Publish your Research
Share research, Engage with Policy Makers and Impact Society
In the Media
Canon Collins Trust presence in the media
As well as the presence of Canon Collins scholars and alumni in southern African media
Share research, Engage with Policy Makers and Impact Society
The Conversation has 1.6 million readers a month. If you’ve been wondering how to get your research into the public domain so people can understand how it affects them, consider publishing with The Conversation.
The Conversation’s editors will work collaboratively with you. You approve their edits, and nothing is published without your approval. Their creative commons model means that any article published on their site can be republished anywhere in the world as long as they don’t change the copy and they credit you as the academic. In this way, when you publish on The Conversation Africa site, your writing is shared far and wide.
To be published by The Conversation you must be currently employed as a researcher or academic with a university or research institution. PhD candidates under supervision by an academic can write for the Conversation as long as they have completed their fieldwork. Currently The Conversation does not publish articles from Masters students.
Contact Catherine if you qualify to publish and would like support in approaching The Conversation: catherine@canoncollins.org
Alternatively, go directly to The Conversation: https://theconversation.com/africa/pitches
All the pitches that are sent in on this link are looked at by a group of editors every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon.
Send a 100-word (at most) outline of a proposed article, a 10-line (or shorter) summary of your experience and an example of your previous work (preferably, an internet link to the publication in which it appears).
Write “Feature Submission” in the subject line to editoronline@mg.co.za
Send an opinion piece to opinion@mg.co.za with “opinion piece” in the subject line.
Please always include a short biography with the article together with a photo.
Contact Catherine if you would like support in approaching Mail and Guardian: catherine@canoncollins.org
Below are a few guidelines for contributors:
1. The article must be exclusive to the Mail & Guardian.
2. Have hyperlinks — not footnotes — to relevant articles/research. (This allows readers to click on the links if they want to learn more about a particular aspect of the piece.)
3. Be between 800 and 1500 words.
4. Include a photo of the author/s.
5. Include a bio of about 30 words or less.
6. Include any social media handles (not mandatory)
7. Send the piece as an attachment (Word or Google Doc, preferably not a PDF).
It can take a few days for pieces to be read and considered. Mail and Guardian receive dozens of submissions daily and need to give each one the same attention, so please be patient. If the article is time sensitive (related to an upcoming event/special day etc), please indicate that in the subject field. If they decide to publish the piece, they will inform you.
Daily Maverick editorial policy for submissions
NB: Submissions which promote products and/or for-profit companies will not be considered for publication unless there are exceptional and compelling circumstances.
Note that our preferred length for Opeds/Opinionistas is between 700 and 1,400 words. In exceptional circumstances, we will consider longer submissions.
Submissions must be in Word Document or plain text format, and not PDFs. Photographs must be high-resolution jpegs.
Submit accurate personal details as to your identity (a short biography), contact details, as well as a high-resolution head and shoulders photograph of yourself (the writer).
Note that we use standard British English spellings and grammar, and NOT American English.
Wherever relevant (and feasible) include hyperlinks to supporting/background texts, references, organisations, court judgments etc. If you are not sure how to insert a hyperlink, paste the URL in brackets at the end of the relevant paragraph and we will insert the link.
Disclose any financial or personal relationships with entities cited in the article, or other conflicts of interests.
Disclose whether the piece in question has been published before, and where – note that as a rule, we do not publish opeds/opinionistas that have already been published in other media.
Disclose whether any artificial intelligence/large language model programs have been used in the writing of the article. Indicate exactly which sections of the article have been written using AI assists.
Acknowledge use of the work of others by:
(a) identifying the original source of an idea;
(b) using quotation marks where words have been directly lifted from another source;
(c) identifying the original author immediately before or after the quoted words; and
(d) including hyperlinks to original articles quoted from in addition to using quotation marks and identifying the author.
Always include the first names of all persons cited or quoted in the article at first mention – this includes the first names of judges, academics, lawyers, etc.
