Miriam Altman

Position: Head of Strategy
Institution: Telkom SOC Ltd
Expertise: Employment, Economic development, Industry strategy, Labour markets, Urban development

Dr. Miriam Altman is Head of Strategy for the Telkom Group, appointed to its Exco in June 2013.  She coordinates Telkom’s strategic repositioning and turnaround, as well as Regulatory Affairs and Government Relations.

She is also a Commissioner on the National Planning Commission in the Office of the Presidency. This body was established in 2010 to guide long term planning for South Africa. 

She was previously an Executive Director at the Human Sciences Research Council in South Africa. She is recognised as a leading economist, strategist and thought leader.

She has played a leading role in shaping employment policy and dialogue in South Africa. Her work concentrates on framing practical public and private strategies aimed at stimulating employment. Dr. Altman has led policy research teams covering the macro-economy, trade and industry, infrastructure reform and administered pricing, government employment, youth employment, migration, labour markets, household food security and social policy. “Evidence-based Employment Scenarios” is the flagship, drawing together top decision and opinion makers in business, labour, government and academia to identify how employment and poverty reduction targets might be reached. 

Dr. Altman has led major public policy and development programmes in urban renewal, and industrial development. She was Head of Economic Development in a multi-billion Rand township renewal programme (Alexandra) and Project Leader of the 1998 Employment Strategy and Presidential Jobs Summit. She regularly advises international, national, provincial, and municipal leaders on policy that advances efforts to stimulate the economy, promote employment and reduce poverty.

She has a BA in economics from McGill University, an MPhil from the University of Cambridge and a PhD in economics from the University of Manchester. Dr Altman has produced more than 100 publications. She was commissioning editor of approximately 400 policy papers and publications in her division at the HSRC, and was guest editor of four special edition journals