Mpho Molopyane assumed the role of Chief Economist at Alexforbes on 1 December 2023. Her responsibilities include formulating the macroeconomic strategy for Alexforbes and identifying significant economic opportunities to positively influence the business, benefit clients, and enhance investment processes. With extensive experience in macroeconomic research within the finance and public sectors, Mpho previously served as a Senior Economist at Absa, overseeing economic research for multiple African economies. Her earlier roles include serving as an economist at Rand Merchant Bank, focusing on the South African market, as well as positions at National Treasury and Standard Bank.

Gina’s economics background started at the University of Cape Town where she mastered in advanced macroeconomics and econometric modelling. Following academics, Gina started her economics career at Standard Bank, representing Macquarie Securities and Barclays Capital / Absa Capital as their respective Lead South Africa Economists over the years. Gina joined Citibank in 2012 in London as a Director, fully responsible for all South Africa economic and political research coverage. Gina recently took over the Head of Research position for South Africa. Gina is consistently top-rated in local and global analyst rankings and is passionate about mentoring young professionals and promoting gender equality.

Cas started as CEO of BUSA on 1 April 2020 after retiring as Managing Director of The Banking Association SA (BASA) after spending 15 years there. He was instrumental in positioning BASA as one of the leading business organisations in SA and positioning it as a credible voice for the banking industry.
Cas obtained his B. Com from the University College - Durban in 1971. He completed the Housing Finance Course with the Wharton Real Estate Centre at the University of Pennsylvania. He also completed the Effective Directors Programme with the Kagiso School of Leadership. He has contributed to numerous articles and publications on housing finance, civil society, local government, and the role of civic organisations in governance.

Cas became involved in anti-apartheid politics in the early 1980’s. He was very active in the civic movement, starting in Laudium, Pretoria in 1980. He was the leading force in the establishment of the White Blocks Residents Association in Laudium during 1980. This was the first organized civic body in the country and mobilized low-income people around their day-to-day issues. Cas subsequently was instrumental in the formation of the Civic Association of Johannesburg, which was the trailblazer in negotiations around the restructuring of local government in the early 1990’s. The Civic Association of Johannesburg, which included the Soweto Civic Association, Alexandra Civic Organisation, Lenasia Civic Association and others, was the central party from the Mass Democratic Movement in negotiations around the restructuring of the Johannesburg Metropolitan Council. Cas was General Secretary of the Civic Association of Johannesburg and led the negotiations. He was also instrumental in the formation of the South African National Civic Organisation and was its Vice-President. Cas played a critical role in the United Democratic Front (UDF) and was leading its Johannesburg Area Committee. He also played a critical role in the defiance campaign during the mid-1980’s.
Cas is still active in numerous business organisations and in civic life. He is the Chairperson of the National Business Initiative, on the Council of Wits University, on the board of the Centre for Development and Enterprise, amongst others.

Spector settled in Johannesburg after a career as a US diplomat in Africa and East Asia. He has taught at the U. of the Witwatersrand, has been a consultant for an international NGO, has run a famous Johannesburg theatre, and has been a commentator for South African and international print/broadcast/online media, in addition to writing for The Daily Maverick from its first date of publication. Post-retirement from the US Government, Spector has also been a Bradlow Fellow of the SA Institute of International Affairs and a Writing Fellow of the University of Johannesburg’s Institute for Advanced Studies. Only half humourously, he says he learned everything he needs to know about politics from the film, ‘Casablanca.’ Maybe he's increasingly cynical about some things, but a late Beethoven string quartet, John Coltrane’s music, and a dish of soto ayam (one of Indonesia's great culinary masterworks) will bring him close to tears.

Sam is a trained economist specialising in understanding the complexities of the South African economy. Prior to joining the EICN, Sam spent time in both the public and private sector, first as an economist within the Economic Policy division of the National Treasury, and then as a consulting economist at Econometrix, and Deloitte. During his time in private sector, Sam specialised in analysing events and government policies to dilute these into constructing business strategies. Sam also spent time in Switzerland as an economist for airline industry body IATA. Sam holds a masters degree in economics from Stellenbosch University, and has studied further at the Insitute for Social Studies in The Hague, the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and the Levy Economics Insitute of Bard College in New York State.