Dr Roelof Botha is currently Joint Managing Director of GOPA Group SA, a multi-disciplinary research company that specialises in development facilitation.
He has been an economic adviser to PriceWaterhouseCoopers for the past 17 years and is an experienced presenter & sought after consultant.
In 2005, he received the Sake-24/ABSA award for Economist of the Year, based on the accuracy of forecasts of key economic indicators.
He is a regular commentator on topical macroeconomic issues (in the national and regional media) and has authored more than 100 articles, books and research Dr Roelof Botha-Economist publications.
Dr Roelof Botha’s broad experience includes management accountant of a listed industrial company, financial editor of a daily newspaper, economic policy advisor in the Department of Finance, senior economics lecturer at the University of Pretoria & University of Johannesburg, chief economist of the South African Federated Chamber of Industries, and visiting lecturer at the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) & Tshwane University of Technology.
As a previous winner of the Finmedia Economist of the Year Award and with more than 40 years of experience, Dr Roelof Botha is exceptionally well-qualified to advise executives and managers on prospects for the South African economy, including the following:
- No recession exists yet (year-on-year basis)
- Welcome return of the primary sectors
- Global economy gaining some momentum
- Rand exchange rate remains undervalued
- Interest rates may still come down
- South Africa’s competitiveness advantages
- Reasons for a swift recovery to investment grade for all of South Africa’s bonds
His past experience as an economic policy adviser at National Treasury and regular discussions with political analysts (including his father, who served in the late Nelson Mandela’s first Cabinet) also allow him to provide sensible reflections on the policy environment, in general, and the likely implications of the imminent leadership change in Government, in particular.
For a provocative keynote that provides a balanced and authoritative perspective on South Africa’s economic and political outlook, mingled with some optimism, Dr Roelof Botha – Economist is your speaker of choice.
His father (also Roelof) was the 2nd longest-serving Minister of Foreign Affairs in the world & also served in the late Nelson Mandela’s first democratic cabinet. His eldest son (another Roelof) is a partner at Sequoia Venture Capital in Silicon Valley, where he co-founded PayPal & engineered the YouTube/Google acquisition.
Roelof obtained Honours and Master’s degrees in economics (cum laude) at the University of Pretoria, whilst the Doctorate was completed at the University of Johannesburg. He has followed a diversified career in management accounting; financial journalism; lecturing; consulting; and economic research.
Topics
Industry-specific
The diminishing role of the mining sector
Threats facing agriculture & food security
Commodity cycle downturn enters 5th year – time for an upswing?
Energy – structural shifts in supply & the demand response
The portfolio investment industry – lucrative & growing