Note that submissions which have as the subject any dispute, consumer complaint, legal action, disciplinary action etc in which the writer is the complainant/subject will not be considered for publication unless there are exceptional and compelling circumstances.
Abide by editors’ final decisions on headlines and editing.
Contact Catherine if you wish to publish: catherine@canoncollins.org
Life is political – and personal experience is sometimes the best way to influence political change. If you want to tell your story rather than share research or only share research, contact Catherine. Catherine will help you to develop the story and find the best place to publish: catherine@canoncollins.org
How can we ensure LGBTQIA+ individuals receive compassionate, evidence-informed care? Canon Collins Trust Alum Dr. Marion Stevens, alongside co-authors, delves into the urgent need for creating safe, inclusive healthcare spaces. This insightful article highlights strategies to empower providers and promote equitable treatment for all.
Namibia stands at a crossroads ahead of the national elections, with the possibility of electing its first Black female president. This historic moment promises progress in gender equality and leadership, yet public opinion remains divided. Is this a step toward real change or simply symbolic?
Explore the compelling debate and insights from Canon Collins Trust fellows in an article by Evelina Amakali.
Abongile Nkamisa, a Canon Collins LLM Alum and Lawyer at Open Secrets joined Newzroom Afrika's Xoli Mngambi to unpack a critical issue: South Africa’s arms exports worth over R3 billion to Israel’s allies.
As conflicts escalate in the Middle East, with the Israel-Hamas and Hezbollah wars threatening regional stability, Abongile sheds light on the ethical and legal implications of these exports.
Dr Darlington Tshuma, a Canon Collins Alum, Research Fellow at Istituto Affari Internazionali's Mediterranean, Middle East, and Africa Programme, and Postdoctoral Researcher at the Thabo Mbeki African School of Public and International Affairs at UNISA, joined Newzroom Afrika with Masa Kekana to discuss South Africa's pivotal role as it prepares to assume the G20 presidency in 2025.
In July 2008, a head-on collision left Canon Collins Trust Alumna Edith "WeUtonga" Katiji in a coma for two weeks, fighting for her life in a Harare hospital. When she awoke, she emerged with a renewed perspective on life, a fresh name for her band, and a revitalized musical purpose. In this episode of In Conversation with Trevor, Edith opens up about her journey as a musician and activist, her studies, and how she uses her music to tackle social issues. She also reflects on the recognition her impactful work has received.
Too many pregnant women in rural Malawi face barriers to quality healthcare, impacting their right to health and dignity. In this powerful article, CCT Scholar Golda Rapozo highlights the urgent need for reforms to ensure the safety and well-being of mothers and their children.
This compelling piece by Canon Collins Trust Scholar and PhD Candidate Tony Manyangadze explores the relentless challenges, from physical violence to psychological scars, endured by media professionals who pursue truth in hostile environments. As freedom of expression is stifled, journalists face an uphill battle to report the stories that matter, reminding us of the crucial, often dangerous, role the press plays in defending democracy. A must-read for those committed to media freedom and justice.
CCT Alum Darlington Tshuma and Bongiwe Ngcobo explore the potential of South Africa's G20 presidency to drive meaningful reform in global governance. They argue that SA can use this platform to address key issues such as inequality, climate change, and fair representation for emerging economies. This leadership opportunity could help reshape global policies, pushing for more inclusivity and equity while amplifying the Global South's voice on the international stage.
In this insightful article, Canon Collins Scholar Gerson Shikukumwa emphasizes the importance of active political engagement for nation-building in Namibia. He argues that politics is not merely about power but about collective decision-making, which is key to addressing issues such as inequality, unemployment, and resource distribution. Shikukumwa also stresses the need for ethical leadership and the active participation of all citizens to build a just and prosperous future.
Higher Education Transformation Through Multi-Sector Collaboration: This insightful article by Ivor Baatjes, Executive Director, Canon Collins Trust, explores how collaboration between various sectors can drive meaningful change in higher education in South Africa. This approach addresses systemic challenges and creates a more equitable, inclusive, and innovative education system by engaging stakeholders across academia, government, and the private sector.
