About Me
A systems thinker, strategist, and lifelong learner committed to building more just, responsive, and resilient organisations across Africa.
Dominique Dryding
Capacity Building Manager, Afrobarometer
Current Focus
Leading initiatives that strengthen analytical and advocacy capacities across Africa as Capacity Building Manager at Afrobarometer, whilst pursuing research in inclusive innovation and organisational resilience.
Professional Journey
I currently serve as the Capacity Building Manager at Afrobarometer, a pan-African research network that provides reliable data on African public opinion to inform evidence-based development and policymaking.
In this role, I lead a range of initiatives that strengthen the analytical and advocacy capacities of researchers, civil society actors, and decision-makers across the continent.
Academic Pursuits
I'm currently pursuing a Master of Philosophy in Inclusive Innovation at the University of Cape Town's Graduate School of Business, exploring how leadership shapes organisational resilience in multicultural non-profit settings.
I hold an MSc in Leadership, Security, and Society from the African Leadership Centre, King's College London and a BSc Honours in Justice and Transformation from UCT.
Core Expertise
Systems Change
Transforming complexity into clarity
Capacity Development
Empowering people and organisations
Inclusive Innovation
For real world impact
Personal Philosophy
In addition to my work in research and organisational development, I'm deeply passionate about personal empowerment and transformation. I've worked as an empowerment coach and meditation practitioner, supporting individuals to connect with purpose and lead from within.
Based in Cape Town and the mother of two young children, I bring a grounded, holistic perspective to leadership, rooted in integrity, imagination, and social impact. This rhythm between movement and stillness helps me stay connected to what matters most.
Experience
Key areas of professional experience and thought leadership, organised into four thematic sections that showcase my commitment to systems change, capacity building, and inclusive innovation across Africa.
Leadership & Capacity Building
Empowering organisations and individuals across Africa
Capacity Building Strategy & Implementation
Description: Played a key role as part of the core team that reconceptualised Afrobarometer's Capacity Building Programme starting in 2023. This involved developing a refreshed strategy grounded in learning, inclusion, and sustainability.
Role: Integral contributor to strategic redesign; leads the implementation of capacity-building initiatives across the network
Impact: Strengthened programme coherence, increased staff engagement, and aligned capacity-building efforts with Afrobarometer's evolving mission
CSO and Journalist Workshops
Description: Conceptualised, planned and facilitated capacity-building workshops for civil society organisations and journalists in multiple countries.
Role: Lead designer and facilitator
Impact: Improved data literacy and policy engagement among local civil society actors and media professionals
Countries Covered:
University Outreach Programme
Description: Expanded Afrobarometer's university outreach, working with national partners to promote data use in academic settings.
Role: Organiser and facilitator
Impact: Strengthened partnerships with African universities and enhanced the use of public opinion data in teaching and research
Afrobarometer Summer Schools – Francophone & Anglophone Africa (2022)
Description: Organised two intensive capacity-building Summer Schools aimed at equipping early-career African researchers with skills in public opinion research, data analysis, and policy engagement.
Locations & Partnerships:
Francophone Africa
Dakar, Senegal
Partner: Université Cheikh Anta Diop (UCAD)
Anglophone Africa
Pretoria, South Africa
Partner: Future Africa, University of Pretoria
Role: Programme organiser and lead coordinator
Key Responsibilities:
- Designing and overseeing programme delivery for both schools
- Building and managing institutional partnerships (UCAD and Future Africa)
- Facilitating faculty recruitment and participant selection processes
- Engaging with regional stakeholders and Afrobarometer network members
- Ensuring the smooth execution of logistics, curriculum delivery, and participant experience
Impact: Strengthened Afrobarometer's training and knowledge-sharing ecosystem; fostered regional networks of early-career researchers across Francophone and Anglophone Africa
Project Manager – Southern Africa, Afrobarometer (2018–2022)
Description: Served as Afrobarometer's Project Manager for survey operations in Southern Africa, responsible for overseeing the full data collection lifecycle across nine countries.
Role: Regional lead for planning, coordination, and execution of survey rounds
Key Responsibilities:
- Managing the regional survey budget
- Selecting and capacitating national partners
- Designing and facilitating training for fieldworkers
- Monitoring and observing fieldwork to ensure data quality and adherence to standards
- Managing relationships with key stakeholders in government, civil society, and academia
- Supporting dissemination efforts, including in-country stakeholder briefings and launch events
Impact: Delivered high-quality, reliable public opinion data that informed national and regional policy conversations. Strengthened Afrobarometer's presence and partnerships across Southern Africa.
