30/04/2020

Dr Wise Mbewe completed his PhD in Business Management and graduated during the April 2020 graduation period.

 

Dr Wise Mbewe began his professional career as a qualified schoolteacher, but later moved into the insurance sector where he obtained various professional qualifications as well as a Master of Science Degree in Strategic Management from the University of Derby in the United Kingdom. When deciding whether to pursue a PhD or not, one has to determine what their motivation is for undertaking such a daunting task. For Dr Mbewe, an extensive 18-year career in the insurance and financial services sector saw him develop a severe curiosity into what exactly influences the financial choices that people make.

 

Dr Mbewe’s study, titled “Consumer Behaviour Regarding Stock Market Participation in South Africa”, investigated the limited stock market participation in South Africa, which has implications on the financial sustainability of consumers. Some interesting findings were made, as consumer stock market participation was found to be significantly and positively influenced by consumers’ demographic characteristics, financial literacy, financial risk tolerance, trust, and communication. Successively, stock market participation promotes client satisfaction, financial sustainability and repurchase intentions. The conclusions generated in the study subsequently led to several recommendations for policy makers and financial services providers. Moreover, light was shed on the limited stock market participation which has been found to have implications on the financial sustainability of consumers. Insights drawn from the study will contribute to the body of knowledge on consumer behaviour, economics and behavioural finance. The findings will benefit financial service providers, policy makers, and ultimately improve the financial wellbeing of South Africans.

 

Apart from conducting research for his thesis, Dr Mbewe was also working full time as a regional manager of one of the Big Five banks in South Africa. On top of that, Dr Mbewe is a family man, meaning that finding the perfect balance between work, family AND research was no easy feat. During the tougher times however, Dr Mbewe looked to his supervisors, Prof Noxolo Mazibuko (Supervisor) and Prof Chantal Rootman (Co-supervisor). He credits his supervisors for playing a vital role in his studies by not only providing guidance on his research, but also offering counselling and upliftment when quitting seemed like an easier option.

 

Through his PhD journey, Dr Mbewe truly discovered his drive to never stop learning and summarised the life lessons that he has taken away from this experience by quoting an unknown author, stating that “Patience, persistence and perspiration make an unbeatable combination for success.” For anyone that doesn’t quite believe they have what it takes to follow their dreams and achieve their truest desires – it always seems impossible until it’s done.


Contact information
Prof Noxolo Mazibuko
Emeritus Professor in Business Management
Noxolo.Mazibuko@mandela.ac.za

Prof Chantal Rootman
Professor in Business Management
Tel: 041 504 4063
Chantal.Rootman@mandela.ac.za