- Political economy analysis
- Policy/conflict analysis
- Development economics
Thabani’s main area of work is to develop and direct policy research, including writing reports, policy briefs and think pieces. He provides tailored advice on analysing the political dimensions of development and assesses the implications of proposed government policies and regulations. He follows developments related to South Africa’s political economy, engaging in and developing activities on sectoral topics such as industrial development, labour and social welfare, public healthcare, migration and visa regime, criminal justice system, electoral system, small business development, energy, water, telecommunications and transport.
Before joining Krutham, Thabani worked as a development economist for both Urban-Econ and Trade & Industrial Policy Strategies.
He holds an MA in Development Studies (University of KwaZulu-Natal), where he majored in economics of development, environmental and development studies, poverty and inequality, social policy, comparative development problems and policies and public policy, and SA development problems and policies. He also holds a BSocSc in Geography and Environmental Management (University of KwaZulu-Natal).
Thabani has reviewed manuscripts in internationally accredited journals such as the Development Southern Africa. He has also published conference papers (GTAC’s Economies of Regions Learning Network), published a journal article on business incubation support services in South Africa (featured in Skills@Work: Theory and Practice Journal) and contributed to technical research on private climate finance in South Africa (featured in OECD Environment Working Papers).
