“Take ownership of your life and not the easy way out” – Dr Tumisang Loate-Ntsoko

A monetary policy researcher, senior lecturer, mother, wife and photography enthusiast, Dr Tumisang Loate-Ntsoko of the Department of Economics at the University of Pretoria’s (UP) Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences wears many hats. Her career pivot into academia happened by chance after she developed an interest in economics while working in the information technology sector. So, she indulged this interest by enrolling for a master’s then a PhD in Economics. Ten years later, she’s relishing her role as a researcher and nurturing future leaders as a lecturer.

Tell us about your current role at UP and the positions you held before joining the University.

I’ve been a senior lecturer in the Department of Economics since January this year. My job involves both lecturing undergraduate students and conducting research. Prior to this, I was a senior researcher for the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) Chair in Monetary Policy, based in the Department of Economics. I also worked in the private sector before joining UP, mainly in the banking sector, but in a completely different field.

What do you enjoy most about your job?            

I enjoy engaging with students, especially supervising them on research projects. As a lecturer, you’re part of cultivating the country’s human capital. When I think about delivering a course, I always ask myself how what I’m teaching is helping the students to be employable. I also enjoy the learning that comes with doing research projects and the flexibility to shape your work to some extent in terms of the projects you choose to work on. 

What sort of challenges have you encountered in your career as an academic and as a women in academia, and how did you navigate these?

The lack of structured mentorship at departmental or faculty level in terms of career progression, as well as navigating the process of publishing papers. These are still ongoing challenges, but I am fortunate to have support from my boss who provides some form of informal mentorship and who is also a sponsor. Then there are the challenges that most women face: balancing your career growth while wearing the many hats of being a wife, mother, daughter, sister, etc.

When did your journey in academia start, and what are your research interests?

My academic journey happened quite by accident. I’d started out in the information technology field and was working in the private sector. But I had an interest in economics, and I decided to pursue a master’s degree to help with the direction of my career. I was acting on advice given to me by the head of a research unit in the first company I’d worked for as a graduate. After completing my master’s, which I did part-time, I joined UP and was offered an opportunity to study towards a PhD full time by my then master’s supervisor, via the SARB Chair in Monetary Policy. It took a few months to think about it, and here I am, 10 years later at UP. My research interest started out in monetary policy in an unequal society but has recently broadened to include fiscal policy.

What are some of your accomplishments?          

In terms of my academic career, the two accomplishments that stand out are being awarded the Founder’s Medal for the best PhD study submitted at a South African university by the Central Council of the Economic Society of South Africa in 2019; and being selected to attend the seventh Lindau Meeting on Economic Sciences, which took place in 2022 in Germany. I had the opportunity to meet some of the Nobel Prize laureates in my field, such as Joseph Stiglitz and Christopher Sims. I was also selected to present my research to other economists and Nobel laureates at the meeting.

Aside from your role at UP, what other activities/roles are you involved in?

One activity I’ve been involved in is public speaking. Through a public speaking organisation, I was involved in a community outreach programme where we work with a school and present a short programme on public speaking. I had to put it on hold due to family responsibilities, but it is something I’m passionate about because I understand the value of it in terms of one’s career and confidence. I also recently started as one of the fellows for the Monetary and Fiscal Policy Research Programme for Economic Research Southern Africa (ERSA).

Any special skills or hidden talents?

Besides fulfilling my role as a mother and a wife, I also enjoy photography, especially wildlife photography. I love immersing myself in nature.

What are you most passionate about?

Personal growth or continuous learning, which is why when I was a university student, I enrolled in mentorship or public speaking programmes. I am a learner – when you stop learning, you stop growing.

What is your source of motivation?        

Definitely my parents, especially my mother. As I’ve grown older and understood the sacrifices my parents had to make to provide for us, I’ve felt a great need to continue what they started and be a role model for the younger generation. So, despite the challenges I may face, I know that I’m better equipped to deal with them.

What are your ambitions and hopes for women in South Africa?              

To sit at the table, as Sheryl Sandberg said in her book, and not let our voices be silenced. Whether it’s in boardrooms, classrooms, our homes or in parliament, we can play a huge role in shaping the future of our country.

What impact do aspire to make on society?       

I’m always inclined to work with young people, whether it is through volunteering to tutor at a school on Saturdays, or working with a home for young girls, or presenting a public speaking programme at a school. I enjoy contributing to the personal development of young people, as I too have been a beneficiary of such help.

Can you share a moment when you felt empowered as a woman?

When I was an undergraduate, I had an opportunity to attend a young women’s conference hosted by Investec. Among the guest speakers was the now CEO of Naspers South Africa, Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa. She shared her story of how she had to leave a high-paying job to start afresh as a junior in a company in the US. I was about to finish university and knew that I had made a career choice that was not aligned with my interests. Her story empowered me to eventually make a career change a few years after I’d started working.

What is the life lesson/motto that has shaped you into person that you are today?         

One of the most important lessons that I learnt early on in life was that you need to take ownership of your life and not take the easy way out. When I was in matric, I was one of a handful of learners who was doing higher-grade maths and science with limited resources. While we had some dedicated teachers, in some cases, it was mainly a case of self-study, with no resources like tutors. I was proud of what I was able to achieve, given the limited resources that I had. Despite the limitations, I matriculated top five in my school region. The constraints instilled dedication and discipline in me early on in life.