Clean sweep for Witsies at Budget Speech
- Wits University
Three students clinched the Postgraduate category’s top spots at the 53rd Nedbank and Old Mutual Budget Speech Competition.
Additionally, two fellow students from the School of Economics and Finance won the Undergraduate section.
The Wits winners of the Postgraduate Category are:
- Winner: Adriano Manferdini
- 1st Runner-up: Tšhegofatšo Matloga
- 2nd Runner-up: Shuaib Mahomed
The Wits winners of the Undergraduate Category are:
- Winner: Angelina Erasmus
- 1st Runner-up: Nomfundo Mfeka
This prestigious competition is the only one of its kind in the world. It offers university students a unique opportunity to engage directly with the South African Minister of Finance on the day of the Budget Speech.
The contest features two categories – undergraduate and postgraduate – where participants submit essays addressing complex and relevant topics set by Nedbank and Old Mutual.
In the 2024 competition, undergraduate students were challenged to examine the complexities of managing public debt in South Africa and other developing countries, while postgraduate students analysed the political economy of a coalition government and its implications for economic growth.
Twenty finalists – ten in each category – are selected from tertiary institutions in the country.
Wits students secured four out of the 10 positions in the Undergraduate Category:
- Amir Dildar
- Angelina Erasmus
- Audrey Manyangeni
- Nomfundo Mfeka
The University also took five out of the ten positions in the Postgraduate Category:
- Shuaib Mahomed
- Adriano Manferdini
- Mogau Marutla
- Tšhegofatšo Matloga
- Mandisa Ncoba
The competition finals took place in Cape Town during the third week of February, where finalists participated in a series of events, including rigorous panel interviews, leading up to the 2025 Budget Speech.
Due to the unexpected postponement of the Budget Speech, the announcement of the competition results was also delayed until this week.
Following the speech by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, the winners were announced at a gala dinner in Cape Town, where they were honoured by Godongwana, Old Mutual CEO Iain Williamson, Nedbank Economist Isaac Matshego, and other distinguished guests from government and the private sector.
Reflecting on this remarkable achievement and the thought-provoking questions raised by our finalists, it is evident that Wits students remain deeply committed to intellectual excellence and societal impact.
Read more: https://budgetspeechcompetition.co.za/2024-winners/