During the course of 2020, the NWU Business School has embarked on a brand new initiative where academics, political and business leaders, researchers and postgraduate students had the opportunity to join a virtual, online table and identified the most important economic issues in South Africa.

The NWU Business School “Think Tank” recently held its fifth successful session – to much interest from various business and political stakeholders. From a humble beginning, the Think Tank grew to a platform where it already saw more than 400 individuals participating in these sessions. According to Prof Jan van Romburgh, acting director of the NWU Business School, the Think Tank experienced personal views and suggestions from high profile individuals who took part in guest addresses and open discussions. This included the likes of:

• Prof Thuli (former Public Protector)
• Prof Job Mokgoro
• Prof Job Mokgoro (Premier of the Northwest Province),
• Dr Azar Jamine (Economist)
• Mr Theo Vorster (Investment manager),
• Mr Dawie Roodt (Economist),
• Mr Francois Strydom (CEO of Senwes),
• Mr Wandile Sihlobo (Agbiz Head Economist)
• Mr Popo Molefe (Former Premier of NW Province)
• Adv Dali Mpofu (lawyer and politician)
• Ms Pauli van Wyk (Investigative journalist)
• Prof Wiseman Nkuhlu (Chancellor of the University of Pretoria)
• Prof Raymond Parsons (Economist)
• Mr Ryk van Niekerk (Managing editor - Moneyweb)

In future, the NWU Business School will embark on more such Think Tank initiatives. “We have an obligation towards stimulating the South African economy with our wide range of expertise and by creating possible solutions. This initiative will also take the profile and reputation of the NWU Business School to the next level,” Prof van Romburgh says.