The Founders’ Medal was instituted as a joint award to commemorate the work of the late Professors HES Freemantle, RA Lehfeldt and Mr. CW Pearsall, through whose efforts the Economic Society of South Africa was founded in 1925. 

The purpose of the award is to encourage research in the field of economics in South Africa and to recognise economic research of outstanding quality conducted at a South African university.

An adjudicating panel is appointed annually by the Central Council of the Society.  The panel’s recommendation will be submitted to the Central Council, which will make the award. 

The medal is awarded annually to the candidate whose dissertation is submitted for a doctors degree at a South Africa university.

The thesis should contribute significantly to and provide evidence of original economic research. The field is not restricted to a single narrow field within economics. Econometrics and economic history are also taken into consideration.

The candidate’s promoter should submit a formal recommendation why the dissertation should qualify for the award.

If no dissertation of sufficient merit is submitted, no award shall be made for that year;

If two or more theses of sufficient merit, and equally deserving of an award, are submitted in any one year, the Central Council may, at its discretion, make arrangements appropriate to the circumstances;

An occupant of a chair in economics shall not qualify for the award.

If, in the opinion of Central Council, it is desirable that a prize-winning thesis should be published, either as a whole or in part, and subject to funds being available, the Council may give sympathetic consideration to assisting its publication. If a prize-winning thesis is published, there should be a reference to the award of the Founders’ Medal of the Society.

The 9ct gold plated medal is awarded annually.

The medal cannot be awarded to the same person twice.

Every thesis submitted must be written in English or Afrikaans.  If originally written in any other language it must be translated into one of these languages before submission.

Two copies of the thesis are required. Copies will remain the property of the adjudicators.

Address for entries:        The Honorary Secretary
Economic Society of South Africa
PO Box 73354
Lynnwood Ridge
0040
South Africa

E-mail:                          saje@up.ac.za

Closing date:                 31 March

Previous entries and winners

2004

·         Daniela Maria Casale. The rise in female labour force participation in Couth Africa: An analysis of household survey data, 1995 - 2001. University of KwaZulu-Natal.

·         Stanislaus Alexander du Plessis. An institutional assessment of inflation targeting as a framework for monetary policy. University of Stellenbosch

·         Elna Moolman. An asymmetric model of the South African stock market. University of Pretoria

·         Theuns de Wet. The effect of a tax on coal in South Africa: a CGE analysis. University of Pretoria

·         Logan J. Rangasamy. The impact of tariff liberalisation on the competitiveness of the South African manufacturing sector during the 1990s. University of Pretoria

·         Lawrence Edwards. Trade liberalisation, structural change and occupational employment in SA. University of Cape Town

Winner:  Lawrence Edwards and Daniela Maria Casale

2003

·         Andrea Saayman. Securitisation as a Liquidity Source for Small Banks in South Africa.

·         Jesse Ada de Beer. The Impact of the Proposed New Capital Adequacy Framework on Credit Risk Management Practices of South African Banks.

·         John Slater Hart. Terence Hutchison’s 1938 Contribution to Economic Methodology

Winner:  John Slater Hart

2002

·         Brown, K.V.  The Economics of Crime Prevention Policy with Particular reference to various  crime categories in South Africa. University of Cape Town

·         Burger, P.  Fiscal sustainability, economic instability and the solvency of non-governmental agents. University of the Free State

Winner:  P Burger

2001

• Booysen, Frederik le Roux.  The Measurement of economic development - Alternative composite indices.
• Brink, Nicola.  The integration of Southern Africa into global financial markets.
• Cassim, Rahad.  The determinants of intra-regional trade in Southern Africa.
• De Wit, Martinus Petrus.  Economic Policy making for complex and dynamic environmental problems:  a conceptual framework.

Winner:  Dr Frederik le Roux Booysen

2000

• Bauknecht, Klaus Dieter.  A macroeconomic policy model of the South African economy based on weak rational expectations with an application to monetary policy.  Supervisor:  Prof BW Smit.  University of Stellenbosch.
• Du Toit, Charlotte Barbara.  A supply-side model of the South African Economy:  Critical policy implications Supervisor:  Prof J H Van Heerden.  University of Pretoria.
• Koekemoer, Renee.  Private consumption expenditure in South Africa:  the role of expectations and learning.  Supervisor:  Prof JH Van Heerden.  University of Pretoria.
• Stuart, Richard Douglas Ferrer.  Risk preferences and soil conservation decisions of South African commercial Sugarcane Farmers.  Supervisor:  Prof WL Niewoudt.  University of Natal.
• Van Eeghen, P. H.  Macroecomomics without laws: Methodological and theoretical aspects.  Supervisor:  Prof C Torr.  University of South Africa.

Winner:  Charlotte Barbara Du Toit

1999

• Brink, S.  The Economics of Exchange Rates:  A South African Model, University of Pretoria.
• Van Rensburg, P.  Economic Forces and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange , University of Natal.

Winner:  P Van Rensburg

1998

• McIntyre, D.  Health Care Financing and Expenditure in South Africa:  Towards Equity and Efficiency in Policy Making, University of Cape Town. 
• Saville, AD.  A Computable Dynamic Bioeconomic Model of the Optimal Utilisation and Management of South Africa’s Renewable Marine Resources:  A Case Study of the Hake Fishery’, University of Natal. 

 Winner: A D Saville

1997

• Moore, GM.  Tenure Security and Productivity in the Zimbabwean Small Farm Sector:  Implications for SA, University of Natal. 
• Smith, A.  Towards Untangling the Concentration-profits Relationship in South Africa: A Conceptual, Methodological and Empirical Analysis, UOVS. 
• Thomson, D.  A Study of Land Rental Markets and Institutions in Communal Areas of Rural Kwazulu-Natal, University of Natal. 
• Van Horen, C.  The Cost of Power: Externalities in South Africa’s Energy Sector, University of Cape Town. 

 Winner: A Smith

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Last updated on 2 January 2007