Smangaliso Mncube (24) completed his undergraduate degree in Bcom (Economics and Banking) in 2014. While doing his degree, he was awarded a certificate of academic excellence in economics at his second year in 2013. He then pursued his career in economics with Bcom Honours (Economics) completed in 2015 with distinction. Both degrees were undertaken at the University of Zululand. He is currently doing Master’s degree in economics at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, which is driven by his strongest interest in undertaking economic research and hence contribute enormously towards solving real world challenges facing the country through application of econometric models. His research interest is on macroeconomics, international trade, public finance and time series econometrics.

He is currently working as economic specialist trainee at KZN Provincial Treasury, this has exposed him to application of economics in real life and solving socio-economic issues based on research projects. He further acquired critical skills in undertaking economic research and analysis thereof in various training undertaken in respective fields (Quantitative and Qualitative research methods) related to economic research.