Dr. Weliswa Matekenya | Quantitative Social Science Research | Best Researcher Award

Nelson Mandela University | South Africa

Dr. Weliswa Matekenya is a seasoned Senior Lecturer in Economics at Nelson Mandela University (NMU), South Africa. With a profound dedication to research and academic excellence, she has established herself as a specialist in Maritime, Development, and Environmental Economics. Her scholarly contributions are evident in her extensive publication record, research consultancy experience, and active participation in national and international academic forums. Recognized as an emerging leader in economic research, Dr. Matekenya has garnered prestigious awards and research grants, reflecting her impact in shaping economic discourse in South Africa and beyond.

Professional Profile

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Education

Dr. Matekenya earned her PhD in Economics from Nelson Mandela University, where her doctoral thesis explored the macroeconomic impact of ocean economy financing in South Africa. She holds a Master’s degree in Economics from the University of Fort Hare, where she researched the effect of oil price volatility on South Africa’s economic growth. Her academic journey also includes a Bachelor of Honours in Economics and a Bachelor of Commerce in Business Management and Economics, both from the University of Fort Hare. Her educational background has laid a strong foundation for her multifaceted research and teaching interests in economics.

Professional Experience

Dr. Matekenya currently serves as a Senior Lecturer at NMU’s Department of Economics, a position she has held since 2018. In this role, she teaches undergraduate and postgraduate modules including Environmental Economics, Development Economics, Econometrics, Public Economics, and Microeconomics. She has also served in several leadership capacities, such as Acting Head of Department and Chairperson of the Departmental Research Management Committee. She coordinates PhD and Master’s programs and actively contributes to curriculum development and ethics review panels.

Before joining NMU, she worked as a Research Consultant at Masutane Research Company, where she led data-driven projects, designed research methodologies, and conducted field studies. Her previous roles include lecturing positions at Educor and the University of Fort Hare, as well as serving as a Research Assistant in the Presidency of South Africa. Across these roles, she has gained valuable expertise in academic program coordination, research supervision, and policy analysis.

Research Interests

Dr. Matekenya’s research interests lie primarily in Maritime Economics, Development Economics, and Environmental Economics. She is particularly engaged in exploring the socio-economic dimensions of port infrastructure, ocean economy financing, and sustainable development strategies in coastal regions. Her recent projects include assessing the economic impact of seaports in South African regional economies and investigating the technical efficiency of ports in the SACU region using data envelopment analysis. She also focuses on topics such as climate change, foreign direct investment, financial inclusion, and SMME innovation.

Her involvement in international collaborative projects, such as those with UNU-WIDER under the SA-TIED initiative, has allowed her to explore transnational economic themes, including the role of Special Economic Zones in regional development. Her research integrates quantitative methodologies, including cointegration analysis and regression modeling, with policy-oriented perspectives, making her work both academically rigorous and practically relevant.

Awards and Recognition

Dr. Matekenya has received several accolades that recognize her contributions to economic research and academic development. She was awarded the Emerging Researcher of the Year in 2022, affirming her position as a leading early-career researcher. She has also been a recipient of the Thuthuka Grant (2024–2026) for her project on the socio-economic impact of South African seaports. Additionally, she participated in the Black Academic Advancement Programme (BAAP) from 2020 to 2021, supporting the development of underrepresented scholars in academia.

Her active engagement in the academic community extends to international speaking engagements, such as the World Conference on Climate Change in Prague and panel discussions at the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) in India. Dr. Matekenya also serves as a peer reviewer for several journals, including the Journal of Chinese Economic and Foreign Trade Studies and the Journal of Shipping and Trade, and she holds an editorial position with the latter.

In sum, Dr. Weliswa Matekenya exemplifies scholarly leadership through her teaching, research, and engagement with economic development at local, national, and global levels. Her academic journey, underpinned by a solid educational foundation and a commitment to impactful research, positions her as an influential voice in shaping Africa’s sustainable economic future.

Publications

Impact of financing aquaculture on selected economic indicators in South Africa: cointegration approach

Authors: Weliswa Matekenya; Ronney Ncwadi
Journal: Journal of Applied Aquaculture
Year: 2024

The impact of maritime transport financing on total trade in South Africa

Authors: W. Matekenya; R. Ncwadi
Journal: Journal of Shipping and Trade
Year: 2022

Innovation as a driver of SMME performance in South Africa: a quantile regression approach

Authors: Weliswa Matekenya; Clement Moyo
Journal: African Journal of Economic and Management Studies
Year: 2022

Financial inclusion and human development: Evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa

Authors: Weliswa Matekenya; Clement Moyo; Leward Jeke
Journal: Development Southern Africa
Year: 2021

Firm and product survival analysis: Evidence from South African tax administrative and products data

Authors: Syden Mishi; Weliswa Matekenya; Leward Jeke; Ronney Ncwadi; Roseline Karambakuwa
Journal: WIDER Working Paper
Year: 2021

John Black - UNSW Sydney - Real-world Case Studies🏆

Professional profile:

Early Academic Pursuits:

Prof Dr John Black, a distinguished professional in the field of urban and regional planning, commenced their academic journey at UNSW, where they later served as the Director of the UNSW Transport Program from 1997 to 2000. Their academic contributions include significant involvement in various studies, such as the formulation of urban development prototypes for the Multi-Function Polis (MFP) in 1990 and the Commonwealth Urban and Regional Development Review.

Professional Endeavors:

Over the years, Prof Dr John Black has been engaged in numerous consultancy projects spanning a diverse range of clients and projects. Notable projects include the "Peer Review of Traffic and Urban Release Area, Maitland, NSW" for the Maitland City Council in 2011-12 and the "Capacity Building for the Indonesian Ministry of Finance on PPP and Infrastructure" for UNSW Global in 2010. The comprehensive list of clients showcases the breadth of their professional network, including government bodies, international organizations, and academic institutions.

Contributions and Research Focus:

Prof Dr John Black has made substantial contributions to the fields of urban and regional planning, transport planning, and infrastructure development. Their involvement in projects like the "Sydney Metropolitan Freight Strategy" and "Transport Impact Assessment Draft Guidelines" demonstrates a keen interest in addressing contemporary transport challenges. Their expertise is further exemplified by roles such as an Independent Reviewer and Principal Consultant in various strategic transport studies.

Accolades and Recognition:

Throughout their career, Prof Dr John Black has earned recognition for their expertise and contributions. Notable achievements include serving as a Member of the expert panel on Metropolitan Strategy Update and Integrated Transport Study by the NSW Minister for Urban Planning and Housing. This acknowledgment underscores their impact on shaping strategic urban planning initiatives.

Impact and Influence:

Prof Dr John Black's work has had a profound impact on transport planning policies and urban development strategies. Their involvement in projects like the "Development of Traffic Impact Guidelines" and "Integrated Land Use and Transport - Development of Strategy" highlights a commitment to creating sustainable and efficient urban environments. The peer reviews, expert panels, and strategic advisory roles demonstrate their influence in shaping policies at both local and international levels.

Legacy and Future Contributions:

With a career spanning from 1975 to the present, Prof Dr John Black has established a lasting legacy in the field of urban and transport planning. Their contributions, documented through numerous reports and studies, serve as valuable resources for future researchers and practitioners. As they continue to address emerging challenges in urban development and transportation, their legacy is likely to endure through the positive impact of their work on planning practices and policies.

Weliswa Matekenya | Quantitative Social Science Research | Best Researcher Award