Haroon Bhorat is a Professor of Economics and Director of the Development Policy Research Unit (DPRU) at the University of Cape Town, and holder of the DST-NRF SARChI Chair in Economic Growth, Poverty, and Inequality. He completed his PhD in Economics at Stellenbosch University. His research interests cover books on labour market and poverty issues in South Africa and has published more than 150 academic journal articles, chapters in books, and working papers. He has undertaken extensive work for numerous South African government departments, most notably the South African Department of Labour, the Presidency, and the National Treasury. He has served on a number of government research advisory panels and consults regularly with international organisations such as the International Labour Organisation, the World Bank and the United Nations Development Programme. Professor Bhorat has served as economic advisor to Presidents Thabo Mbeki and Kgalema Motlanthe, formally serving on the Presidential Economic Advisory panel. He is currently an advisor to the Minister of Finance.