Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection (MISTRA), Coalitions Barometer home
About the project

Contributors

Authors

Laurence Caromba

Laurence Caromba

Laurence Caromba is a MISTRA Researcher and a Research Associate in the Department of Politics and International Relations at the University of Johannesburg. He holds a PhD in Political Science from the University of the Free State on online disinformation in foreign policy. He led the development of the Coalitions Barometer 2026 dataset and co-authored the analysis report. He has written extensively on Africa’s international relations and also on South African domestic politics.

Sanele Simayile

Sanele Simayile

Sanele Simayile is an Associate Researcher at MISTRA. He holds an Honours degree in Economics from the University of Fort Hare. Before joining MISTRA, he worked as a researcher for the Financial and Fiscal Commission and on energy projects at the Coega Development Corporation. He was a co-author of the MISTRA Coalitions Barometer II 2023–2025 and of this edition.

Ayanda Ndletyana

Ayanda Ndletyana

Ayanda Ndletyana is an independent research consultant at MISTRA. She holds a Master’s degree in Development Studies from Nelson Mandela University, with a thesis on funding and historical inequalities in South African higher education. She is a co-author of this edition of the Coalitions Barometer. She is collaborating with the Vaal University of Technology on research into structural constraints on women’s entrepreneurship in South Africa’s townships.

Review

  • Joel NetshitenzheExecutive Director, MISTRA
  • Sandy AfricaDirector: Research, MISTRA
  • Yacoob Abba OmarDirector: Operations, MISTRA
  • Khutso MakuaResearcher, MISTRA

Editing and publication

  • Terry ShakinovskyPublications Manager, MISTRA
  • Tracey HawthorneCopy-editor
  • Joan BakerDesign and layout

Project management

  • Nhlanhla NyideDirector: Project Management, MISTRA
  • Lorraine PillayFinance Manager, MISTRA

Website and technology

  • Noma MoyoInformation Technology Manager, MISTRA
  • Jonathan BosmanUX Researcher and Project Manager, OpenUp
  • Carl TeffoResearch and Data Lead, OpenUp
  • Dirk MeerkotterDeveloper, OpenUp

Previous MISTRA Coalitions Barometer reports

MISTRA Coalitions Barometer 2021–2023 and MISTRA Coalitions Barometer II 2023–2025

  • Susan BooysenProject lead and author
  • Zenzo MoyoAuthor
  • Jennica BeukesAuthor
  • Sanele SimayileAssociate Researcher, MISTRA

Funding

  • Millennium Trust

Institutional supporters of MISTRA

  • Batho Batho Trust
  • Discovery
  • Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung
  • Oppenheimer Memorial Trust
  • Social Justice Initiative
  • Yellowwoods