AAMR Fellows

Sikanyiso Masuku is a graduate with a Doctor of Philosophy in Conflict Transformation and Peace Studies from the University of KwaZulu Natal (UKZN) and former lecturer at the Institution. He is a current Research fellow at the Institute for Democracy Citizenship and Public Policy in Africa (IDCPPA) - University of Cape Town. Dr Masuku also possesses previous work experience in the public sector as well as the civic and civil society where he has conducted research with non-profit, academic and public-sector actors in the USA, the UK and Sub-Saharan Africa. An AAMR fellow and published author in international, peer reviewed journals and book chapters - Sikanyiso Masuku has particular interest in social protection, human mobility and migration.

Sikanyiso Masuku's research interests are mainly centered on social protection and the sociologies influencing migrant and other minority groups agency - as well as the ensuing constructions of not only citizenship, but also the self and other (as reflected through both public policies and politics). Currently, I am exploring the enduring risks of forced migration drivers on reintegration governance and the tenability of rights/functioning’s for returnees into actual protections. Through a focus on Ethiopia, Sudan (notably Darfur), and Somalia – the work will contribute to Africa-centric research with its special interest in reintegration policies as well as the socio-economic dimensions of citizenship.

1. Masuku, S. and Nkala, S., 2018. Patterns of the refugee cycle in Africa: a hazardous cycle with no end in sight? Journal of African Union Studies, 7(3), pp.87-103. https://journals.co.za/doi/abs/10.31920/2050-4306/2018/v7n3a5

2. Masuku, S. and Rama, S., 2020. A case study of government and civil societies’ collaboration and challenges in securing the rights of Congolese refugees living in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. South African Journal of Science, 116(3/4). https://sajs.co.za/article/view/6210

3. Masuku, S., 2019. An indigenous knowledge-based approach to environmental conservation in Zimbabwe. African Renaissance, 16(3), pp.165-183. https://journals.co.za/doi/abs/10.31920/2516-5305/2019/v16n3a9

4. Masuku, S. and Rama, S., 2020. Challenges to Refugees’ Socioeconomic Inclusion: A Lens Through the Experiences of Congolese Refugees in South Africa. The Oriental Anthropologist, 20(1), pp.83-96. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0972558X20913713

5. Masuku, S. and Macheka, T., 2021. Policy making and governance structures in Zimbabwe: examining their efficacy as a conduit to equitable participation (inclusion) and social justice for rural youths. Cogent Social Sciences, 7(1), p.1855742. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23311886.2020.1855742

6. Hlungwani, P., Masuku, S. and Magidi, M., 2021. Mainstreaming youth policy in Zimbabwe–what role for rural youth? Cogent Social Sciences, 7(1), p.1893907. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23311886.2021.1893907

7. Masuku, S, and Nkala, S., 2021. ‘Human Capital Development and Skilled Immigrants’ Labour Market Experiences in South Africa: An Overview’, in Fethiye Tilbe and Elli Heikkilä (eds), Work and Migration: Case studies from Around the World (London: Transnational Press): 83-98. https://www.tplondon.com/product/work-migration-cases/

8. Masuku, S (2020). How South Africa is denying refugees their rights: what needs to change. The Conversation. Analysis article. 12 May 2020. https://theconversation.com/how-south-africa-is-denying-refugees-their-rights-what-needs-to-change135692

9. Masuku, S (2019). Study shows why African refugees stay put despite end to conflict at home. UNOCHA (Reliefweb). Analysis article. 17, March 2019. https://theconversation.com/study-shows-why-african-refugees-stay-put-despite-end-to-conflict-at-home-113131

10. Masuku, S., 2022. The AU’s Constitutive Act: Contextual Threats and Its Implementation in Modern-Day Africa, in Egon Spiegel, George Mutalemwa, Cheng Liu and Lester Kurtz (eds), Peace Studies for Sustainable Development in Africa (Springer: Cham): 751-761. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-92474-4_55