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Buhle Phiwe Hlatshwayo

Buhle Phiwe Hlatshwayo is the founder of the Afrikan Diplomat Group. She is a Pan Africanist, and South Africa’s youngest South African female diplomat to work for the African Union.

Education Ms Hlatshwayo a Chevening alumni, holds a Master’s in International Studies & Diplomacy from the University of London, School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London UK, and a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Johannesburg.

Career As an award-winning journalist, Buhle started her career at City Press under Media24. She then worked for a leading media house such as the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) in London, Ms Hlatshwayo is experienced in front of the camera and behind the microphone.

She also worked for one of South Africa's leading think tanks as a Media, Communications and Stakeholder Relations Officer.

Currently, Buhle is a Policy Strategist Officer at the African Union, with a special focus on cultural diplomacy. She is an expert in the Creative Cultural Industry (CCI) and trade sector, with in depth knowledge in enhancing Intra-African Trade through the Creative Industries under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), as well as other development focus areas such as climate change, tech, women in agribusiness and development finance.

In her capacity as a seasoned thought leader, speaker, conference chair, panel discussion moderator, and programme director at various global platforms, Buhle has moderated high level panels for the African Union Commission, African Union – NEPAD, African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) The African Continental Free Trade Area, (AfCFTA), World Bank, Gates Foundation, UNDP and many others.