Mandela Institute for Development Studies


The Mandela Institute for Development Studies is an Africa-wide think tank which provides a forum for dialogue, information
dissemination, networking and research on the different elements of Africa. The institutions aims to shape policy and practice on governance, economic development and the evolution of African institutions. It seeks to address the short, medium, and long-term development challenges in Africa in a holistic and comprehensive manner. MINDS is a non-governmental organisation and is based in Johannesburg, South Africa.

History

MINDS was established in 2010 by former Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the African Development Bank, Dr Nkosana Moyo

Programmes

MINDS programmes focus on four thematic areas, i.e. African Heritage, African Governance and Democracy, Economic Development and Institution Formation/Development. The institution commissions research that may lead to a better understanding of African Heritage to shape the nature of development programmes, lead in to better results relative to those achieved to date. The findings from the research undertaken and/or commissioned by MINDS will be used either as input into dialogues whose proceedings will be published. MINDS will also make existing knowledge more accessible through reviews and consolidation of that knowledge.
MINDS convenes dialogues based on the research findings. Dialogues hosted also serves the opportunity for knowledge dissemination, networking and influencing public policy formulation and practice in the thematic areas.
ThemeDescription
African HeritageThe African Heritage Programme encompasses learning about Africans and their heritage.
The overall aim is a better understanding of African Heritage to shape the nature of development
programmes, leading to better results relative to those achieved to date. Key elements to be
researched include a map of common identities in Africa; analyses of distinguishing characteristics
between cultures and regions; and analyses of knowledge and value systems, institutions customs
and governance. MINDS will use this body of knowledge as the filter to test the extent to which
development interventions have either used or omitted to use African Heritage as a foundation.		-
GovernanceThe Governance programme maps the body of knowledge existing in the area of institution formation
and development, analyse institutional systems through an African heritage lens, and engages stakeholders about the findings. The programme area seeks to use the same approach outlined under the African heritage programme to explore effective ways of strengthening African institutions in service to the well-being of citizens.		-
African DemocracyThe African Democracy programme will initially map the body of knowledge existing in the area of governance in Africa, analyze democracy systems through an African heritage lens, and engage stakeholders about the findings. This programme will seek to use the same approach outlined under the African heritage programme for the advancement of democracy.-
Economic DevelopmentThis programme will initially map the body of knowledge existing in the area of economic development in Africa, analyze economic systems through an African heritage lens, and engage stakeholders about the findings. The overall goal will be to generate new perspectives, approaches and models for advancing economic development in Africa with particular emphasis on broad-based use of African heritage to create ownership of development interventions.-

Youth Programmes

High Level Dialogue

African Heritage

Board of Trustees

Nkosana Moyo
Graça Machel
Ali Mufuruki
Sara Menker

Advisory Board

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
Francis Daniels
Noureddine Ayed
Adebayo Olukoshi
Thandika Mkandawire
Trevor Manuel

Patrons

Pedro Pires
Benjamin Mkapa
Festus Mogae

Project partners and associates

Shoprite
Old Mutual
Trust Africa
Southern Africa Trust
Grace Machel Trust
The African Capacity Building Foundation
Nelson Mandela Foundation
South African Airways
Musa Capital