Politics and Urban Governance Research Group

[New Blog] Being Stuck in limbo: The state of South African youth

The latest blog on our website examines the stagnating socioeconomic status of South African youth, who are increasingly trapped in a state of "waithood" characterized by a lack of educational and professional progress.

Read more on our website: https://pugresearch.org.za/blogs/being-stuck-in-limbo-the-state-of-south-african-youth/

The 2026 symposium examined threats to civic space, human rights and democracy. It also focused on developing a shared understanding of the role of universities in defending democracy and Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) in the current global context while advancing ideas for building a cohesive protection ecosystem.

The symposium was convened by the Africa Hub at UWC, in partnership with the UNESCO Chair on the Protection of Human Rights Defenders at the University of York and the UWC Chair on Citizenship and Democracy, and brought together 46 participants from 22 countries, including representatives from universities, civil society organisations, and donor institutions across Africa, Asia, South America and Europe.

The symposium occurred amid rising threats to HRDs and shrinking civic space, at a time when protection systems in many countries have weakened over time due to under-resourcing and a lack of continuous learning and adaptation. It thus provided a crucial platform for African, and other global South actors to share experiences, build networks, and develop joint strategies for human rights protection. It also foregrounded universities and civil society as potentially complementary actors in research, documentation, advocacy, and protection.

Visit our website to read the full report: https://pugresearch.org.za/publications/africa-hub-symposium-report-2026/

[New Blog] Our latest blog shares a story, which is not necessarily unique but extraordinary in that it shows a kind of leadership that is critical for a just urban transition agenda.

Authors: Kurisani Mdhluli and Rogini Naidoo
Project: PUG's Governing the Just Urban Transition

Read the full blog:
https://pugresearch.org.za/blogs/what_does_leadership_in_informal_urban_settings_look_like_in_the_context_of_just_urban_transitions/

Join us this Thursday, 28 May 2026, for the Caring for the Other Half PhotoVoice Exhibition at UWC’s School of Public Health (9:30am–1:00pm).

Women from Khayelitsha will share photographs and personal stories reflecting their experiences of menstruation and sanitation in informal settlements. Held on World Menstrual Hygiene Day, the exhibition creates space for dialogue between community members, government officials, academics, and other stakeholders on supporting menstrual health in contexts with limited infrastructure and services.

Please register using the link or QR code on the event flyer.

RSVP:

RSVP | Caring for the other half: PhotoVoice Exhibition We invite you to the Caring for the Other Half PhotoVoice Exhibition on 28 May 2026, hosted at UWC’s School of Public Health. This exhibition forms part of the Matariki Network-funded Caring for the other half project, which explores how the governance of publicly provided sanitation in urban info...

From Africa to Asia to South America, the fight for human rights is a global effort. 🌍🤝

We recently brought together international experts at the University of the Western Cape for a vital symposium on "Strengthening Universities' Role in the Protection of Democratic Values and Human Rights Defenders."

The core message? Solidarity is our strongest tool. The conversation emphasized the need for concrete mechanisms connecting universities, civil society, and funders. When civic spaces are threatened, universities have the unique capacity to step in as secure environments and strategic partners.
Watch the highlights from this powerful gathering and join the conversation on building global networks for human rights protection.

Strengthening Universities’ Role in the Protection of Democracy and Human Rights Symposium In an era of shrinking civic space, what is the role of the university? This video captures key moments from the "Symposium on Strengthening Universities' Ro...

The African Universities Hub for Human Rights will be hosting its annual Summer School program from the 28th September to 2nd October 2026, at the University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa.

This five-day event focuses on the theme of rethinking democracy and human rights from a specifically African perspective. The program is designed for human rights defenders across the continent, providing a space to share knowledge and develop strategies against modern civic challenges. Financial assistance is available through a limited number of scholarships that cover travel and lodging for those in high-risk or under-funded environments.

Sumbit your application ➡️ https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScIcO7BszrO5-s3cDEiSZm5RQI9kdT8G2Mxla-o9_BLBA8NRw/viewform

The PUG'ss newsletter is back with the latest from across our projects including recent and upcoming events, fresh publications, and a warm welcome to our newest team members.

Whether you're following our work or just discovering us, this is your go-to update on everything happening at PUG. Read, share, and stay connected with the research that matters.

Click on the link in the comments to read the full newsletter

Join us on 28 May 2026 at UWC’s School of Public Health for the Caring for the Other Half PhotoVoice Exhibition. Part of a Matariki Network-funded project, this work explores how sanitation governance in informal settlements shapes women’s menstrual health. Women from Khayelitsha will share photographs and personal stories capturing the realities of managing menstruation in contexts with limited infrastructure. Held on World Menstrual Hygiene Day, the exhibition centres participants’ voices and creates space for engagement with government, academics, and stakeholders to advance more inclusive and responsive sanitation systems.

Click to RSVP: https://forms.gle/uegpteSP9tbQr7AQ8

Most infrastructure debates focus on funding gaps. This research points to something harder to fix: the political gap. Cape Town and Nairobi both enshrine the right to sanitation in their constitutions. One city delivers it to informal settlements. The other largely doesn't. The differentiator isn't budget — it's the strength of the social contract between citizens and the state, and whether civil society has the teeth to hold the government accountable. A sharp read for anyone working in urban development, public policy, or political economy in African cities. Read the full paper here https://doi.org/10.62191/ROAPE-2026-0008