Department of Political Sciences

Prof M Phakathi

College of Human Sciences
School of Social Sciences
Department: Political Sciences
Associate Professor
Tel: 012 429 6075
E-mail: phakams@unisa.ac.za

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Human Sciences (Political Sciences) (UKZN, 2017)
  • Master of Social Sciences (Political Sciences) (UKZN, 2013)
  • Bachelor of Social Sciences Honours (Political Sciences) (UKZN, 2011)
  • Bachelor of Social Sciences (Politics, Philosophy and Law) (UKZN, 2010)

NRF Rating

Y2

Currently teaching

  • APC4801
  • PSC4802

Fields of academic interests

  • Intergovernmental Relations in South Africa
  • Pan Africanism
  • Political Violence

Field of Specialisation

  • Intergovernmental Relations
  • African Politics
  • Humanitarian Intervention

Books

Book Chapters 

  • Phakathi, M.S. (2020). ‘The foreign policy of post-apartheid Azania’, in Mngomezulu, B.R. (ed) Foreign policy posture in post-apartheid South Africa: consistencies and ambiguities. Newcastle: Cambridge Scholars Publishing, pp. 180-197.

Journal articles

  • Phakathi, M.S. 2018. An analysis of the Responses of the African Union to the coup in Burkina Faso (2015) and Zimbabwe (2017). Journal of African Union Studies, 7(3): 127-143.
  • Phakathi, M.S. 2019. Rethinking Political Violence in Post-Apartheid KwaZulu-Natal. Ubuntu: Journal of Conflict and Social Transformation, 8(1): 99-119.
  • Phakathi, M.S. 2019. The role of music in combating xenophobia in South Africa. African Renaissance, 16(3): 123-145.
  • Phakathi, M.S. 2019. African Union migration policies: a route to African unity? Journal of African Union Studies, 8(2): 25-44.
  • Phakathi, M.S. 2019. Exploring trust in intergovernmental relations: the case of Operation Sukuma Sakhe in KwaZulu-Natal. Journal of Public Administration, 54(4): 558-566.
  • Phakathi, M.S. 2020. The Apology of Jacob Zuma: Implications for Political Trust, AFRIKKA, 10(1): 25-47.
  • Phakathi, M.S. 2020. The Causes and the Resolution of Conflict in Local-Provincial Intergovernmental Relations: A Case Study of OSS in KwaZulu-Natal, Journal of Gender, Information and Development in Africa, 9(1): 131-155.
  • Phakathi, M.S. 2020. An Ubuntu Critique of the South African Broadcasting Corporation’s Decision to Stop Showing the Destruction of Public Property during Protests, Journal of Gender, Information and Development in Africa, 9(2): 163-182.
  • Phakathi, M.S. 2020. An Essay Concerning the Use of Sport as a Tool to Unite South Africa, Ubuntu: Journal of Conflict and Social Transformation, 9(2): 35-59.
  • Phakathi, M.S. 2020. The Land Question in South Africa and the Re-emergence of the Nationalism of AmaZulu, Journal of Nation-Building and Policy Studies, 4(2): 103-125. 
  • Phakathi, M.S. 2021. The Representation of Women in Kenneth Bhengu's Novel Ukadebona: Iqhawe leNkosi, Imbizo, 12(1): 1-13.

Paper presentations

  • Presented a paper titled: The Management of Intergovernmental Relations in KwaZulu-Natal's Operation Sukuma Sakhe. At the National Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences (NIHSS) National Doctoral Conference, 2-3 November 2016. Held at the Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa.
  • Presented a paper titled: The Role of Music in Combating Xenophobia in South Africa. At the Third International Biennal Conference, 24-26 October 2019. Held at the United States International University (USIU) – Africa in Nairobi, Kenya.
  • Presented a paper titled: The Apology of Jacob Zuma: Implications for Political Trust. At the 28th Joint National Conference organized by the National Association of African American Studies & Affiliates, 17-22 February 2020. Held at the Dallas/Addison Marriott Quorum by the Galleria, Dallas, USA. 
  • Presented a paper titled: Inter-governmental relations in a time of emergency: a case study of the South African government’s response to COVID-19. At the Inaugural HSS Alumni Conference, 4-5 November 2020. (Virtual).  
  • Presented a paper titled: Between the state and the Ingonyama Trust, to whom does the land belong? At the African Association of Political Science (AAPS) International Conference, 25-26 March 2021. (Virtual).
  • Presented a paper titled: Aspects of Intergovernmental Relations during Zuma's Administration. At the 20th Annual Conference of the South African Association of Public Administration and Management, 28 September-1 October 2021. Southern Sun Elangeni Hotel, Durban, South Africa. 

Professional positions, fellowships & awards

  • Chair: Department of Political Sciences (1 November 2020 to 31 January 2021). 
  • Principal's Award for Excellence in Research (2022).