Investec Investec Focus Radio SA

NOW Ep102: Education for employability

Loading player...
South Africa needs to produce 10 times more engineers to compete globally. But, in 2023, only 3% of matric students achieved a distinction in mathematics, and over 77% got less than 50%. These figures highlight a growing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) skills gap, a challenge we must address to fuel economic growth and tackle the ongoing youth unemployment crisis. In this special Youth Month edition of No Ordinary Wednesday, Jeremy Maggs speaks to Prof. Kobus Maree, a leading educational psychologist and Setlogane Manchidi, Investec’s Head of Corporate Social Investment, on the catalytic power of maths and science for economic growth and employability.

Podcast key moments:
00:00 – Introduction
01:43 - What makes gateway subjects, maths and science, foundational for young people?
05:11 - What kinds of skills – beyond content knowledge – does success in maths and science cultivate in learners?
08:37 – What is the Promaths programme? And what is driving this investment for Investec?
11:07 – Does matric pass rate reflect performance and participation in maths and science?
12:48 – How have Promaths students performed over the past 20-years?
15:07 – What is the connection between school-level success in maths and science and employability in high-growth industries?
19:31 - What are the key improvements we need to make in how we teach maths and science in our schools?
23:36 - What has Promaths taught you about equity and access?
27:08 - What message would you give to South Africa’s youth this Youth Month?

Read more on www.investec.com/now

Hosted by seasoned broadcaster, Jeremy Maggs, the No Ordinary Wednesday podcast unpacks the latest economic, business and political news in South Africa, with an all-star cast of investment and wealth managers, economists and financial planners from Investec. Listen in every second Wednesday for an in-depth look at what's moving markets, shaping the economy, and changing the game for your wallet and your business.
Chapters
  • 00:00 Introduction
  • 01:43 What makes gateway subjects, maths and science, foundational for young people?
  • 05:11 What kinds of skills – beyond content knowledge – does success in maths and science cultivate in learners?
  • 08:37 What is the Promaths programme? And what is driving this investment for Investec?
  • 11:07 Does matric pass rate reflect performance and participation in maths and science?
  • 12:48 How have Promaths students performed over the past 20-years?
  • 15:07 What is the connection between school-level success in maths and science and employability in high-growth industries?
  • 19:31 What are the key improvements we need to make in how we teach maths and science in our schools?
  • 23:36 What has Promaths taught you about equity and access?
  • 27:08 What message would you give to South Africa’s youth this Youth Month?
11 Jun 2025 English South Africa Business · Investing

Other recent episodes

No Ordinary Wednesday | The signals from oil, bonds and inflation

Oil, bond yields and inflation are sending a more cautious signal on the global outlook. Growth has held up better than expected. But energy markets remain tight, long-term borrowing costs are rising, and central banks are weighing the risk of another inflation shock. In the latest No Ordinary Wednesday, Ellie…
8 Sep 17 min

Macro Monday Ep130: Crude prices, US jobs place focus on interest rates

Crude oil prices have risen over 20% in the last month, and this problem seems unlikely to be resolved quickly: prediction markets put only a 30% likelihood of normal flows through the Strait of Hormuz by December. Chris Holdsworth, Global Chief Investment Officer, Investec Investment Management says with services inflation…
7 Sep 8 min

Macro Monday Ep129: Warsh’s hawkish speech

New Fed chief Kevin Warsh delivered a hawkish speech at the Jackson Hole symposium of central bankers on Friday, leading to a stronger US dollar and increased expectations of rate hikes this year and next year. Investec Investment Management’s Investment Strategist Osagyefo Mazwai examines what this means for the US…
31 Aug 9 min

No Ordinary Wednesday | The economics of tourism in SA

South Africa’s growth challenge is shifting from reform to delivery. Tourism is part of that test. International arrivals rose 12.3% in the first half of 2026. And phase III of the government-business Partnership now puts the sector firmly on the growth agenda, with a focus on air access, visas, safety…
25 Aug 12 min

Everything Counts | Episode 54: Protecting property wealth

Property is often seen as one of the more reliable ways to build long-term wealth. It’s tangible, familiar and, for many South Africans, an important part of their financial plan. But investing in property comes with risks that can be easy to overlook, from hidden costs and changing rental yields…
25 Aug 28 min
All episodes