The influence of microfinance institutions on small, medium and micro-enterprises in South Africa
- Authors: Baloyi, Norman Tinyiko
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Microfinance -- South Africa Small business -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/17459 , vital:28342
- Description: South Africa, with its establishment of the National Department of Small Business Development, in 2014, made its intentions known for wanting to create a conducive environment by developing and supporting small businesses and cooperatives through financial and non-financial provisions. Nevertheless, there is still a high failure rate of Small, Medium and Micro-sized Enterprises (SMMEs), many of them failing on their first year due to various challenges and circumstances, one of which is lack of access to finances. Banks have been and still are unwilling to provide SMMEs with loans due to SMMEs’ having high-risk levels of failure rates. This gap gives an opportunity to micro-finance institutions (MFIs) to provide financial support to the SMMEs, which comes with the challenge of properly screening the SMMEs and the possible risk of non-payment. The big question is whether MFIs are willing to support SMMEs and whether SMMEs are interested in obtaining support from MFIs. If so, what are the roles, functions and influence of MFIs towards the SMMEs? This study was undertaken to examine the impact and effectiveness of microfinance institutions (MFIs) in discharging their duties and responsibilities towards SMMEs in South Africa, by first considering the nature, challenges and scope of SMMEs as well as the nature and extent, risks, credit ratings, impact assessment and regulations that affect the products and services of MFIs. Both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies were used in this study. It was found that most SMMEs are making use of the products and services of MFIs. MFIs have been found to provide different reasons for supporting SMMEs, which were also measured and assessed against the previous study, and similar trends were found.The study further found the following: 65% of SMMEs needed microfinance assistance/support from MFIs, 54% of SMMEs were satisfied with the services rendered by MFIs, 35% of MFIs reached out to SMMEs, and 67% of SMMEs preferred formal and registered MFIs for financing of their business activities. The types of risks that most MFIs are faced with were found to be loan repayments from SMMEs, providing smaller loans in order to cater for multiple clients, client dropouts, financial regression, switching of clients, clients engaged with multiple competing MFIs, and making use of informal and unregistered MFIs. Natural disasters such as floods was found to be the least type of a risk. Most SMMEs (approximately 82%) have alluded to the use of informal and unregistered MFIs, due to the convenience of getting support, where there is no screening of the applications, in spite of higher loan interest rates. About 61% of MFIs happen to have a formal screening process of the loan application, which comprises mainly credit checks. No thorough vetting process is done on the clients. Some MFIs (approximately 39%) do not have criteria for assessing whether to fund or not to fund microenterprises, and this is a huge risk, as these MFIs are exposing themselves to non-repayment vulnerabilities by the SMMEs. About 63% of the MFIs were not aware of most of the rules and regulations that affect MFIs, which gives an indication that there is a lack of awareness, education and training.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Baloyi, Norman Tinyiko
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Microfinance -- South Africa Small business -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/17459 , vital:28342
- Description: South Africa, with its establishment of the National Department of Small Business Development, in 2014, made its intentions known for wanting to create a conducive environment by developing and supporting small businesses and cooperatives through financial and non-financial provisions. Nevertheless, there is still a high failure rate of Small, Medium and Micro-sized Enterprises (SMMEs), many of them failing on their first year due to various challenges and circumstances, one of which is lack of access to finances. Banks have been and still are unwilling to provide SMMEs with loans due to SMMEs’ having high-risk levels of failure rates. This gap gives an opportunity to micro-finance institutions (MFIs) to provide financial support to the SMMEs, which comes with the challenge of properly screening the SMMEs and the possible risk of non-payment. The big question is whether MFIs are willing to support SMMEs and whether SMMEs are interested in obtaining support from MFIs. If so, what are the roles, functions and influence of MFIs towards the SMMEs? This study was undertaken to examine the impact and effectiveness of microfinance institutions (MFIs) in discharging their duties and responsibilities towards SMMEs in South Africa, by first considering the nature, challenges and scope of SMMEs as well as the nature and extent, risks, credit ratings, impact assessment and regulations that affect the products and services of MFIs. Both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies were used in this study. It was found that most SMMEs are making use of the products and services of MFIs. MFIs have been found to provide different reasons for supporting SMMEs, which were also measured and assessed against the previous study, and similar trends were found.The study further found the following: 65% of SMMEs needed microfinance assistance/support from MFIs, 54% of SMMEs were satisfied with the services rendered by MFIs, 35% of MFIs reached out to SMMEs, and 67% of SMMEs preferred formal and registered MFIs for financing of their business activities. The types of risks that most MFIs are faced with were found to be loan repayments from SMMEs, providing smaller loans in order to cater for multiple clients, client dropouts, financial regression, switching of clients, clients engaged with multiple competing MFIs, and making use of informal and unregistered MFIs. Natural disasters such as floods was found to be the least type of a risk. Most SMMEs (approximately 82%) have alluded to the use of informal and unregistered MFIs, due to the convenience of getting support, where there is no screening of the applications, in spite of higher loan interest rates. About 61% of MFIs happen to have a formal screening process of the loan application, which comprises mainly credit checks. No thorough vetting process is done on the clients. Some MFIs (approximately 39%) do not have criteria for assessing whether to fund or not to fund microenterprises, and this is a huge risk, as these MFIs are exposing themselves to non-repayment vulnerabilities by the SMMEs. About 63% of the MFIs were not aware of most of the rules and regulations that affect MFIs, which gives an indication that there is a lack of awareness, education and training.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The influence of tourist attractions on students' preferences to study at NMMU
- Authors: Bailey, Jade
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Tourism -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Students, Foreign -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/18232 , vital:28606
- Description: Despite decades of public action by civil society, tourism education has been neglected by policy makers. This is mainly due to the fact that tourism practitioners have not yet developed strategies based on the needs of the communities. The apartheid system created an environment that continues to marginalise those living in poverty-stricken areas with no basic infrastructure. These areas are characterised by the absence of adequate tourism education, training and awareness of opportunities. In fact, tourism education is offered only at a limited number of public and private institutions even though government acknowledges that tourism education is a key element in growing the economy of a country. This study argues that there are many factors that influence the demand for international education. These are push and pull factors that motivate students to travel and study abroad. Push factors are factors that „push‟ tourists toward a particular destination and pull factors are those that „pull‟ tourists toward a destination. The former factors are the needs of the tourists and the latter determine whether or not the needs of the tourists will be met. The primary objective of the study was to obtain a better understanding of tourism and its connection to international education in an effort to attract more students and as a result cause a growth in the tourism industry. The study was based on three research objectives: The first objective was to determine what influences international students to come to Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) in terms of tourism attractions and activities. The second was to identify the different expectations that international students have about Port Elizabeth. The third objective was to determine the role of NMMU in attracting international students to select it as their primary host university. The main finding of the first objective is that there are push and pull factors which influence international students to come to NMMU. Students participate in individual or group activities such as entertainment, cultural activities, sporting events, sightseeing or shopping and study. Their travel is closely associated with their needs and related to the image of a destination. In terms of the second objective the main finding is that the dynamic, changing environment of Port Elizabeth influences their individual needs and aspirations. Their expectations are based on the motivation factor which stems from a need (a semester abroad and working out where it is best to do this). The decision starts with the collection of information on the various options and ends with the assessment of the traveling experience. The economic, political and technological environments all have an influence on the student needs and the decision made. The main finding in terms of the third objective is that the NMMU Office for International Education has to be creative and innovative in its marketing of the university, the city and the country in order to attract international students. In addition, NMMU must uphold and expand new competencies to continue to be a competitive study abroad destination for international students worldwide. The attractiveness of NMMU can be improved by increasing the marketing material that is being sent out to attract international students and by increasing the destination marketing strategies used by the NMMU Office for International Education.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Bailey, Jade
