Next generation economic leaders emerge from EMA programme
With advanced skills in economic modelling, graduates reflect on their transformative journey at the inaugural course, ready to tackle South Africa's pressing challenges.
In a landmark achievement for South Africa’s economy and policy making, 18 professionals from the civic, public, and private sectors have graduated from the Economic Modelling Academy’s (EMA) inaugural Executive Course in Multisector Macroeconomic Modelling.
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The course, hosted at the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) in Illovo, culminated in a graduation ceremony on September 20, marking a significant milestone for the country’s development.
Dr Asghar Adelzadeh, EMA’s academic director, emphasised the importance of this programme.
“We are counting on the current and next generation of economic modellers to help fulfil the post-apartheid promise. Addressing South Africa’s challenges requires a new toolbox, and economic modelling is one of the essential tools that should be part of it.”
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EMA aims to empower leaders with sophisticated modelling techniques that provide evidence-based insights for a better future.
“Good data and informed policy decisions will help put South Africa – across all sectors – on a stronger path,” Adelzadeh added.
Guided by industry experts, graduates now possess advanced skills to develop policy scenarios, forecast economic trends, and make data-driven decisions. Ofentse Ntsane, one of the graduates, shared, “I have gained a deeper understanding of capitalism’s key features, its sources of growth, and critical employment metrics. The course broadened my perspective on the divide between mainstream and heterodox economic thought.”
Armed with these new skills, the graduates are prepared to tackle pressing issues in South Africa’s policy-making landscape, including poverty, inequality, sustainable development, and skills planning.
As Adelzadeh concluded, “These graduates are not only professionals, they are visionaries ready to lead South Africa into the future.”
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