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16 October 2024 | Story Anthony Mthembu | Photo Supplied
Sanlam and Santam
Top 10 finalists of the Sanlam and Santam Economist of the Year competition with Dr Genius Murwirapachena (right) and Prof Johan Coetzee (left).

The Department of Economics and Finance, within the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences (EMS) at the University of the Free State (UFS), in collaboration with Sanlam and Santam, will host the inaugural ‘Sanlam & Santam Economist of the Year’ competition gala event on 18 October 2024. The event, to be held on the UFS Bloemfontein campus, marks the exciting conclusion of this prestigious competition.

About the competition

Prof Johan Coetzee, Chairperson of the Department of Economics and Finance at UFS, explained that the competition, launched in July 2024, is an initiative of the department, sponsored by Sanlam and Santam. ‘’The competition aims to equip our graduates with the essential skills required for the modern workplace, including presentation, communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills,” said Prof Coetzee. He also highlighted plans to extend the competition to schools, saying, “We are looking forward to broadening the platform to include school-level participants.”

In addition, Prof Coetzee noted that the competition is designed to train students to become highly skilled economists capable of navigating the challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).

The competition sees students - ranging from first-year undergraduates to those pursuing master's qualifications within the department - competing against each other by making predictions on key macroeconomic indicators. A schedule of these indicators is provided, and students must predict their values on an online platform before the official release of each indicator. Points are awarded based on the accuracy of their predictions, with the top 10 competitors progressing to the final stage.  

Gala event highlights

Representatives from Sanlam and Santam, the Department of Economics and Finance, the top 10 finalists, and the department’s top academic performers from each year group will attend the gala event. “Besides recognising the competition winners, we will also honour our top academic achievers. As a department, we acknowledge the importance of recognition, and we are proud to be the academic home of these outstanding students,” Prof Coetzee added.

The top 10 finalists will each deliver a six-minute presentation to a panel of four economists from the department, after which the top three finalists will be announced. These finalists will then answer an additional question, and the final judging will determine the winner of the ‘Sanlam and Santam Economist of the Year’ title. The winner will also receive the largest cash prize.  

In addition to the awards, Sivuyile Nzimeni, a data analyst within the EMS faculty and the developer of the competition platform, will address the audience.  Nzimene will discuss the development of the platform and plans for its expansion.

News Archive

Intervarsity get-together in Potch
2005-07-26

The largest and most enjoyable Kovsie get-together of all times will be held in Potchefstroom on 12 August. Kovsies from everywhere will attend the Kovsie Intervarsity Reunion in Potchefstroom so that everybody can know, once and for all, that the UFS’s Shimlas are better than the PUKKE. The reunion will be held at the Clubhouse of the Potchefstroon Town Rugby Club at Olien Park at 18:30 on Friday 12 August (and for those with real stamina the whole weekend long).

The cost of R65 per person includes a delicious barbecued meal. A cash bar will also be available. Most of the other old Kovsies you would like to see again will be there, so do not miss out on this event!
There is also a camping site for caravans and tents are available on the site for those who wish to watch sports events and visit the whole weekend long.  Please feel free to contact Anton Mostert at 082 467 1702 to reserve accommodation.

To book your place, contact Jeannette Boshoff-Jansen at 051-401-3594.

Make sure that you do not miss the Kovsie get-together of the year!!!
 

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