Lucky Asuelime is affiliated to the School of Social Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal. He has taught International Relations for five years. At the time of writing he was completing his PhD in International Relations at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. He is also the Director for the Centre for Conflict Resolution and Development in Africa (CREDA).

Joseph A. Yaro is an Associate Professor of Human Geography. He combines a rich background in development studies and rural geography with extensive rural research experience in northern Ghana. His specific research interests are: sustainable development; rural livelihoods and food security; climate change adaptation; land tenure and transnational land deals/grabs.

Suzanne Francis is a Senior Lecturer in Political Science at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. She carries out extensive empirical research, writes and publishes in the area of political elites, value systems and political institutions in Africa.