Perceptions on saving by mineworkers in welkom after completing FPI MyMoney123TM programme
- Authors: Letebele, Tshepo
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Economic development - South Africa , Miners - South Africa - Finance, Personal , Saving and investment - South Africa - Planning
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/295920 , uj:32233
- Description: Abstract: South Africa's gross national savings is mainly dependent on saving by the corporate sector owing to government being at a budget deficit and household saving ratio to GDP being dismal at 0.4 percent as at July 2018. The Financial Services Board Financial Literacy Report has suggested that the dismal household savings is due to financial illiteracy and lack of awareness of savings products, among other factors. To alleviate this issue non-profit professional bodies such as the Financial Planning Institute of Southern Africa have introduced financial education programmes. In the mining sector the Minerals Council South Africa has identified financial illiteracy and poor saving behaviour as being one of the reasons why 6.5 – 14 percent of mineworkers have emolument attachment orders against their salaries. Through a pre-post design this technical research project studied the Welkom mineworkers’ perceptions of saving after completing the FPI’s MyMoney123TM financial education programme. The results indicated that the majority of mineworkers were likely to save more or differently and apply the principles learned more often. However, a majority of mineworkers also indicated that they did not feel empowered to manage their finances after participating in the financial education programme. The findings of the study were limited in that a convenience sampling technique was used and thus the results could not be generalised to other industries or areas. , M.Com. (Local Economic Development)
- Full Text:
- Authors: Letebele, Tshepo
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Economic development - South Africa , Miners - South Africa - Finance, Personal , Saving and investment - South Africa - Planning
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/295920 , uj:32233
- Description: Abstract: South Africa's gross national savings is mainly dependent on saving by the corporate sector owing to government being at a budget deficit and household saving ratio to GDP being dismal at 0.4 percent as at July 2018. The Financial Services Board Financial Literacy Report has suggested that the dismal household savings is due to financial illiteracy and lack of awareness of savings products, among other factors. To alleviate this issue non-profit professional bodies such as the Financial Planning Institute of Southern Africa have introduced financial education programmes. In the mining sector the Minerals Council South Africa has identified financial illiteracy and poor saving behaviour as being one of the reasons why 6.5 – 14 percent of mineworkers have emolument attachment orders against their salaries. Through a pre-post design this technical research project studied the Welkom mineworkers’ perceptions of saving after completing the FPI’s MyMoney123TM financial education programme. The results indicated that the majority of mineworkers were likely to save more or differently and apply the principles learned more often. However, a majority of mineworkers also indicated that they did not feel empowered to manage their finances after participating in the financial education programme. The findings of the study were limited in that a convenience sampling technique was used and thus the results could not be generalised to other industries or areas. , M.Com. (Local Economic Development)
- Full Text:
The contribution of agriculture to the economic growth of South Africa
- Authors: Mabuza, Eugenia Sesinyana
- Date: 2011-08-31T07:29:20Z
- Subjects: Economic development - South Africa , Agriculture - South Africa , Poverty - South Africa
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:7181 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3791
- Description: M.Comm. , The agricultural sector is important in South Africa, because it contributes approximately 4 percent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product. Agriculture can contribute significantly to economic growth, by means of food production and job creation, and thereby it can play an important role in reducing poverty. This paper examines the contribution of agriculture to economic growth in South Africa, and its possible role in poverty alleviation. It begins by conducting a literature review of the contribution of agriculture to economic growth. In particular, it examines two stages of farming, namely, the subsistence and commercial stages, to determine how each of these contributes to economic growth and poverty alleviation. It finds that both of these stages have undergone little improvement over the years and have performed poorly. Next, the challenges that prevent the farming sector from performing better are described and investigated in detail. Importantly, unavailability of the data in the subsistence sector makes it harder to arrive at a conclusion as to whether agriculture contributes to poverty alleviation. Despite these challenges, the study finds that agriculture remains the key to survival for most of the rural poor. Finally the paper draws conclusions and makes recommendations for policy measures to increase growth in the agricultural sector based on the findings of the research. The key conclusion emanating from this study is that agriculture does not indeed contribute to economic growth and that it is able to alleviate poverty. However, resources such as land, skilled labour, machinery and capitals are a major limiting factor. As for recommendations, a critical strategy must be to recapitalise agriculture, investing more heavily in this sector and in programmes to develop rural economic and social infrastructure. Public investment needs to be directed in particular towards promoting agricultural research and extension, improving access to financial services, providing investment incentives, and increasing access of the poor to support services and productive resources. The study concludes that data and information should be separated between subsistence and commercial farmers to be able to determine whether agriculture contributes to poverty alleviation.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mabuza, Eugenia Sesinyana
- Date: 2011-08-31T07:29:20Z
- Subjects: Economic development - South Africa , Agriculture - South Africa , Poverty - South Africa
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:7181 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3791
- Description: M.Comm. , The agricultural sector is important in South Africa, because it contributes approximately 4 percent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product. Agriculture can contribute significantly to economic growth, by means of food production and job creation, and thereby it can play an important role in reducing poverty. This paper examines the contribution of agriculture to economic growth in South Africa, and its possible role in poverty alleviation. It begins by conducting a literature review of the contribution of agriculture to economic growth. In particular, it examines two stages of farming, namely, the subsistence and commercial stages, to determine how each of these contributes to economic growth and poverty alleviation. It finds that both of these stages have undergone little improvement over the years and have performed poorly. Next, the challenges that prevent the farming sector from performing better are described and investigated in detail. Importantly, unavailability of the data in the subsistence sector makes it harder to arrive at a conclusion as to whether agriculture contributes to poverty alleviation. Despite these challenges, the study finds that agriculture remains the key to survival for most of the rural poor. Finally the paper draws conclusions and makes recommendations for policy measures to increase growth in the agricultural sector based on the findings of the research. The key conclusion emanating from this study is that agriculture does not indeed contribute to economic growth and that it is able to alleviate poverty. However, resources such as land, skilled labour, machinery and capitals are a major limiting factor. As for recommendations, a critical strategy must be to recapitalise agriculture, investing more heavily in this sector and in programmes to develop rural economic and social infrastructure. Public investment needs to be directed in particular towards promoting agricultural research and extension, improving access to financial services, providing investment incentives, and increasing access of the poor to support services and productive resources. The study concludes that data and information should be separated between subsistence and commercial farmers to be able to determine whether agriculture contributes to poverty alleviation.
