University students win economics challenge
BRAAMFONTEIN – Winners of the Nedbank and Old Mutual Budget Speech Competition were announced at a banquet attended by the Minister of Finance.
University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) students have claimed the top prized spots of a prestigious national economics challenge.
“The competition, open to economics students at institutions of higher learning in South Africa, aims to stimulate and reward the country’s brightest economic young minds,” said Wits communications officer Buhle Zuma.
Entrants are required to submit a sound academic essay, responding to a set topic on economic issues.
In the undergraduate category Tlhalefang Moeletsi walked away with R60 000 for his essay reviewing recent submissions from trade unions, and provided a critical analysis of their proposals.
“I was overwhelmed by the whole experience. I am very grateful to the School of Economic and Business Science, particularly to Janine Dingley. This is a very prestigious competition and being part of it was thrilling. And winning the undergraduate category made the experience even more special,” said Moeletsi.
The key question posed to undergraduates was whether the trade union alternatives on the budget support economic growth and economic inclusion.
“I want to be a public sector economist, hopefully at the National Treasury, doing research and contributing to policy making and policy analysis, being part of the process that ensures South Africa achieves inclusive and stable growth for the benefit of its entire people.”
Yashvir Algu topped the postgraduate category and was awarded R150 000 for his suggestions on how to put South Africa onto a higher economic growth path.
Head of the Wits School of Economic and Business Sciences, Professor Jannie Rossouw, congratulated the students and the skilled supervision of Janine Dingley, who year-on-year challenges the students to tackle the difficult task.
Overall, Wits University had a good representation in the 2014 challenge.
Six of the 20 short-listed essays were from Wits students maintaining the trend of submitting high quality essays.
In the past, Witsies have twice won the challenge and many others have featured as finalists. Shaheen Seedat took the postgraduate title in 2010 and Tsepo Machele claimed the undergraduate prize in 2008.
Entries for 2015 are now open, visit www.budgetspeechcompetition.co.za
