Johannesburg Institute for Advanced Study

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Johannesburg Institute for Advanced Study The Johannesburg Institute for Advanced Study Institutes for Advanced Study (IAS) are at the apex of the research and higher education ladder.

The Johannesburg Institute for Advanced Study (JIAS) is a joint initiative of the University of Johannesburg (UJ), South Africa, and Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore. Launched on 14 May 2015, JIAS aims to reach beyond the regular teaching and research routines of contemporary higher education by encouraging collaborative and focused scholarly initiatives in both the Humanities and Natural Sciences. They are designed to afford top quality researchers with an opportunity to focus entirely on their central calling in their respective fields, either individually or in collaborative enterprise. JIAS is the first fully-fledged institute of advanced learning in South Africa’s political and economic heartland. Although rooted within UJ, and keen to foster UJ’s institutional goals, JIAS will co-operate with all HE institutions in the country. JIAS’ partnership with NTU will provide opportunities to unite African and Asian thought and multidisciplinary research. As a guiding principle, the selection of Fellows will be on the quality of the proposed research and the researchers. In pursuit of this, JIAS will seek out global leaders in their respective fields including Nobel Laureates. JIAS operates from a residential facility that is located in the leafy suburb of Westdene, Johannesburg. Follow us on Twitter:

Highlights from today’s JIAS book launch of Robert Mugabe, The Black Victorian by Percy Zvomuya 🧡Moderated by Prof Admir...
27/10/2026

Highlights from today’s JIAS book launch of Robert Mugabe, The Black Victorian by Percy Zvomuya 🧡

Moderated by Prof Admire Mare, the discussion explored Mugabe’s life and legacy, examining his upbringing, education, political journey and the historical forces that shaped his rise from teacher and scholar to nationalist leader.

Through reflections on biography, colonial history and African nationalism, the conversation invited us to look beyond familiar narratives and consider the complexities, contradictions and influences that shaped Mugabe’s life. The engaging Q&A further opened up conversations about historical archives, ideological influences and the broader context of African liberation movements.

Thank you to our author, moderator, speakers and everyone who joined us in person and online for this thoughtful engagement as part of the JIAS African Biographies Project.

JIAS Book Launch | Boxers Die Alone: Reflections on Boxing in the Eastern CapeJoin the Johannesburg Institute for Advanc...
26/10/2026

JIAS Book Launch | Boxers Die Alone: Reflections on Boxing in the Eastern Cape

Join the Johannesburg Institute for Advanced Study (JIAS) on the 29th of October for the launch of Boxers Die Alone: Reflections on Boxing in the Eastern Cape by Prof Njabulo S. Ndebele, in a discussion moderated by Prof Siphiwo Mahala.

Driven by a lifelong fascination with boxing, Ndebele explores the remarkable sporting tradition of Mdantsane, known as South Africa’s “Mecca of Boxing”.

Through the stories of Nkosana “Happy Boy” Mgxaji, Vuyani “The Beast” Bungu and Nkosinathi “Mabhere” Joyi, the book examines the aspirations, discipline and relationships that shaped three generations of champions.

Connecting boxing with histories of displacement, poverty and community, Boxers Die Alone offers a thoughtful reflection on individual choice, perseverance and the making of greatness.

📅 Thursday, 29 October 2026
🕕 18:00–20:00 (SAST)
📍 JIAS, 1 Tolip Street, Westdene, Johannesburg
💻 In person and online

Register via the link : https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/c5xXCP9RwT?origin=lprLink

JIAS Book Launch | Robert Mugabe: The Black VictorianAbout the Book:A decade in the making, Robert Mugabe: The Black Vic...
26/10/2026

JIAS Book Launch | Robert Mugabe: The Black Victorian

About the Book:

A decade in the making, Robert Mugabe: The Black Victorian offers an intimate and critical portrait of Robert Gabriel Mugabe, exploring the contradictions that shaped his life as a young man, revolutionary leader and president.

Moving beyond the familiar narrative of liberator turned dictator, writer and critic Percy Zvomuya examines Mugabe’s leadership and Zimbabwe’s decline, offering a deeper understanding of the country, its people, and its colonial and postcolonial history.

Join us on Tuesday, 27 October 2026, for the launch of this compelling work and an engaging exploration of one of Zimbabwe’s most consequential political figures.

🕕 18:00–20:00 (SAST)
📍 JIAS, 1 Tolip Street, Westdene, Johannesburg
💻 In person and online

🔗 RSVP via the link : https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/zXq4h3b1JY?origin=lprLink

JIAS Book Launch | Robert Mugabe: The Black VictorianJoin the Johannesburg Institute for Advanced Study (JIAS) for the l...
23/10/2026

JIAS Book Launch | Robert Mugabe: The Black Victorian

Join the Johannesburg Institute for Advanced Study (JIAS) for the launch of Robert Mugabe: The Black Victorian by Percy Zvomuya.

A decade in the making, this biography explores the contradictions that shaped Mugabe’s life as a young man, revolutionary leader and president of Zimbabwe.

Moving beyond the familiar narrative of liberator turned dictator, Zvomuya offers an intimate and critical portrait of Mugabe, examining his leadership and the country’s devastating decline. The book offers a richer understanding of Zimbabwe, its people and its colonial and postcolonial history.

