Pretoria: There is something special about life coming full circle-especially when things were not perfect at the starting line. ‘When I came to the SARB, I had a CV that was just a page [with] 1.5 [line] spacing and I think it was in Arial 12. I had not even finished my undergrad at the time because I had supplementary exams in January,’ said South African Reserve Bank (SARB) Deputy Governor, Dr. Mampho Modise.
According to South African Government News Agency, Dr. Modise recalled how receiving a call from the bank saying she provisionally got the intern position, provided that she pass her supplementary examinations, jump-started her career in 2004. ‘I’ve never studied so much in my life. I had three exams. I did not see [the] December [holidays] that year. I studied so much because I knew my life just depended on this thing,’ she said in an interview with SAnews.
‘Poverty was not an option,’ she emphasized while sitting in one of the boardrooms of the Reserve Bank building in central Pretoria. She expressed that her background motivated her to work hard and avoid becoming a ‘failed statistic.’ Her journey from those humble beginnings to holding a PhD in Economics from the University of Pretoria is a testament to her determination and resilience.
Modise’s interest in economics was sparked by a scene in the television series “Yizo Yizo,” where a character mentioned wanting to become an economist. This inspired her to pursue economics instead of nursing, and she eventually became an economist in the SARB’s Economic Research Department.
After climbing the ranks at the National Treasury, Modise was appointed as Deputy Governor with effect from 1 April 2024. She describes her past year as being full of excitement, learning, and understanding the impact of the Reserve Bank on people’s lives.
As a member of the bank’s Monetary Policy Committee, Modise prioritizes public interaction and employee engagement, aiming to increase awareness and understanding of the Reserve Bank’s role. Despite initially not getting the Director-General position at the Treasury, she embraced the opportunity to serve as Deputy Governor when it came her way.
Dr. Modise’s journey is also marked by her commitment to helping others rise. She acknowledges the support she received throughout her career and stresses the importance of moving forward with others. As she balances her professional and personal life, including training for the upcoming Cape Town Marathon, she remains dedicated to making a positive impact.
Reflecting on her role, Dr. Modise emphasizes the need for women to remain true to themselves and embrace their emotions. She encourages young people to be proud of their backgrounds and to seize opportunities to uplift others, aiming to leave a legacy of making lives better.
As Dr. Modise continues her journey, she is set to widen her circle by mentoring others and ensuring that her legacy is defined by the positive changes she brings to people’s lives.