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Tourism -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Students, Foreign -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/18232 , vital:28606
- Description: Despite decades of public action by civil society, tourism education has been neglected by policy makers. This is mainly due to the fact that tourism practitioners have not yet developed strategies based on the needs of the communities. The apartheid system created an environment that continues to marginalise those living in poverty-stricken areas with no basic infrastructure. These areas are characterised by the absence of adequate tourism education, training and awareness of opportunities. In fact, tourism education is offered only at a limited number of public and private institutions even though government acknowledges that tourism education is a key element in growing the economy of a country. This study argues that there are many factors that influence the demand for international education. These are push and pull factors that motivate students to travel and study abroad. Push factors are factors that „push‟ tourists toward a particular destination and pull factors are those that „pull‟ tourists toward a destination. The former factors are the needs of the tourists and the latter determine whether or not the needs of the tourists will be met. The primary objective of the study was to obtain a better understanding of tourism and its connection to international education in an effort to attract more students and as a result cause a growth in the tourism industry. The study was based on three research objectives: The first objective was to determine what influences international students to come to Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) in terms of tourism attractions and activities. The second was to identify the different expectations that international students have about Port Elizabeth. The third objective was to determine the role of NMMU in attracting international students to select it as their primary host university. The main finding of the first objective is that there are push and pull factors which influence international students to come to NMMU. Students participate in individual or group activities such as entertainment, cultural activities, sporting events, sightseeing or shopping and study. Their travel is closely associated with their needs and related to the image of a destination. In terms of the second objective the main finding is that the dynamic, changing environment of Port Elizabeth influences their individual needs and aspirations. Their expectations are based on the motivation factor which stems from a need (a semester abroad and working out where it is best to do this). The decision starts with the collection of information on the various options and ends with the assessment of the traveling experience. The economic, political and technological environments all have an influence on the student needs and the decision made. The main finding in terms of the third objective is that the NMMU Office for International Education has to be creative and innovative in its marketing of the university, the city and the country in order to attract international students. In addition, NMMU must uphold and expand new competencies to continue to be a competitive study abroad destination for international students worldwide. The attractiveness of NMMU can be improved by increasing the marketing material that is being sent out to attract international students and by increasing the destination marketing strategies used by the NMMU Office for International Education.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Trade, financial development and the economic growth nexus in South Africa
- Authors: Zhanje, Stephen
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: South Africa -- Economic conditions Economic development -- South Africa Finance -- Developing countries
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/13327 , vital:27175
- Description: South Africa is endowed with a well-developed and regulated financial system which compares favourably with those of other developed economies. Therefore the financial sector is intended to play a significant role in supporting the real economy, by enhancing trade and stimulating economic growth and development. Despite the existence of a stable, developed and well-regulated financial sector, the South African economy has experienced current account deficits for the past 10 years and economic growth rates have mostly trailed behind the targets prescribed by the socio-economic programs formulated and implemented since 1994. To solve the trade – financial development – economic growth nexus problem, most studies have focused on other countries while research studies on South Africa did not explicitly investigate the trade – financial development – economic growth triangle, the linkage which failed to yield the desired outcome for South Africa’s post 1994 era.Therefore, this study employs Cointegration Vector Autoregressive (CVAR) methodology to investigate the relationship between trade, financial development and economic growth in South Africa. The unit root test revealed that the variables considered in the study are I(1) variables and the Johansen cointegration test justified the existence of a long run relationship among the variables. The empirical findings indicate that imports and financial development are positively related to exports whilst economic growth is negatively related to exports. The VAR Ganger causality test has shown that there is a uni-directional causality running from financial development to economic growth, exports and imports and that imports Granger cause exports. The results of this study form the basis for further investigation into the non-performance of exports and economic growth in the nexus. The research study opens up new policy insights by suggesting that financial policy can be used to be more supportive to the production of intermediate and finished products destined for both international and domestic markets.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Zhanje, Stephen
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: South Africa -- Economic conditions Economic development -- South Africa Finance -- Developing countries
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/13327 , vital:27175
- Description: South Africa is endowed with a well-developed and regulated financial system which compares favourably with those of other developed economies. Therefore the financial sector is intended to play a significant role in supporting the real economy, by enhancing trade and stimulating economic growth and development. Despite the existence of a stable, developed and well-regulated financial sector, the South African economy has experienced current account deficits for the past 10 years and economic growth rates have mostly trailed behind the targets prescribed by the socio-economic programs formulated and implemented since 1994. To solve the trade – financial development – economic growth nexus problem, most studies have focused on other countries while research studies on South Africa did not explicitly investigate the trade – financial development – economic growth triangle, the linkage which failed to yield the desired outcome for South Africa’s post 1994 era.Therefore, this study employs Cointegration Vector Autoregressive (CVAR) methodology to investigate the relationship between trade, financial development and economic growth in South Africa. The unit root test revealed that the variables considered in the study are I(1) variables and the Johansen cointegration test justified the existence of a long run relationship among the variables. The empirical findings indicate that imports and financial development are positively related to exports whilst economic growth is negatively related to exports. The VAR Ganger causality test has shown that there is a uni-directional causality running from financial development to economic growth, exports and imports and that imports Granger cause exports. The results of this study form the basis for further investigation into the non-performance of exports and economic growth in the nexus. The research study opens up new policy insights by suggesting that financial policy can be used to be more supportive to the production of intermediate and finished products destined for both international and domestic markets.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Accomodation managers' perceptions towards disability service provision
