The role of the Development Funding to promote Local Economic Development in the Sarah Baartman District
- Authors: Kosi, Mlungiseleli Edward
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Economic development -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MDS
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/48698 , vital:41060
- Description: This study concentrated on the role of development funding to promote Local Economic Development (LED) in the Sarah Baartman District (SBD). Although the research discussed the funding institutions available for Small-, Medium- and Micro- Enterprises (SMMEs) in general, the main focus of this study was the Local and Regional Economic Development (LRED) Grant Fund, which is solely established to support SMMEs in the Eastern Cape. A qualitative study was undertaken in the SBD that targeted two semi-rural municipalities in the Karoo. The Dr Beyers Naude and Koukamma Local Municipalities were targeted for this research. Both municipalities are semi-rural and located in the Karoo. The study found that in order to realise sustainable economic growth, LED must be encouraged and supported within the local space. The literature review encouraged the employment of participatory development as well as addressing issues of social structures as they reinforce limitations on growth and exposure. The District Development Model (DDM) highlights the coordination of Government programmes to a district. The model also significantly devolves Government functions and structures for integrated planning and implementation to district and metropolitan municipalities. Local government is viewed as the lowest sphere of Government, and is responsible for delivering basic services and the governance of local municipalities. This level of Government also places the performance, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting (PMER) of governance at a district level. Such PMER could enable a district to have first-hand performance reports regarding development in relevant jurisdictions. In attempting to address the problem of unemployment, poverty, and economic growth, the Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEDEAT) established the LRED Grant Fund, which is solely meant to assist SMMEs in the Eastern Cape. This fund is tailored to aid the initiatives and/or businesses in the following sectors: agro-processing, automotive, manufacturing, renewable energy, oceans economy, and tourism. However, there is a current concern regarding the LRED’s lack of transparency, communication, and uncertain turnaround time during application assessment and adjudication processes. The study also noted a lack of capacity, skills, and mentoring as a hinderance for projects to sustain
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- Date Issued: 2020
The role of the state-owned enterprises in the developmental state of South Africa: a case study of Transnet
- Authors: Mayedwa, Vuyile Arthur
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Government business enterprises -- South Africa , Government corporations -- South Africa Economic development -- Political aspects -- South Africa Developing countries
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/32375 , vital:32028
- Description: The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, together with the National Development Plan (which is a government policy for the country), envisions the achievement of a developmental state (DS). In 2012 the African National Congress (ANC) Government brought a guiding document of national importance into being, known as the National Development Plan, which refers to South Africa as a developmental state. Developmental states are usually associated with development in a number of sectors of the country’s industries as well as high economic growth. This model has been successful in the East Asian countries of Japan and Singapore and could be emulated by South Africa. The National Development Plan (NDP) categorically expresses that South Africa is a developmental state (DS) and this research builds on that premise, citing inroads made and challenges faced by the country in the realization of the developmental mandate and the role performed by SOEs. Fourie (2014:30) holds that in South Africa, state-owned enterprises (SOEs) contribute significantly towards the economic development of the country, the Southern Africa region and international communities, as they attract capital equipment, finance and cooperative partnerships. This treatise investigates the role of the state-owned enterprises in the developmental state of South Africa. This treatise comprises five chapters and is based on the assumption that South African SOEs are ineffective in their contribution to the country’s transformation and socio-economic development mandate. The problem may be misalignment with the mandate set out by the Constitution and the NDP. This study provides a brief historical background on the evolution of SOEs in South Africa and a discussion regarding developmental states and the role of SOEs in developmental states. SOEs face a number of challenges and solutions need to be found. This study discusses two possible solutions, namely privatization and restructuring. The study surmises that the call to privatize is brought to the fore by the numerous failures of a number of SOEs, such as SAA. Restructuring SOEs is discussed as well as the new mandate for SOEs. Lastly, there is a discussion on the extent to which state-owned enterprises have succeeded in complying with South Africa’s developmental mandate. A literature review was conducted of previous and related research material. This study utilised a qualitative research method and the researcher ensured the validity and reliability of the secondary data that was referenced in this study. Due attention was paid to all ethical considerations and any form of harm, manipulation and malpractice was avoided. Chapter 4 includes the presentation and analysis of the data and the study’s findings are discussed in relation to the research questions and objectives that guided the study. The main problem under investigation was whether state-owned enterprises (SOEs) were responding to South Africa’s developmental agenda. This study found that the State must perform a leadership role in creating an enabling environment to drive the performance of SOEs in delivering their mandate and ensuring that SOEs are aligned with the mandate of the National Development Plan. The final chapter presents a number of recommendations that evolved from the results of the study. If adopted, these recommendations could enable the SOEs to deal with the developmental mandate given to them, ultimately assisting the SOEs to become more efficient and effective agents for development.
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- Date Issued: 2018