Vusi Gumede

Vusi Gumede is a prominent South African academic and economist currently serving as the Dean for the Faculty of Economics, Development and Business Sciences at the University of Mpumalanga.14 He holds a PhD in Economics (2003), an MCom in Economics (1999), and a Postgraduate Diploma in Policy (2009).3

Prior to his current position, which he has held since November 20202, Gumede has had an extensive career in academia and government. He has been a professor at various South African universities, including the University of South Africa and the University of Johannesburg.1 He also served as the Director at the Thabo Mbeki African Leadership Institute and held various senior government positions for eleven years before transitioning to academia.3

Gumede is widely published, with 18 books, over 50 journal articles and book chapters, and has presented 67 papers at conferences.1 He has supervised numerous Masters and Doctoral students and has been involved in various research projects both within and outside South Africa.13

His expertise has been recognized through various fellowships and appointments, including as a Distinguished Africanist Scholar at Cornell University, a World Fellow at Yale University, and a member of the Presidential Economic Advisory Council in South Africa.13 Gumede is also actively involved in several academic and policy-oriented roles, such as being the Vice-President of the South African Association of Political Studies and a member of the African Union High Level Panel on Democracy and Governance.3