A passion for numbers
An economist speaks to Careers about the wonders of working with numbers and how one needs to stay up to date with the happenings around the world.
Tunohole Mungoba
Indileni Nanghonga’s role as an economist is to apply economic theories and knowledge to provide advice to the private sector and government institutions regarding the outlook for the macroeconomic environment. “This is done by analysing data and statistics and using economic relationships to uncover trends. To do the analysis one needs to carry out a considerable amount of research and collect large amounts of information,” says Nanghonga, a qualified economist.
“Numbers do not lie and if you want to proof anything, use numbers. I have always had a love for numbers and facts and economics allows you to make decisions aided with mathematics and statistics,” she adds. Nanghonga’s highlights of her job are that she gets to meet and rub shoulders with the who's who in Namibia. “You get to attend conferences and budget breakfasts and meet the powers that be. Most importantly, the job gives you great networking opportunities and the ability to express your views on the economy,” she explains. With every success story there is a price to pay, a price of sacrifice and self-denial.
An economist’s average day is about reading, collecting relevant data and speaking to other experts in different markets in Namibia and outside Namibia on trends and views. This involves circulating relevant information and formulating daily, weekly, monthly or quarterly views on the Macro-Micro economies is one of the daily tasks for Nanghonga.
“Although they are lowlights that include long working hours at times, continuous innovation in expressing your views and being open to contrarian views from the society, I am truly passionate about what I do,” she says.
According to Nanghonga, talent alone is not enough and the ability alone is not enough as well. “A qualification alone is not enough either. You need to love it and you need to be able to work with people and have a degree of patience. You need to be a book worm and you need to make sure you read, read and read some more,” she warns. She also added that economists do not go on holiday as they are required to work on weekends to monitor markets, stock and currency movements.
Indileni Nanghonga’s role as an economist is to apply economic theories and knowledge to provide advice to the private sector and government institutions regarding the outlook for the macroeconomic environment. “This is done by analysing data and statistics and using economic relationships to uncover trends. To do the analysis one needs to carry out a considerable amount of research and collect large amounts of information,” says Nanghonga, a qualified economist.
“Numbers do not lie and if you want to proof anything, use numbers. I have always had a love for numbers and facts and economics allows you to make decisions aided with mathematics and statistics,” she adds. Nanghonga’s highlights of her job are that she gets to meet and rub shoulders with the who's who in Namibia. “You get to attend conferences and budget breakfasts and meet the powers that be. Most importantly, the job gives you great networking opportunities and the ability to express your views on the economy,” she explains. With every success story there is a price to pay, a price of sacrifice and self-denial.
An economist’s average day is about reading, collecting relevant data and speaking to other experts in different markets in Namibia and outside Namibia on trends and views. This involves circulating relevant information and formulating daily, weekly, monthly or quarterly views on the Macro-Micro economies is one of the daily tasks for Nanghonga.
“Although they are lowlights that include long working hours at times, continuous innovation in expressing your views and being open to contrarian views from the society, I am truly passionate about what I do,” she says.
According to Nanghonga, talent alone is not enough and the ability alone is not enough as well. “A qualification alone is not enough either. You need to love it and you need to be able to work with people and have a degree of patience. You need to be a book worm and you need to make sure you read, read and read some more,” she warns. She also added that economists do not go on holiday as they are required to work on weekends to monitor markets, stock and currency movements.
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