Right, Ziyanda Magazi and Liyema Mpompi.
“I found the topic very interesting, and I was eager to research and evaluate the potential implications for the South African economy.
“I wanted to offer my views on the South African context of this global deliberation and perhaps the most critical socioeconomic challenge of our lifetime, climate change, said Ziyanda.
Liyema said he wrote the essay at the busiest time of his life during the exam season. “I had to submit my master’s research proposal, present it a week later and my grandmother had passed away shortly before the time, but because I had a plan, I kept my eyes on the prize (being a finalist), so I was able to overcome the challenges that I encountered”.
Both students wanted to do the degree with the coursework component. Ziyanda said she enjoyed the group interaction and vibrant discussions, whereas Liyema believed it provided him with a comprehensive understanding of the field and emphasised the application of real-world scenarios,
“The competition was a rigorous academic exercise, it was also a vote of confidence in myself, my writing abilities and economic reasoning acquired over the years. I chose to bet on myself, and I am glad I did. To make it to the top 10 is a huge accomplishment for me”, Ziyanda said.
She says she is living her dream career as a development economist for a reputable specialist-development economist firm. She hopes to also explore other roles in the commercial sector, perhaps in banking, in future.
She believes her success in a macroeconomics assignment on the impact of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) for SADC countries on trade and investments and also one on the economics of information, gave her the confidence to enter the competition.
“The lesson here is to take everything you do seriously because it shapes the person you become, and that diligence will serve you across time”, Ziyanda said.
Liyema wants to follow a career in investment management and also become a Certified Financial Analyst one day.
The competition runs annually with two categories: undergraduate and postgraduate. Read more details about the winners and the 2024 competition details
The Department of Economics has two masters programme, by Coursework (offered via block release) and by Research, alongside other qualifications at undergraduate and postgraduate level in the degree stream (at South and George Campus) and diploma stream (at Second Avenue campus).