Politics and Urban Governance Research Group

The Centre for Research on Democracy at Stellenbosch University and UWC’s Politics and Urban Governance Research Group are launching South Africa’s first Citizen's Assembly in Cape Town.

One hundred residents will be randomly selected to help shape a fairer, more reliable and affordable transport system while strengthening the city’s climate resilience.

If you’re 18 years or older and live in Cape Town, register by Wednesday, 12 August at capetownassembly.co.za to take part. A small stipend, travel, meals and childcare support will be provided.

Cape Town Citizens Assembly No-Name Initiative

[REGISTER] Cape Town Citizens Assembly: South Africa’s first citizens’ assembly on transport and climate. What should Cape Town’s transport future look like? From August to October 2026, 100 randomly selected Cape Town residents will come together at the University of the Western Cape to develop recommendations for the City of Cape Town. Register: https://bit.ly/CPTAssembly-2026

5 days left to register for the Cape Town’s Citizen Assembly. Click on the link below:

https://capetownassembly.co.za/

We are not the first! There have been many citizens' assemblies across the globe 🌍 Interested in some examples? Look for the post right after this one where we share a couple stories of success that went above & beyond 😉

Register to participate HERE: https://capetownassembly.co.za/

[REMINDER] Applications close 10 August 2026 for a new mentoring programme for early career human rights scholars from the Global Majority researching human rights defenders and activism. Led by five partner universities including the University of the Western Cape's (UWC) African Universities Hub for Human Rights, the Human Rights Defender Exchange (HRDx) offers two years of mentorship, writing support and career development.

Mentoring Programme for Early Career Human Rights Scholars from designated countries in the Global Majority (deadline: 10 August 2026)

The Human Rights Defender Exchange (HRDx) is aimed at supporting and expanding communities of scholarship and practice in the nascent field of Human Rights Defender Studies. HRDx is launching a two-year mentoring programme for early career human rights scholars in and from designated countries in the Global Majority who conduct research related to human rights defenders and/or human rights activism.

This programme is a collaboration between the Centre for Social Justice and Community Action, Durham University (UK), the Centre for Law and Social Justice, Gadjah Mada University (Indonesia), the Networked Teaching and Learning Centre, Goiás State University (UEG, Brazil), the African Universities Hub for Human Rights, University of the Western Cape (South Africa), and the York Law School, University of York (UK). *

This programme will provide early career human rights scholars with:
(a) mentorship and international networking opportunities;
(b) support in developing diverse academic writing styles and in engaging with different publics; and
(c) career development opportunities.

Project activities include: mentoring, online knowledge exchange activities, and an in-person writing workshop in Yogyakarta, Indonesia in July 2027. Each scholar will be supported in writing three international publications in English.

You must fit three essential criteria to be accepted into this programme, which are as follows:

1️⃣ You must be in or from one of the following countries: Brazil, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, Malaysia, Philippines, South Africa, Turkey, Thailand, Vietnam or a Least Developed Country (that is: Africa: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Togo, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania and Zambia; Asia: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Myanmar, Nepal, Timor-Leste and Yemen; Caribbean: Haiti; Pacific: Kiribati, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu)

2️⃣ You must have conducted research about human rights defenders and/or human rights activism for more than three years and less than 10 years (that is, an ‘early career scholar’)

3️⃣ You must be willing and able to participate in most of the activities in this programme

To apply for a place on this mentoring programme, please complete this form by 10 August 2026. For further information, please contact Dr Alice M. Nah ([email protected]).

All applicants will be notified of the decision by 15 September 2026.

*This programme is funded through a British Academy International Writing Workshops 2025 grant.

[WATCH] This new PUG playlist brings together video abstracts from a British Academy writing workshop supporting early-career researchers across Africa, with scholars presenting work on social reproduction, infrastructure and community identity. Hosted by the University of the Western Cape's (UWC) Politics and Urban Governance Research Group (PUG) in collaboration with Cardiff University and African Studies, this collection of video abstracts showcases the research conducted by these early career researchers. Watch the full collection now: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJmXF67NuV48

Ten years of the Archbishop Thabo Makgoba Development Trust Lecture Series. This year's 10th anniversary lecture is themed "Building Inclusive Futures: Citizenship, Enterprise, and Land in a Democratic South Africa." Drawing on the perspectives of our Citizenship and Democracy, Entrepreneurship Education, and Land and Agrarian Studies research chairs, the lecture looks at citizenship rights and responsibilities, economic participation, and land justice as foundations for a more inclusive society. We're inviting our community to join us in celebrating and supporting this milestone occasion.

Date: Wednesday, 19 August 2026
Time: 17h00 for 17h30
Venue: Jakes Gerwel Hall, University of the Western Cape

RSVP via the link below. We look forward to welcoming you.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf67puKHrG_cRb_gYVRXMP44AACoezgwyEuVq7rqK1lORlh9w/viewform