Mandisa Zavala

Wealth Management and Financial Inclusion Specialist

Meet Mandisa Zavala

Mandisa Zavala is a seasoned finance professional with a strong background in Portfolio Management and Asset allocation strategy. Having obtained an Honours degree in Economics from Rhodes University, she immediately embarked on a career in investment management. Mandisa’s industry expertise covers both single and multi management, commencing her professional journey as an investment consultant at Allan Gray. Her multi management experience began at Boutique Investment partners, where helped manage over R45bn in retail and pension fund assets. Furthermore, she held the position of co-Head of Manager Research, jointly overseeing the Manager Research capability, alongside the Chief Investment Officer (CIO).

Presently, Mandisa holds the position of Head of Asset Allocation at Alexander Forbes, where she assumes the crucial responsibility of formulating the Asset Allocation houseview for the investment division. Additionally, she serves as a valued member of the Investment Committee (IC), which oversees the management of pension fund assets exceeding R400 billion. In her role, Mandisa leads
a rigorous process that effectively translates macroeconomic analysis into strategic asset allocation and risk management decisions.

The strategic thinking and adeptness of the Alexforbes investment team in identifying opportunities and mitigating risks within complex market environments have been widely recognized in the industry. As a result, they have received numerous industry awards for their expertise in managing both traditional and non-traditional investment portfolios. These accolades affirm their ability to navigate and excel in the dynamic and challenging investment landscape.

AlexForbes H2 asset allocation and bond outlook

CNBC Africa’s Godfrey Mutizwa spoke with Mandisa Zavala, Head of Asset Allocation, AlexForbes for more.

The introduction of South Africa’s two-pot retirement system has provided millions with early access to retirement savings, but emerging data suggests that many withdrawals may not be fuelling economic activity—or even personal financial stability—as initially hoped.

Guest: Mandisa Zavala: Head of Asset Allocation at Alex Forbes