Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Strategies for South Africa’s development are often analysed from a predominantly economic perspective, overlooking the key role that political and sociocultural elements play in the developmental process. This study will assess possible development strategies by making use of the modern world-systems (MWS) theoretical perspective, due to the theory’s holistic approach to development. The question is posed whether South Africa – in accordance with the MWS perspective – will be able to ascend from its current semi-peripheral position in the hierarchy of the modern world-system to the core group of states by 2025. The components for national development are all-encompassing and require an increase in state strength, long-term economic development, and domestic and international sociocultural influence. Prospects for South Africa’s ascent to the core have been explored within a 15-20 year time period because the capitalist world-economy is currently still in a phase of contraction, or B-phase of growth (1973-2025). The modern world-systems theoretical approach asserts that country mobility is more likely during this phase and that ascent in the hierarchy will be increasingly difficult when the world-economy begins its expansionary phase around 2025. The study concludes that South Africa faces numerous external and internal constraints to its development, despite the noteworthy economic, political and sociocultural incentives that it could potentially capitalise on over the next fifteen years. It is anticipated that these constraints will place the country in a position whereby it will be unable to reap the benefits of the most optimal developmental strategies put forward by the modern world-systems approach; hence it will be severely challenged to attain core status by 2025. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Strategieë vir die ontwikkeling van Suid-Afrika word meerendeels geanaliseer vanuit ‘n hoofsaaklike ekonomiese invalshoek en dit het tot gevolg dat die rol wat politieke en sosio-kulturele aspekte in die ontwikkelingsproses speel nie op ag geslaan word nie. Die studie evalueer moontlike ontwikkelings-strategieë vir Suid-Afrika deur gebruik te maak van die moderne wêreld-sisteem teoretiese benadering (MWS) wat ‘n meer holistiese perspektief op ontwikkeling bied. Die vraag word gevra of Suid- Afrika – in ooreenstemming met die uitganspunte van MWS - teen 2025 sal kan vorder tot die kategorie van “kern-staat”, vanaf sy huidige status as “semi-periferale staat”. Die allesomvattende komponente vir ontwikkeling wat MWS identifiseer vereis die groei van staatskapasiteit, langtermyn ekonomiese ontwikkeling, en die uitbreiding van regionale en internasionale sosio-kulturele invloed. Die vooruitsigte vir Suid-Afrika se opgang is nagevors oor die verloop van ‘n 15-20 jaar tydperk, aangesien die kapitalistiese wêreld-ekonomie tans in ‘n fase van kontraksie verkeer (B-fase van groei) tussen 1973-2025. Die MWS benadering argumenteer dat opwaartse mobiliteit van state meer waarskynlik is tydens ‘n B-fase van groei en dat opgang moeiliker sal word wanneer die wêreld-ekonomie weer ‘n ekspansionistiese fase van groei betree in 2025. Die studie kom tot die gevolgtrekking dat Suid-Afrika se ontwikkelings-uitdagings deur beide eksterne en interne faktore bemoeilik word, nieteenstaande moontlike sterkpunte op ekonomiese, politieke en sosio-kulturele gebied waarop dit sou kon kapitaliseer oor die volgende 15 jaar. Hierdie faktore, word geargumenteer, sal veroorsaak dat die optimale ontwikkelingstrategieë wat deur ander state gevolg is, nie deur Suid-Afrika nagevolg sal kan word nie, en dat gevolglik, sonder innoverende strategieë, die kanse dat die land kern-status teen 2025 sal bereik, gering is.

