Two places on the Mail & Guardian’s 200 Young South Africans list for 2025 have been filled by education academics associated with the North-West University (NWU).

They are Dr Makhura Benjamin Rapanyane, a senior lecturer in political studies and international relations at the NWU, and Dr Monicca Thulisile Bhuda, an NWU alumnus and lecturer at the University of Mpumalanga.

Both were recognised in the education category of the 200 Young South Africans list.

At the age 29, Dr Rapanyane has published more than 80 peer-reviewed articles, accumulating more than 600 citations.

A University of Limpopo alumnus with a PhD in international politics, he lectures from undergraduate to doctoral levels. He has been the Faculty of Humanities’ top researcher for three consecutive years and contributes political analysis on national radio. In addition, he serves on the editorial board of the African Journal of Peace and Conflict Studies and the advisory board of the Centre for Geopolitical Security and Strategy. Recently, he has been appointed to serve on the NWU’s Institutional Forum for the period 2025-2028.

“This acknowledgment is not just about personal achievement; it affirms the importance of producing knowledge that speaks to African realities and inspires future scholars,” says Dr Rapanyane.

Dr Bhuda, who holds a PhD in social sciences with Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) from the NWU, lectures at the University of Mpumalanga and chairs the national IKS institutionalisation committee under the Department of Science and Innovation.

Her other contributions include advising the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture on intangible heritage and serves on the national IKS authentication panel. She has represented South Africa internationally, including at the 2024 book fair in Venezuela, and received the National Voice of Heritage Award in 2023.

“I am grateful to the Mail & Guardian for considering me for this prestigious recognition,” Dr Bhuda says. “This shows that I am on the right track as an emerging academic, growing my career and contributing to the bodies of knowledge within the IKS discipline.”

Dr Makhura Benjamin Rapanyane

Dr Monicca Thulisile Bhuda