Ongama Mtimka is a lecturer in the department of history and political studies at Nelson Mandela University with an extensive work experience in industrial development, local government, community and small business development, and higher education. He holds a bachelor of arts from Rhodes University and MPhil in SA Politics and Political Economy from Nelson Mandela University. His research and research engagement experience includes political economy, party politics, and development. Ongama is the Chairperson of the Emerging Academics Research Committee of the South African Association of Political Studies.