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Testing the relevance of the balance-of-payments-constrained growth model in South Africa
- Authors: Mhlongo, Excellent
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Economic development - South Africa , Balance of payments - South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/295961 , uj:32238
- Description: Abstract: The main objective of this study is to examine whether long-term economic growth in South Africa has been demand-constrained by its balance of payments. Empirically, the focus is on the application of the simple version of the balance-of-payments-constrained growth (BPCG) model, originally developed by Thirlwall (1979), over the full sample period from 1960 to 2016, and across several economic growth regimes (1960-1976, 1977-2003, 2004-2016 and 2008-2016). To fit the simple version of the BPCG model, the traditional import demand function is estimated using the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) modelling procedure of Pesaran, Shin and Smith (2001). The estimation results show that South Africa’s import demand function appears to be stable, well specified and theory consistent over the period 1960 to 2016. The BPCG model under predicts the actual growth rate across all the regimes, with the exception of the second regime from 1977 to 2003, in which the actual growth rate is not significantly different from the predicted growth rate of the BPCG model. The period 1977 to 2003 serves as a useful reference point to evaluate the relevance of the simple version of the BPCG model. Outside the period 1977 to 2003, South Africa has relied heavily on capital inflows to lift the balance-of-payments constraint on demand. Although long-term inflows were a characteristic feature over the period 1960 to 1976, inflows during the sub-periods 2004 to 2016 and 2008 to 2016 were more volatile and short term in nature. To generate sustained growth in South Africa, the analysis suggests that policy makers cannot rely on a continuous depreciation of the real terms of trade, nor on an indefinite inflow of capital. Alternatively, to ensure long-run growth, policy measures should focus on the key predictions of the simple version of the BPCG model. Improvements should be directed towards the structural demand characteristics of exported goods, such as quality, design, technical sophistication and delivery service, as well as a reduction in the income elasticity of demand for imports. , M.Com. (Development Economics)
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mhlongo, Excellent
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Economic development - South Africa , Balance of payments - South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/295961 , uj:32238
- Description: Abstract: The main objective of this study is to examine whether long-term economic growth in South Africa has been demand-constrained by its balance of payments. Empirically, the focus is on the application of the simple version of the balance-of-payments-constrained growth (BPCG) model, originally developed by Thirlwall (1979), over the full sample period from 1960 to 2016, and across several economic growth regimes (1960-1976, 1977-2003, 2004-2016 and 2008-2016). To fit the simple version of the BPCG model, the traditional import demand function is estimated using the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) modelling procedure of Pesaran, Shin and Smith (2001). The estimation results show that South Africa’s import demand function appears to be stable, well specified and theory consistent over the period 1960 to 2016. The BPCG model under predicts the actual growth rate across all the regimes, with the exception of the second regime from 1977 to 2003, in which the actual growth rate is not significantly different from the predicted growth rate of the BPCG model. The period 1977 to 2003 serves as a useful reference point to evaluate the relevance of the simple version of the BPCG model. Outside the period 1977 to 2003, South Africa has relied heavily on capital inflows to lift the balance-of-payments constraint on demand. Although long-term inflows were a characteristic feature over the period 1960 to 1976, inflows during the sub-periods 2004 to 2016 and 2008 to 2016 were more volatile and short term in nature. To generate sustained growth in South Africa, the analysis suggests that policy makers cannot rely on a continuous depreciation of the real terms of trade, nor on an indefinite inflow of capital. Alternatively, to ensure long-run growth, policy measures should focus on the key predictions of the simple version of the BPCG model. Improvements should be directed towards the structural demand characteristics of exported goods, such as quality, design, technical sophistication and delivery service, as well as a reduction in the income elasticity of demand for imports. , M.Com. (Development Economics)
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Computerised general equilibrium (CGE) modelling of the impact of fiscal policy on economic growth, income redistribution and poverty alleviation in South Africa
- Authors: Bonga-Bonga, Lumengo
- Date: 2011-06-30T08:35:06Z
- Subjects: Economic development - South Africa , Income distribution - South Africa , Fiscal policy - South Africa , Poverty - South Africa
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:7160 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3768
- Description: D.Comm. , This thesis endeavoured to assess whether the government can simultaneously achieve the objectives of sustained economic growth, income redistribution and fiscal discipline, as stated in the Growth, Employment and Redistribution (GEAR) policy. The simultaneous realisation of these objectives of the GEAR policy brings about controversies between the South African government and other interest groups, such as the trade unions and some academics. Empirical analysis such as econometrics and computerised general equilibrium (hereafter referred to as CGE) techniques were used in an attempt to solve the research question. The Kalman filter technique was applied to model total factor productivity and to establish the link between social services expenditure and economic growth in South Africa. The structural vector autoregressive (SVAR) technique was applied to assess the dynamics of fiscal shocks on output growth and determine the type of taxes that are distortionary in financing the increase in social services expenditure. The study’s main contribution is the application of the CGE technique to assess whether the above three objectives can be reached simultaneously. A new CGE model was built, based on the standard CGE model by Thurlow and Van Seventer (2002). In the new CGE model, some taxes were changed to endogenous variables instead of exogenous variables or parameters as in the standard model. The model introduced a number of government macro closure rules to clear the government balance. The research lead to the following conclusion: When constraints on employment are removed across all the labour categories in South Africa, and the government uses compositional shift of its expenditure to finance the continual increase in social services expenditure, the three objectives, namely fair redistribution of iv income, fiscal discipline and sustained economic growth, will be reached simultaneously. It is recommended that the government fix conditions in the labour market to remove impediments to employment in South Africa (such as lack of appropriate skills for specific activities), as this will enable the government to achieve most of its objectives.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Bonga-Bonga, Lumengo
- Date: 2011-06-30T08:35:06Z
- Subjects: Economic development - South Africa , Income distribution - South Africa , Fiscal policy - South Africa , Poverty - South Africa
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:7160 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3768
- Description: D.Comm. , This thesis endeavoured to assess whether the government can simultaneously achieve the objectives of sustained economic growth, income redistribution and fiscal discipline, as stated in the Growth, Employment and Redistribution (GEAR) policy. The simultaneous realisation of these objectives of the GEAR policy brings about controversies between the South African government and other interest groups, such as the trade unions and some academics. Empirical analysis such as econometrics and computerised general equilibrium (hereafter referred to as CGE) techniques were used in an attempt to solve the research question. The Kalman filter technique was applied to model total factor productivity and to establish the link between social services expenditure and economic growth in South Africa. The structural vector autoregressive (SVAR) technique was applied to assess the dynamics of fiscal shocks on output growth and determine the type of taxes that are distortionary in financing the increase in social services expenditure. The study’s main contribution is the application of the CGE technique to assess whether the above three objectives can be reached simultaneously. A new CGE model was built, based on the standard CGE model by Thurlow and Van Seventer (2002). In the new CGE model, some taxes were changed to endogenous variables instead of exogenous variables or parameters as in the standard model. The model introduced a number of government macro closure rules to clear the government balance. The research lead to the following conclusion: When constraints on employment are removed across all the labour categories in South Africa, and the government uses compositional shift of its expenditure to finance the continual increase in social services expenditure, the three objectives, namely fair redistribution of iv income, fiscal discipline and sustained economic growth, will be reached simultaneously. It is recommended that the government fix conditions in the labour market to remove impediments to employment in South Africa (such as lack of appropriate skills for specific activities), as this will enable the government to achieve most of its objectives.
