Founding Director and CEO

Dr. Eddie Mahembe

Dr. Eddie holds a Doctorate Degree (PhD) in (Development) Economics and Master of Commerce (MCom) in Economics, both from the University of South Africa (Unisa), a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) Honours in Econometrics from the University of Pretoria (UP), Bachelor of Science (BSc) Honours Degree in Economics from the University of Zimbabwe(UZ), a Certificate in Banking from the Institute of Bankers of Zimbabwe (IOBZ) and many other diplomas and certificates in various fields.

Dr. Eddie is an active member of the following professional bodies: The Institute of Directors in Southern Africa (IoDSA), Econometric Society (International), South African Monitoring and Evaluation Association (SAMEA), Economic Society of South Africa (ESSA), and Zimbabwe Economic Society (ZES).

Dr. Eddie has accumulated over twenty (20) years of experience in banking, development consulting, academics, and socio-economic research and surveys. His professional career started in 2001 when he was appointed as an economist in the Ministry of Finance (Zimbabwe). He also worked at Turnaround Partners Pty Ltd; business development and consultancy firm as Project Manager/Economic Analyst. He had a stint as an Associate Consultant for Procurement Dynamics Pty Ltd (PD Consulting) where he worked as a Project Manager since 2009.

His main research areas are Evaluation of Educational/Learnership Programmes, Policy Impact Assessment Studies; Socio-Economic Research and Surveys; Programme Monitoring and Evaluations (M&E), Economic Impact & Econometric Analysis, Feasibility Studies, SMME Development, Business Diagnostics, and Turnaround Management. Dr. Eddie has excellent knowledge of the following statistical and econometric packages: CSPro, SPSS, SAS, Eviews and Stata. For economic impact assessments, Dr. Eddie is an expert in the use of Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA), Input-Output, and Social Accounting Matrix (SAM) modeling. He also has an excellent appreciation of the SurveyMonkey online survey software, among others.

Dr Eddie’s Personal Philosophy:
“If it can be done by another person in the same industry in China, India or America; then we can do it. The only difference is, we will do it better!”

Managing Director

Maria Mahembe

Maria is a co-founder and managing member of UCS. She also serves as Executive Director, responsible for Business Administration, Marketing and Sales.

Maria is currently finalizing her BCom Honours in Business Administration with the University of South Africa (Unisa). She holds a Bachelor of Administration degree in Business Administration from the University of South Africa (Unisa). Maria also completed an Assessor Course (Conduct Outcomes-Based Assessment) and a Facilitation Course (Facilitate using a variety of methodologies [Training of Trainer]). She is also an active member of the South African Monitoring and Evaluation Association (SAMEA).

Maria has vast experience in project management, including supervision of data collection and capturing for large scale surveys. She has excellent working experience with the following data capturing and statistical packages: CSPro, SPSS, Excel, and Access. She also has an excellent appreciation of the SurveyMonkey online survey software, among others.

Maria’s Personal Philosophy:
“Life is easy, just believe, talk it and get it!”

Project Manager

Earnest Manjengwa

Earnest holds a master’s degree in Competition and Market Regulation (MCMR) from Barcelona Graduate School of Economics (BGSE), an MSc Degree in Economics, a BSc Honours Degree in Economics, a Certificate in Research Methods, all from the University of Zimbabwe (UZ). He also holds a Certificate in Planning for Monitoring and Evaluation from the Philanthropy University. He is an active member of the Institute of Risk Management South Africa (IRMSA) and the South African Monitoring and Evaluation Association (SAMEA).

Earnest has more than 10 years cumulative work experience in economic research and surveys, data analysis, impact studies, competition and market regulation, exchange control regulation, monitoring and evaluation, wholesale and retail chain management as well as research in different sectors of the economy. Earnest started his professional career at Redstar Wholesalers where he worked as an Administration Supervisor in Zimbabwe before moving to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe as a Field Analyst. Prior to joining UCS, he worked as a Competition Analyst for the Competition and Tariff Commission (CTC) which is a product of the merger in 2001 of the former Industry and Trade Competition Commission (ITCC) and Tariff Commission (TC).

He has extensive experience in both qualitative and quantitative research methods. His main research areas include Socio-Economic Research and Surveys, Programme Monitoring and Evaluations (M&E), Policy Impact Assessment Studies, Sectoral Studies as well as Competition and Market Regulation in diverse sectors such as Mining, Wholesale and Retail, Energy, and Agriculture. He has excellent knowledge of the following statistical and econometric packages: Excel, CSPro, SPSS, SAS, Eviews, and Stata. He also has an excellent appreciation of the SurveyMonkey online survey software, among others.

