Women in Politics: Dr Sithembile Mbete empowering female voices in politics
Source: Glamour
Politics is a tough subject: it can either paint you as a villain or the master of progress.Sithembile Mbete is a political analyst whose passion goes beyond reporting. She questions the status quo and is not afraid to call out those who abuse power.
How did you become a political analyst?
I studied politics, French and economics for my undergraduate degree, then did honours and masters in international relations at UCT. My first job was at IDASA, a think tank, where I monitored parliamentary committee meetings and helped analyse the 2011 local government elections. That’s where I learned the ropes of political analysis.
I also got involved in civil society campaigning against the “Secrecy Bill”, which gave me insight into political activism and grassroots organising. After that I worked in the Presidency as a researcher for the National Planning Commission Secretariat, which gave me an insider’s view of the government. It was quite an education! I decided to further my studies with a PhD at the University of Pretoria where I’ve been a senior lecturer and researcher since 2013.
Read here the full interview published by Glamour on 28 March 2025.
Image by Glamour
Politics is a tough subject: it can either paint you as a villain or the master of progress.Sithembile Mbete is a political analyst whose passion goes beyond reporting. She questions the status quo and is not afraid to call out those who abuse power.
How did you become a political analyst?
I studied politics, French and economics for my undergraduate degree, then did honours and masters in international relations at UCT. My first job was at IDASA, a think tank, where I monitored parliamentary committee meetings and helped analyse the 2011 local government elections. That’s where I learned the ropes of political analysis.
I also got involved in civil society campaigning against the “Secrecy Bill”, which gave me insight into political activism and grassroots organising. After that I worked in the Presidency as a researcher for the National Planning Commission Secretariat, which gave me an insider’s view of the government. It was quite an education! I decided to further my studies with a PhD at the University of Pretoria where I’ve been a senior lecturer and researcher since 2013.
Read here the full interview published by Glamour on 28 March 2025.
Image by Glamour