Zohran Mamdani: The Bronx student who made Africana Studies his political compass

Zohran Mamdani, a 33-year-old Indian-origin Muslim and New York State Assemblyman, won the June 24, 2025 Democratic primary for NYC mayor, defeating former Governor Andrew Cuomo. Born in Uganda and raised in the Bronx, Mamdani’s education in Africana Studies shaped his radical politics. His campaign, centred on affordability and endorsed by Bernie Sanders and AOC, gained massive youth support. A housing advocate and activist, Mamdani’s victory signals a generational and ideological shift in New York politics.