In this episode of The Shapers Podcast, host Benjamin Shaw sits down with Ronak Gopaldas, a political economist, writer and Africa specialist. Ronak’s career spans across multiple sectors, including his role as Director at Signal Risk, Fellow at GIBS and co-founder of Mindflux Training. He shares insights into his journey from aspiring journalist to a leader in risk analysis, having served as Head of Country Risk at Rand Merchant Bank.
The conversation dives into his passion for geopolitics, economics and how Africa fits into the global landscape. Ronak recounts his early love for current affairs, sparked by childhood quizzes with his father and his “accidental” and successful transition into the world of banking and risk management.
He also discusses his perspective on Africa’s development, how hard work, sponsorship and a bit of luck paved his path and why he describes his mission as “explaining Africa to the world and the world to Africa.”
This episode is a must-listen for those interested in African politics, business and global trends.
Shownotes:
Professional Career:
1. Signal Risk, Director (Business Development): Apr 2018 – Present
2. Nanyang Technological University, Research Fellow, NTU-SBF Centre for African Studies: Jun 2019 – Present
3. GIBS Business School (Gordon Institute of Business Science), Part-time Faculty and Fellow at The Centre for African Management and Markets: Sep 2018 – Present
4. ALU School of Business, Part-time Faculty Mar 2022 – Present
5. Mindflux Training Ltd., Co-Founder/Strategist: Jan 2020 – Present
6. ENACT (implemented by the Institute for Security Studies) Advisory Board Member: Nov 2017 – Present
7. Archbishop Desmond Tutu African Leadership Fellow: Sep 2019 – Present
8. Global South Africans Brand Ambassador: May 2024 – Present
9. Rand Merchant Bank: 8 years, Jan 2010 – Dec 2017
Education:
· SOAS University of London: Master of Science (MSc) Finance, Economic Policy
· [The%20University%20of%20Pretoria’s%20Gordon%20Institute%20of%20Business%20Science%20(GIBS)]Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS): Nexus Leadership Programme
· University of Cape Town: B Com (Hons), Financial Analysis and Portfolio Management
· University of Cape Town: B Com, Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) with Business French
