| Our Analysts |
Whythawk has been the trusted advisor for many of South Africa's most demanding development initiatives for almost a decade. Insightful and thorough analysis; creative and comprehensive solutions to intractable development problems. All provided by individuals with a wide range of experience in both the financial and development sectors. We are dedicated to ending poverty, alleviating suffering and creating a world in which economic development enables all people. Our most recent product is that of development ratings; begun in June 2006.Gavin Chait - principle analystGavin Chait specialises in economic and enterprise development. He both creates systems for economic and business generation and then project manages these through the implementation phase. Gavin has worked with the University of Cape Town Department of Management Studies in the Faculty of Commerce to develop student entrepreneurial consulting projects. He has a close relationship with the Department of Economic Development and Tourism working on projects as diverse as tourism development and support; and the 1000 x 1000 Project in which 1 000 individuals were given the opportunity to start a business for R 1 000 each. Gavin assisted with the initial project scoping and development of his original idea for implementation at such a large scale. He further wrote the training and feedback manuals to be used in the event and project managed the event. More diverse projects include: project manager in the Western Cape of Deloitte’s small business social development project, Business Beat, from 1999 till 2005; special member of SARS commissioner Pravin Gordhan’s panel that undertook a complete review of tax policy for small businesses; work with the UCT Department of Molecular Biology to develop a new course in Industrial Microbiology as linked to enterprise development; consulting in the creation of a business plan competition for Enablis, a Canadian-sponsored international program to develop and support technology enterprises in developing countries; consulting to the Tsiba City Campus to develop the entrepreneur training programs for use in this groundbreaking university that provides a business degree for free to deserving applicants. Gavin’s qualifications include degrees in Microbiology and Biochemistry (from the University of Cape Town in 1994) and a degree in Electrical Engineering (UCT, 1998). Hermann Jeuschenak - principle analystHermann Jeuschenak specialises in valuation, modelling and ratings techniques, drawing extensively on the knowledge and experience gained in the investment banking industry. He also specialises in financial management and strategic development in the corporate sector. Hermann spent five years in the Credit Derivatives department of Credit Suisse First Boston, London, (including a brief secondment to CSFB New York in 2002) where he evaluated the pricing and valuations of complex credit derivative transactions. Added to that he developed a model for the fair pricing of the credit risk of sovereigns, various corporate sectors and individual corporate organisations and the calculation of proxy credit curves within credit ratings bands. During this time he made extensive use of the research and ratings published by Moody's Investors Service, Standard and Poor's and Fitch Ratings and, as calls for the aggregation of market information and an increase in transparency and liquidity grew, was on hand to witness and be part of the development of investor services such as Creditex and CreditTrade. Before and concurrent to the period above, Hermann spent twelve years in the small and medium enterprise sector - including the start-up of three businesses and three years as a director of a medium-sized enterprise. Hermann continues to offer specialised consulting services to companies in the fields of strategic development and planning and organisation restructuring. Hermann graduated form the University of Cape Town with a Bachelor of Business Science degree in 1995. Gerald Mashiri - analystGerald Mashiri conducts analysis and formative research in the production of individual development ratings. Gerald was born in Zimbabwe where he was involved in rural education. He is currently studying for a Bachelor of Commerce degree with a specialisation in marketing with the University of South Africa (UNISA). Norma Ndove - analystNorma Ndove conducts analysis and formative research in the production of individual ratings. Norma was born in Zimbabwe and is currently studying for a Bachelor of Law degree with the University of South Africa (UNISA). Ronnellie van Reenen - analystRonnellie van Reenen conducts analysis and formative research in the production of individual development ratings, as well is in the creation of new rating methodology. Ronnellie was born in Malmesbury, in the Western Cape. She is a recent graduate of the University of Cape Town, completing her Bachelor of Commerce in Economics and Statistics in 2006. |