- Authors: Ferreira, Erika
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: People with disabilities--Travel--South africa People with disabilities--Services for--South africa Tourism--Social Aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5473 , vital:20848
- Description: It is increasingly recognized that travellers with disabilities are becoming an important emerging market segment in the tourism industry worldwide. As the demand for accessible tourism increases, the need for accessible accommodation and disability service provision grows. A search of the international and South African tourism literature revealed few studies with a focus on the supply side of accessible accommodation for persons with disabilities, in particular from the perspective of accommodation managers towards disability service provision. To obtain a broad understanding of the perceptions of accommodation managers towards disability service provision in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipal area is a challenge which needs to be investigated. From the literature overview it was possible to conceptualize disability; provide a background on existing international and national policies as well as legislative frameworks required in creating an accessible environment that is conducive for persons with disabilities; identify commonalities that exist in supply side literature findings of accessible tourism and to ascertain South African initiatives introduced to create accessible tourist accommodation. This enabled the researcher to develop a research instrument to explore the perceptions of accommodation managers towards servicing the needs of persons with disabilities and the perceptions of accommodation managers towards the importance of disability provision.The primary objective of this exploratory study is to investigate the perceptions of accommodation managers towards disability service provision. A framework to investigate this was developed and three hypotheses formulated and empirically tested. The results of the descriptive statistics showed that, overall, the different aspects of disability service provision were perceived positively and as important. Further data analysis revealed a statistical significant relationship between the respondents’ employment position or function within the accommodation establishment, and the perceptions of accommodation managers towards disability service provision. A statistical significant relationship between the age of respondents, and the perceived importance of disability service provision was shown. Two of the three hypotheses were accepted. The data gathered in this study is important as it indicated that accommodation managers are aware that people with disabilities require certain levels of accessibility when planning trips. As all exploratory research, this study proposes further research to discover the constraints faced by accommodation managers to service the needs of persons with disabilities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Ferreira, Erika
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: People with disabilities--Travel--South africa People with disabilities--Services for--South africa Tourism--Social Aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5473 , vital:20848
- Description: It is increasingly recognized that travellers with disabilities are becoming an important emerging market segment in the tourism industry worldwide. As the demand for accessible tourism increases, the need for accessible accommodation and disability service provision grows. A search of the international and South African tourism literature revealed few studies with a focus on the supply side of accessible accommodation for persons with disabilities, in particular from the perspective of accommodation managers towards disability service provision. To obtain a broad understanding of the perceptions of accommodation managers towards disability service provision in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipal area is a challenge which needs to be investigated. From the literature overview it was possible to conceptualize disability; provide a background on existing international and national policies as well as legislative frameworks required in creating an accessible environment that is conducive for persons with disabilities; identify commonalities that exist in supply side literature findings of accessible tourism and to ascertain South African initiatives introduced to create accessible tourist accommodation. This enabled the researcher to develop a research instrument to explore the perceptions of accommodation managers towards servicing the needs of persons with disabilities and the perceptions of accommodation managers towards the importance of disability provision.The primary objective of this exploratory study is to investigate the perceptions of accommodation managers towards disability service provision. A framework to investigate this was developed and three hypotheses formulated and empirically tested. The results of the descriptive statistics showed that, overall, the different aspects of disability service provision were perceived positively and as important. Further data analysis revealed a statistical significant relationship between the respondents’ employment position or function within the accommodation establishment, and the perceptions of accommodation managers towards disability service provision. A statistical significant relationship between the age of respondents, and the perceived importance of disability service provision was shown. Two of the three hypotheses were accepted. The data gathered in this study is important as it indicated that accommodation managers are aware that people with disabilities require certain levels of accessibility when planning trips. As all exploratory research, this study proposes further research to discover the constraints faced by accommodation managers to service the needs of persons with disabilities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Determinants of economic growth in China: 1978-2013
- Authors: Sipuka, Msingathi
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: China -- Economic conditions -- 1976-2000 , Economic development -- China
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/11181 , vital:26892
- Description: On 1 October 1949, the Communist Party of China under the leadership of Mao Zedong proclaimed the establishment of the People’s Republic of China. Mao was to lead the People’s Republic of China for the next twenty seven years until his death in 1976. During this twenty seven year period under Mao’s leadership the Communist Party of China consolidated its position as the leader of Chinese society and in so doing consolidated communist ideology as the central perspective that guided social and economic planning in China. In 1978, two years after Mao’s death, Deng Xiaping assumed the leadership of the Communist Party of China and this period marked the beginning of far reaching economic and social reforms in China. Over the next thirty years these reforms were to transform China’s economy from the tenth largest to the second largest in the world by the end of 2013. During this period China grew its manufacturing base to the extent that the country has become the world’s largest manufacturer and the world’s leading exporter. This transformation of China’s economy has translated to the country experiencing a period of high levels of economic growth over a sustained period of over 30 years. Estimates suggest that the country’s gross domestic product grew at an average annual rate of nearly 10% over a thirty year period from 1978. These high levels of economic growth have significantly contributed to the overall reduction of poverty levels in the country, with some estimates suggesting that between 300 million to 500 million of the country’s citizens have been lifted out of poverty over a period of thirty years. China’s economic growth has had an impact beyond its own borders, as growth in many developing countries has been inextricably linked to developments in the Chinese economy in particular its demand for raw materials.For developing countries that continue to grapple with high levels of poverty among its citizens, China’s experience of lifting such large numbers of its own citizens out of poverty at the back of high levels of economic growth over a period of thirty years must serve as a basis for some learnings. The primary purpose of this research is aimed at contributing towards building the basis for such learnings, particularly with regards to building an understanding of how China has been able to grow its economy at such high levels over a sustained period of time. This research aims to identify the determinants of China’s growth post 1978. The determinants of growth are studied particularly from 1978 because the year marks the beginning of the period of economic reforms.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Sipuka, Msingathi
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: China -- Economic conditions -- 1976-2000 , Economic development -- China
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/11181 , vital:26892