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The relationship between savings and economic growth at disaggregated level
- Guma, Nomvuyo Naledi Nomayeza
- Authors: Guma, Nomvuyo Naledi Nomayeza
- Date: 2014-10-07
- Subjects: Saving and investments - South Africa , Economic development - South Africa , Gross domestic product - South Africa
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:12509 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/12303
- Description: M.Com. (Economic Development and Policy Issues) , There is an observable correlation, over time, between domestic savings rates and GDP growth rates: countries with relatively high savings rates over time also enjoying comparably high GDP growth rates. Aggregate saving in South Africa has been in decline and, currently, is at a historic low. Unflattering comparisons between South Africa and faster-growing emerging market economies have led to suggestions that South Africa's low domestic savings rate poses a constraint on the country's ability to grow faster. While the literature, both international and domestic, is relatively rich in studies on the determinants of foreign direct investment as well as the determinants of savings, none of the work done on South Africa has made use of disaggregated savings data to understand whether there is an observable difference in the marginal propensity to save of these economic sectors. In order to successfully raise the level of saving, much more focus needs to be applied to whether there is a difference in the relationship between growth and the components of aggregate saving i.e. which „source‟ of saving if any would yield the greatest impact on GDP and therefore should be encouraged from a policy point of view. The results of the econometric analysis demonstrate that the greatest responsiveness of savings to GDP growth occurs amongst corporates. Since corporates have a choice between retaining earnings and distributing earning as dividends (thus increasing household income) it is clear that tax-rates are an important lever through which government can encourage savings. In essence, a greater level of savings may be achievable if corporates are encouraged to retain earnings, rather than distribute these as dividends to the household sector which has exhibited a relatively weak propensity to save.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Guma, Nomvuyo Naledi Nomayeza
- Date: 2014-10-07
- Subjects: Saving and investments - South Africa , Economic development - South Africa , Gross domestic product - South Africa
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:12509 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/12303
- Description: M.Com. (Economic Development and Policy Issues) , There is an observable correlation, over time, between domestic savings rates and GDP growth rates: countries with relatively high savings rates over time also enjoying comparably high GDP growth rates. Aggregate saving in South Africa has been in decline and, currently, is at a historic low. Unflattering comparisons between South Africa and faster-growing emerging market economies have led to suggestions that South Africa's low domestic savings rate poses a constraint on the country's ability to grow faster. While the literature, both international and domestic, is relatively rich in studies on the determinants of foreign direct investment as well as the determinants of savings, none of the work done on South Africa has made use of disaggregated savings data to understand whether there is an observable difference in the marginal propensity to save of these economic sectors. In order to successfully raise the level of saving, much more focus needs to be applied to whether there is a difference in the relationship between growth and the components of aggregate saving i.e. which „source‟ of saving if any would yield the greatest impact on GDP and therefore should be encouraged from a policy point of view. The results of the econometric analysis demonstrate that the greatest responsiveness of savings to GDP growth occurs amongst corporates. Since corporates have a choice between retaining earnings and distributing earning as dividends (thus increasing household income) it is clear that tax-rates are an important lever through which government can encourage savings. In essence, a greater level of savings may be achievable if corporates are encouraged to retain earnings, rather than distribute these as dividends to the household sector which has exhibited a relatively weak propensity to save.
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Economic growth and unemployment under alternative monetary policy regimes: evidence from South Africa
- Authors: Kifa, Masini Guylain
- Date: 2014-06-10
- Subjects: Monetary policy - South Africa , Inflation (Finance) - South Africa , Economic development - South Africa , Unemployment - South Africa , Foreign exchange rates - South Africa , Interest rates - South Africa , Monetary policy - Developing countries
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:11451 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/11147
- Description: M.Com. (Economic Development and Policy Issues) , Monetary policy is not only the process by which the monetary authority of a country controls the supply of money, but is furthermore a sufficient tool to overcome the problem of economic growth and unemployment. This can take place when the policy instruments – interest rates (Repo) and money supply growth (M3) – have significant effects on these macroeconomic variables. However, the issue of the efficacy of monetary policy on GDP growth and employment creation is at the centre of debates among researchers. Some researchers are of the opinion that the objective of monetary policy in achieving and maintaining price stability is founded on the idea that inflation is not good for economic growth, employment creation and income equality but, instead, only secures macroeconomic environment. In South Africa, the efficiency of different monetary policy tools, inflation and money-supply targeting, on economic performance has been questioned. Moreover, the issue of the high level of unemployment remains controversial among scholars. Therefore, the structural vector-error correction model (VECM) methods was used with quarterly data in order to investigate the impact of aggregate money supply (M3), interest rate (Repo) and real exchange rate on CPIX (inflation) , economic growth (GDP volume rate) and unemployment (joblessness rate) in South Africa for the period 1986 to 2010. The results show that both monetary-policy regimes have positively impacted on economic growth, but the impact of the pre-inflation-targeting regime is higher. Moreover, a weak positive liaison between monetary policy and unemployment is observed, but the post-inflation-targeting regime shows a higher percentage decrease in unemployment than the pre-inflation targeting period. Beyond any doubt, the research approves the engagement of the SARB to monitor (target) CPIX (inflation) due to its ability to ensure price stability and create a stable economic environment favourable to economic performance.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Kifa, Masini Guylain
- Date: 2014-06-10
- Subjects: Monetary policy - South Africa , Inflation (Finance) - South Africa , Economic development - South Africa , Unemployment - South Africa , Foreign exchange rates - South Africa , Interest rates - South Africa , Monetary policy - Developing countries
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:11451 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/11147
- Description: M.Com. (Economic Development and Policy Issues) , Monetary policy is not only the process by which the monetary authority of a country controls the supply of money, but is furthermore a sufficient tool to overcome the problem of economic growth and unemployment. This can take place when the policy instruments – interest rates (Repo) and money supply growth (M3) – have significant effects on these macroeconomic variables. However, the issue of the efficacy of monetary policy on GDP growth and employment creation is at the centre of debates among researchers. Some researchers are of the opinion that the objective of monetary policy in achieving and maintaining price stability is founded on the idea that inflation is not good for economic growth, employment creation and income equality but, instead, only secures macroeconomic environment. In South Africa, the efficiency of different monetary policy tools, inflation and money-supply targeting, on economic performance has been questioned. Moreover, the issue of the high level of unemployment remains controversial among scholars. Therefore, the structural vector-error correction model (VECM) methods was used with quarterly data in order to investigate the impact of aggregate money supply (M3), interest rate (Repo) and real exchange rate on CPIX (inflation) , economic growth (GDP volume rate) and unemployment (joblessness rate) in South Africa for the period 1986 to 2010. The results show that both monetary-policy regimes have positively impacted on economic growth, but the impact of the pre-inflation-targeting regime is higher. Moreover, a weak positive liaison between monetary policy and unemployment is observed, but the post-inflation-targeting regime shows a higher percentage decrease in unemployment than the pre-inflation targeting period. Beyond any doubt, the research approves the engagement of the SARB to monitor (target) CPIX (inflation) due to its ability to ensure price stability and create a stable economic environment favourable to economic performance.
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Determinants of rural poverty in South Africa
- Zwane, Phakama Siyabonga Hycinth
- Authors: Zwane, Phakama Siyabonga Hycinth
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Economic development - South Africa , Rural poor - South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/272296 , uj:28978
- Description: M.Com. (Development Economics) , Abstract: While National progress in poverty reduction has been promising in South Africa, rural or traditional areas are lagging behind with a high-poverty headcount ratio. There are debates on how South Africa in general can foster inclusive growth and the role of agriculture in poverty reduction. This dissertation contributes to this debate with micro-economic empirical evidence, shedding more light on the determinants of rural poverty in South Africa. This study employs data from the first four waves of the National Income Dynamics Study (NIDS) and panel data models (pooled probit and random effect probit models) to investigate the determinants of rural poverty in South Africa. The results show that married status, age of household head, household size and provincial dummies are positively associated with rural poverty. In contrast, explanatory variables for household remittance, squared age of household head, employment status of household head, gender of household head, race dummies, education attainment and location are negatively related to rural poverty.
