Earnest Manjengwa | Sustainability Strategies | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Earnest Manjengwa | Sustainability Strategies | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Earnest Manjengwa, Ndlovu Care Group, South Africa.

Dr. Earnest Manjengwa is a Research Economist and Monitoring & Evaluation expert whose work lies at the intersection of sustainability, economic transformation, and development policy. Based in South Africa with educational and professional roots across Zimbabwe and Europe, he holds a PhD in Economics from North-West University, South Africa. His multidisciplinary experience spans public health policy, competition regulation, ESG analysis, and socio-economic evaluation. He has worked with major institutions such as Ndlovu Care Group, University of Pretoria, and Underhill Corporate Solutions, and consulted for regional organizations including COMESA and SAMEA. Known for translating data into actionable insights, Dr. Manjengwa plays a critical role in policy evaluation and stakeholder engagement across southern Africa. A published scholar and frequent conference presenter, he is committed to fostering inclusive development, evidence-based policymaking, and economic justice. His work reflects a deep passion for building resilient communities and advancing public value through rigorous research.

🧑‍🔬Profile

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📘 Education 🎓

Dr. Manjengwa’s academic background is a robust blend of economics and applied analysis. He earned his PhD in Economics (2021–2024) from North-West University, South Africa, with research on ESG performance and BRICS economic growth. Prior to that, he completed a Master’s in Specialized Economic Analysis at the Barcelona School of Economics (2015–2016), broadening his understanding of European and global policy contexts. He holds an MSc in Economics (2012–2014) and a BSc (Hons) in Economics (2003–2006) from the University of Zimbabwe. Additionally, he has certifications in Research Ethics, Monitoring & Evaluation, and Research Methods. His educational journey reflects both theoretical and applied excellence, equipping him with a strong foundation in econometrics, policy assessment, and economic regulation. These qualifications have empowered him to take on diverse research and consultancy roles across southern Africa, blending academic rigour with hands-on implementation for sustainable economic development.

💼 Experience 🔍

Dr. Manjengwa’s experience demonstrates exceptional depth in economics, evaluation, and public policy. He currently serves as Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting Manager at Ndlovu Care Group, overseeing data systems and program performance. As a part-time lecturer at the University of Pretoria, he contributes to postgraduate training in public health. He previously led COVID-19 response evaluations and managed development programs for GIZ, SAMEA, and FPD. Earlier, he was a Senior Researcher at Underhill Corporate Solutions, spearheading multi-million-rand projects on gambling, skills development, and consumer credit policy. His background also includes roles with the Competition and Tariff Commission and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, where he worked on anti-trust enforcement, market regulation, and exchange controls. With over a decade of multi-sectoral exposure, his career embodies the fusion of economics, impact assessment, and strategic implementation. His dynamic leadership and analytical acumen have directly contributed to improved governance and accountability in both public and private domains.

🌱 Research Interests 🔬

Dr. Manjengwa’s research interests reflect a forward-looking commitment to inclusive and sustainable development. He is particularly invested in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) frameworks and their intersection with economic growth, especially in emerging markets like BRICS. His scholarly pursuits also encompass competition law enforcement, regulatory economics, and public health program evaluation. He has a strong focus on socio-economic policy, with expertise in analyzing market dynamics, assessing developmental impacts of regulation, and designing monitoring and evaluation frameworks. A consistent advocate for data-driven decision-making, he is passionate about how empirical research can inform better policy outcomes in areas such as sustainability transitions, equity, and climate resilience. His multidisciplinary lens helps bridge theory and practice across development sectors. Whether investigating merger impacts, evaluating education systems, or advocating for consumer protection, his work underpins a mission to foster accountability, inclusion, and long-term economic resilience.

🏆 Awards and Achievements 🎖️

Dr. Manjengwa’s career is marked by a series of impactful recognitions that highlight his exceptional contribution to research and project execution. He was honored with three major internal awards at Underhill Corporate Solutions: Project Manager of the Year 2019, Buddie of the Year 2019, and Employee of the Year 2018. These accolades reflect not only technical proficiency but also his ability to inspire collaboration, drive results, and build trust among multidisciplinary teams. His academic achievements include top-tier research outputs published in journals such as Sustainability and Asian Economic Review, and he is a frequent contributor to regional policy discourse. His leadership in public health program evaluation and economic analysis continues to earn the respect of institutions like SAMEA and GIZ. Through his academic, professional, and consulting roles, Dr. Manjengwa has built a reputation as a reliable, results-driven economist dedicated to making a tangible impact in policy, regulation, and community development.

