AfriSoc Executive Committee 2023-2024

The Oxford University Africa Society (AfriSoc) is an official student club at the University of Oxford. It was founded in the year 1958 and is run entirely by students.

The aims of the Society are to build a vibrant and supportive community for African students in Oxford, to provide a platform to discuss African issues, and to bring together people from all backgrounds who share a desire for positive change in Africa.

AfOx has a longstanding relationship with AfriSoc that is based on shared foundational values. AfriSoc and AfOx have worked together on outreach and access programmes for prospective African students at Oxford, programmes of academic support for African scholars in Oxford, hosting community-building events as well as events that help to promote the research of African scholars in the University.

Find out more about the new AfriSoc Executive Committee below. At AfOx, we look forward to building on this relationship with the new team at AfriSoc.

Isatou M Bokum – President

Isatou is strongly committed to leadership and social change, demonstrated through her participation in programs like the Young African Leadership Initiative and the TAF Leadership Academy. She is also an alumnus of the Oxford 2023 Global Leadership Initiative. Recently, Isatou completed a master's in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies from the University of Oxford. As AfriSoc president, she is dedicated to cultivating an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere that promotes meaningful engagement, collaboration, and a culture of growth and learning within the community.

"I am truly grateful to be a part of this AfriSoc committee, and during my term, I am most interested in ensuring that the society builds a strong alumni network. My focus is on fostering strong social ties between past and current members while also developing strategies to uplift the society, forge new partnerships, maintain our ethos, increase visibility, and uphold the high quality of our annual Africa conference."

Ruth Nanjala - Vice President

Service for the greater good is a personal characteristic Ruth Nanjala holds dear. In her first year of the DPhil in Molecular and Cellular Medicine at the University of Oxford, Ruth served as the co-chair of the Programme management team for the 2022 Oxford Africa conference, a volunteer for the ‘Focus of Research in Africa’ event organized by AfOx, a member of the AfriSoc mentoring Scheme, AND A reviewer of applications from African applicants to Oxford for the 2022-2023 application window.

"As Vice President for AfriSoc, my priority is increasing African graduate students' uptake to Oxford through the Mentorship program. Together with the team, we look forward to running educational workshops and setting up a mentorship committee for the 2023-2024 application window. We also look forward to hosting social events, especially those that encourage us to embrace our culture."

Macdonald Mutekwa - General Secretary

Macdonald is reading for a DPhil in Engineering Science (Aerospace), at Keble College. He has been an active member of the society since joining the University, taking part in activities including organising guest speaker events and the fundraising campaign for the flood victims of Tropical Cyclone Freddy in Malawi. With his familiarity with the society and the technical skills he has gained in various other roles, Macdonald brings a wealth of experience he intends to leverage to seamlessly assume the new role.

“I’m humbled and excited to support existing and new AfriSoc members in the upcoming school year. By leveraging the incredible resources from institutions such as AfOx, we can provide AfriSoc members with the connections and tools to create memorable and meaningful experiences at Oxford. Thank you to the AfriSoc community for the opportunity.”

Bomikazi Lupindo - Welfare Officer

Bomikazi Lupindo is a Clinical Psychologist and a first-year DPhil student at the Department of Experimental Psychology. She is studying the impact of exposure to community violence on mental health and adjustment in Sub-Saharan Africa. As a welfare officer, she intends to prioritize members' well-being at AfriSoc. She will provide guidance and support on welfare issues that may affect their academic performance.

“I will focus on organizing engaging events to create a safe space for expression, connection, and relating to other community members. I am here to listen and support you as best I can, and I hope you can trust us to help ensure your well-being. We are organized to be better than fine. We have the biological imperative to flourish and to generate a positive energy balance. We aim to make AfriSoc the community that fosters this.”

Olivia Vashti Ayim

Olivia Vashti Ayim is an Atmospheric Scientist and a DPhil candidate in Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Planetary Physics at Oxford. Her research expertise has mostly been in climate variability and its effects, with a particular focus on vulnerable tropical regions. She actively contributes to the AfriSoc community, where she served as Co-chair of the events and logistics team for the just ended successful Oxford Africa Conference. With her diverse experiences and expertise, Vashti is determined to utilize her role as treasurer of the Oxford African Society to foster inclusivity, amplify African voices, and drive positive change within the community and beyond.

"As treasurer of the Oxford African Society, my vision is to cultivate a fiscally responsible and inclusive environment that empowers our community to thrive. By transparently managing the society's finances, I aim to strengthen our ability to organize impactful events, promote educational initiatives, and foster meaningful connections. Together, we will build a vibrant platform where the richness of African cultures can flourish and inspire positive change within and beyond the university."

Sharmarke Dubow

Sharmarke Dubow, a former Canadian politician and UN Human Rights Fellow, is currently a student at Oxford's Somerville College pursuing a Master's in Public Policy. With a background in public relations, he has extensive experience in community development spanning over 15 years.

"Through teamwork, collaboration, and sharing stories and narratives, I'll amplify initiatives and foster positive change for African students at Oxford and beyond as the Social Media and Public Relations Officer."