Queen Mary academic wins prize for article on China-Africa relations

1 November 2023

Dr Batsani-Ncube, Lecturer in African Politics, received the prize for his research on the Chinese Government-funded parliament building in Lesotho.

The prize is awarded annually for the best article by a new contributor to the Journal of Southern African Studies (JSAS) during the previous year.

In "Whose Building? Tracing the Politics of the Chinese Government-Funded Parliament Building in Lesotho," Dr Batsani-Ncube argues that China used the parliament building project to generate a sustained presence in Lesotho’s political and diplomatic orbits.

In making their award, the panel highlighted the article's relevance to the study of China-Africa relations well beyond the case that it investigates.

• Read the full article in the Journal of Southern African Studies
• Watch Dr Batsani-Ncube's interview with SOAS, University of London