He lost his parents, moved between orphanages and eventually was left with no place to call home. The odds were stacked against him, but destiny had far greater plans for Dr Declek Magubane.
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (22 September 2025) – If the idiomatic expression “defying the odds” could be personified, it would have the face and name of Declek Khwazi Magubane.
Born in KwaMpumuza and raised in Hanniville in the Mgungundlovu District, Magubane’s early years were marked by loss and hardship.
After the passing of his legal guardians, he moved between orphanages before eventually finding himself living on the streets of Pietermaritzburg’s CBD.
But that wasn’t the end of Magubane’s story. In 2007, he found himself welcomed into the home of Zoleka Ngcobo and Mr Bee Ngcobo. When he needed someone to believe in him, they became that for Magubane and remain his loving parents today.
It was through becoming a part of this spiritual family that Magubane gave his life to Christ, went back to school and never looked back.
“Since then, my life has been marked by resilience, purpose, and passion,” he tells the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Last week, Magubane, a young man who once longed for belonging and a second chance, became a proud doctoral graduate, receiving his PhD for his research, which investigated whether the world’s largest economies should coordinate macroprudential policies or act individually. This is work he is determined doesn’t gather dust on a shelf.
“My plans begin with sharing my findings at conferences and creating opportunities for dialogue with scholars, policymakers, and practitioners. I also want to continue publishing, both to contribute to academic debates and to address new research questions that emerged from my study,” he said.
Talk about a man who not only defied odds and a very unkind beginning, but is going on to influence global financial systems.
Congratulations to you, Dr Magubane!
Sources: UKZN ‘s College of Law and Management Studies
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