- Description: On 1 October 1949, the Communist Party of China under the leadership of Mao Zedong proclaimed the establishment of the People’s Republic of China. Mao was to lead the People’s Republic of China for the next twenty seven years until his death in 1976. During this twenty seven year period under Mao’s leadership the Communist Party of China consolidated its position as the leader of Chinese society and in so doing consolidated communist ideology as the central perspective that guided social and economic planning in China. In 1978, two years after Mao’s death, Deng Xiaping assumed the leadership of the Communist Party of China and this period marked the beginning of far reaching economic and social reforms in China. Over the next thirty years these reforms were to transform China’s economy from the tenth largest to the second largest in the world by the end of 2013. During this period China grew its manufacturing base to the extent that the country has become the world’s largest manufacturer and the world’s leading exporter. This transformation of China’s economy has translated to the country experiencing a period of high levels of economic growth over a sustained period of over 30 years. Estimates suggest that the country’s gross domestic product grew at an average annual rate of nearly 10% over a thirty year period from 1978. These high levels of economic growth have significantly contributed to the overall reduction of poverty levels in the country, with some estimates suggesting that between 300 million to 500 million of the country’s citizens have been lifted out of poverty over a period of thirty years. China’s economic growth has had an impact beyond its own borders, as growth in many developing countries has been inextricably linked to developments in the Chinese economy in particular its demand for raw materials.For developing countries that continue to grapple with high levels of poverty among its citizens, China’s experience of lifting such large numbers of its own citizens out of poverty at the back of high levels of economic growth over a period of thirty years must serve as a basis for some learnings. The primary purpose of this research is aimed at contributing towards building the basis for such learnings, particularly with regards to building an understanding of how China has been able to grow its economy at such high levels over a sustained period of time. This research aims to identify the determinants of China’s growth post 1978. The determinants of growth are studied particularly from 1978 because the year marks the beginning of the period of economic reforms.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Exchange rate and foreign direct investment inflows: a case of Namibia 1990-2014
- Authors: Idhenga, Salome Ngwedha
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Economic policy , Exchange rate pass-through -- Namibia , Investments, Foreign -- Namibia , Gross domestic product -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6762 , vital:21134
- Description: Purpose - this study is aimed at to investigating the effects exchange rate and other variables on foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows have on the Namibian economy. Methodology -The model comprises of the unit root test, the co-integration test, the long run equation co-efficient, an error correction model, the normality test and the stability test, were employed to estimate and interpret the results. Finding and recommendations - The results of the study have revealed that a relationship exists between exchange rate and FDI. However, this relationship is said to be statistically insignificant. It cannot therefore be used as a tool to influence FDI in Namibia. The results further indicated that GDP and trade openness were the most significant determinants of FDI in Namibia. The recommendations of this study thus suggest that the government should implement policies to diversify its production across all sectors and increase the manufacturing of finished goods, so as to enhance the GDP growth. Namibia should further advance its trade open through in-creased and fast-tracked trade agreements at both bilateral and multilateral levels.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Idhenga, Salome Ngwedha
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Economic policy , Exchange rate pass-through -- Namibia , Investments, Foreign -- Namibia , Gross domestic product -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6762 , vital:21134
- Description: Purpose - this study is aimed at to investigating the effects exchange rate and other variables on foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows have on the Namibian economy. Methodology -The model comprises of the unit root test, the co-integration test, the long run equation co-efficient, an error correction model, the normality test and the stability test, were employed to estimate and interpret the results. Finding and recommendations - The results of the study have revealed that a relationship exists between exchange rate and FDI. However, this relationship is said to be statistically insignificant. It cannot therefore be used as a tool to influence FDI in Namibia. The results further indicated that GDP and trade openness were the most significant determinants of FDI in Namibia. The recommendations of this study thus suggest that the government should implement policies to diversify its production across all sectors and increase the manufacturing of finished goods, so as to enhance the GDP growth. Namibia should further advance its trade open through in-creased and fast-tracked trade agreements at both bilateral and multilateral levels.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Remittances as an external source of finance for investments in developing countries
- Authors: Gadzikwa, Francis
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Emigrant remittances -- Developing countries Economic development -- Developing countries , Economic development -- Developing countries Developing countries -- Economic policy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/7664 , vital:22785
- Description: A number of studies by academics, scholars and researchers have been conducted on the subject of remittances. The focus of these studies has been on developing countries where remittance corridors have long been established. These studies have focused more on the effects of remittances at micro level, in other words poverty alleviation as result of the decline of FDI; PI and ODA. Established remittance corridors are found in Asia, the Pacific Rim, the Middle East, South America, the Caribbean, West Africa as well as North Africa. Few studies have been conducted into new emerging corridors that are still being established, such as the South Africa-Zimbabwe, Botswana-Zimbabwe and the Namibian-Zimbabwe corridors where a large number of Zimbabweans have migrated to. Economic growth and development are major challenges facing developing countries due to lack of finance. With the decline of FDI, PI, ODA as well as credit since the global financial crisis in 2008, there is a need for research to determine other alternative sustainable sources of finance to enable economic growth and development. Available literature and empirical evidence on the subject matter suggest remittances as a complementary source not a substitute of FDI, PI, ODA and credit. This means that governments in developing countries should not neglect their duty to collect revenue, should promote FDI and PI and not be dependant solely on remittances. Like FDI, PI and ODA, the flow of remittances is also determined by the socio-economic and political factors. Any negative effect on the socio-economic and political factors may also lead to the decline of remittance flows. Whilst other developing countries in established remittance corridors have put policies and systems in place to harness and ensure maximum benefits of remittances, countries such as Zimbabwe have not done much to realise potential and the impact that remittances can make. This is evidenced from the lack of reliable data which according to Chami et al. (2008:21) places severe constraints on the types of questions that can be asked and conclusions that can be drawn from statistical analyses. Secondly, emigration from Zimbabwe can be regarded to be in its infancy stage compared countries like Nigeria and Egypt where migration to developed countries has reached maturity stage. The evidence of this is seen on the volume of remittances currently being received by these two countries. Therefore, this study will complement existing data and literature available particularly on this corridor. Remittances are channelled either through formal or informal channels. The literature available and empirical evidence suggests that the bulk of remittances are channelled through informal channels as opposed to formal channels (Crush et al.,2012:20). Within the South Africa-Zimbabwe corridor, 85 percent of remittances to Zimbabwe are channelled informally (von Burgsdorff, 2012: 17) and are not captured in the official statistics such as the Balance of Payments. The drawback of this is lack of accurate data which precludes more rigorous statistical analysis in this field (von Burgsdorff, 2010:12). This study will endeavour to capture valuable statistics with regards to remittances. Most developing countries that have relied on aid are also burdened with huge unsustainable external debts (Obasanjo, 2000). The external debts continue to have an adverse effect of slowing down economic growth and development as these countries have an obligation to pay back the debts. Settling of external debts has been one of the biggest challenges facing developing countries. With the rise of remittances, Olubiyi (2013:1) sees them as a replacement to credit to a country that is constrained. Instead of borrowing finance for growth and development, remittances can be used instead. Apart from substituting credit with remittances, countries which are not burdened with external debts are able to use remittances as a leverage to obtain foreign loans (Taylor, 1999:69). The loans acquired can used for supplementing revenue derived from the fiscus and other sources of external finance such as FDI, PI and ODA.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Gadzikwa, Francis
