SARB engages UL economics students on its mandate, inflation strategy, and career opportunities
By Delsy Sekgobela |ulpublications@ul.ac.za
The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) recently visited the University of Limpopo (UL) to engage with economics students about SARB’s mandate, its inflation-targeting strategy, and career opportunities within the central bank
The session, aimed at providing career guidance, gave students in-depth knowledge about SARB’s role in driving economic stability and its broader impact on the national economy
David Fowkes, Advisor to the SARB Governors
David Fowkes, Advisor to the SARB Governors, explained the bank’s primary mission of safeguarding the value of the national currency to foster sustainable growth. He outlined the SARB’s inflation-targeting framework, which aims to maintain a 3.6% inflation rate through targeted policy measures. “A key goal of an inflation policy regime is managing inflation expectations. At the central bank, it’s essential to instil public confidence that inflation will stay within target,” Fowkes explained, underscoring SARB’s efforts to control inflation expectations.
Florence Bokaba, Senior Human Resources Business Partner at SARB
Florence Bokaba, Senior Human Resources Business Partner at SARB, highlighted the bank’s commitment to inclusive career opportunities. She emphasised that all job opportunities are advertised both internally and externally, including internships aimed at nurturing young talent. Working at SARB, she noted, is not just about career progression but about contributing to South Africa’s economic stability, with unique opportunities focused on public service, job security, and professional growth.
“As a central bank, we’re unique in our commitment to serving the public good and providing unparalleled experiences,” Bokaba shared. She encouraged students passionate about economic stability to keep an eye out for job openings at SARB and to consider a career dedicated to making a meaningful impact.
Rifumo Ndlovu, a second-level student in the School of Economics and Management expressed appreciation for SARB’s visit, noting that information on employment, academia, and the personal qualities sought by the bank is rarely available to the public. “We don’t often get this kind of information as regular citizens. The session was truly helpful- I will now start visiting the SARB website regularly to check for job opportunities,” he said.
Professor Itumeleng Mongale, Head of the Department of Economics at UL, underscored the significance of the visit: “It’s crucial that our students periodically engage with industry professionals to learn directly from them. Having SARB officials here was important for our students,” he stated.