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03 January 2023 | Story Charlene Stanley | Photo Supplied
Vuyelwa Vumendlini
Vuyelwa Vumendlini, Alternate Executive Director at the International Monetary Fund in Washington DC.

High-profile positions at National Treasury, the World Bank and now also the International Monetary Fund in Washington, mark an illustrious career for UFS Economics alumna, Vuyelwa Vumendlini.

“Go in full force, hands and feet, and accept this opportunity of a lifetime. You won’t regret it.” These words of Dr Minette Smit, her thesis supervisor, proved to be pivotal advice to a young Vuyelwa Vumendlini. At the time, she was doing her BCom Honours in Economics (1996-1999) and was presented with a scholarship opportunity to complete her master’s degree in the USA.

“I was afraid to leave my home and my comfort zone,” she explains. “But looking back, I’m extremely grateful to have taken that step.”

Her studies culminated in an appointment as Senior Adviser to the Executive Director at the World Bank, then Deputy Director-General: International and Regional Economic Policy at the National Treasury, and now as Alternate Executive Director at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Washington DC. As an IMF executive board member, Vumendlini represents 23 English-speaking African countries that are members of a constituency. The Executive Board of the IMF has 24 chairs, representing 24 constituencies from its 189 countries’ membership. Among her duties are considering policy issues and surveillance reports, as well as approving and monitoring IMF programmes involving lending and/or technical assistance.

Since this is the second stint in Washington for her and her children, Simphiwe, Enhle, and Anele, settling down was much easier. “Because of the COVID-19 isolation, we were kind of used to being alone at home, so we didn’t find the solitude that bad while we were still making new friends.”

She misses South African food the most – things like biltong and boerewors – and the proximity of favourite restaurants like Ocean Basket and Mugg & Bean. She has fond memories of her study years, working as an assistant in the Department of Economics, hanging out at Mooimeisiesfontein on Saturdays, and building rag floats for Vergeet-My-Nie and Kestell residences. Plans for the future include tackling her PhD in Economics.

Her advice to UFS students: “Be up to date with what is happening around you. Do not be afraid to do things differently. Be agile in your approach to achieving your career aspirations and be ready to take on those opportunities when they present themselves.”

News Archive

Odeion: Public examination recitals
2006-11-09

The Department of Music presents a series of Public Examination Recitals by three B.Mus.Hons. candidates and a M.Mus. candidate. 
 
These exams will be presented as concerts from 13 to 15 November in the Odeion.  
 
Herewith a friendly invitation to attend the following concerts for free.
 
Monday, 13 November (19:30)
Kobie Liebenberg (B.Mus.Hons. - organ)
Programme:
Franck - Chorale No. 3 in A minor
Bruhns - Praeludium in E minor (No. 1)
Bach - Partita op “Sei gegrüsset, Jesu gütig”, BWV 768
Hindemith - Sonata No. 1 (1937)
Liszt - Prelude and Fugue on B-A-C-H
 
Tuesday, 14 November (18:00)
Mianda Erasmus (B.Mus.Hons. - flute)
Programme:
Taffanel - “Andante pastoral et Scherzettino”
Godard - “Suite de trois morceaux”
Dutilleux - Sonatine for flute and piano
Vivaldi - Concerto III “Il Gardellino”
Martinù - Sonata for flute and piano
 
Tuesday, 14 November (19:30)
Ulrich Cronjé (B.Mus.Hons. - flute)
Bach - Sonata in E minor for flute and continuo, BWV 1034
Jolivet - “Cinq Incantations” for solo flute
Mozart - Quartet in D major for flute, violin, viola and cello, K.285
Piston - Sonata for flute and piano
Morlacchi - “Il Pastore Svizzero” (The Swiss Shepherd)
 
 Wednesday, 15 November (17:00)
The last exam in the series is a concert with Tilla Henkins (M.Mus. - cello) as member of the Henkins Cilliers Trio. Admission is R40 (adults), R20 (pensioners) and R10 (students and scholars). The Trio in G minor, Op. 15 (Smetana) the Trio No. 1 in D minor, Op. 12 (Arensky) and the Trio No. 1 in F major, Op. 18 (Saint-Saëns) are on the programme.
 
Information
Ninette Pretorius at tel. 051 - 401 2504.

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