Publication Top Notes

ESG Performance and Economic Growth in BRICS Countries: A Dynamic ARDL Panel Approach

Towards a Tracking System to Enforce Competition Law in the Southern and East African Region

Assessing Agriculture and Food Markets in Eastern and Southern Africa: An Agenda for Competition Enforcement

Mergers and Acquisitions and Firm Performance in Zimbabwe

Saul Nurick | Sustainability Strategies | Best Paper Award

Dr. Saul Nurick | Sustainability Strategies | Best Paper Award

Dr. Saul Nurick, Dept of Construction Economics and Management, University of Cape Town, South Africa.

Dr. Saul David Nurick is a dual-national (South African & Spanish) academic and senior lecturer at the University of Cape Town’s Department of Construction Economics and Management. A multifaceted professional, he holds degrees in Information Systems, Property Studies, and Construction Economics, and earned his PhD in Psychology in 2023. His work resides at the intersection of built environment and human performance, blending technology, sustainability, and behavioural science. Fluent in English with intermediate Spanish, Saul’s diverse cultural and disciplinary background allows him to thrive in global academic and professional contexts.

Profile 👤

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Education 🎓

Dr. Saul’s academic journey began with a BCom in Information Systems (2004), followed by an honours BSc in Property Studies (2006), and a MPhil in Construction Economics and Management (2012), all from Cape Town. He capped his formal education by completing a PhD in Psychology (2023) at the University of the Witwatersrand, under Professor Andrew Thatcher. His doctoral research—“Impact of Green Building Features and Initiatives on Individual Productivity and Organisational Performance in Office Buildings”—bridges psychology and built environment studies.

Experience 💼

Since 2012, Dr. Saul has lectured extensively at UCT, becoming a permanent staff lecturer in 2014 and senior lecturer in 2018. He convened over a dozen undergraduate and postgraduate courses ranging from property investment mathematics to Masters- and PhD-level research supervision. He’s also served as external examiner at several institutions, including WITS and Henley Business School. Further, he’s a registered MRICS professional member since 2014. This blend of teaching, academic administration, industry affiliation, and rigorous supervision ensures Saul’s work remains both applied and scholarly.

Research Interests 🔍

Dr Nurick’s research focuses on the impacts of green building design on human productivity and organizational outcomes. He investigates how sustainable infrastructure and information systems in office environments affect occupant performance, well‑being, and corporate value. His interests also include property finance, construction economics, and the behavioral dimensions of property information systems. By fusing psychology with built environment disciplines, Dr. Saul contributes to interdisciplinary sustainability discourse and evidence‑driven strategies for healthier workplaces.

Awards 🏅

Dr. Saul is a qualified Professional Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS) since August 2014. While specific personal awards weren’t listed, many of his supervised postgraduate theses were finalists or winners in the Greenovate student awards: e.g., Oratile Masia & Mihlali Solombela (3rd place Greenovate, 2024), Paige Waberski & Kiah Wallace (3rd place, 2024), Isobella van der Merwe & Aiden van Wyk (winner, 2023), Realeboga Lekoma & Tshifhiwa Mudau (finalists, 2023). This consistent record attests to Saul’s mentorship excellence.

Publication Top Notes 📚

An Investigation into the Benefits of EDGE Residential Estates in terms of Real-World Savings

Investigating the Drivers and Barriers to Implementing Green Building Features and Initiatives (GBFIs) in South Africa’s Private Housing Sector

An Investigation into the Benefits of EDGE Residential Estates in terms of Real-World Savings

Examining the impact of indoor environmental quality on individual productivity of knowledge workers in green certified buildings

Enhanced Indoor Environmental Quality and the Link to Individual Productivity and Organisational Performance: A Scoping Review