UNIZULU Students participating   in the SARB winter school 2023

It was an ecstatic moment when two of the university of Zululand (UNIZULU), Simiso Vukani Gumede and Sibusiso Sandile Mthembu were selected to attend the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) Winter School 2023. These students will be flying the UNIZULU flag high at the Economics Winter School. The winter school  commences today on Monday, 10 July and will end on Friday, 14 July 2023 in Pretoria.

The primary objective of the South African Reserve Bank is to protect the value of the currency in the interest of balanced and sustainable economic growth in the Republic. SARB manage South Africa’s gold and foreign exchange reserves.

Mthembu grew up in a small Town, North of Kwa-Zulu Natal, Mandeni, he was brought up by his grandmother with no parents “till today I am a man that I am because of my grandmother”, he said. He believes his love for economics started way back when he was still in high school “one thing that makes me love economics, we think abroad, we don’t think in a box”, He added.

Application call was open to all South African post-graduate students. SARB winter school is a week-long training programme for postgraduate economics students. This in-person experience will give students exposure to international best thinking on emerging economic research topics from local and international speakers. It is an opportunity for students to showcase their passion and skills through action-based learning projects that will expose them to central banking and immerse them into the SARB culture.

Gumede was raised by his mother with the help for his grandmother, in a small township Empangeni in Kwa-Zulu Natal. His future are that he expands in his career as an economist until he is a charted Economist.  “I want to be part of the country that drive economic policies for our country and not adapt policies that will not benefit the country.” Explained Gumede.

The will power to make the final squad was evident both the

 Mr. Thamsanqa Mtshengu assisted these students were chosen after submitting their respective short research papers explaining why central banks should be concerned about climate change. Being part of the winter school may result to the absorption of the two students by the SARB, depending on their participation during the winter school.

Mtshengu expressed how humbled and excited he was for the students “Economics Department is immensely proud of these two masters’ students who have been selected to represent UNIZULU at the SARB Winter School, 2023. We do not only produce quality graduates, but we have also made it our responsibility to put our students at the doorstep of their potential employer.” He concluded.

• Nomvelo Xulu