Dr Siphamandla Zondi heads the Institute for Pan-African Thought and Conversation at the University of Johannesburg and he co-heads the Institute for Global African Affairs (co-owned with University of West Indies). He is a professor in the Department of Politics and International Relations at University of Johannesburg.

These institutes run projects in such area as strategic partnerships for Africa, African agency, local dynamics in Africa digital Africa, well- being in Africa and cross- border trade., His research revolves around the decolonisation of power, knowledge and being, including in relation to political movements, political party behaviour,  political power, Africa’s role in the world, and the agency of the global south.

His recently edited the following books: Digitally Smart Local Government (SAAPAM, 2024) and Africa’s Strategic Partnerships with BRICS and other emerging countries (Jacana, 2025). He is the author of Africa, NGOs and Global Power (Lukhanyo Publishers, 2024),  He has led multi-country research projects on peace diplomacy in central Africa; African Agency and International Diplomacy (with colleagues at University of London); regional integration in Africa (DBSA project); and is currently co-leading in a research consortium on EU-Africa relations, project involving 9 research institutes/centres.

Zondi assists with research capacity building in the National Movement for Rural Women and the Devoted Citizen NGO Movement on civic education in communities. He serves in the National Planning Commission of South Africa, focusing on international dynamics including research of alignment of regional and national development plans. He holds undergraduate degree from University of Durban-Westville, an MA and DPhil from Cambridge University and with over 60 publications and 8 books to his name, he attained full professorship in 2016.