South African business leaders, economists and editors are mourning the loss of “the people’s economist”, Mike Schüssler, who died on Tuesday morning after a brief battle with cancer in recent weeks.
Schüssler, one of the country’s foremost economists and owner and CEO of economists.co.za, who was often cited in the media and academic articles, had a career that spanned more than two decades.
His wife Greta broke the sad news privately to Schüssler friends, business associates and journalists, and she shared a moving post on Facebook:
“I am absolutely heartbroken this morning. My dearest, kindest and most wonderful husband Mike Schüssler passed away this morning after a very short battle with cancer. I have lost the love of my life, and South Africa has lost a giant. RIP my dearest babe. I love you more than words can say,” she wrote.
Economist and friend Dawie Roodt said his death was a “huge loss” to the country and he would remember the many wonderful times he had shared with him.
“I have known Mike forever, for many years. We have had wonderful times together as young economists, and we had so many debates and arguments about economics and many disagreements, but always in a friendly way, depending what time it was,” he said.
“His views and issues were left-wing, and I would call him a ‘pink economist’ because of that, and he would call me an ‘inflation Nazi’. We were a small group of economists in South Africa and he succeeded in making a business out of it,” Roodt said.
“He was an original mind who could put together indices that nobody would think of. We would share secrets. One thing people don’t know about Mike is he had an immense knowledge about music, and he is a guy who should rightly be called ‘The People’s Economist’. This is a huge loss for the country.”
PwC economist Christie Viljoen said Schüssler had made economics accessible to people.
“Mike was always able to find unique data to help him tell the economic narrative. His analytical work helped people understand the economy beyond the headline data. And this often showed uncomfortable realities about the economy - facts that had to be revealed,” Viljoen said.
Road Freight Association CEO Gavin Kelly said it was “with great sadness” that the organisation had learned of his death.
“Mike was the economist at the RFA and was responsible for many crisp, direct and factual economic analyses over the years. He also developed and provided the industry with the Road Freight Indices. Our sincere condolences go to Greta and his family. A great stalwart of the industry has fallen. We will miss you Mike,” Kelly said.
National Employers’ Association of South Africa (Neasa) CEO Gerhard Papenfus said the country was “poorer” for the loss.
“He was such a gentleman. He was always ready to talk to me when I called on him for economic advice or his opinion on macroeconomic issues. I'll miss him very much.”
Freight News editor Eugene Goddard described him as humble and accessible, despite his mental prowess.
“Mike was a real mensch, a big lug of a bloke who could take brainy stuff and break it down for journalists no matter who you were, junior or senior, reporting for the local rag or the country’s biggest Sunday paper,” Goddard said.
“Affable and approachable, he wasn’t just a source but a well-read go-to guy whose knowledge and expertise never went to his head. Talking to him about things like the economy and logistics, especially where the two intersected, was like having a hearty chat with a friend at the local watering hole. He will be sorely missed.”
Freight News features editor Liesl Venter said Schüssler always had time to chat, have a drink, share insights and explain complex issues.
“He was a generous man, not just with his time, but with his knowledge. His insights made sense to ordinary folk who knew nothing of economics. Right now, I can’t imagine being a reporter without being able to call on Mike. He was kind and patient. A generous man with a big, big heart. May he rest in peace.”
Schüssler held a master’s degree in economics from the University of Johannesburg and was a successful entrepreneur who ran his own economist advisory business. He won the South African Economist of the Year award twice, and was also recognised as the Small Business and Member of the Year by the Johannesburg Chamber of Business.
