Hardus Louw writes:
The budget speech competition launched in 1972 was established in order to offer economic minds, from various universities across South Africa, the opportunity to contribute to the country’s future.
The competition works on the basis of written essays, regarding a specific topic, which are submitted for judging by some of South Africa’s top economic minds. The top ten finalists are then chosen and afforded the opportunity to attend the official budget speech in Parliament in February. In addition, the three winners each receive a cash prize to be utilised for academic purposes.
This year, it was my privilege to have been chosen as a top ten finalist.
The essay which I entered for the competition is titled: “Better Institutions – The key to better economic growth in South Africa”, which revolved around the assumption that better institutions will offer a safer investment area for investors and thereby offer sustainable economic growth.
I am truly grateful and deeply honoured to have been chosen as a finalist since, it offers me the opportunity to expand my knowledge and experience.
I am writing this to firstly, express my thankfulness to God for the help, strength and determination without which I would not have been able to achieve this goal.
Secondly, I would like to encourage all students at Nazarene Christian Academy that with God’s help, hard work and the correct attitude, you will be able to achieve anything you set your mind to.
