I graduated with a Masters degree in Economics (cum laude) from Stellenbosch University at the start of 2005 and started my career as a consulting economist in the same year. I eventually returned to university full-time to complete my PhD in Economics in 2016 at Stellenbosch University. My PhD was focused on various questions related to the financing and acceptability (ultimately quality) of healthcare services in South Africa.
The time during my PhD, as well as further time at Stellenbosch University allowed me to become integrated into national research and policy networks. I have presented my research at a number of local and international conferences, both in the economics community and in the health sector. I have a part-time position as a researcher at the Economics Department of Stellenbosch University, and spend the rest of my time working as an independent economic expert.
Most of my work falls in the broader area of development economics. Development economics is focused on the systems, incentives and processes that allow people to move out of poverty, or to prevent them from falling into poverty in the first place. Social delivery systems such as education and health play a critical role preventing movements into poverty, or assisting with the movement out of poverty. These systems facilitate economic mobility and the achievement of better later-life outcomes in the labour market.
