For many postgraduate students, academic writing can feel overwhelming, from developing a research topic and structuring arguments to navigating supervision, deadlines and critical analysis.

While universities often expect students to arrive with these skills, many are still trying to figure out how to write clearly, think critically and conduct meaningful research at postgraduate level. At the same time, the rise of digital tools and AI is changing how students engage with information, research and writing itself.

We spoke to Dr. Farai Mlambo,  Senior Lecturer of Digital Business at the Wits Business School and author of A Survival Guide for Every Postgraduate Journey.

For many postgraduate students, academic writing can feel overwhelming, from developing a research topic and structuring arguments to navigating supervision, deadlines and critical analysis.
While universities often expect students to arrive with these skills, many are still trying to figure out how to write clearly, think critically and conduct meaningful research at postgraduate level. At the same time, the rise of digital tools and AI is changing how students engage with information, research and writing itself.
We spoke to Dr. Farai Mlambo,&nbsp; Senior Lecturer of Digital Business at the Wits Business School and author of&nbsp;A Survival Guide for Every Postgraduate Journey.

The Journal, with Mmatsheko Mosito is a human-interest platform that explores the stories shaping our world through a thoughtful, solutions-oriented lens.

The show brings together voices from across sectors in policy, agriculture, arts, health, youth development, and beyond to unpack issues that matter to everyday people.

With a distinct tone that is both grounded and reflective, The Journal goes beyond headlines to examine the deeper context, lived experiences, and long-term implications of today’s conversations.

It creates space for meaningful dialogue, knowledge-sharing, and perspective-building, while amplifying African voices and narratives on a global stage.

At its core, the show is about connection, connecting ideas to action, people to purpose, and audiences to a more conscious understanding of the world around them.

The Journal, with Mmatsheko Mosito is a human-interest platform that explores the stories shaping our world through a thoughtful, solutions-oriented lens.
The show brings together voices from across sectors in policy, agriculture, arts, health, youth development, and beyond&nbsp;to unpack issues that matter to everyday people.
With a distinct tone that is both grounded and reflective, The Journal goes beyond headlines to examine the deeper context, lived experiences, and long-term implications of today&rsquo;s conversations.
It creates space for meaningful dialogue, knowledge-sharing, and perspective-building, while amplifying African voices and narratives on a global stage.
At its core, the show is about connection, connecting ideas to action, people to purpose, and audiences to a more conscious understanding of the world around them.

The Journal

The Practice: Why do so many postgraduate students still struggle with academic writing and critical thinking?

As democracies across the world face rising political polarization, declining public confidence, and growing pressure on institutions, one question is becoming increasingly urgent: how resilient are our democratic systems really? From elections and parliaments to courts and the media, institutions meant to uphold accountability are being tested by misinformation, inequality, governance failures, and public frustration.

Yet at the same time, citizens, particularly young people continue demanding greater transparency, participation, and responsiveness from those in power.

 We spoke to, Olufunto Akinduro, Senior Adviser of Electoral Processes for Africa and West Asia at International IDEA.

As democracies across the world face rising political polarization, declining public confidence, and growing pressure on institutions, one question is becoming increasingly urgent: how resilient are our democratic systems really? From elections and parliaments to courts and the media, institutions meant to uphold accountability are being tested by misinformation, inequality, governance failures, and public frustration.
Yet at the same time, citizens, particularly young people continue demanding greater transparency, participation, and responsiveness from those in power.
&nbsp;We spoke to,&nbsp;Olufunto Akinduro, Senior Adviser of Electoral Processes for Africa and West Asia at International IDEA.

What democratic resilience means in today’s climate and what it will take to rebuild public confidence in democratic systems for the future

As Africa marks Africa Day, the continent finds itself reflecting not only on its progress, but also on the promises made in 1963 when African leaders united to form the Organisation of African Unity. It was a bold vision built on Pan-Africanism, liberation, economic independence, and the dream of a continent united by a shared future.

More than six decades later, however, difficult questions remain. At the same time, many argue that Africa’s story is also one of resilience, innovation, cultural power, and a young generation determined to shape a different future.

We interrogate the state of the continent, the legacy of Pan-Africanism, and whether African leadership has truly honoured the dream of 1963 with Prof. Adekeye Adebajo, Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for the Advancement of Scholarship at the University of Pretoria in South Africa and Author.

As Africa marks Africa Day, the continent finds itself reflecting not only on its progress, but also on the promises made in 1963 when African leaders united to form the Organisation of African Unity. It was a bold vision built on Pan-Africanism, liberation, economic independence, and the dream of a continent united by a shared future.
More than six decades later, however, difficult questions remain. At the same time, many argue that Africa&rsquo;s story is also one of resilience, innovation, cultural power, and a young generation determined to shape a different future.
We interrogate the state of the continent, the legacy of Pan-Africanism, and whether African leadership has truly honoured the dream of 1963 with Prof. Adekeye Adebajo, Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for the Advancement of Scholarship at the University of Pretoria in South Africa and Author.

More than six decades later, what does meaningful African unity actually look like?

A proposed African Charter on Family Values, Rights and Freedoms currently under discussion within the African Union is raising alarm among human rights advocates, legal scholars, and civil society groups across the continent. The draft charter, championed by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights alongside conservative advocacy groups, aims to promote what it describes as “traditional family values” rooted in African culture and morality.

Supporters say the proposal is necessary to protect African identity, preserve cultural norms, and strengthen the institution of the family. Critics, however, warn that some of its provisions could be used to justify discrimination against LGBTQ+ people, limit reproductive and women’s rights, and weaken existing constitutional and human rights protections under the guise of protecting culture and tradition.

We examined why critics believe the proposed charter could have far-reaching implications for rights and freedoms across the continent with Dr. Nicola Jearey-Graham, Senior Researcher of Critical Studies in Sexualities and Reproduction at Rhodes University.

A proposed African Charter on Family Values, Rights and Freedoms currently under discussion within the African Union is raising alarm among human rights advocates, legal scholars, and civil society groups across the continent. The draft charter, championed by the African Commission on Human and Peoples&rsquo; Rights alongside conservative advocacy groups, aims to promote what it describes as &ldquo;traditional family values&rdquo; rooted in African culture and morality.
Supporters say the proposal is necessary to protect African identity, preserve cultural norms, and strengthen the institution of the family. Critics, however, warn that some of its provisions could be used to justify discrimination against LGBTQ+ people, limit reproductive and women&rsquo;s rights, and weaken existing constitutional and human rights protections under the guise of protecting culture and tradition.
We examined why critics believe the proposed charter could have far-reaching implications for rights and freedoms across the continent with Dr. Nicola Jearey-Graham, Senior Researcher of Critical Studies in Sexualities and Reproduction at Rhodes University.

The Practice: Why do so many postgraduate students still struggle with academic writing and critical thinking?

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