Earnest’s Personal Philosophy:
“Every day is a learning day!”

Research Economist

Ranganai Muneri

Ranganai is currently studying towards a Ph.D. in Economics with the University of North West. He holds an MSc in Economics and a BSc Honours Degree in Economics, both from the University of Zimbabwe. Ranganai also holds a Certificate in Planning for Monitoring and Evaluation from the University of Zimbabwe and is an active member of the South African Monitoring and Evaluation Association (SAMEA)and the Institute of Risk Management South Africa (IRMSA).

Ranganai has worked for the University of Zimbabwe as an assistant Lecturer and for Afro-Mindset (Zimbabwe) as a Research Assistant. His research interests include Socio-Economic Research and Surveys, Monitoring and Evaluations, Policy and Economic Impact Studies, and Socio-Economic Impact. He has excellent knowledge of the following statistical and econometric packages: Excel, CSPro, SPSS, SAS, Eviews, and Stata.

Ranganai’s Personal Philosophy:
“It is only after you have stepped outside your comfort zone that you begin to change faster, grow faster, and transform faster”.

Research Economist

Wonder Mahembe

Wonder holds a BCom. Honours Degree in Banking and Investment Management from the National University of Science & Technology (NUST) and postgraduate certificates in Monitoring and Evaluation and Project Management. He is an active member of the Institute of Risk Management South Africa (IRMSA) and the South African Monitoring and Evaluation Association (SAMEA).

He has previously worked for People’s Own Savings Bank (POSB) Zimbabwe and was involved in volunteering activities with Thrive Microfinance and MoB Capital Finance before joining Underhill Corporate Solutions. As part of continued professional development, Wonder was part of a team that came 2nd place during the Khulisa gLocal evaluation design competition focused on the development of new and innovative approaches in M&E.

His key focus areas include Socio-Economic Research & Surveys; Monitoring and Evaluation, as well as Policy & Economic Impact Studies. Wonder brings fresh expertise in quantitative data analysis, impact
analysis, and reports design. He has excellent knowledge of the following statistical and econometric packages: Excel, CSPro, SurveyMonkey and SPSS.

Wonder’s Personal Philosophy:
“Learning never stops, it’s an endless journey for any person. You would be surprised by how much you can learn every day from anywhere if you just care to listen. I care to listen.”

Research Associate

Sake Falatsi

Sake is currently finalizing her Master of Social Science (MsocSci) in Development Studies with the University of Pretoria (UP). She holds an Honours in Development Studies from the University of Pretoria and a BA Social Work from the National University of Lesotho.

Sake has extensive experience in both qualitative and quantitative research methods. Her research interest covers Socio-Economic Research and Surveys, and Sectoral Studies in the following sectors; Community Development, Mining, and Agriculture. She has excellent knowledge of the following statistical and econometric packages: Excel, CSPro, SurveyMonkey online survey software, and SPSS.

Sake’s Personal Philosophy:
“It’s not what happens that defines you, but what you do with what happens…”

Business Development Executive

Crispen Mahlaya

Crispen also doubles up as the Business Development Executive for Data Capture SA (a division of UCS) and a Research Assistant for UCS. He is currently pursuing a Diploma in Information & Technology with Unisa, having a complete facilitation Course (Facilitate using a variety of methodologies [Training of Trainer]).

Before joining UCS, Crispen worked as Data Capturer, Administrative Assistant, and Number Plate Embosser for a few companies. He has vast experience in Systems Development and Management; Data Collection, Capturing, and Analysis. He also has exceptional knowledge in the use of statistical packages such as CSPro, SPSS, Advanced Excel, and Access. Crispen is the resident expert in SurveyMonkey online survey software, among others.

Crispen’ Personal Philosophy:
“Always stretch and challenge yourself.”

Research Assistant

Rilitsheni Mufhadi

Rilitsheni is a Research Assistant (Data Collection Supervisor). She is currently pursuing a Business Management Diploma with Tshwane North College. She has more than 3 years’ experience as a Data Collection Supervisor. Her experience covers Data Collection, Capturing, and Analysis. She also has a working knowledge of the following statistical packages: CSPro, SurveyMonkey and SPSS, and Excel.

Rilitsheni’s Personal Philosophy:
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil 4:13).

Administrator

Sebongile Lekgothoane

Sibongile has a Grade 10 certificate and her work involves office administration and data collection & capturing. She was involved in the following projects; Socio-Economic Impact of Gambling in Gauteng Province and Socio-Economic Survey and Structural Assessment of the West Rand (Bekkersdal) Hostels.

Sebongile’s Personal Philosophy:
“Look for opportunities to leave the world a better place”