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- Authors: Zwane, Phakama Siyabonga Hycinth
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Economic development - South Africa , Rural poor - South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/272296 , uj:28978
- Description: M.Com. (Development Economics) , Abstract: While National progress in poverty reduction has been promising in South Africa, rural or traditional areas are lagging behind with a high-poverty headcount ratio. There are debates on how South Africa in general can foster inclusive growth and the role of agriculture in poverty reduction. This dissertation contributes to this debate with micro-economic empirical evidence, shedding more light on the determinants of rural poverty in South Africa. This study employs data from the first four waves of the National Income Dynamics Study (NIDS) and panel data models (pooled probit and random effect probit models) to investigate the determinants of rural poverty in South Africa. The results show that married status, age of household head, household size and provincial dummies are positively associated with rural poverty. In contrast, explanatory variables for household remittance, squared age of household head, employment status of household head, gender of household head, race dummies, education attainment and location are negatively related to rural poverty.
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Energy capital, productive capital and economic growth : a crossmunicipality granger causality analysis
- Authors: Chiviya, Kudzai
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Electric power distribution - South Africa , Electric power distribution - Economic aspects - South Africa , South Africa. Electricity Supply Commission , Electric power failures - South Africa , Municipal government - South Africa , Eskom (Firm) , Power resources - South Africa , Economic development - South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/271851 , uj:28921
- Description: M.Com. (Local Economic Development) , Abstract: In 2008 South Africa experienced a period of constrained electricity supply, which led to wide-spread blackouts. In order to deal with these electricity capacity constraints, there has since been a shift in focus in the country with significant investment in this sector. Most studies in the energy-economic growth nexus have focused on the economic effects of energy use. There is a body of literature that has looked at infrastructure investment and economic growth, but does not treat energy investment as a particular kind. We argue that it is not only energy consumption that matters for economic growth, but the investment it its production as well. Investors might carefully watch energy capacity development in order to make their investment decisions in other economic sectors, which make investment in energy a possible trigger of capital formation in other sectors and subsequent economic growth. With this hypothesis, our paper investigates the causal relationship between investments in energy and capital formation in other sectors of the economy on one hand, and the causal relations to economic growth on the other. We use annual data for 228 South African municipalities from 1993 to 2015. The paper uses the newly developed heterogeneous panel Granger causality methodology, which improves the traditional causality approaches in accounting for heterogeneity and cross-sectional dependence in the panel data. Traditional approaches were developed under the assumption of homogeneity in slope, intercept or both, and the independence of panel units. Our findings are therefore more robust to heterogeneity issues and account for individual differences between municipalities. Another difference between this paper and the majority of academic work is our shift in focus from a national level to a local/municipal level. Our findings suggest that there is an overall bidirectional causal relationship between investments in energy, capital formation in other sectors of the economy, and economic growth. This finding highlights the potential that investments in energy have to trigger capital formation in other sectors and promote economic growth. Such findings will have significant local economic development implications in terms of the role of energy capital in attracting capital in other sectors, with broader implications for economic growth in view of job creation and poverty reduction.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Chiviya, Kudzai
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Electric power distribution - South Africa , Electric power distribution - Economic aspects - South Africa , South Africa. Electricity Supply Commission , Electric power failures - South Africa , Municipal government - South Africa , Eskom (Firm) , Power resources - South Africa , Economic development - South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/271851 , uj:28921
- Description: M.Com. (Local Economic Development) , Abstract: In 2008 South Africa experienced a period of constrained electricity supply, which led to wide-spread blackouts. In order to deal with these electricity capacity constraints, there has since been a shift in focus in the country with significant investment in this sector. Most studies in the energy-economic growth nexus have focused on the economic effects of energy use. There is a body of literature that has looked at infrastructure investment and economic growth, but does not treat energy investment as a particular kind. We argue that it is not only energy consumption that matters for economic growth, but the investment it its production as well. Investors might carefully watch energy capacity development in order to make their investment decisions in other economic sectors, which make investment in energy a possible trigger of capital formation in other sectors and subsequent economic growth. With this hypothesis, our paper investigates the causal relationship between investments in energy and capital formation in other sectors of the economy on one hand, and the causal relations to economic growth on the other. We use annual data for 228 South African municipalities from 1993 to 2015. The paper uses the newly developed heterogeneous panel Granger causality methodology, which improves the traditional causality approaches in accounting for heterogeneity and cross-sectional dependence in the panel data. Traditional approaches were developed under the assumption of homogeneity in slope, intercept or both, and the independence of panel units. Our findings are therefore more robust to heterogeneity issues and account for individual differences between municipalities. Another difference between this paper and the majority of academic work is our shift in focus from a national level to a local/municipal level. Our findings suggest that there is an overall bidirectional causal relationship between investments in energy, capital formation in other sectors of the economy, and economic growth. This finding highlights the potential that investments in energy have to trigger capital formation in other sectors and promote economic growth. Such findings will have significant local economic development implications in terms of the role of energy capital in attracting capital in other sectors, with broader implications for economic growth in view of job creation and poverty reduction.
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The impact of basic and social infrastructure investment on inequality in South Africa
- Authors: Gnade, Johan Hendrik
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Infrastructure (Economics) - South Africa , Economic development - South Africa , Cities and towns - South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/75045 , uj:18624
- Description: Abstract: Basic infrastructure investment and social infrastructure investment have different impacts on economic growth and social development in urban and rural municipalities respectively. Empirical analysis of the impact that basic and social infrastructures have on economic growth and social development in urban and rural municipalities respectively is however largely lacking. Such estimates could be used to influence basic and social infrastructure investment decisions towards correcting inequalities that exist between urban and rural municipalities. A balanced panel dataset containing infrastructure, economic, demographic and social indicators are used to compile synthetic indices for basic and social infrastructure (using principal component analysis) and the analysis. Restricted within the least square dummy variable (LSDV), estimation techniques are used to calculate the respective elasticities and to evaluate if the differences between urban and rural municipalities are statistically significant. The results indicate that basic and social infrastructure have different impacts on economic growth and social development in urban and rural municipalities. The results also indicate that both basic and social infrastructure investment generally have a greater economic growth and social development impact in rural municipalities. The research provides an empirical framework and actionable elasticities for the respective impact that basic and social infrastructure investment have on urban and rural municipalities, which is largely under-researched. Knowing that basic and social infrastructure investment have a greater impact on economic growth and social development in rural municipalities can therefore influence policy and investment decisions towards the reduction of inequalities experienced between urban and rural municipalities. , M.Com.
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- Authors: Gnade, Johan Hendrik
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Infrastructure (Economics) - South Africa , Economic development - South Africa , Cities and towns - South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/75045 , uj:18624
- Description: Abstract: Basic infrastructure investment and social infrastructure investment have different impacts on economic growth and social development in urban and rural municipalities respectively. Empirical analysis of the impact that basic and social infrastructures have on economic growth and social development in urban and rural municipalities respectively is however largely lacking. Such estimates could be used to influence basic and social infrastructure investment decisions towards correcting inequalities that exist between urban and rural municipalities. A balanced panel dataset containing infrastructure, economic, demographic and social indicators are used to compile synthetic indices for basic and social infrastructure (using principal component analysis) and the analysis. Restricted within the least square dummy variable (LSDV), estimation techniques are used to calculate the respective elasticities and to evaluate if the differences between urban and rural municipalities are statistically significant. The results indicate that basic and social infrastructure have different impacts on economic growth and social development in urban and rural municipalities. The results also indicate that both basic and social infrastructure investment generally have a greater economic growth and social development impact in rural municipalities. The research provides an empirical framework and actionable elasticities for the respective impact that basic and social infrastructure investment have on urban and rural municipalities, which is largely under-researched. Knowing that basic and social infrastructure investment have a greater impact on economic growth and social development in rural municipalities can therefore influence policy and investment decisions towards the reduction of inequalities experienced between urban and rural municipalities. , M.Com.