Thesis (MPhil (Political Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / Democratic consolidation has become an increasingly popular phenomenon with the advent of democracy in countries all over the world, making the successful transition to a democratic dispensation from authoritarian rule. South Africa, as the case under analysis, provides a clear example of a country that has successfully managed a democratic transition, and is now on the path of consolidating its democracy thirteen years into democratic rule. The extent to which democratic consolidation is being effected in South Africa is the primary focus of this study, with a critical examination of the factors that are instrumental in creating and sustaining the conditions conducive to democratic survival. This study provides a theoretical grounding in the existing literature on democratic consolidation, which enables us to highlight the key areas of consolidation. The criteria used to determine the degree to which South Africa’s democracy can be regarded consolidated was developed by Linz and Stepan (1996), Przeworski et al (1996), Bratton and van de Walle (1997) and the subsequent writings of others. This enables us to develop a multivariate framework for evaluating the extent to which democracy is ingrained in South Africa, as well as assessing prospects for the consolidation thereof. The criteria in this study are thus broadly subdivided into the following categories. Firstly, the existence of an autonomous political society, whereby democratic institutions are evaluated in light of the parliamentary system, the electoral system, elections, the state of political parties in South Africa, and the existence of a legal culture that upholds our Constitutional democracy. Secondly, the existence of an economic society in South Africa is assessed in terms of the state of the economy and the economic policies followed by the ruling party implemented to enhance economic growth. This is studied in the context of current socio-economic ills, such as income inequality, poverty, unemployment, and measures designed to relieve these problems, most notably the creation and development of a black middle class to generate greater equality and empower the black majority. Lastly, social factors are discussed, with an emphasis on race and the significance it assumes in South African politics today. Other factors such as the existence of a strong and vibrant civil society and the development of a democratic political culture are equally important in sustaining a democratic dispensation. The latter, for the most part, was found to be a crucial determinant of whether prospects for democratic consolidation in South Africa are positive. Political culture, in essence, embodies all the criteria discussed, and thus is an underlying theme throughout this study. The findings indicate that South Africa’s democracy is consolidating in terms of institution building; however these institutions need to be protected and strengthened to ensure that trust and confidence in them is developed and maintained. The major obstacle to achieving consolidation though, is the issue of the African National Congress’ dominance in Parliament, rendering the opposition relatively insignificant. In addition, poverty and unemployment persists despite policies designed to uplift the poor. This was found to be a significant burden on democratic consolidation. Civil society plays an important role in this regard in helping to improve service delivery, as well as acting as a watchdog over state power, which is pivotal in fostering a democratic political culture. Whether or not this is sufficient in upholding democracy, only time will tell.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Land has been a revolutionary metaphor for wealth and power in the world. Ideally, land reform in Africa should contribute to social and economic progress and ultimately result in social equity, as well as increased agricultural productivity. This study is devoted to the history of the land ownership in Southern Africa, as well as the meaning and explanation of land reform programmes after the transition to democracy. Moreover, it is dedicated to familiarising the reader with the various meanings and issues concerning land reform, particularly in South Africa and Zimbabwe. The outcome of the study is to promote further discussion on the need and about the revival of land reform programmes in the region of Southern Africa. In this study, South Africa and Zimbabwe are discussed comparatively with regards to three main areas of land reform: restitution, redistribution and tenure reform. The goal of this study is to gauge the possibility of South Africa following in the footsteps of Zimbabwe in terms of land invasions supported by the government. Zimbabwe faces the painful reality that its political revolutions have only brought them halfway to true independence. The objective for Zimbabwe is to establish a functional socialist economy where decision-making would be under political control so as to bring about the drastic redistribution of wealth from whites to blacks. The fulfilment of the rule of law must become the first priority of the Zimbabwean government. If the government continues to belittle the rule of law, corrupt decisions benefiting only those in support of the government, will continually be made. The importance of land in Zimbabwe did not so much arise from the social and economic inequalities, but rather the inability to access land, accompanied by a growing overpopulation, landlessness, land deterioration and escalating poverty in