Stellenbosch University
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Prof Johan Fourie gives his inaugural lecture
Author: Ronél Beukes
Published: 19/05/2022

​Prof Johan Fourie of the Department of Economics delivered his inaugural lecture entitled South Africa's Long Walk to Economic Freedom: A Personal Journey on 17 May 2022.

Prof Fourie, who teaches economic history to undergraduate and graduate students, said the following about his lecture, “Through the history of my family, the Fouries, I told a story of South Africa's economic development. From the arrival of Huguenot refugee Louis Fourie at the southern tip of Africa 333 years ago to the birth of my son Dawid Fourie in 2021, the Fouries shaped and were shaped by the economic, political and social changes of a country that took many wrong turns but, as I hoped to show, also moved forward. Despite the gloomy outlook today, it is worth remembering that we live better lives than our ancestors could ever have imagined. But more work lies ahead to ensure that prosperity is shared by all."

  • To watch the inaugural lecture, click here.

  • Photos by Anton Jordaan. Main photo: F.l.t.r. are Professors Stan du Plessis (COO of Stellenbosch University); Ingrid Woolard (Dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences; Johan Fourie; Ada Jansen (Chair of the Department of Economics); and Emeritus Professor in Economics and Research Associate Estian Calitz (also a former Dean and former Executive Director: Finance at SU).​
    Small photo: Prof Johan Fourie and the Chair of the Department of Economics, Prof Ada Jansen.
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