Literature has long been a tool for social justice in Southern Africa, shaping the fight for freedom and equality. In this award-winning essay from the Troubling Power Essay Competition, Canon Collins Trust Scholar Chikumbutso Ndaferankhande highlights the critical role of writers in decolonisation, challenging power structures, and fostering community-centred activism. He calls on Southern African authors to continue using their stories to confront oppression and inspire change, proving that literature remains a powerful catalyst for justice.
Honest conversations about South Africa’s National Health Insurance (NHI) are often clouded by class divisions. This thought-provoking piece by Abongile Nkamisa explores the challenges in addressing these divides and the need for transparent dialogue to ensure equitable healthcare for all. Dive into the discussion and join the conversation on the future of NHI.
Canon Collins Trust Scholar Aarti Bhana looks at a new study revealing that expanding South Africa's digital platforms sector could significantly boost the economy. From e-commerce to ride-sharing, these platforms are reshaping industries and creating new opportunities for growth and job creation.
Canon Collins Scholar Yolisa Piliso shines a spotlight on a critical issue ahead of South Africa's general elections. Yolisa emphasizes that child participation extends beyond observation; it's about actively involving children in discussions and decision-making processes impacting their lives, from education to government policies.
Discover how TVET colleges can play a crucial role in climate change resilience for municipalities! In this insightful article, Canon Collins Scholar Helga Jansen-Daugbjerg discusses the potential of vocational education to equip communities with essential skills for environmental challenges. Learn how local training programs can drive sustainable development and mitigate climate risks.
In this eye-opening article, Tsogololathu Itaye shares her experience as a social worker in Malawi when Cyclone Freddy hit the Southern African country. She argues that social workers are not recognised as an asset, yet they can play a critical role in all phases of disaster risk management.
South Africa is grappling with a teenage pregnancy crisis. Recent data from 2023/24 reveals that 1 in 4 girls become mothers before age 20, and over 2,700 girls aged 10-14 gave birth in public healthcare facilities. Watch Canon Collins Alum Dr. Marion Stevens, a leading expert in sexual and reproductive justice, discuss this pressing issue and the urgent need for solutions.
The world of jazz isn't just about the music—it's also about the fight for equality. This article by Canon Collins Trust Scholar Aarti Bhana highlights women's struggle in the jazz industry, where patriarchy still dominates. From battling gender bias to challenging the status quo, female jazz artists are making their voices heard. Dive into the conversation and see how they're shaking up the scene.
Canon Collins Trust Scholar Tsogololathu Itaye discusses the challenges and unkept promises of a better Malawi three years after the historic 2020 elections. She highlights that despite high hopes, the nation grapples with corruption and economic instability.
What can entrepreneurs learn from political coalitions? Canon Collins Trust Alum Dr Steven Zwane's latest column in Sowetan Live explores the parallels between business and politics, highlighting how strategic alliances, negotiation skills, and shared goals can drive success. Entrepreneurs can gain valuable insights into collaboration and adaptability from observing political coalitions.
Canon Collins Alum Tendai Mikioni discusses how embracing the diaspora vote can enfranchise Zimbabweans abroad, ensuring their constitutional right to vote despite being away from home. He argues that this crucial step aligns with democratic principles and can significantly impact future elections, empowering economic nomads and strengthening the nation's democratic framework.