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The role of financial conditions in transmitting external shocks to South Africa
- Authors: Sithole, Thanda
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: South Africa - Economic conditions , Gross domestic product - South Africa , Economic development - South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/376314 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/225602 , uj:22792
- Description: Abstract: This dissertation analyses the spillover effects of external financial conditions onto South Africa using quarterly domestic and international data from 1996Q1 to 2014Q4. First, principal component analysis and an vector autoregressive model are utilized to build financial conditions indices for South Africa and its trading partners, namely, China, Germany, the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, Netherlands, Italy, France and Belgium. Consistently across both methodologies, the financial conditions indices obtained track each other fairly well and capture the 2008/09 global financial crisis. Second, a Global Vector Autoregressive model comprised of composite financial indices and other macroeconomic variables is implemented to assess how international financial shocks spillover into South Africa. Our findings show that a sudden tightening of the United States financial conditions has a significant but short lived effect on the South Africa’s real GDP growth while the spillover effects from other trading partners appear to be of negligible impact throughout the sample period. Furthermore following a shock in South Africa’s financial conditions domestic real GDP growth declines instantaneously and persistently over the entire horizon. On average South Africa’s financial shocks subtract 1% from GDP growth over a year. , M.Com.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Sithole, Thanda
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: South Africa - Economic conditions , Gross domestic product - South Africa , Economic development - South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/376314 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/225602 , uj:22792
- Description: Abstract: This dissertation analyses the spillover effects of external financial conditions onto South Africa using quarterly domestic and international data from 1996Q1 to 2014Q4. First, principal component analysis and an vector autoregressive model are utilized to build financial conditions indices for South Africa and its trading partners, namely, China, Germany, the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, Netherlands, Italy, France and Belgium. Consistently across both methodologies, the financial conditions indices obtained track each other fairly well and capture the 2008/09 global financial crisis. Second, a Global Vector Autoregressive model comprised of composite financial indices and other macroeconomic variables is implemented to assess how international financial shocks spillover into South Africa. Our findings show that a sudden tightening of the United States financial conditions has a significant but short lived effect on the South Africa’s real GDP growth while the spillover effects from other trading partners appear to be of negligible impact throughout the sample period. Furthermore following a shock in South Africa’s financial conditions domestic real GDP growth declines instantaneously and persistently over the entire horizon. On average South Africa’s financial shocks subtract 1% from GDP growth over a year. , M.Com.
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The relationship between inflation, inflation uncertainty, and economic growth in South Africa
- Authors: Pretorius, Krüger
- Date: 2014-01-14
- Subjects: Inflation (Finance) , Economic development - South Africa , Monetary policy - South Africa
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:7880 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8771
- Description: M.Comm. (Financial Economics) , This dissertation examines the relationship between inflation, inflation uncertainty, and economic growth using quarterly data for South Africa covering the period 1960-2012. Inflation uncertainty is estimated using the Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedasticity modelling framework. Granger methods are employed in order to investigate the interaction between inflation, inflation uncertainty, and economic growth. The presence of structural change is investigated through dummy variables representing changes in monetary policy regime. No evidence is found of any significant structural change in either inflation or inflation uncertainty. Granger results indicate that inflation uncertainty has a negative impact on inflation, supporting Holland’s (1995) argument of stabilising central bank behaviour. Conversely, there is evidence that high inflation leads to elevated inflation uncertainty, in accordance with Friedman’s (1977) hypothesis. Inflation uncertainty does not have a significant impact on economic growth in South Africa. However, inflation does have an adverse effect on economic growth, whilst economic growth exerts a positive impact on the rate of inflation. Lastly, economic growth does not have any meaningful effect on inflation uncertainty.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Pretorius, Krüger
- Date: 2014-01-14
- Subjects: Inflation (Finance) , Economic development - South Africa , Monetary policy - South Africa
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:7880 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8771
- Description: M.Comm. (Financial Economics) , This dissertation examines the relationship between inflation, inflation uncertainty, and economic growth using quarterly data for South Africa covering the period 1960-2012. Inflation uncertainty is estimated using the Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedasticity modelling framework. Granger methods are employed in order to investigate the interaction between inflation, inflation uncertainty, and economic growth. The presence of structural change is investigated through dummy variables representing changes in monetary policy regime. No evidence is found of any significant structural change in either inflation or inflation uncertainty. Granger results indicate that inflation uncertainty has a negative impact on inflation, supporting Holland’s (1995) argument of stabilising central bank behaviour. Conversely, there is evidence that high inflation leads to elevated inflation uncertainty, in accordance with Friedman’s (1977) hypothesis. Inflation uncertainty does not have a significant impact on economic growth in South Africa. However, inflation does have an adverse effect on economic growth, whilst economic growth exerts a positive impact on the rate of inflation. Lastly, economic growth does not have any meaningful effect on inflation uncertainty.
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A convergence analysis of income across South African provinces since 1994
- Authors: Mabunda, Robert Ringeta
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: South Africa - Population - Economic aspects , Economic development - South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/225551 , uj:22784
- Description: Abstract: This minor dissertation analyses income convergence across South African provinces for the years from 1995 to 2013 using panel data estimation techniques. The results show evidence in support of conditional beta convergence. This suggests that provinces furthest from their steady state level converge faster than provinces closer to their steady state GDP per capita level, thus implying convergence. The convergence speed was estimated to be 7 per cent per annum. Thus, it will take each province eight years on average to address 50 per cent of the gap between the initial GDP per capita level and the steady state GDP per capita level. However, further analysis show that convergence is more rapid amongst a group of “rich” provinces than a group of “poor” provinces, suggesting that disparity in GDP per capita between poor and rich provinces will continue to prevail despite the overall convergence observed. The size of the manufacturing sector was found to accelerate convergence, while population growth and government expenditure have served to slow down the convergence process in South Africa. , M.Com. (Development Economics)
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mabunda, Robert Ringeta
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: South Africa - Population - Economic aspects , Economic development - South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/225551 , uj:22784
- Description: Abstract: This minor dissertation analyses income convergence across South African provinces for the years from 1995 to 2013 using panel data estimation techniques. The results show evidence in support of conditional beta convergence. This suggests that provinces furthest from their steady state level converge faster than provinces closer to their steady state GDP per capita level, thus implying convergence. The convergence speed was estimated to be 7 per cent per annum. Thus, it will take each province eight years on average to address 50 per cent of the gap between the initial GDP per capita level and the steady state GDP per capita level. However, further analysis show that convergence is more rapid amongst a group of “rich” provinces than a group of “poor” provinces, suggesting that disparity in GDP per capita between poor and rich provinces will continue to prevail despite the overall convergence observed. The size of the manufacturing sector was found to accelerate convergence, while population growth and government expenditure have served to slow down the convergence process in South Africa. , M.Com. (Development Economics)
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From lip-service to service delivery in local economic development : guidelines to set up an agency for action
- Authors: Venter, Marius
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Economic development - South Africa , Local government - South Africa , Municipal government - South Africa , Service delivery
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5490 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13611
- Description: The Constitution of South Africa imposes a burden on municipalities to engage in local economic development. Municipal local economic development practitioners are often in doubt regarding the various mechanisms available to them to implement local economic development. This article provides insight into the processes and issues surrounding the use of an external mechanism (a private company owned by the municipality) as a local economic development agency. The lessons learnt from the Overstrand Local Economic Development Agency are compared with findings of an international study of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development on 16 local economic development agencies. The article provides guidelines to local economic development practitioners to follow before, during and after the establishment of a local economic development agency.