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Emigrant remittances -- Developing countries Economic development -- Developing countries , Economic development -- Developing countries Developing countries -- Economic policy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/7664 , vital:22785
- Description: A number of studies by academics, scholars and researchers have been conducted on the subject of remittances. The focus of these studies has been on developing countries where remittance corridors have long been established. These studies have focused more on the effects of remittances at micro level, in other words poverty alleviation as result of the decline of FDI; PI and ODA. Established remittance corridors are found in Asia, the Pacific Rim, the Middle East, South America, the Caribbean, West Africa as well as North Africa. Few studies have been conducted into new emerging corridors that are still being established, such as the South Africa-Zimbabwe, Botswana-Zimbabwe and the Namibian-Zimbabwe corridors where a large number of Zimbabweans have migrated to. Economic growth and development are major challenges facing developing countries due to lack of finance. With the decline of FDI, PI, ODA as well as credit since the global financial crisis in 2008, there is a need for research to determine other alternative sustainable sources of finance to enable economic growth and development. Available literature and empirical evidence on the subject matter suggest remittances as a complementary source not a substitute of FDI, PI, ODA and credit. This means that governments in developing countries should not neglect their duty to collect revenue, should promote FDI and PI and not be dependant solely on remittances. Like FDI, PI and ODA, the flow of remittances is also determined by the socio-economic and political factors. Any negative effect on the socio-economic and political factors may also lead to the decline of remittance flows. Whilst other developing countries in established remittance corridors have put policies and systems in place to harness and ensure maximum benefits of remittances, countries such as Zimbabwe have not done much to realise potential and the impact that remittances can make. This is evidenced from the lack of reliable data which according to Chami et al. (2008:21) places severe constraints on the types of questions that can be asked and conclusions that can be drawn from statistical analyses. Secondly, emigration from Zimbabwe can be regarded to be in its infancy stage compared countries like Nigeria and Egypt where migration to developed countries has reached maturity stage. The evidence of this is seen on the volume of remittances currently being received by these two countries. Therefore, this study will complement existing data and literature available particularly on this corridor. Remittances are channelled either through formal or informal channels. The literature available and empirical evidence suggests that the bulk of remittances are channelled through informal channels as opposed to formal channels (Crush et al.,2012:20). Within the South Africa-Zimbabwe corridor, 85 percent of remittances to Zimbabwe are channelled informally (von Burgsdorff, 2012: 17) and are not captured in the official statistics such as the Balance of Payments. The drawback of this is lack of accurate data which precludes more rigorous statistical analysis in this field (von Burgsdorff, 2010:12). This study will endeavour to capture valuable statistics with regards to remittances. Most developing countries that have relied on aid are also burdened with huge unsustainable external debts (Obasanjo, 2000). The external debts continue to have an adverse effect of slowing down economic growth and development as these countries have an obligation to pay back the debts. Settling of external debts has been one of the biggest challenges facing developing countries. With the rise of remittances, Olubiyi (2013:1) sees them as a replacement to credit to a country that is constrained. Instead of borrowing finance for growth and development, remittances can be used instead. Apart from substituting credit with remittances, countries which are not burdened with external debts are able to use remittances as a leverage to obtain foreign loans (Taylor, 1999:69). The loans acquired can used for supplementing revenue derived from the fiscus and other sources of external finance such as FDI, PI and ODA.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
South African school teachers' perceptions of sustainable tourism
- Authors: Vosloo, Penelope Leigh
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Sustainable tourism -- South Africa Tourism -- South Africa Leisure industry -- Research
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/13215 , vital:27162
- Description: Although much research has been conducted on sustainable tourism and the education thereof internationally, a limited number of studies have focussed on education of sustainable tourism in South African secondary schools. A literature overview identified various approaches to the education of sustainability on the international front. Despite South Africa’s reliance on the tourism industry, the concept of sustainability has received little focus in classrooms where this pertinent issue should be receiving attention in order to ensure that future sustainability is ensured in the South African tourism industry. From the literature overview it was possible to identify topics pertaining to sustainability in the Tourism Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement implemented in the Further Education and Training Phase (FET) in South African secondary schools. These assisted in the development of the research tool for this study. The New Ecological Paradigm (NEP), an instrument used to establish the level of environmental concerns of groups of people, also provided guidance in the development of the research tool. The primary objective of this study is to investigate the perceptions of Tourism educators in secondary schools towards sustainability. A framework to investigate this was developed and three hypotheses formulated. To give effect to this, an empirical investigation was conducted. Tourism educators who were successful in their application to mark 2014 National Senior Certificate Tourism examinations were included in the sample of this study. The result of the descriptive statistics performed on the data showed that the level of education of the respondents was the main contributing demographic that impacted on their perceptions of sustainable tourism. It is, however, of concern to note that a very low percentage of the respondents (6.2%) have received formal training in Tourism. This situation should be cause for concern for Tourism education in the Eastern Cape. Two of the three hypotheses were accepted. The researcher believes that specialised subject relevant training is required to empower educators to teach sustainable tourism in the South African secondary school classrooms in order to ensure future sustainability in the tourism industry of South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Vosloo, Penelope Leigh
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Sustainable tourism -- South Africa Tourism -- South Africa Leisure industry -- Research
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/13215 , vital:27162
- Description: Although much research has been conducted on sustainable tourism and the education thereof internationally, a limited number of studies have focussed on education of sustainable tourism in South African secondary schools. A literature overview identified various approaches to the education of sustainability on the international front. Despite South Africa’s reliance on the tourism industry, the concept of sustainability has received little focus in classrooms where this pertinent issue should be receiving attention in order to ensure that future sustainability is ensured in the South African tourism industry. From the literature overview it was possible to identify topics pertaining to sustainability in the Tourism Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement implemented in the Further Education and Training Phase (FET) in South African secondary schools. These assisted in the development of the research tool for this study. The New Ecological Paradigm (NEP), an instrument used to establish the level of environmental concerns of groups of people, also provided guidance in the development of the research tool. The primary objective of this study is to investigate the perceptions of Tourism educators in secondary schools towards sustainability. A framework to investigate this was developed and three hypotheses formulated. To give effect to this, an empirical investigation was conducted. Tourism educators who were successful in their application to mark 2014 National Senior Certificate Tourism examinations were included in the sample of this study. The result of the descriptive statistics performed on the data showed that the level of education of the respondents was the main contributing demographic that impacted on their perceptions of sustainable tourism. It is, however, of concern to note that a very low percentage of the respondents (6.2%) have received formal training in Tourism. This situation should be cause for concern for Tourism education in the Eastern Cape. Two of the three hypotheses were accepted. The researcher believes that specialised subject relevant training is required to empower educators to teach sustainable tourism in the South African secondary school classrooms in order to ensure future sustainability in the tourism industry of South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