📅 Tuesday, 27 October 2026
🕕 18:00–20:00 (SAST)
📍 JIAS, 1 Tolip Street, Westdene, Johannesburg
💻 In person and online

Register via the link : https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/zXq4h3b1JY?origin=lprLink

Highlights from yesterday’s book launch of The Zuma Effect at JIAS 🧡We welcomed authors Prof Mcebisi Ndletyana and Prof ...
23/10/2026

Highlights from yesterday’s book launch of The Zuma Effect at JIAS 🧡

We welcomed authors Prof Mcebisi Ndletyana and Prof Mashupye Maserumule for a discussion reflecting on the Zuma presidency and its impact on the ANC and South African politics.

The evening provided an opportunity to engage with the book’s examination of power, political choices, internal party divisions and the lasting consequences of the Zuma years.

Thank you to our authors, moderator and everyone who joined us in person and online for an evening of critical reflection and meaningful engagement.

JIAS Book Launch | The Zuma EffectAbout the Book:The Zuma Effect examines how Jacob Zuma’s rise and presidency transform...
22/10/2026

JIAS Book Launch | The Zuma Effect

About the Book:

The Zuma Effect examines how Jacob Zuma’s rise and presidency transformed the ANC from a party of principle to one increasingly shaped by personal interests and rent-seeking.

Drawing on more than 50 interviews with key insiders, political scientists Prof Mcebisi Ndletyana and Prof Mashupye Maserumule reconstruct the plots, alliances and power plays that defined the Zuma years. The book explores internal party divisions, populism, ethnic mobilisation and the choices that shaped this period in South African politics.

Join us today, Thursday, 22 October 2026, for a discussion with the authors, moderated by Prof Bhaso Ndzendze.

🕕 18:00–20:00 (SAST)
📍 JIAS, 1 Tolip Street, Westdene, Johannesburg
💻 In person and online

🔗 RSVP via the link : https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/7SDVAV6Rkt?origin=lprLink

Highlights from yesterday’s JIAS Podcast Launch 🧡🎙️We celebrated the launch of the JIAS Podcast with a screening of our ...
22/10/2026

Highlights from yesterday’s JIAS Podcast Launch 🧡🎙️

We celebrated the launch of the JIAS Podcast with a screening of our inaugural episode featuring Dr John Kani in conversation with Prof Siphiwo Mahala, Acting Director of JIAS.

The conversation explored storytelling, the arts and South Africa’s past and present, drawing on Dr Kani’s extraordinary life and experience.

Our thanks to Prof Refilwe Phaswana-Mafuya, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, for delivering the keynote address, and to the UJ TV team for helping bring the inaugural episode to life.

Thank you to everyone who joined us in person and online to celebrate this milestone.

🔗 Watch the full episode here : https://youtu.be/WQE2iq1sZW8

Tomorrow at JIAS 🧡📚 | The Zuma Effect Book LaunchJoin us tomorrow, Thursday, 22 October, for the launch of The Zuma Effe...
21/10/2026

Tomorrow at JIAS 🧡📚 | The Zuma Effect Book Launch

Join us tomorrow, Thursday, 22 October, for the launch of The Zuma Effect with authors Prof Mcebisi Ndletyana and Prof Mashupye Maserumule, in a discussion moderated by Prof Bhaso Ndzendze.

Drawing on more than 50 interviews with key insiders, the book examines the plots, alliances and power plays that defined the Zuma presidency and transformed the ANC. It explores internal party divisions, populism, ethnic mobilisation and the choices that shaped this period in South African politics.

Join us for an evening of critical reflection and engaging conversation.

📅 Thursday, 22 October 2026
🕕 18:00–20:00 (SAST)
📍 JIAS, 1 Tolip Street, Westdene, Johannesburg
💻 In person and online

🔗 RSVP: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/7SDVAV6Rkt?origin=lprLink

21/10/2026

JIAS Podcast Launch | Dr John Kani in conversation with Prof Siphiwo Mahala 🎙️🧡

Join us today as we launch the JIAS Podcast with a screening of our inaugural episode. Here’s a glimpse of the conversation ahead!

📅 Today, 21 October 2026
🕟 16:30–19:00 (SAST)
📍 JIAS, 1 Tolip Street, Westdene, Johannesburg
💻 In person and online

🔗 RSVP : https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/ce9X9MV4Ry?origin=lprLink

Highlights from today’s JIAS seminar, Busi Mhlongo’s Flights of Escape to Music 🧡Presented by Ncebakazi Manzi and modera...
20/10/2026

Highlights from today’s JIAS seminar, Busi Mhlongo’s Flights of Escape to Music 🧡

Presented by Ncebakazi Manzi and moderated by Dr Boitumelo Tlhoaele, the seminar explored Mhlongo’s remarkable musical journey, from her teenage recordings to her years in exile.

Through music, archival material and personal accounts, Manzi reflected on how Mhlongo’s determination to sing intersected with parental authority, freedom, home and belonging. She also invited us to consider the artist’s dedication to her craft and the joy, tenderness and everyday moments that formed part of her life.

Thank you to our speaker, moderator and everyone who joined us in person and online for this thoughtful engagement with Busi Mhlongo’s life and legacy.

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1 Tolip Street, Westdene
Johannesburg
2092

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+27115597530

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