Pretoria, South Africa – The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) is deeply saddened by the passing of Professor Maxi Schoeman on 14 September 2025. An exemplary leader, mentor and bridge-builder, she formally retired from the University of Pretoria in 2019, though she continued as Emeritus Professor. Maxi had an enduring impact on the ISS. As a long-standing member of the Board of Trustees, she combined management oversight with meaningful contributions to the organisation’s work.

Maxi played a crucial role in establishing security studies as a core discipline in South African academia, skilfully navigating between African realities and global theoretical frameworks with rare wisdom and grace, always keeping people at the centre. Many of today’s leading voices in African international relations can trace their intellectual development to her guidance.

The profound influence of her work in international relations is captured in an ISS Monograph, The undiscovered country: essays in honour of Maxi Schoeman, published in 2019 when she retired from official academic duty. Dr Jakkie Cilliers, Chairman of the ISS Board of Trustees, noted in the volume: ‘Maxi Schoeman has made an immense contribution to foreign policy and international relations in South Africa – as a teacher, author and thinker.’

Maxi contributed to many areas of work at the ISS, most recently on Africa’s vital role in preserving the future of the world’s oceans. She will be fondly remembered by ISS colleagues, particularly by students and alumni at the institute. 

The ISS Trustees and management offer our sincere condolences to Maxi’s family, friends and colleagues. We will honour her legacy and the many lives she touched.

For further information, contact:
Dr Jakkie Cilliers, ISS: [email protected] or +27 83 644 6883