The Foundation

Research team

Mandira Bagwandeen

Associate fellow

Email

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