Economics lecturer, Dr Amanda Mavundla, joins the ranks of Black female academics with a PhD in the underrepresented field of economics.
Said Mavundla: “I am particularly fascinated by the process of identifying real-world problems and rigorously investigating them to develop meaningful solutions. In addition, I have a strong interest in understanding complex macroeconomic issues, especially within the South African context.”
Her study titled: ‘Policy Interactions, Coordination and Macroeconomic Stability in South Africa’, examines the interaction between monetary and fiscal policy in the country, focusing on rising public debt and persistent macroeconomic instability. It was supervised by Dr Smiso Msomi and Dr Malibongwe Nyati.
“The research explores how these policies influence each other and affect key variables such as inflation and debt. The findings indicate that the co-ordination between monetary and fiscal policy significantly shapes inflation dynamics and debt sustainability,” she said.
Pursuing a PhD has provided Mavundla with the opportunity to deepen her analytical and econometric skills while contributing research.
Said Mavundla: “Balancing my role as an academic staff member with teaching responsibilities alongside my studies meant careful planning, setting clear priorities, and maintaining a disciplined schedule. I learned to be efficient and flexible, separating tasks into manageable steps while staying committed to both my professional duties and academic goals. I am passionate about research and learning, especially economics. What keeps me going is curiosity, a love for academia, and the knowledge that my work can make a difference.”
Words: Thandiwe Jumo
Photograph: Sethu Dlamini