The Budget Speech Competition is a combined annual initiative by Nedbank and Old Mutual that sets out to identify and nurture exceptional talent in the next generation of economists, decision-makers and thinkers. Students from all universities across South Africa can enter by submitting an essay on a particular topic through their university convenor. The convenor for all UP entries is the Department of Economics. Generous cash prizes are also awarded to the three top essays in the postgraduate and undergraduate categories. The Minister of Finance launched the 2011 competition at a gala dinner after the Budget Speech. The questions for the 2011 competition are:

POSTGRADUATE:
Different interest groups in South Africa, from COSATU to the Manufacturing Circle, have identified the strength of the rand exchange rate as an important factor constraining export growth, the development of the manufacturing sector and job creation. Using published theoretical and empirical evidence as well as your own empirical analysis, determine whether weakening the rand exchange rate would raise economic growth sustainably.

UNDERGRADUATE:
At the ANC’’s National General Council (NGC) held in September 2010 the National Executive Committee (NEC) was requested to conduct research into the feasibility of nationalising the country’’s mining sector. Compile a well-researched essay that can form part of the national debate on this important issue, using international experience, theoretical and empirical research.

More information on the competition rules and prizes is available on the competition website: www.budgetspeechcompetition.co.za.