Charlotte Scott: (1 September 2024) The little-known backroom fight at the heart of the climate negotiations
Princess Sibanda and Ntobeko Mhlotshwa: (11 June 2024) People at the Heart of Change
Sara Black (13 December 2016) Pressured South African schools had no choice but to relax maths pass mark
Sara Black (18 August 2021) UCT Online High School: Reproducing elites in a sea of inequality and ignoring the rest
Sara Black (19 August 2021) UCT has expanded to offer an online High School CapeTalk Radio
Ashley Visagie (17 March 2021) School ‘dropouts’ are not so much failures as victims of a hostile and skewed system
Jayden Matthews, Taahirah Hoosain and Sinolutho Silevu with Ashley Visagie (27 August 2020) These matric exams are unfair: Listen to us, the students
Sara Black and Ashley Visagie (11 August 2020) Opening schools during Covid-19 is a pyrrhic victory – and teachers are the cannon fodder
Ashley Visagie, Sara Black and Xolisa Guzula (15 July 2020) Public schools are under siege: It’s time to drastically revise their funding model
Leah Nasson (9 June 2020) #yousilenceweamplify has opened a vital space: But let’s talk about class, as well as race
Leah Nasson (28 April 2020) Teach your children well, their father’s hell, did (maybe) slowly go by
Sara Black and Ashley Visagie (30 January 2020) Skewed systems: The (un)reality of postgraduate student funding
Nombuyiselo Zondi (13 May 2024) Health problems the hidden hurdle behind learners’ reading difficulties
Webster Mavhu (5 March 2020) Target Men to Reach Our HIV Goals
Webster Mavhu (Jun 12 2020) Target Boys to Break Menstruation Taboos
Webster Mavhu (8 Dec 2020) The global HIV response needs to get back on track
Mzi Nduna, Anele Siswana, Deborah Lesley Ewing & Esmeralda Vilanculos (October 7, 2015) Changes in gender norms are making initiation safer for South African boys
Shehani Perera and Alison Swartz (11 June 2021) “An Unchanging God in a Changing World”: Sexual Practice and Decision-Making among Christian Women in South Africa
Marion Stevens (24 May 2024) Reverse the Backsliding on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights: A Wake-up Call from Independent Scientists and Advisors
Marion Stevens ( February 2024) Construction of Sexual & Reproductive Justice in South Africa
Andrew Fagan and Alan Msosa (May 17, 2016) Organized religion must join the fight against homophobia
Kudakwashe Manjonjo (1 November 2021) Cop26 and Zimbabwe: Dirty politics or the politics of dirt?
Nimrod Zalk (interview with) (October 19 2021) “Let’s Be Strategic in Our Thinking About Trade”
Edwin Makwati (May 18 2021) State sponsored brutality, hypocrisy and Palestine (SABC TV)
Edwin Makwati (19 Jul 2020) Locked down between poverty and internet deprivation in Botswana
Kathleen Mpofu (August 2020) Review of the laws protecting (or not protecting) women human rights defenders in Zimbabwe p.68
Phila Msimang (March 2017) Who can be racist: Understanding charges of racism within the philosophical community
Phila Msimang (3 May 2018) Lekota’s land insights ignore historical injustice
Phila Msimang (20 March 2017) Who can be racist: Understanding charges of racism within the philosophical community
Hillary Musarurwa (21 APRIL 2019) Young people must vote, for their sake and ours
Hillary Musarurwa (March 6, 2018) What’s stopping Zimbabwe’s young people from participating in elections?
Steve Zwane (April 2020) Investing in Youth Entrepreneurship is the Way Forward
Steve Zwane (July 2020) Pioneering the Township Economy
Nompilo Ndlovu and Kate Bird (14 February 2024) Reflecting on lessons learned at The Development Hub
Steven Zwane (25 June 2024) What entrepreneurs can learn from political coalitions
Scott Eric Williams (2 March 2018) Anatomy of (Collective) Apathy: Blessing Ngobeni’s ‘Enemy of Foe’
Scott Eric Williams (16 January 2019) Methodologies of Creative Practice: ‘Still Life & Life Drawings’ at ISANG
Scott Eric Williams (17 May 2018) The Art of Observing Family Dynamics
Albert Sharra (30 July 2021) Malawi: Failed Campaign Promises Haunt Chakwera One Year On
Zoe Postman (2 August 2020) Hundreds protest in JHB against government’s response to Covid-19
Albert Sharra (29 Dec 2018) Politics of rage, rivalry and intimidation; Malawi’s road to 2019 elections
Albert Sharra (10 June 2017) Seeking contraceptives, failing to get them
Sarita Ranchod (2004) Herstories: Celebrating pioneering women in South African journalism