Matshidiso Motsoeneng is currently a researcher at the Afro-Middle East Centre, a research institute based in Johannesburg, South Africa. She previously worked as a researcher at the Studies in Poverty and Inequality Institute, working on Local Economic Development and the advancement of socio-economic rights. Her interests includes political thought, Middle-Eastern politics, African politics and peace-building processes, development issues, water security and gender. Matshidiso holds a BA in Politics and International Relations (Honours) from the University of Johannesburg and is currently completing her Masters at the same university, focusing on the representation of women fighters in war.