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- Authors: Venter, Marius
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Economic development - South Africa , Local government - South Africa , Municipal government - South Africa , Service delivery
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5490 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13611
- Description: The Constitution of South Africa imposes a burden on municipalities to engage in local economic development. Municipal local economic development practitioners are often in doubt regarding the various mechanisms available to them to implement local economic development. This article provides insight into the processes and issues surrounding the use of an external mechanism (a private company owned by the municipality) as a local economic development agency. The lessons learnt from the Overstrand Local Economic Development Agency are compared with findings of an international study of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development on 16 local economic development agencies. The article provides guidelines to local economic development practitioners to follow before, during and after the establishment of a local economic development agency.
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Local economic development policy to promote sustainable development in South Africa
- Authors: Matshazi, Lorraine Thandiwe
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Economic development - South Africa , Sustainable development - South Africa , Public administration - South Africa , Local government - South Africa , Poverty - South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/237746 , uj:24364
- Description: M.A. , Abstract: Given the emphasis in praxis and literature on sustainable economic development in general and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in particular and ways to involve governments, private sector institutions and citizens globally and nationally in better implementation and coordination processes on all levels of government, the focus of this dissertation was on local economic development (LED) policy to promote sustainable development in South Africa. The research approach entailed the application of unobtrusive research techniques as research analysis instruments based on a qualitative research paradigm. The main research question addressed by this dissertation was to determine how LED policy can serve as a mechanism to promote sustainable development in South Africa and which strategic actions can be taken to improve its implementation. The dissertation provided an integrated focus on the context of LED in general and LED policy and strategy development in particular in South Africa. It incorporated the development of a generic analytical framework to investigate LED; the conceptual and contextual variables that influence sustainable development; the legislative and theoretical underpinnings to provide an understanding of the context, meanings, foundations and processes of the statutory, regulatory and policy frameworks and theories aligned with LED in general and in South African local government in particular; and the variables influencing the dynamics, processes and steps appropriate to LED strategy development. The study found that with the pronouncements in the White Paper on Local Government of 1998 the country embarked on an ambitious journey to promote LED. But the achievement of the aims of the White Paper have arguably been frustrated by unsettled and parochial paradigms, the lack of a structured integrative approach that recognises its dividends as the shared outcome of complex deliberate, mutually supportive actions across governmental spheres and jurisdictions; as well as by ancillary problems such as deficiencies in the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) planning processes and lack of capacity of key role players at multiple points in the LED process. LED in South Africa, over two decades, despite continual evaluation...
- Full Text:
- Authors: Matshazi, Lorraine Thandiwe
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Economic development - South Africa , Sustainable development - South Africa , Public administration - South Africa , Local government - South Africa , Poverty - South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/237746 , uj:24364
- Description: M.A. , Abstract: Given the emphasis in praxis and literature on sustainable economic development in general and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in particular and ways to involve governments, private sector institutions and citizens globally and nationally in better implementation and coordination processes on all levels of government, the focus of this dissertation was on local economic development (LED) policy to promote sustainable development in South Africa. The research approach entailed the application of unobtrusive research techniques as research analysis instruments based on a qualitative research paradigm. The main research question addressed by this dissertation was to determine how LED policy can serve as a mechanism to promote sustainable development in South Africa and which strategic actions can be taken to improve its implementation. The dissertation provided an integrated focus on the context of LED in general and LED policy and strategy development in particular in South Africa. It incorporated the development of a generic analytical framework to investigate LED; the conceptual and contextual variables that influence sustainable development; the legislative and theoretical underpinnings to provide an understanding of the context, meanings, foundations and processes of the statutory, regulatory and policy frameworks and theories aligned with LED in general and in South African local government in particular; and the variables influencing the dynamics, processes and steps appropriate to LED strategy development. The study found that with the pronouncements in the White Paper on Local Government of 1998 the country embarked on an ambitious journey to promote LED. But the achievement of the aims of the White Paper have arguably been frustrated by unsettled and parochial paradigms, the lack of a structured integrative approach that recognises its dividends as the shared outcome of complex deliberate, mutually supportive actions across governmental spheres and jurisdictions; as well as by ancillary problems such as deficiencies in the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) planning processes and lack of capacity of key role players at multiple points in the LED process. LED in South Africa, over two decades, despite continual evaluation...
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Agritourism and local economic development in South Africa
- Rogerson, Christian M., Rogerson, Jayne M.
- Authors: Rogerson, Christian M. , Rogerson, Jayne M.
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Agritourism - South Africa , Local economic development - South Africa , Economic development - South Africa
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5494 , ISSN 1732–4254 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13615
- Description: The role of tourism for local economic development (LED) is a topic of critical importance for geographers. In the case of South Africa tourism is a priority sector for national economic development. The significance of research issues around tourism and LED is underlined by the ‘developmental’ mandate of local governments. Although tourism has received attention in a growing body of LED writings on South Africa issues around agritourism so far have been overlooked. Agritourism represents an evolving form of rural tourism which is targeted at mainly urban consumers. Against the background of a review of international scholarship on agritourism this article explores its potential implications for LED planning in South Africa. A national audit of agritourism is presented which shows its uneven geographical distribution. Agritourism is of special significance for small town economic development in South Africa’s intermediate tourism spaces. Policy suggestions are offered for strengthening agritourism as a driver for LED in South Africa.
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- Authors: Rogerson, Christian M. , Rogerson, Jayne M.
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Agritourism - South Africa , Local economic development - South Africa , Economic development - South Africa
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5494 , ISSN 1732–4254 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13615
- Description: The role of tourism for local economic development (LED) is a topic of critical importance for geographers. In the case of South Africa tourism is a priority sector for national economic development. The significance of research issues around tourism and LED is underlined by the ‘developmental’ mandate of local governments. Although tourism has received attention in a growing body of LED writings on South Africa issues around agritourism so far have been overlooked. Agritourism represents an evolving form of rural tourism which is targeted at mainly urban consumers. Against the background of a review of international scholarship on agritourism this article explores its potential implications for LED planning in South Africa. A national audit of agritourism is presented which shows its uneven geographical distribution. Agritourism is of special significance for small town economic development in South Africa’s intermediate tourism spaces. Policy suggestions are offered for strengthening agritourism as a driver for LED in South Africa.
