Schussler, who was diagnosed with cancer, was a former Economist of the Year and the founder of economists.co.za.

His death was confirmed by his wife Greta Moodie in a moving Facebook post. 

“I am absolutely heartbroken this morning. My dearest, kindest and most wonderful husband Mike Schussler 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. 

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Tributes for Schussler, who has been referred to as a “gentle giant” have been pouring in since the news broke on Tuesday morning.

Chief economist at Efficient Group and long-time friend Dawie Roodt says Schussler understood people and that is what made him a wonderful economist. 

“Mike was a big man, physically a huge man with a tiny heart. He was really a cuddly, teddy bear kind of guy. He was also a giant of an economist with amazing insight into the economy and its people. He understood people and that made him a wonderful economist.” 

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