Development Studies is a multidisciplinary subject that incorporates all aspects of development throughout the world, more specifically, the developing world. The initial emphasis falls on the rather diverse concept of poverty and all its manifestations.
Prof Abel Mafukata
Chair of Department
It is my honour to welcome you to the Department of Development Studies at the University of South Africa.
You are joining an august, dynamic, inclusive, and intellectually engaging department which prioritises community engagement and collaboration as strategies of reaching out and service provision to humanity. We believe that together with the society we serve we engage in knowledge seeking exchanges to address the critical development challenges and complexities facing South Africa, the African continent, and other marginalised regions of the global South at large. Whether you are a student, researcher, practitioner, or policymaker, you are now part of a space where bold ideas, social justice, and critical inquiry shape real-world transformation.
Our department is rooted in interdisciplinary scholarship and driven by a strong commitment to equity, sustainability, and inclusive development. We engage with complex issues such as poverty, inequality, gender, governance, sustainability, and globalisation—approaching each with academic rigour and a deep sense of purpose. Through our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, we aim to empower a new generation of thought leaders and change agents.
We believe that development is not just a field of study, it is a lived experience, a pursuit of justice, and a call to action. As a department, we actively contribute to shaping national policy, strengthening community-based development, and producing research that informs global debates.
This is more than just an academic department; it is a home for curious minds, committed scholars, and passionate changemakers. Your voice, perspective, and journey matter here. We invite you to participate fully in our vibrant academic life, collaborate with peers and faculty, and seize every opportunity to learn, ask difficult questions while we together grow into meaningful human beings capable to negotiate the path to development.
Welcome to a place where your journey toward meaningful impact begins.
Warm regards,
Prof MA Mafukata
Chair of Department: Development Studies