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An analysis of sub-sectoral employment intensity in South Africa
- Authors: Mahuma, Khomotso Arthur
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Unemployment - South Africa , Unemployment - Economic aspects - South Africa , Economic development - South Africa , Labor supply - South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/245866 , uj:25474
- Description: M.Com. (Development Economics) , Abstract: The main purpose of this dissertation is to measure the employment intensity of the 46 sub-sectors in the South African economy. Three methods are considered: labour-capital ratios, labour value-added ratios and employment elasticity of output. In addition, two techniques, namely an arithmetic formula and a time-series regression model, are used in measuring employment elasticities of output. Lack of knowledge of sub-sectors with high labour intensity may result in policy makers implementing industrial policies that do not necessarily meet their unemployment-reduction objectives. Policy makers can therefore use the results of this study to target certain sub-sectors for the purposes of employment creation. The results of the labour-capital ratios show that the five (in ranking order) most labour-intensive sub-sectors in South Africa are ‘other producers’, civil engineering and other construction, building construction, trade, catering and accommodation services and wearing apparel. The results of the labour value-added ratios show that the five (in ranking order) most labour-intensive sub-sectors in South Africa are ‘other producers’, textiles, wearing apparel, civil engineering and other construction, as well as trade, catering and accommodation services . For the period 2011 to 2014 (latest period of analysis), the arithmetic calculation shows that the five (in ranking order) most labour-intensive sub-sectors in South Africa are other chemicals and man-made fibers, ‘excluding medical, dental and veterinary services’, wholesale and retail trade, building construction, as well as ‘other services’. The time-series model over the period 1971-2014 shows that the five (in ranking order) most labour- intensive sub-sectors in South Africa are ‘other producers’, civil engineering and other construction, television, radio and communication equipment, building construction , as well as transport and storage. The composite measure (simple average of the rankings of these measures) shows that the seven (in ranking order) most labour-intensive sub-sectors in South Africa are ‘other producers’1, building construction, wholesale and retail trade , trade, catering and accommodation services, metals products excluding machinery, civil engineering and other construction, as well as textiles.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mahuma, Khomotso Arthur
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Unemployment - South Africa , Unemployment - Economic aspects - South Africa , Economic development - South Africa , Labor supply - South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/245866 , uj:25474
- Description: M.Com. (Development Economics) , Abstract: The main purpose of this dissertation is to measure the employment intensity of the 46 sub-sectors in the South African economy. Three methods are considered: labour-capital ratios, labour value-added ratios and employment elasticity of output. In addition, two techniques, namely an arithmetic formula and a time-series regression model, are used in measuring employment elasticities of output. Lack of knowledge of sub-sectors with high labour intensity may result in policy makers implementing industrial policies that do not necessarily meet their unemployment-reduction objectives. Policy makers can therefore use the results of this study to target certain sub-sectors for the purposes of employment creation. The results of the labour-capital ratios show that the five (in ranking order) most labour-intensive sub-sectors in South Africa are ‘other producers’, civil engineering and other construction, building construction, trade, catering and accommodation services and wearing apparel. The results of the labour value-added ratios show that the five (in ranking order) most labour-intensive sub-sectors in South Africa are ‘other producers’, textiles, wearing apparel, civil engineering and other construction, as well as trade, catering and accommodation services . For the period 2011 to 2014 (latest period of analysis), the arithmetic calculation shows that the five (in ranking order) most labour-intensive sub-sectors in South Africa are other chemicals and man-made fibers, ‘excluding medical, dental and veterinary services’, wholesale and retail trade, building construction, as well as ‘other services’. The time-series model over the period 1971-2014 shows that the five (in ranking order) most labour- intensive sub-sectors in South Africa are ‘other producers’, civil engineering and other construction, television, radio and communication equipment, building construction , as well as transport and storage. The composite measure (simple average of the rankings of these measures) shows that the seven (in ranking order) most labour-intensive sub-sectors in South Africa are ‘other producers’1, building construction, wholesale and retail trade , trade, catering and accommodation services, metals products excluding machinery, civil engineering and other construction, as well as textiles.
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The linkage between foreign direct investment and economic growth : a comparative case study of Kenya and South Africa
- Authors: Ziyane, Barbara Tintswalo
- Date: 2012-09-07
- Subjects: Foreign investments - South Africa , Foreign investments - Kenya , Economic development - South Africa , Economic development - Kenya
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:9775 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7181
- Description: M.A. , All countries compete to attract a larger share of FDI inflows. Developing countries, especially in Africa, receive a relatively small share of FDI inflow. Furthermore, the FDI inflows that Africa receives are concentrated in a small number of countries. While FDI is regarded as the engine for growth, some studies have even shown a weak and unstable relationship between FDI and growth in Africa, with wide variations between African countries. Against this backdrop, this study aims to determine why developing countries benefit differently from FDI. To achieve this aim, a comparative case study between South Africa and Kenya was conducted. This study focused on the institutions responsible for providing linkage support to both new and existing foreign direct investors in South Africa and Kenya. It argues that institutions assist countries to adopt and absorb technologies introduced in domestic economies by foreign investors. In this light, the research attempted to compare the best practice to actual practice of the institutions in South Africa and Kenya. At the end of the research process, it was discovered that even though South African institutions have challenges, they perform better than their Kenyan counterparts because they are well-funded and receive strong support from the South African government.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Ziyane, Barbara Tintswalo
- Date: 2012-09-07
- Subjects: Foreign investments - South Africa , Foreign investments - Kenya , Economic development - South Africa , Economic development - Kenya
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:9775 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7181
- Description: M.A. , All countries compete to attract a larger share of FDI inflows. Developing countries, especially in Africa, receive a relatively small share of FDI inflow. Furthermore, the FDI inflows that Africa receives are concentrated in a small number of countries. While FDI is regarded as the engine for growth, some studies have even shown a weak and unstable relationship between FDI and growth in Africa, with wide variations between African countries. Against this backdrop, this study aims to determine why developing countries benefit differently from FDI. To achieve this aim, a comparative case study between South Africa and Kenya was conducted. This study focused on the institutions responsible for providing linkage support to both new and existing foreign direct investors in South Africa and Kenya. It argues that institutions assist countries to adopt and absorb technologies introduced in domestic economies by foreign investors. In this light, the research attempted to compare the best practice to actual practice of the institutions in South Africa and Kenya. At the end of the research process, it was discovered that even though South African institutions have challenges, they perform better than their Kenyan counterparts because they are well-funded and receive strong support from the South African government.
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Xenophobia as a contextual factor in South Africa
- Masikane, Champion Mfihlakalo
- Authors: Masikane, Champion Mfihlakalo
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Xenophobia - South Africa , Economic development - South Africa , Leadership - South Africa , Development leadership - South Africa , Poverty - South Africa , Unemployment - South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/246259 , uj:25524
- Description: M.Phil. , Abstract: South Africa with its associated emerging economy is faced with many challenges that spring from socio-economic issues. This laid the cornerstone for increased competition in business opportunities, social services and employment amongst and within highly challenged communities. Xenophobia occurs often and regularly in South Africa and it is expressed as a negative attitude towards people from other countries in this case with specific reference to other Africans from Africa. This study aimed to understand xenophobia as a contextual factor and how it affects South Africa as an emerging economy. The research design was qualitative in nature. Primary data was collected using a purposeful sample and by conducting semi-structured face-to-face interviews. Seven individuals were selected based on their involvement and knowledge within the field of xenophobia. The interviews were audio recorded, transcribed and analysed. Secondary data were collected by consulting relevant and significant media reports, policy documents and Government Reports. Thematic analysis and Content analysis were applied to extract themes from data gathered. The key findings of the study were that xenophobia is a symptom of a much deeper problem in South Africa. The issue of xenophobia in South Africa can be related to governance issues. What came out strongly was that South Africa’s widening gap between the rich and poor is a major contributory factor to xenophobia. Incidents of violence take place in the context of growing economic inequality, poverty and high unemployment all of which provided a combustible environment which is a typical characteristic of an emerging economy. Micro-politics at township level encouraged xenophobic violence and local political players organised and led the violence. This is an attempt to claim and consolidate the authority and power needed to further their economic and political interests. Xenophobia and the violence related to it deeply damaged South Africa’s moral authority and world image. A pre-eminent understanding of xenophobia, as a phenomenon within the South African context, is presented as an unintended outcome of this study by means of a conceptual framework. This framework attempts to map the factors, and their interrelationship, with, between and amongst each other, as well as with xenophobia. From a practical viewpoint it is strongly recommend that on local level, authorities (elected and non-elected) roles need to be addressed and that their leadership should be held accountable for incidents of xenophobia. It is further strongly recommended that those government departments responsible for migration policy formulation must consider...
