The EDGE Institute - People

Stephen Gelb: Executive Director

The EDGE Institute’s Executive Director is an economist with more than 20 years of experience in South African economic policy issues. Stephen studied economics in Cape Town and Toronto. He was an activist in the Canadian anti-apartheid movement between 1976 and 1984. Returning to South Africa in 1984, he was an advisor to COSATU, the South African Council of Churches and the UDG on economic policy issues until 1990. Stephen then worked as an advisor to the ANC government during the early 1990’s. He has been a consultant to a number of South African government departments and agencies, including the treasury, the Department of Trade & Industry, the Office of the Deputy President and NEDLAC. He worked with the Office of the President from 1999, as leader of a major study of domestic fixed investment in South Africa, and was research coordinator in the Government’s MAP Technical Team between November 2000 and July 2001.

He has taught at various universities including York University (Toronto), The New School for Social Research (New York City), the University of Durban-Westville, KZN and currently the University of the Witwatersrand where he is visiting Professor in Development Studies. Stephen also spent more than 4 years at the Development Bank of Southern Africa. See Stephen-Gelb-papers for a list of papers written by Stephen prior to starting the Edge Institute. Contact Stephen at info@the-edge.org.za.

At present, The EDGE Institute has 4 other full-time staff members, and a number of economists and researchers who work with the Institute on a part-time contract basis.