VANDERBIJLPARK. – During the recent World Economic Forum meeting in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan was quoted as saying that the whole world economy was in an “interesting space” – a clear indication that South Africans can expect some shift in the economy.
To talk Joe Public through these envisioned changes, the Vaal Triangle Campus of the North-West University (NWU Vaal) will welcome Ettienne le Roux – Chief Economist at Rand Merchant Bank (RMB), to address the community, business leaders and entrepreneurs during the first Alumni Business Breakfast of the year. The event will take place on March 1 at the Quest Conference Estate in Vanderbijlpark.
Le Roux graduated with a BCom, BCom Honours and MCom Economics from the Vaal Triangle Campus (previously known as the PU for CHE). He followed a career as an economist at the National Treasury after starting out as a lecturer in Economics at his alma mater in Vanderbijlpark. While employed at the Treasury, he also had the opportunity to further his studies in the United States of America. Ettienne later moved into the banking environment and is now the Chief Economist for Rand Merchant Bank (RMB).
In July 2013, Mr Trevor Manuel, then Minister in the Presidency: National Planning Commission, appointed him to the South African Statistics Council.
Prior to being appointed as Chief Economist, Le Roux was co-head of RMB’s fixed income, commodity and currency research team. He regularly features in the media and has published various opinion pieces and research articles in national newspapers such as Business Day and Financial Mail.
In 2014 he was awarded the prestigious NWU Alumni Excellence Award in recognition of his career accomplishments.
To avoid disappointment, book your seat at the business breakfast as soon as possible. The cost is R180 per person or R1 600 for a table of ten guests. For more information contact Annette Willemse on (016) 910 3184 (Annette.willemse@nwu.ac.za) or Ronel Strydom on 016 910 3301 (Ronel.strydom@nwu.ac.za).
