Prof Philippe Burger has been dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences since 2022 and professor of economics at the University of the Free State since 2007. He was a 2016/17 Fulbright exchange scholar in the Centre for Sustainable Development at the Earth Institute of Columbia University. Since April 2022, he has been a non-resident senior research fellow at the United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER), in which capacity he leads the Macro-Fiscal workstream for SA-TIED II and III. He has been a visiting scholar at the International Monetary Fund’s Fiscal Affairs Department (FAD), researching public-private partnerships and the global financial crisis, and was seconded to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in Paris to work on public-private partnerships and capital budgeting. He is also a past president of the Economic Society of South Africa and a former member of the South African Statistics Council. He has written numerous scholarly books and articles on macroeconomics, public finance, and fiscal policy.

Professor Brownhilder Neneh is a Full Professor and NRF-rated researcher at the University of the Free State, specialising in entrepreneurship, with a particular focus on women and student entrepreneurship, work-life balance and entrepreneurial development. She was ranked among the Stanford Elsevier Top 2% Most Cited Researchers globally in 2023, 2024 and 2025 and has received several research and teaching awards. She is also the founder of She Believe, a peer support initiative for women, and author of Craft Your Win: A Women’s Guide for Ideal Work-life Balance.

Prof Frans Prinsloo, is a Chartered Accountant (SA) and seasoned academic, with over 25 years’ experience in accountancy education, nurturing graduates who contribute significantly to society and the economy. He has served as Director of the Schools of Accountancy at Nelson Mandela University and the University of the Free State, and has contributed extensively to SAICA and IRBA professional education structures, including the CA of the Future Competence Framework. An accomplished author and editor, he has also served on public-sector audit committees.

Igna du Plooy is a seasoned academic support professional and the current research and postgraduate coordinator in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences (EMS). With a career spanning over 30 years, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the research culture and postgraduate support systems within the faculty.

Her journey began in 1996 at the UFS Library and Information Services, where she advanced to become the subject librarian for EMS. In 2003, she was appointed as the university’s first research coordinator, a role that allowed her to pioneer faculty-based research support and develop strategic initiatives that significantly boosted research productivity.

Over the years, Du Plooy has led numerous impactful programmes, including writing retreats, ethics workshops, postgraduate support groups, and collaborative systems development with the Directorate Research Development. Her work has consistently focused on empowering researchers, streamlining administrative processes, and fostering a culture of excellence and inclusivity.

She is widely respected for her empathy, professionalism, and unwavering dedication to academic development. 

Reabetswe Seata is a Brand and Marketing Strategist who strengthens brand equity, drives marketing strategy, and integrated marketing and communications initiatives within the faculty. Beyond her role, she has contributed to innovations for leading global brands, helping launch new products. Her expertise spans brand leadership, innovation, and strategic marketing. Rea is a former Youth President of Phenomenal Women Youth Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a Brand South Africa Play Your Part Ambassador, and a recipient of the Young Woman of Achievement Award from the Heroine Awards for her contributions to youth development and leadership. 

Reabetswe Seata is a Brand and Marketing Strategist who strengthens brand equity, drives marketing strategy, and integrated marketing and communications initiatives within the faculty. Beyond her role, she has contributed to innovations for leading global brands, helping launch new products. Her expertise spans brand leadership, innovation, and strategic marketing. Rea is a former Youth President of Phenomenal Women Youth Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a Brand South Africa Play Your Part Ambassador, and a recipient of the Young Woman of Achievement Award from the Heroine Awards for her contributions to youth development and leadership. 

Siphokazi Dlamini is a marketing and communications professional serving in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences at the University of the Free State. With more than six years of experience in higher education, she specialises in student recruitment, brand positioning, and strategic communication. Playing a key role in the team, she drives strategic marketing campaigns and leads initiatives that enhance the faculty’s visibility.

Sibongile Mlotya is the office manager in the Office of the Dean: Economic and Management Sciences and the Dean's personal assistant.

Ronald Wesley Sinra is an accomplished higher education leader with more than 22 years of professional experience, including 14 years at the University of the Free State (UFS). As the systems coordinator and academic operations planner in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, he provides strategic leadership in academic operations, enrolment planning, student lifecycle management, curriculum governance, and institutional systems. An MBA-qualified professional, Sinra is recognised for driving operational excellence, systems optimisation, and institutional transformation through data-informed decision-making and collaborative stakeholder engagement. He has successfully led major university projects, governance initiatives, and process improvement programmes. His leadership philosophy is grounded in servant leadership, systems thinking, innovation, and a commitment to advancing quality and efficiency in higher education.

Sivuyile Nzimeni is a data analyst in the Office of the Dean: Economic and Management Sciences. He previously worked as a teaching and learning coordinator, part-time lecturer, and research assistant in the same faculty.

Lentsho is an assistant researcher and module coordinator in the EMS Faculty. 

Penrose Zondi is the research and postgraduate officer in the Office of the Dean: Economic and Management Sciences.

