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24 October 2024 | Story Anthony Mthembu | Photo Stephen Collett
Sanlam and Santam Economist of the Year’ competition
From left to right: Jaco Geldenhuys, Senior Business Manager at Sanlam; Mokai Malope, secured second place; Reatile Seekoei, winner of the 2024 Sanlam and Santam Economist of the Year competition; Tricia Khoza, secured third place; and LC Olivier, Senior Business Manager at Santam.

The inaugural ‘Sanlam and Santam Economist of the Year’ competition gala, held on 18 October 2024 at the University of the Free State (UFS) Bloemfontein Campus, has been hailed as a significant opportunity for growth. Hosted by the Department of Economics and Finance in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences (EMS), in collaboration with Sanlam and Santam, the event celebrated the exceptional talents of young economists.

The gala brought together representatives from Sanlam and Santam, faculty members, the top 10 competition finalists, and the department’s leading academic performers from each year group. Jaco Geldenhuys, Senior Business Manager at Sanlam, commended the participants for their dedication, noting: ’Today, we not only recognise your academic excellence but also the potential, positive impact you will have in the world.’’

Prof Johan Coetzee, Chairperson of the Department of Economics and Finance, echoed this sentiment, emphasising that the competition aims to equip graduates to become global citizens who can solve problems, think critically, and communicate effectively in a constantly changing world.

What transpired during the event

The top 10 finalists presented their analysis in a 6-minute presentation before a panel of economists from the department, demonstrating their understanding of the macroeconomic environment, the methods they used to predict key macroeconomic indicators, and the lessons they gained from the process. After these presentations, the top three finalists were chosen and were required to respond to questions from the panel, determining the overall winner.

The top three included Tricia Khoza, who secured third place, Mokai Malope, who earned second place; and Reatile Seekoei, who was named the 2024 ‘Sanlam and Santam Economist of the Year.

All three finalists expressed their gratitude for the opportunity. Seekoei shared: “Competitions like this are invaluable because they prepare us for the working world. We have gained several graduate attributes we were introduced to at the start of our academic journey.’’

In addition to recognising the top three finalists, the department also awarded certificates to its top academic achievers, ranging from first-year undergraduate students to master's candidates.

Paving the way for the future

For many of the participants, the competition provided an invaluable glimpse into the professional world, offering them a chance to apply their classroom learning to real-world economic challenges. Geldenhuys encouraged the young economists to use their knowledge to challenge inequality, promote fairness, and drive innovation and sustainable growth.

News Archive

Kovsiesport - Results
2009-03-09

 
Varsity Cup: Shimlas (39) vs Tuks (22) - 2 March 2009
Photo: Hannes Pieterse

1.  Krieket:
   
     UV 1 vs Polisie 2

     UV 1 maak 216/8 en Polisie 2   87/10

     UV wen met 129 lopies

     Peshawars vs Rocklands

     Rocklands   65/10  en Peshawars kry 67/1

     Peshawars wen met 9 paaltjies

2.  Hokkie

     Wedstryde gespeel op Saterdag – 28/02/09

     Kovsie mans vs Tuks
     Verloor 0 – 3

     Kovsies dames vs Tuks
     Verloor 4 – 0

3.  Rugby

     Wedstryde gespeel op 02/03/09

     Shimlas vs Pukke
     Wen 39 – 22

     Armentum vs Amajuba (Maties)
     Wen 61 – 19

4.  Atletiek

     2 S.A Atlete het deelgeneem aan die Southern Region Cross Country
     Championships in Mauritius op 28/02/09 naamlik:

  1. Windy Jonas in die Mans 8km (Tyd – 25:35)
  2. Boy Soke in die Seniors 12km (Tyd – 35:52)

4.  Tennis

     Het proewe gehad oor die naweek en die volgende spelers is in die onderskeie spanne
     opgeneem.

Mans:                                                                 Dames:
                 
1.  Reon Henning                                        1.  Elrien de Villiers
2.  Duke Munro                                          2.  Rensia Henning       
3.  Willem Vorster                                      3.  Christine Keyser
4.  Robert Kot                                            4.  Nicola Dormehl
5.  Willem Steenkamp                                 5.  Jeanne Du Plessis
6.  HB Steyn                                              6.  Elizna Barnard
7.  Wynand Schoeman                                7.  Marna Louw
8.  De Villiers Koster                                  8.  Belinda Strydom
9.  PW Holtzhausen                                    9.  Jolene Botha
10.Divan Olivier                                         10.Sumandi Nel
11.Hendri Steyn                                         11.Bernadette du Toit
12.Ruan Olivier                                          12.PETRO TAUTE
13.Renier Van Vreden                                13.Nicolene Gordon
14.Deon Stander                                        14.Lianie Oberholster
15.Pieter Burger                                         15.Melanie Patrick
16.Willie Harber                                         16.Elria Munro
17.Conrad Dormehl                                    17.Sunelle Van Vuuren
18.Gideon Roux                                         18.Some Olivier
19.Andries Swart                                       19.Lize Venter
20.Schoeman Serfontein    
21.Marthinus Ras
22.Lyndon V/D Haer
23.Johan Scherrer
24.Phillip Smit
25.Adriaan Oosthuizen
26.Gerhard Olivier
27.Wessel Wessels
28.Pieter Van Rooyen
29.Pierre Lombaard
30.Alex Marais
31.Jacques Krause

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