Makone Maja believes that ideas achieve their greatest impact when they inspire action. As Strategic Engagements Manager at the Institute of Race Relations (IRR), she has played a central role in driving one of South Africa’s most influential campaigns for economic reform. Working alongside her team, she has built strong partnerships with campaign and industry stakeholders, challenged expanding government intervention, and helped bring the principles of individual liberty and free-market reform to the forefront of the national conversation.

It is due to her hard work and dedication to expanding liberty that we are honored to announce Makone Maja of the Institute of Race Relations (IRR) as our Toast to Freedom speaker at Africa Liberty Forum 2026.

Last year, Makone accepted Atlas Network’s 2025 Africa Liberty Award on behalf of the Institute of Race Relations in Nairobi. The award recognized IRR’s Champions for Growth Project, an evidence- and policy-based initiative designed to confront barriers to alleviating two of South Africa’s greatest challenges: persistent unemployment and widespread poverty. With one-third of the country’s workforce unemployed and half of all South Africans living in poverty, the project has championed a practical reform agenda centered on economic growth and incorporating a freedom-focused approach.

Through rigorous policy research, strategic stakeholder and media engagements, and IRR’s digital publication The Daily Friend, Champions for Growth has helped shift South Africa’s focus toward the policies needed to achieve economic prosperity. Today, many of the reforms being discussed by political leaders reflect economic growth-based principles that the Institute of Race Relations has long advocated.

Stories like IRR’s demonstrate the impact that principled, persistent advocacy can have on a country’s future. They also reflect the purpose of Africa Liberty Forum, to bring think tanks and civil society leaders together from across the continent to share ideas and success strategies, and celebrate organizations advancing freedom in their countries.

Makone’s experience offers an inspiring example of how ideas, combined with strategic leadership and communication, can help shape a freer and more prosperous future. We are proud to welcome Makone Maja back to Africa Liberty Forum as we celebrate the people and organizations working to expand liberty and opportunity across Africa.