Santell Murray is the chief administrative officer, with more than 20 years of experience in student administration and organisational management. She oversees core administrative functions within the faculty, ensuring efficient and compliant operations. Murray plays a key role in aligning internal processes with strategic objectives and is recognised for her collaborative leadership style, as well as her commitment to integrity, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Dr Jabulani Nkosi is an accomplished education executive, international education leader, researcher, entrepreneur, and programme management specialist with more than 20 years of experience in higher education, research, innovation, entrepreneurship, business development, and international partnerships across Africa. He currently serves as assistant director of the Business Incubator at the UFS, leading innovation, entrepreneurship, stakeholder engagement, and enterprise development initiatives. Previously, he served as Africa business development manager and strategic programmes lead at Kumon Education South Africa, overseeing educational programmes and strategic expansion across South Africa, Kenya, Botswana, Namibia, and Zambia. His career also includes leadership roles at the National Institute for Higher Education and Stellenbosch University. In addition, he owned and managed a bakery and a Sasol service station for five years. Dr Nkosi holds a DBA from Nelson Mandela University, an MBA from Oxford Brookes University (UK), and several management qualifications, and is currently pursuing a postdoctoral degree in entrepreneurship at UNISA. He is recognised for strategic leadership, innovation, partnerships, and sustainable growth.

Tebello Barbra Leputla is the project coordinator for the University of the Free State Business Incubator, where she supports entrepreneurship programmes and coordinates projects that empower students to develop innovative and sustainable businesses. With a background in governance, project management, and stakeholder engagement, she is passionate about creating opportunities that bridge higher education, innovation, and economic development. She is committed to supporting young innovators and advancing initiatives that equip students with future-ready skills. Her work is driven by a passion for empowering people, building meaningful partnerships, and creating lasting social and economic impact. Her expertise and experience lie in project coordination, marketing, event management, and student development. Leputla holds a BA degree in governance and political transformation and a postgraduate diploma in governance and political transformation. 

Chipo Matambo is the manager of the Business Incubator at the University of the Free State, where she leads initiatives that foster entrepreneurial mindsets, support student venture creation, and strengthen innovation and entrepreneurship across the institution’s ecosystem. With more than 30 years of multidisciplinary professional and entrepreneurial experience and more than six years of coaching and mentoring, she is passionate about unlocking human potential and equipping young people to thrive in an ever-changing world.

A leadership and entrepreneurial development strategist, Matambo works at the intersection of leadership, entrepreneurship, and human development. She has a particular interest in advancing youth entrepreneurship as a vehicle for economic inclusion and social impact. Her work focuses on experiential learning, entrepreneurial capability development, and the development of resilient entrepreneurial leaders.
Matambo holds a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree, an MBA, and a Master of Management in business and executive coaching. She is currently pursuing a PhD in business administration at the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business.

Dr Calvin Mudzingiri is an NRF C2-rated economist, senior lecturer in economics, and internationally recognised researcher whose work examines how individuals, households, and institutions respond to economic, financial, political, and environmental risks. His interdisciplinary research integrates behavioural and experimental economics, behavioural finance, climate change economics, migration studies, governance, and development economics to generate evidence-based solutions for poverty reduction, resilience building, and sustainable development. A distinctive feature of his scholarship is its focus on mountain communities and resource-constrained regions, particularly in Southern Africa. Through his work with the Afromontane Research Unit, the Centre for Global Change, and Restoring Biodiversity and Connections to Nature in Southern African Mountains-SACHAIR, Dr Mudzingiri investigates climate vulnerability, livelihoods, migration, remittances, food security, natural resource management, and adaptation strategies in mountainous environments. His research explores how behavioural factors shape resilience and welfare outcomes among vulnerable populations facing climate, economic, and social shocks. Using advanced econometric techniques, experimental methods, and interdisciplinary approaches, Dr Mudzingiri produces policy-relevant research that informs governments, development agencies, academics, and community stakeholders across Africa and beyond. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1186-4109

Thabiso Moteka is a faculty officer in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences at the University of the Free State, where he supports academic administration, student admissions, assessment administration, quality assurance, and faculty governance. He serves as the faculty's academic appeals officer and timetable representative and is actively involved in promoting institutional excellence as a member of UFSSSA, a safety and health representative, and a staff well-being ambassador. He holds a postgraduate diploma in marketing management and is currently pursuing a Master of Commerce (MCom) in business management. His research interests include consumer behaviour, brand management, retail marketing, brand equity, and brand loyalty, with a focus on the South African fashion retail industry. Using quantitative research methods and structural equation modelling (SEM), he explores the drivers of consumer-brand relationships and sustainable brand loyalty in emerging markets.

Itumeleng Matla holds a Bachelor of Administration and an honours degree in public administration and management from the University of the Free State and is currently pursuing a master's degree in public administration and management. With more than eight years of professional experience spanning higher education, the non-profit sector, and entrepreneurship, she currently serves as a senior assistant officer in the Office of the Dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences (EMS). She also serves as the faculty adviser for the UFS Enactus Qwaqwa Campus, where she mentors students in innovation, leadership, and social entrepreneurship. Her previous roles as a facilitator and junior lecturer strengthened her expertise in teaching, academic administration, student development, and research support. Her research interests include public governance, organisational performance, leadership, and public sector management. Passionate about service and community impact, she is committed to fostering academic excellence, developing future leaders, and advancing sustainable, evidence-based solutions to societal challenges.

Refiloe Majola is a faculty officer in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences on the University of the Free State Qwaqwa Campus. She has more than 10 years of experience in higher education, with expertise in faculty operations, academic administration, financial management, governance, and strategic support. In her current role, she oversees faculty operations, student admissions, marketing, registrations, committee administration, budgeting, and stakeholder engagement, while providing operational support to academic leadership. Majola has a proven ability to coordinate complex administrative functions, implement institutional policies, and ensure compliance with university regulations and quality assurance standards. She holds a postgraduate diploma in business administration, a BTech in project management, and a national diploma in office management and technology. Her strengths include strategic planning, people management, project coordination, stakeholder engagement, and process improvement. She is committed to operational excellence, continuous improvement, and supporting institutional goals through effective leadership and sound administrative practices.