Nolizwe Mhlaba

A Zimbabwean citizen, Nolizwe Mhlaba joined ALA’s African Studies department as a faculty member in August 2010. At ALA, she teaches one of the core subjects, African Studies, as well as the International History module of the Cambridge A Level History options. This combination allows Nolizwe to draw deeply from her academic background and to engage her passion for international affairs on a daily basis. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics, with a minor in International Development, from McGill University. Following this, Nolizwe spent some time doing advocacy work in New York City on social and economic issues of global concern. She pursued further studies at the University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies, from which she was awarded an MA in International Studies and Diplomacy. At SOAS, her final research project focused on retributive justice versus transitional justice mechanisms in post-conflict societies. Prior to joining ALA, Nolizwe worked in an international think tank on conflict resolution and conflict prevention in New York and in Nairobi.

Outside the classroom, Nolizwe serves as coach of the women’s basketball team. Occasionally, she participates in the community service program, primarily as a chaperone. Nolizwe has especially enjoyed being a part of such a richly diverse environment. She tries to take advantage of the endless opportunities to learn about the different cultures represented at ALA and also to share bits of her own heritage. Nolizwe is encouraged not only by the tremendous vision of ALA, but also – and more so – by the young people who have the potential to fulfill it.