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Avuyile Xabadiya

  • Current Role: Chief Economist, Department of Mineral Resources and Energy
  • Location: South Africa
  • Origin: Eastern Cape, South Africa
  • Scholarship: Chinese Government Scholarship
  • Education: 2016-2019 | Master of Commerce in Economics and Agriculture (Cum Laude) | Graduate School of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing
  • Interests: Agricultural Economics, Energy Policy, Youth Development, Leadership
  • Skills & Competencies: Economics and Agricultural Policy, Academic Research and Lecturing, Organisational Leadership (Sunrise, Enactus, YCLSA, SASCO, SRC), Award-winning Academic (Eastern Cape Youth Award 2021, AEASA Best Final Year Student 2014)

I am currently the Chief Economist of the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy. I hold a Master of Commerce in Economics and Agriculture (Cum Laude) from the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China. Before that, I enrolled for a Bachelor of Sciences in Agricultural Economics and Honours in Agricultural Economics from the University of Fort Hare, graduating in record time with Cum Laude on both qualifications.

In 2021, I received an Eastern Cape Youth Award as an inspirational educated young person in my province (Education Category). In 2014, I was recognised as the Best Final Year Student in my undergraduate studies by the University of Fort Hare and subsequently achieved the same feat at national level where the Agricultural Economics Association of South Africa (AEASA) gave me a certificate of recognition for being the best final year student.

My academic excellence landed me a lecturer position at age 24 at Walter Sisulu University (Queenstown Campus). I also led several organisations such as Sunrise, Enactus, YCLSA, and SASCO, which led to me being elected as an SRC member at the University of Fort Hare.