- Full Text:
- Authors: Masikane, Champion Mfihlakalo
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Xenophobia - South Africa , Economic development - South Africa , Leadership - South Africa , Development leadership - South Africa , Poverty - South Africa , Unemployment - South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/246259 , uj:25524
- Description: M.Phil. , Abstract: South Africa with its associated emerging economy is faced with many challenges that spring from socio-economic issues. This laid the cornerstone for increased competition in business opportunities, social services and employment amongst and within highly challenged communities. Xenophobia occurs often and regularly in South Africa and it is expressed as a negative attitude towards people from other countries in this case with specific reference to other Africans from Africa. This study aimed to understand xenophobia as a contextual factor and how it affects South Africa as an emerging economy. The research design was qualitative in nature. Primary data was collected using a purposeful sample and by conducting semi-structured face-to-face interviews. Seven individuals were selected based on their involvement and knowledge within the field of xenophobia. The interviews were audio recorded, transcribed and analysed. Secondary data were collected by consulting relevant and significant media reports, policy documents and Government Reports. Thematic analysis and Content analysis were applied to extract themes from data gathered. The key findings of the study were that xenophobia is a symptom of a much deeper problem in South Africa. The issue of xenophobia in South Africa can be related to governance issues. What came out strongly was that South Africa’s widening gap between the rich and poor is a major contributory factor to xenophobia. Incidents of violence take place in the context of growing economic inequality, poverty and high unemployment all of which provided a combustible environment which is a typical characteristic of an emerging economy. Micro-politics at township level encouraged xenophobic violence and local political players organised and led the violence. This is an attempt to claim and consolidate the authority and power needed to further their economic and political interests. Xenophobia and the violence related to it deeply damaged South Africa’s moral authority and world image. A pre-eminent understanding of xenophobia, as a phenomenon within the South African context, is presented as an unintended outcome of this study by means of a conceptual framework. This framework attempts to map the factors, and their interrelationship, with, between and amongst each other, as well as with xenophobia. From a practical viewpoint it is strongly recommend that on local level, authorities (elected and non-elected) roles need to be addressed and that their leadership should be held accountable for incidents of xenophobia. It is further strongly recommended that those government departments responsible for migration policy formulation must consider...
- Full Text:
Evaluating the performance of the South African Breweries Foundation Tholoana Enterprise Fund
- Authors: Tlou, Dineo
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Performance - Evaluation , South African Breweries Ltd. , Entrepreneurship - South Africa - Finance , Small business - South Africa - Growth , Economic development - South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/261932 , uj:27631
- Description: M.Com. (Business Management) , Abstract: Small businesses play a major role in the economic development of South Africa, yet the country’s business environment is marked by low entrepreneurial activity, small business failure and stunted small business growth. The impact of small businesses on the economy and general development is determined by the performance of small businesses, but these businesses are faced with challenges that hinder growth or cause businesses to be untenable. Several support programmes from government and the private sector are available to assist entrepreneurs to establish small businesses but the performance or success of these programmes is not measured and therefore the effect of the programmes not quantifiable and lessons or models not recorded and shared. Very little empirical research exists on the evaluation or measurement of the success of entrepreneurship support programmes. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the performance of the South African Breweries Foundation Tholoana Enterprise Fund with a specific focus on the successes. A quantitative study was conducted and primary data collected using questionnaires and telephone surveys among the beneficiaries of the Tholoana Enterprise Fund between 2012 and 2014. The entire population made up of 197 elements was targeted with only 175 entrepreneurs being reachable. The methods of analysis employed in this study are descriptive statistics using frequency tables, custom tables, mean and standard deviations and inferential statistics using correlation and paired sample tests. The findings of this study suggest that most respondents attributed business continuity to the grant received from the Tholoana Enterprise Fund. The study also determined that success for small businesses is determined by a combination of success factors rather than only one. The study indicated that a few small businesses received support from either the private sector or government. The results of this study contributed to theory building as there is a paucity of evaluations or measurement of entrepreneurship support programmes.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Tlou, Dineo
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Performance - Evaluation , South African Breweries Ltd. , Entrepreneurship - South Africa - Finance , Small business - South Africa - Growth , Economic development - South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/261932 , uj:27631
- Description: M.Com. (Business Management) , Abstract: Small businesses play a major role in the economic development of South Africa, yet the country’s business environment is marked by low entrepreneurial activity, small business failure and stunted small business growth. The impact of small businesses on the economy and general development is determined by the performance of small businesses, but these businesses are faced with challenges that hinder growth or cause businesses to be untenable. Several support programmes from government and the private sector are available to assist entrepreneurs to establish small businesses but the performance or success of these programmes is not measured and therefore the effect of the programmes not quantifiable and lessons or models not recorded and shared. Very little empirical research exists on the evaluation or measurement of the success of entrepreneurship support programmes. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the performance of the South African Breweries Foundation Tholoana Enterprise Fund with a specific focus on the successes. A quantitative study was conducted and primary data collected using questionnaires and telephone surveys among the beneficiaries of the Tholoana Enterprise Fund between 2012 and 2014. The entire population made up of 197 elements was targeted with only 175 entrepreneurs being reachable. The methods of analysis employed in this study are descriptive statistics using frequency tables, custom tables, mean and standard deviations and inferential statistics using correlation and paired sample tests. The findings of this study suggest that most respondents attributed business continuity to the grant received from the Tholoana Enterprise Fund. The study also determined that success for small businesses is determined by a combination of success factors rather than only one. The study indicated that a few small businesses received support from either the private sector or government. The results of this study contributed to theory building as there is a paucity of evaluations or measurement of entrepreneurship support programmes.
- Full Text:
Developing an adequate standard of the review of affirmative action disputes in South Africa
- Authors: Manning, Samantha
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Affirmative action programs - South Africa , Discrimination in employment - South Africa , Economic development - South Africa , Human rights - South Africa , South Africa. Constitution (1994)
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/236973 , uj:24270
- Description: LL.M. (Human Rights) , Abstract: Please refer to full text to view abstract
- Full Text:
- Authors: Manning, Samantha
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Affirmative action programs - South Africa , Discrimination in employment - South Africa , Economic development - South Africa , Human rights - South Africa , South Africa. Constitution (1994)
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/236973 , uj:24270
- Description: LL.M. (Human Rights) , Abstract: Please refer to full text to view abstract
- Full Text: