Bio

Nomphumelelo Queen Babeli is a PhD candidate in the Department of Political and International Studies at Rhodes University. Her doctoral research focuses on the agency, trajectories, and everyday experiences of retired women ambassadors to explore how women have shaped post-apartheid South African foreign policy. Additionally, she is a lecturer in the Extended Studies Unit, which is part of the Centre for Higher Education Research, Teaching, and Learning (CHERTL).

Nomphumelelo holds a Master of Social Science degree with distinction in Political and International Studies. She co-authored an article titled “The Politics of Knowledge in South African Universities: Students’ Perspectives.” In 2022, she and her co-author received an award for their essay “Let the Walls Crumble” in the Dr. Phyllis Ntantala and Prudence Mabele creative writing competition.

Her research interests include International Relations and Diplomacy, Foreign Policy, Women in Peace and Security (WPS), as well as the narratives and experiences of women.