2018 Top 35-under-35 Finalist: Lungile Ntsalaze

Lungile is an associate professor and chair of the Department of Financial Intelligence at Unisa, where he provides exemplary leadership in pursuing academic excellence and research. He obtained his PhD in Development Finance from the University of Stellenbosch, before which he had completed a master’s degree at the University of Cape Town and an accountancy degree at the now Nelson Mandela University. He has published and reviewed work in A-rated journals while pursuing his PhD studies. Within 18 months of publication, his work has already received worldwide attention and citations. His research interests include household over-indebtedness and multidimensional poverty.

Lungile is a bright, modest and well-balanced young man with clear goals. His willingness to study beyond his professional qualifications singles him out as a highly motivated person. This may not be surprising when one considers the enduring challenges he has overcome. Born into a rural family in Matatiele, he has become one of the more outstanding young professionals. He draws inspiration from the ‘stay hungry, stay foolish’ words echoed by Steve Jobs, which he has interpreted as not to overly celebrate achievements and being in a deliberate state of naivety in order to follow an open-minded approach.

Without the slightest idea of what a chartered accountant was, his career choice was influenced during a SAICA development camp in his matric year. All the hard work culminated in Lungile being the only black South African CA in academia to hold a PhD and epitomises an academic that universities desire. He aims to inspire others towards the highest achievements possible. Moreover, his career advancements occur in parallel with his commitment to helping the less privileged. He assists matriculants from rural areas to secure university admissions and bursaries and acts as a mentor to many of them.

He is also a chartered development finance analyst. Prior to joining academia, he worked at IDC and completed his training at KPMG’s Port Elizabeth office. He attributes much of his success to his spiritual, personal and professional mentors, as well as the support of his family and friends. He is married to Zuziwe, who is also a chartered accountant, and they are blessed with two kids.