The effect of foreign direct investment on economic growth in South Africa
- Authors: Mbeki, Zizipho
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Public investments -- South Africa Economic development -- South Africa , Investments
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/11166 , vital:26890
- Description: The effect of FDI on economic growth is not a straight jacket. Literature has shown that the effect of FDI on economic growth can be either positive or negative. The positive effects of FDI can be caused by increase in output stimulated by new technological innovations and increase in capital flows. The negative effects could result in a ‘crowding out’ effect on domestic investments, external vulnerability and dependence, destructive competition of foreign affiliates with domestic firms, and market stealing effect due to poor absorptive capacity.This treatise will attempt to shed light on the effect foreign direct investment has on economic growth in South Africa in order to ascertain whether a positive or negative relationship exists between these two variables. This study thus aims to investigate, analyse and estimate the extent to which FDI impacts economic growth in South Africa. The findings of this research will provide policymakers, commercial businesses and scholars with relevant updated theoretical and empirical results that will assist relevant government policy makers in generating effective measures of attracting FDI if it proves to be beneficial for the host country. If the results of the study prove that FDIs do not generate positive spill over effects then the policymakers are thus obliged to formulate policies that will discourage FDIs from penetrating the host country’s economy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Mbeki, Zizipho
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Public investments -- South Africa Economic development -- South Africa , Investments
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/11166 , vital:26890
- Description: The effect of FDI on economic growth is not a straight jacket. Literature has shown that the effect of FDI on economic growth can be either positive or negative. The positive effects of FDI can be caused by increase in output stimulated by new technological innovations and increase in capital flows. The negative effects could result in a ‘crowding out’ effect on domestic investments, external vulnerability and dependence, destructive competition of foreign affiliates with domestic firms, and market stealing effect due to poor absorptive capacity.This treatise will attempt to shed light on the effect foreign direct investment has on economic growth in South Africa in order to ascertain whether a positive or negative relationship exists between these two variables. This study thus aims to investigate, analyse and estimate the extent to which FDI impacts economic growth in South Africa. The findings of this research will provide policymakers, commercial businesses and scholars with relevant updated theoretical and empirical results that will assist relevant government policy makers in generating effective measures of attracting FDI if it proves to be beneficial for the host country. If the results of the study prove that FDIs do not generate positive spill over effects then the policymakers are thus obliged to formulate policies that will discourage FDIs from penetrating the host country’s economy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Risks associated with infrastructure project finance in developing countries: the case of Zambia
- Authors: Mweemba, Bruno N
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Infrastructure (Economics) -- Finance , Infrastructure (Economics) -- Risk management -- Zambia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6389 , vital:21081
- Description: Since the enactment of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) Act of 2009, there has not been a single successful PPP transaction entered into between the Government of Zambia and any private sector entity under the PPP Act of 2009 (Zambia Development Agency, 2014: 7). According to the Zambia Development Agency (2014:7), 75% of the PPPs that were entered into by the government of Zambia prior to the promulgation of the PPP Act of 2009 were canceled. These include: the Kasumbalesa Border Post, Mpulungu Harbour and Railways Systems of Zambia with an exception of the 65 year concession of the Luburma Market (popularly known as Kamwala Market). These cancellations of PPP concessions coupled with revelations in the Zambian Parliament that concession documentation for the Luburma market which is the only surviving PPP had since gone missing, this led to the research problem statement with an assertion that risks associated with infrastructure project finance are endemic in Zambia. In seeking to explore the validity of this assertion, three research objectives guided the study, namely: assessing Zambia’s general infrastructure project finance and PPP framework in comparison to theoretical normative criteria and selected country experiences; identifying and rating risks through a questionnaire; and proposing an ideal project finance risk management model which can be used as a reference by sponsors in Zambia as they design and structure infrastructure project finance deals. On a scale of 1-5 which was guided by the overal risk score outlined in the study, the average mean score ranking for all the 40 risks under investigation was found to be 3.25 .This indicates that the sentiments among respondents is that risks associated with infrastructure project finance in Zambia are average and not endemic as was affirmed in the problem statement. Despite this ‘comforting’ statistical result, the little progress in terms of earmarked infrastructure PPP deals coupled with deal cancellations as outlined above may be an indication that even the average risks appear to impede on the development of project finance and PPPs in Zambia. There is therefore an urgent need for Government and other relevant stakeholders to begin paying attention to some of the risks discussed in this study especially those with a mean score ranking in excess of 3.50 (high risk). The study in chapter 9 provides recommendations which are grouped under four key headings: addressing the environment for PPPs; providing capacity to procuring entities; paying attention to critical success factors for project development; as well as exploring a variety of possible credit enhancement mechanisms such as guarantees as a way of wooing project investors and improving the bankability of planned infrastructure deals. The Government of Zambia is further advised to avoid using ‘political feasibility “as the core investment criteria in the infrastructure agenda for the country. The study encourages that conventional benchmarks which are a mix of technical soundness, economic viability, environmental and social sustainability, financial/commercial viability as well as market readiness remain the core guiding principle in the project identification process. This will be the only way to avoid developing “white elephants” that may perpetually be a burden to the treasury and tax payers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Mweemba, Bruno N
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Infrastructure (Economics) -- Finance , Infrastructure (Economics) -- Risk management -- Zambia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6389 , vital:21081
