Professor Susan Booysen

Political Scientist | Research Consultant | Author | Political Analyst

Professor Susan Booysen is Emeritus Professor at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, and an independent research consultant specialising in South African politics, party politics, elections, coalition governance and political analysis.

With a career spanning more than four decades, she is widely recognised for her research and commentary on South Africa's evolving political landscape, particularly the African National Congress (ANC), democratic governance and the country's transition towards coalition politics.

Academic Career and Research

Professor Booysen previously served as Director of Research at the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection (MISTRA) from 2018 to 2024, where she led and coordinated major research publications addressing South Africa's political, social and economic challenges.

At the University of the Witwatersrand, she was a professor in the Wits School of Governance and directed the Master of Management in Public Policy programme. Her earlier academic career included professorships and leadership positions at Nelson Mandela University and the University of Johannesburg.

She holds a PhD from the University of Johannesburg and received the Life Achievement Award from the South African Association of Political Studies (SAAPS) in 2021.

Publications and Political Analysis

Professor Booysen is the author of a trilogy of books examining the ANC's changing political power:

  • The African National Congress and the Regeneration of Political Power (2011)

  • Dominance and Decline: The ANC in the Time of Zuma (2015)

  • Precarious Power: Compliance and Discontent under Ramaphosa's ANC (2021)

She has also edited several major publications, including Marriages of Inconvenience: The Politics of Coalitions in South Africa (2021) and FeesMustFall: Student Revolt, Decolonisation and Governance in South Africa (2016).

Her extensive academic work includes more than one hundred refereed journal articles, book chapters and research reports.

Coalition Politics and Governance

Coalition politics has become a central focus of Professor Booysen's recent research and consultancy work.

She served as editor, analyst and lead author of the MISTRA Coalitions Barometer I (2021–2023) and MISTRA Coalitions Barometer II (2023–2025), major research volumes examining coalition formation, political developments and governance in South Africa.

Her current research tracks coalition politics, governance and the African National Congress during the period 2024–2029.

Media Commentary and Consultancy

Professor Booysen is an established political analyst and media commentator, contributing insights to South African and international news organisations.

Through Susan Booysen Research and Analysis, she undertakes independent research and consultancy, with particular emphasis on coalition politics, electoral developments, governance, political risk and uncertainty.

Her work brings together academic research, political analysis and practical insights into the changing dynamics of South African democracy.