bit.ly/4fDMork

12/08/2026

💫 SAIIA is pleased to participate in a regional farmers’ workshop hosted by the Eastern Africa Farmers Federation on the implementation of the CAADP and climate change processes in Nairobi, Kenya, from 11 to 12 August.

On day two, SAIIA Senior Climate Change Researcher Romy Chevallier will examine climate change strategies and processes, sharing insights on how farmer organisations can strengthen their engagement in climate policy and governance and ensure that farmers’ priorities and realities are reflected in national, regional and global .

🧑‍🌾 She will also assess progress in strengthening farmer-led climate action across several areas, including policy influence, resilience, climate finance, knowledge leadership and institutional capacity.

The event brings together more than 30 national farmer organisations alongside policymakers, representatives from the East African Community and AUDA NEPAD, development partners, financial institutions, youth representatives and private-sector actors to advance implementation of the Kampala Declaration and discuss climate change processes.

📣 Follow the conversation online:

Gates Foundation One Acre Fund

11/08/2026

On 4-6 August, the Youth At SAIIA programme hosted the Air Aware: Youth Action Accelerator – Advocacy & Campaign Leadership Workshop Series in Johannesburg, bringing together young leaders, educators and key decision-makers to tackle air pollution.

In partnership with Breathe Cities and the City of Johannesburg, we onboarded our newest cohort of 100 high school learners and out-of-school youth from local air pollution hotspots. Over the coming months, these young advocates will design and lead targeted campaigns to drive clean air solutions across their schools and communities.

Read the Youth Statement on Air Pollution here: https://saiia.org.za/research/air-aware-youth-statement-on-air-pollution-in-johannesburg/