- Description: Since the enactment of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) Act of 2009, there has not been a single successful PPP transaction entered into between the Government of Zambia and any private sector entity under the PPP Act of 2009 (Zambia Development Agency, 2014: 7). According to the Zambia Development Agency (2014:7), 75% of the PPPs that were entered into by the government of Zambia prior to the promulgation of the PPP Act of 2009 were canceled. These include: the Kasumbalesa Border Post, Mpulungu Harbour and Railways Systems of Zambia with an exception of the 65 year concession of the Luburma Market (popularly known as Kamwala Market). These cancellations of PPP concessions coupled with revelations in the Zambian Parliament that concession documentation for the Luburma market which is the only surviving PPP had since gone missing, this led to the research problem statement with an assertion that risks associated with infrastructure project finance are endemic in Zambia. In seeking to explore the validity of this assertion, three research objectives guided the study, namely: assessing Zambia’s general infrastructure project finance and PPP framework in comparison to theoretical normative criteria and selected country experiences; identifying and rating risks through a questionnaire; and proposing an ideal project finance risk management model which can be used as a reference by sponsors in Zambia as they design and structure infrastructure project finance deals. On a scale of 1-5 which was guided by the overal risk score outlined in the study, the average mean score ranking for all the 40 risks under investigation was found to be 3.25 .This indicates that the sentiments among respondents is that risks associated with infrastructure project finance in Zambia are average and not endemic as was affirmed in the problem statement. Despite this ‘comforting’ statistical result, the little progress in terms of earmarked infrastructure PPP deals coupled with deal cancellations as outlined above may be an indication that even the average risks appear to impede on the development of project finance and PPPs in Zambia. There is therefore an urgent need for Government and other relevant stakeholders to begin paying attention to some of the risks discussed in this study especially those with a mean score ranking in excess of 3.50 (high risk). The study in chapter 9 provides recommendations which are grouped under four key headings: addressing the environment for PPPs; providing capacity to procuring entities; paying attention to critical success factors for project development; as well as exploring a variety of possible credit enhancement mechanisms such as guarantees as a way of wooing project investors and improving the bankability of planned infrastructure deals. The Government of Zambia is further advised to avoid using ‘political feasibility “as the core investment criteria in the infrastructure agenda for the country. The study encourages that conventional benchmarks which are a mix of technical soundness, economic viability, environmental and social sustainability, financial/commercial viability as well as market readiness remain the core guiding principle in the project identification process. This will be the only way to avoid developing “white elephants” that may perpetually be a burden to the treasury and tax payers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
The influence of financial market development on economic growth in Brics countries
- Authors: Ruzive, Tafadzwa Mutsvedu
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Financial services industry -- Marketing , Economic development -- BRIC countries
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6594 , vital:21123
- Description: The debate about the influence of financial market development on economic growth has been ongoing for more than a century. Since Schumpeter (1912) wrote about the happenings on Lombard Street, right up to the economists of today, there is growing interest into how financial market development affects economic activity and hence economic growth. With economic growth gaining prominence in respect of development discourse, inquiry into the finance-growth nexus has grown rapidly. The latest advances of the finance-growth nexus show a positive relationship between financial market development and economic growth. In this regard, little research has been done globally pertaining to most recent economic developments, especially concerning the BRICS economies. This research investigates the influence of financial market development on emerging economies, BRICS and non-BRICS and to determine whether the openness of financial markets in BRICS economies contributed to higher growth trajectories compared to their non-BRICS counterparts. The research utilises the Generalised Method of Moments and an extended endogenous growth model to estimate the influence of a set of financial market indicators. The study found that higher levels of credit to the private sector and financial depth in the BRICS economies contributed to the higher levels of economic growth experienced in the BRICS compared to non-BRICs emerging economies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Ruzive, Tafadzwa Mutsvedu
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Financial services industry -- Marketing , Economic development -- BRIC countries
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6594 , vital:21123
- Description: The debate about the influence of financial market development on economic growth has been ongoing for more than a century. Since Schumpeter (1912) wrote about the happenings on Lombard Street, right up to the economists of today, there is growing interest into how financial market development affects economic activity and hence economic growth. With economic growth gaining prominence in respect of development discourse, inquiry into the finance-growth nexus has grown rapidly. The latest advances of the finance-growth nexus show a positive relationship between financial market development and economic growth. In this regard, little research has been done globally pertaining to most recent economic developments, especially concerning the BRICS economies. This research investigates the influence of financial market development on emerging economies, BRICS and non-BRICS and to determine whether the openness of financial markets in BRICS economies contributed to higher growth trajectories compared to their non-BRICS counterparts. The research utilises the Generalised Method of Moments and an extended endogenous growth model to estimate the influence of a set of financial market indicators. The study found that higher levels of credit to the private sector and financial depth in the BRICS economies contributed to the higher levels of economic growth experienced in the BRICS compared to non-BRICs emerging economies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
The role of FDI in economic growth in Namibia
- Nashidengo, Victoria Ndinoshisho Peneyambeko
- Authors: Nashidengo, Victoria Ndinoshisho Peneyambeko
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Investments, Foreign -- Namibia , Economic development -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/8878 , vital:26438
- Description: This report examines the role of FDI in economic growth in Namibia using annual time series data from 1980 to 2012. The relationship was explored using the VAR framework, in particular, the Granger causality. Impulse response functions and forecast error variance techniques were used for analysis. The results show that there is a positive relationship between FDI and economic growth in Namibia. The study then concluded that Namibia need more investment in other sectors such as education taking into consideration that most foreign capital is directed into the mining and manufacturing sectors. However, Namibia does not have all the necessary skill to be able to sustain the growth in GDP as a result of FDI. The study further suggested that Namibia can take advantage of export-led growth because of the positive relationship that exists between growth and export. However, there is great need to improve and diversify by focusing on exporting semi-finished and finished manufactured products instead of solid minerals and primary products that are of low value. This will enhance competitive advantage on foreign markets.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Nashidengo, Victoria Ndinoshisho Peneyambeko
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Investments, Foreign -- Namibia , Economic development -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/8878 , vital:26438
- Description: This report examines the role of FDI in economic growth in Namibia using annual time series data from 1980 to 2012. The relationship was explored using the VAR framework, in particular, the Granger causality. Impulse response functions and forecast error variance techniques were used for analysis. The results show that there is a positive relationship between FDI and economic growth in Namibia. The study then concluded that Namibia need more investment in other sectors such as education taking into consideration that most foreign capital is directed into the mining and manufacturing sectors. However, Namibia does not have all the necessary skill to be able to sustain the growth in GDP as a result of FDI. The study further suggested that Namibia can take advantage of export-led growth because of the positive relationship that exists between growth and export. However, there is great need to improve and diversify by focusing on exporting semi-finished and finished manufactured products instead of solid minerals and primary products that are of low value. This will enhance competitive advantage on foreign markets.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Mediation practice : perceptions of practitioners from the African insider mediators platform
- Authors: Smith, Richard
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Mediation , Mediators (Persons) , Social conflict
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: vital:8353 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020909