Countries Covered:
Afrobarometer Planning Workshop – MC Role
Description: Served as Master of Ceremonies at Afrobarometer's internal planning workshop.
Role: MC / Event host; Moderator of panel discussion with the founders
Impact: Set the tone for the event and ensured cohesion across sessions
Location: Ghana (2023)
Resources:
Research Design and Strategic Input
Shaping continental research priorities and methodologies
Afrobarometer Round 10 Questionnaire Committee Member (2023)
Description: Selected to serve on the Round 10 Questionnaire Committee, responsible for shaping the content and structure of Afrobarometer's flagship pan-African survey instrument.
Role: Committee member and thematic module lead for the Youth Module
Impact: Influenced continental research priorities and data collection tools; elevated youth-focused issues within Afrobarometer's evidence base; strengthened internal processes for collaborative questionnaire development
Storytelling with Data
Amplifying voices through compelling data narratives
Publications & Data-Informed Storytelling
Over the years, I've contributed to a wide range of Afrobarometer publications that use public opinion data to amplify under-represented voices and surface critical social issues. Select examples include:
Elevated concerns of Mozambican youth around employment and water access
Investigated declining trust in democratic institutions
Highlighted growing perception of GBV in South Africa
Investigated declining trust in democratic institutions
Highlighted growing perception of GBV in South Africa
Investigated declining trust in democratic institutions
Afrobarometer Training Video Library
Description: Created a comprehensive series of training videos to guide users through the Afrobarometer Online Data Analysis (ODA) tool and explain core methodological concepts.
Role: Script writer, concept designer, project lead
Impact: Made data tools more accessible to students, researchers, and the broader public
Systems Thinking & Inclusive Innovation
Exploring leadership and organisational resilience
MPhil in Inclusive Innovation – Research Project
Working Title: How do leaders influence the resilience of their organisations?
Focus: This research investigates how leadership shapes organisational resilience in multicultural nonprofit settings. It explores how leaders enable their organisations to remain grounded in purpose whilst adapting to complexity and change.
Key Themes:
- Organisational resilience in VUCA environments
- Multicultural leadership and trust
- Values-based leadership and virtuous organisational practices
Embodied Practice & Inner Work
Integrating personal transformation with professional practice
Empowerment Coaching & Meditation Practice
Description: Former empowerment coach and meditation practitioner supporting individuals in accessing deeper alignment and leadership from within
Role: Guide and facilitator
Impact: Helped clients cultivate self-awareness, confidence, and intentional action
Education & Training
Formal Education
Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Inclusive Innovation
University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business
2025–present
Currently pursuing an MPhil in Inclusive Innovation—a transformative, research-led programme designed to equip change-makers with tools to tackle complex social and environmental challenges.
Master of Science (MSc) in Leadership, Security and Society
King's College London, African Leadership Centre
2015–2016
Explored how leadership processes influence development outcomes in complex environments.
Bachelor of Social Science Honours in Justice and Transformation
University of Cape Town
2014
Bachelor of Social Science (Politics, Gender Studies, Economic History)
University of Cape Town
2010–2013
Short Courses & Certifications
Finance for Non-Financial Managers
UCT Graduate School of Business
2024
Design Thinking in Practice
Hasso Plattner d-school Afrika, UCT
2023
Fundraising Management Certificate
Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
2023
Modules:
Adaptive Project Leadership
LinkedIn Learning
2020
Strategic Planning & Business Development
LinkedIn Learning
2020
Project Management: Solving Common Project Problems
LinkedIn Learning
2019
SPSS Statistics Essential Training
LinkedIn Learning
2018
Capacity Building: Project Planning
NPO Development
2018
2018 Afrobarometer Summer School
Institute for Democracy, Citizenship and Public Policy in Africa, UCT
2018
Reflections
"This space holds the threads of my inner and outer worlds — a journal of ideas, questions, and lived experiences from the intersection of systems change and soul work. Here, I explore what it means to lead from within, to innovate with integrity, and to build resilient, responsive organisations in a world that is constantly shifting."
Contact
I'm always open to meaningful conversations about systems change, leadership development, and building more resilient organisations. Whether you're interested in collaboration, have questions about my work, or simply want to connect around shared interests in transformation and innovation, I'd love to hear from you.
Let's explore how we might work together to create positive change in the world.
Get In Touch
Based in Cape Town, South Africa
Available for virtual consultations and collaborations across Africa and globally.