We are very pleased to announce that Lebo Mathole has become the first person to have completed her PhD in Economics at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) within an initiative funded by the British Council under the SA-UK University Staff Doctoral Programme, that is co-ordinated by PASCAL Africa Director, Professor Marius Ventor.

It involves UJ, the University of Glasgow and the University of Zululand as partners. Her thesis is entitled 'Entrepreneurial Strategies to influence the purchase of locally produced luxury goods'.

She was supervised by Professor Michael Osborne, University of Glasgow, Chair of the PASCAL Executive Steering Committee, Professor Marinda Pretorius, University of Johannesburg and Associate Director of PASCAL Africa and Professor Nokukhanya N Jili, University of Zululand.

Dr Mathole will formally receive her award in early 2025.

Many congratulations to her.