- Description: In African countries emerging from periods of violent crisis a layer of civil society practitioners and peacebuilders appear to play a critical role in mediating the inevitable disputes and tensions that arise. This treatise focuses on a sample of these mediating practitioners who perceive themselves in a variety of different ways, as peacebuilders, as conflict managers, as conflict resolution practitioners and as conflict transformation practitioners. The practitioners who participated in this study work at multiple levels to support the mediative processes that are needed in contexts of crisis and transition. They form part of a wider group of practitioners who have taken the initiative to organise insider mediators into a learning community of practitioners, under the auspices of the African Insider Mediators Platform (AIMP). This platform provides scholars with a useful research opportunity. The overall aim of this study is to explore the relationship between conflict transformation theory and the establishment of the AIMP as perceived by AIMP practitioners. It captures the perceptions that mediators have of the nature of the conflicts in which they are engaged and the influence of theoretical approaches on their practice. The treatise focuses on the perceptions of selected mediation practitioners associated with the AIMP. It draws out the conceptual lenses that are used to inform perceptions of effective mediation practice and that connect the perceptions of practitioners with the concepts contained within the conflict transformation theory. In so doing it describes the perceptions of practitioners and discusses the extent to which these perceptions resonate or deviate from theoretical conceptualisations of conflict in Africa and the theoretical frameworks that outline what constitutes an effective mediative response to this conflict. The insights into effectiveness that emerge from this approach are outlined in the treatise, drawing from background research that has informed the formation of the AIMP as well as from interviews carried out with selected mediation practitioners. The research findings suggest that there are several perceived connections between the theoretical underpinnings of conflict transformation approaches and the practice of the insider mediators involved in this study. The discussion of the data puts forward the proposition that the conceptual perceptions of the insider mediators involved in the study, in their description of elements of mediation practice and the nature of conflict, resonate strongly with the theories associated with conflict transformation thinking. In addition several additional theoretical influences appear to have been incorporated into an overall approach to discrete and collaborative mediation efforts that reinforce a strong connection between conflict transformation thinking and the practice of insider mediators. These relational connections between theory and practice are outlined in some detail in the description of the study that follows.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Smith, Richard
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Mediation , Mediators (Persons) , Social conflict
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: vital:8353 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020909
- Description: In African countries emerging from periods of violent crisis a layer of civil society practitioners and peacebuilders appear to play a critical role in mediating the inevitable disputes and tensions that arise. This treatise focuses on a sample of these mediating practitioners who perceive themselves in a variety of different ways, as peacebuilders, as conflict managers, as conflict resolution practitioners and as conflict transformation practitioners. The practitioners who participated in this study work at multiple levels to support the mediative processes that are needed in contexts of crisis and transition. They form part of a wider group of practitioners who have taken the initiative to organise insider mediators into a learning community of practitioners, under the auspices of the African Insider Mediators Platform (AIMP). This platform provides scholars with a useful research opportunity. The overall aim of this study is to explore the relationship between conflict transformation theory and the establishment of the AIMP as perceived by AIMP practitioners. It captures the perceptions that mediators have of the nature of the conflicts in which they are engaged and the influence of theoretical approaches on their practice. The treatise focuses on the perceptions of selected mediation practitioners associated with the AIMP. It draws out the conceptual lenses that are used to inform perceptions of effective mediation practice and that connect the perceptions of practitioners with the concepts contained within the conflict transformation theory. In so doing it describes the perceptions of practitioners and discusses the extent to which these perceptions resonate or deviate from theoretical conceptualisations of conflict in Africa and the theoretical frameworks that outline what constitutes an effective mediative response to this conflict. The insights into effectiveness that emerge from this approach are outlined in the treatise, drawing from background research that has informed the formation of the AIMP as well as from interviews carried out with selected mediation practitioners. The research findings suggest that there are several perceived connections between the theoretical underpinnings of conflict transformation approaches and the practice of the insider mediators involved in this study. The discussion of the data puts forward the proposition that the conceptual perceptions of the insider mediators involved in the study, in their description of elements of mediation practice and the nature of conflict, resonate strongly with the theories associated with conflict transformation thinking. In addition several additional theoretical influences appear to have been incorporated into an overall approach to discrete and collaborative mediation efforts that reinforce a strong connection between conflict transformation thinking and the practice of insider mediators. These relational connections between theory and practice are outlined in some detail in the description of the study that follows.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Land reform policies and human rights : a South African case study
- Fabbriciani, Antonio Antonino
- Authors: Fabbriciani, Antonio Antonino
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Land reform -- South Africa -- Case studies , Human rights -- South Africa -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: vital:9042 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/502 , Land reform -- South Africa -- Case studies , Human rights -- South Africa -- Case studies
- Description: This treatise begins with a discussion of different clauses of the Bill of Rights in the South African Constitution and the land reform policies of the South African government. The inequality and injustice caused by decades of apartheid land law forms the background of the land reform programme. The treatise addresses the consequences of this legacy on the implementation of the South African Constitution including the right to property. The discussion includes the three key elements of the land reform programme namely restitution, redistribution and tenure reform. The content of this treatise ranges over these three elements of land reform, applying constitutional issues to the relevant case law, The balancing and the reconciliation of rights and interest between the individual and the public in a just manner will be the barometer. The conclusion shows that the Constitution both protects existing rights and authorises the promotion of land reform within the framework of Section 25 of the Constitution, and that every aspect of the property clause has to be regarded as part of a constitional effort in balancing individual interest and public interest in terms of a constitutional order. It is my sincere hope that this treatise will contribute toward the achievement of equity, stability and by the values of an open and democratic society based on human dignity, freedom and human rights.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Fabbriciani, Antonio Antonino
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Land reform -- South Africa -- Case studies , Human rights -- South Africa -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: vital:9042 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/502 , Land reform -- South Africa -- Case studies , Human rights -- South Africa -- Case studies
- Description: This treatise begins with a discussion of different clauses of the Bill of Rights in the South African Constitution and the land reform policies of the South African government. The inequality and injustice caused by decades of apartheid land law forms the background of the land reform programme. The treatise addresses the consequences of this legacy on the implementation of the South African Constitution including the right to property. The discussion includes the three key elements of the land reform programme namely restitution, redistribution and tenure reform. The content of this treatise ranges over these three elements of land reform, applying constitutional issues to the relevant case law, The balancing and the reconciliation of rights and interest between the individual and the public in a just manner will be the barometer. The conclusion shows that the Constitution both protects existing rights and authorises the promotion of land reform within the framework of Section 25 of the Constitution, and that every aspect of the property clause has to be regarded as part of a constitional effort in balancing individual interest and public interest in terms of a constitutional order. It is my sincere hope that this treatise will contribute toward the achievement of equity, stability and by the values of an open and democratic society based on human dignity, freedom and human rights.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007