The Division of Communication and Advancement
In a remarkable achievement, Professor Siphokazi Magadla from the Department of Political and International Studies at Rhodes University, has been awarded the inaugural Helen Milner Award. This accolade was presented by the Social Science Research Council (SSRC) on 31 January 2024 at its Next Generation Social Sciences in Africa (NextGen) and African Peacebuilding Network (APN) Writing and Dissemination Workshop in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and marks a significant recognition of Professor Magadla's dedication and contribution to the field of peace, security, and development in Africa.
Helen Milner is the B. C. Forbes Professor of Politics and International Affairs at Princeton University recognised for her contributions to the study of international relations, particularly in the areas of international trade, the role of information and domestic politics in foreign policy, and global governance.
Upon receiving this prestigious award, Professor Magadla expressed profound joy and elaborated on the significance of the award, emphasising that it "affirms my belief about paying forward the kind of support that I received from this programme from academic mentors and the community of scholars that met I through this fellowship." Her words reflect a deep appreciation for the communal aspect of academic work, highlighting the importance of mentorship and collaboration in the scholarly journey.
Professor Magadla's engagement with the SSRC's programmes dates back to her participation in the second cohort of the Next Generation Social Sciences in Africa programme in 2013-2014. This fellowship played a pivotal role in her academic journey, allowing her to conduct extensive fieldwork for her PhD, which laid the foundation for her book Guerrillas and Combative Mothers: Women and the Armed Struggle in South Africa. Since completing her PhD, Professor Magadla has been actively involved in the programme as a mentor, contributing significantly to the development of over 100 fellows since 2011. Her work with doctoral candidates across various African countries, such as Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Ghana and South Africa, exemplifies her commitment to nurturing the next generation of scholars in her fields.
The award acknowledges Professor Magadla's specific contributions as an academic mentor, where she has facilitated discussions among fellows, guiding them through seminal texts and helping them position their work within both local and global literature. Her role extends beyond workshops, as she continues to support fellows through literature reviews and feedback on their chapters.
Professor Magadla's recognition as the first recipient of the Helen Milner Award is a dual honour. She is both the first individual ever to receive this award and the first alumna and mentor of the NextGen programme to be honoured in this way. This distinction underscores the significance of her achievements and her invaluable contribution to the academic community.
In celebrating Professor Siphokazi Magadla's accomplishment, we are reminded of the power of mentorship, the value of academic collaboration, and the impact of dedicated scholarship on peace, security, and development in Africa. Her work exemplifies the essence of the Helen Milner Award, and her recognition sets a high standard for future recipients.