Mandira Bagwandeen
Associate fellow
Biographical information
Areas of expertise
- China's global rise
- China-Africa Relations
- Belt and Road Initiative
- China’s Foreign Policy
- Africa’s Infrastructure Development
- African Geopolitics
- Asian Geopolitics
Professional experience
- Political and country risk analyst (Asia Pacific) for S-RM, a British consulting company, headquartered in London
- Independent consultant for Africa-focused research and intelligence companies
- Research assistant at the Centre for Conflict Resolution, a South African based think tank
Other activities
- Part-time lecturer at the University of Cape Town
- Guest lecturer at the University of Stellenbosch
- Graduate Research Associate at the Institute for Democracy, Citizenship and Public Policy in Africa
Education
- Studying towards a PhD in Political Studies at the University of Cape Town, South Africa, specializing in international relations with a focus on China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Africa
- Masters in International Relations, University of Cape Town
- Honours in International Relations, University of Cape Town
- Bachelor of Social Science (Geography and Political Science), University of KwaZulu-Natal
Publications
- “Africa Tackles COVID-19”, Diplomatist Magazine, April 2020
- “A Helping Hand: India’s Education and Capacity Building Initiatives in South Africa”, Diplomatist Magazine, December 2019
- “Nigeria’s Economy on The Right Track”, Diplomatist Magazine Special Report: Nigeria at 58, November 2018
- “Africa As India’s New Mining Frontier”, Diplomatist Magazine, May 2018
- “COMESA’s Commitment to Infrastructure Development”, Diplomatist Magazine, May 2018
- “Djibouti Welcomes India: The Strategic Motivations for India’s Visit”, In On Africa, November 2017
- “CCS: Commentary: Making a Play for Africa: China, India and Japan Compete for the Continent’s favour”, Stellenbosch University: Centre for Chinese Studies, 15 September 2017
- “CSS Commentary: The African Link in China’s OBOR Initiative”, Stellenbosch University: Centre for Chinese Studies, May 2017
- “United We Stand, Divided We Fall: ASEAN Skirts around the South China Sea Ruling”, Daily Maverick, 17 August 2016
- “Enduring Silk Ties”, African East-Asian Affairs (AEAA) Journal, Issue 2, June 2015
- “Navigating The Gulf: China’s Balancing Strategy”, Stellenbosch University: Centre for Chinese Studies, December 2014