Qeqe who hails from Alice, Eastern Cape outsmarted other 19 students to bag a cool R160 000 in the post graduate category.
The (26) told SLM he will use this much needed funds to complete his Masters and pursue other academic studies.
Cool, shy but contend said:” Since this was my first entry for this competition I will encourage others to do likewise because this platform allows you to think hard on your toes,” commented Qeqe, who also pointed out there were challenges leading to the competition such as studying until wee hours of the morning, traveling late and sharing classes with other students.
Nothing is easy in life, one should always fight for what you believe in, and that’s what led to this triumph, a success story for young and determined students worldwide, he said.
Qeqe and other Postgraduate students had to write an essay, and the topic was: President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced a number of initiatives to stimulate economic growth – i.e the $100bn investment target, the jobs summit and the stimulus package. What do you think will be the likely outcome in terms of the stated aims of lifting growth and creating more jobs?
Corruption, mismanagement of funds and abuse of power continue to go unpunished, were his responses and said those goals cannot be achieved if those responsible are let off the hook.
On the question he posed to deputy minister of finance David Masondo on the evening (State Bank), Bekithemba – meaning have hope- said he wanted to investigate the rationale behind the thinking of the minister on the State Bank and how will it come about such as funding model, of which he was not entirely happy with the response and promised to engage Masondo further.
Upon completing my studies, would pursue Lecturing and writing Economics papers, noted Bekithemba, who believes strongly in family values- they will teach how to distinguish from right to wrong.
He has two siblings and a father. His mother passed on.
Qeqe is from the University of Fort Hare in Alice, Eastern Cape.
Congratulating the winner, Nedbank headhoncho Mike Brown said the country needs such strategic, fluid, thinking minds that could help how to increase our ailing economy.
“Young, economic leaders is what our country needs and all these students is what we need to stimulate growth,” said Brown, who also pointed the controversial Eskom load-shedding also contributes to the bad economy and less investment opportunities.
Image Supplied (Bekithemba Qeqe 2020 Nedbank/Old Mutual Budget Speech Competition winner congratulated by dep minister of finance David Masondo, Mike Brown -Nedbank CEO and acting Old Mutual CE Iain Williamson at the awards ceremony held in Cape Town).