the black areas. This was further paralleled with severe under-utilisation of land in the white farming areas. South Africa, on the other hand, did make space at an earlier stage of transition in their constitution, for organised and methodical land reform to occur. Unfortunately, this process has taken much slower than first predicted, which has led to unrest among the landless, and those who have made claims for the land. South Africa very recently made some decisions to speed up the land reform process through expropriation if negotiations fail. With the Zimbabwean situation, the issue may not so much be about land in itself, but may reflect the need for employment, especially regarding infrastructure and investment in industrialisation within the rural areas. This study concludes that South Africa, although showing many similar signs of a downward spiral, will not follow the route which Zimbabwe has taken. It would appear that the government of South Africa would not allow land invasions by the landless, organised under the banner the 'Landless Peoples Movement (LPM), as was seen in Zimbabwe with the war veterans. The reason for this is that the South African government has made continuous statements that land invasions will not be tolerated in South Africa, and that they will abide by the legislation set out, when it comes to land reform and restitution. The government has the power to enforce the rule of law if land invasions do start to occur. Although the LPM have a similar manifesto and goal as to the war veterans in Zimbabwe, they seem a lot less militant and ready to work with the government and the people to ensure the best for South Africa's land reform process. This study thus looks at land reform issues that face South Africa and Zimbabwe, and fleshes out ideas as to creating a regional procedure for the best method of land reform for implementation by the South African Development Community. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Gesien in die lig dat grond die revolusionêre metafoor van rykdom en mag in die wêreld is, sal dit ideaal wees as grondhervorming tot sosiale en ekonomiese bevordering in Afrika kan bydra en uiteindelik kan lei tot sosiale gelykheid en toename in produktiwiteit in die Landbou-sektor. Hierdie studie is toegewy aan die geskiedenis van grond-eienaarskap in Suider- Afrika, sowel as die betekenis en verduideliking van grondhervormingsprogramme na afloop van die transisie na 'n demokrasie stelsel. Die studie fokus ook daarop om die leser meer in te lig oor die verskeie menings en uitgangspunte rakende grondhervorming in die algemeen, maar meer speisfiek in Suid Afrika en Zimbabwe. Die doel van die studie is om verdere besprekings oor die behoefte en die heroplewing van grondhervormingsprogramme in Suider-Afrika. Suid-Afrika en Zimbabwe word in die studie op drie gronde met mekaar vergelyk: Die teruggawe van grondeiendom, die herverdeling van grondeiendom en die hervorming van besitreg. Die doel van die studie is om te bepaal of Suid-Afrika in die voetspore van Zimbabwe gaan volg. Zimbabwe staar die pynlike realiteit in die oë dat hul politieke revolusies hulle slegs halfpad tot ware onafhanklikheid gebring het. Die doel vir Zimbabwe was om 'n funksionele sosialistiese ekonomiese stelsel daar te stel waar besluitneming onder politieke beheer sou wees om sodanig drastiese herverdeling van rykdom vanaf blankes na swartes, asook onafhanklikheid van kapitaliste, te bewerkstellig. Die belangrikheid van grondbesit het nie werklik in die sosiale en ekonomiese ongelykhede gelê nie, maar in die onvermoë om grond te bekom tesame met 'n toenemende oorbevolkingsyfer, grondloosheid, grondverarming en toenemende armoede in swart gebiede. 'n Bydraende faktor was die groot mate van onderbenutting van grond in blanke boerdery gebiede. Aan die ander kant, het Suid Afrika baie vroeg in die oorgangsfase voorsiening vir 'n georganiseerde en stelselmatige grondhervormingsproses, in die grondwet gemaak. Ongelukkig het die proses baie langer gesloer as wat aanvanklik beplan is. Dit het tot onrustigheid onder die mense wat geen grondeiendom besit het nie en dié wat grondeise ingedien het, gelei. Suid Afrika het onlangs besluite geneem om die proses te bespoedig deur 'n paar belangrike besluite te neem, om die grondhervormings proses, vinniger te maak Dit word gedoen deur ekspropriasie as onderhandelinge onsuksesvol is. Soos in Zimbabwe, mag die werklike probleem nie slegs oor geondbesit gaan nie. Dit reflekteer die behoefte aan werkverskaffing, veral in die infrastruktuur van arm gebiede en die investering industrialisasie. Alhoewel dit lyk asof Suid-Afrika nie suksesvol in die herverdeling van grond is nie, kom die studie tot die slotsom dat die land nie in die spore van Zimbabwe sal volg nie. Dit kom voor asof die Suid-Afrikaanse owerheid nie sal toelaat dat mense sonder grondbesit, grond onregmatig inneem soos in Zimbabwe nie, omdat hulle 'n punt in die media daarvan gemaak het. Die owerheid het die mag om die wet toe te pas in situasies waar grond onregmatig ingeneem word. Alhowel die LPM ("Landless Peoples Movement") 'n soortgelyke manifes en doelstellings as die oorlogveterane van Zimbabwe het, blyk dit nie asof hulle so militaristies is nie en dat hulle gereed is om saam met die owerheid en mense te werk sodat die hervormingsproses in die beste belange van Suid-Afrika plaasvind. Hierdie studie kyk dus na die grondhervormingsproses in Zimbabwe en Suid Afrika en vorm idees rondom die skepping van 'n uniforme proses wat die beste hervormingsmetode is vir die gebruik van die Suid-Afrikaanse Ontwikkelingsgemeenskap.

Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The goal of this thesis was to evaluate the success of neo-liberalism in South Africa, with specific reference to the capacity of the policy to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality. The dispute about the aptness of nee-liberalism in South Africa also relates to the broader debate concerning the success of neo-liberalism in creating economic growth to the benefit of all members of society. A qualitative analysis of the research and diverging opinions with regards to neo-liberalism was used to derive an objective framework for the evaluation of economic policy. This framework was then used as the basis of an evaluation of the success of neo-liberalism in South Africa. It was found that neo-liberalism is generally successful in the generation of economic growth with the capacity to address poverty, and that the implementation of neo-liberal policies does not necessarily lead to an increase in inequality. It was, however, also proven that there are specific cases in which neo-liberalism is not successful. It was therefore argued that the continuation of neo-liberal policies in South Africa cannot be justified on the grounds of the success of the policy in the global context. Seeing as the success of the policy seems to be context specific, it was argued that evaluations of the policy should have the same context specific basis. Since South Africa's political transition ID 1994, neo-liberalism has gradually been established as the foundation of economic policy. The success of neo-liberalism in South Africa was therefore evaluated through an analysis of the changes in the levels of poverty and inequality in the country since this transition. It was found that very little progress has been made in the reduction of inequality, that poverty has increased and that South Africa's Human Development Index (as an indication of the success of development policy) has decreased since 1994. It was therefore concluded that neo-liberalism in South-Africa is not successful, and that it is thus necessary to identify an alternative framework for the eradication of poverty and reduction of inequality in the country. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie tesis was om die sukses van neo-liberalisme in die verligting van armoede en vermindering van ongelykheid in Suid-Afrika te bepaal. Die debat oor die wenslikheid van neo-liberalisme in Suid-Afrika skakelook in by die breër debat rakende die sukses van neo-liberalisme in die generering van ekonomiese groei tot voordeel van alle lede van die samelewing. Daar is daarom gepoog om deur 'n kwalitatiewe analise van die navorsing en verskillende standpunte oor die onderwerp 'n objektiewe raamwerk vir die evaluering van ekonomiese beleid af te lei. Hierdie raamwerk is gebruik as basis vir 'n evaluering van neo-liberalisme in Suid-Afrika. Daar is bevind dat neo-liberalisme oor die algemeen suksesvol is in die generering van ekonomiese groei ter verligting van armoede, en dat die implementering van neo-liberale ekonomiese beleidsmaatreëls nie noodwendig gepaard gaan met groter ongelykheid nie. Daar is egter ook bewys gelewer van spesifieke gevalle waar neo-liberalisme onsuksesvol is. Daarom word daar geredeneer dat die voortsetting van neo-liberalisme in Suid-Afrika nie op grond van die sukses van die beleid in die globale konteks gemotiveer kan word nie. Die sukses van die beleid blyk konteks-spesifiek te wees, en die evaluering daarvan behoort dus dieselfde konteks-spesifieke basis te hê. Neo-liberalisme is sedert die politieke oorgang in Suid-Afrika in 1994 geleidelik gevestig as die basis van ekonomiese beleid. Die sukses van neo-liberalisme in Suid-Afrika is dus geëvalueer deur 'n analise van die veranderinge in vlakke van armoede en ongelykheid sedert hierdie oorgang. Daar is bevind dat daar min vordering gemaak is met die vermindering van ongelykheid, dat vlakke van armoede verhoog het, en dat Suid-Afrika se Menslike Ontwikkelingsindeks (as aanduiding van sukses van ontwikkelingsbeleid) sedert 1994 afgeneem het. Daar is dus tot die gevolgtrekking gekom dat neo-liberalisme in Suid-Afrika rue suksesvol is nie, en dat dit nodig is om 'n alternatiewe raamwerk vir die verligting van armoede en vermindering van ongelykheid in die land te identifiseer.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / Includes bibliography / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: China and Africa's increased interaction over the past decade has received attention from the media, academics, economists and politicians alike. The rise of China as a potential world economic power has sparked both concern and suspicion. Concern over China's impact in African states has been voiced by Western and African leaders. The Chinese economy has experienced robust growth since embarking on ambitious reforms to open up its economy to outside investment and trade, as well as policies geared towards encouraging Chinese enterprises to go abroad. China's rise in importance in the international arena has led to increased scrutiny of its foreign policies and internal policies. In order to gain a balanced view of China's engagement in African states it is necessary to examine the various components of their involvement. This thesis has chosen to focus on CADFund as its main unit of analysis, and has illustrated that the Fund fulfils both a political and economic role in China's relations with Africa. This study will explore the political and economic motivations behind China's interest in Africa. Conclusions are drawn from the structural organisation, investment approaches and projects of CADFund. The way in which CADFund fits into China‟s Africa policy will be determined by looking at the Fund's activities and how they fit into the principles set out in China's Africa Policy. The main question posed by this study was regarding the role which CADFund plays in China’s Africa Policy. The mandate of the Fund is to provide funding and advisory and support services to Chinese enterprises wishing to invest in African states. With 60 completed projects to date, the Fund has arguably indeed helped to progress the Chinese government's goal of encouraging Chinese enterprises to invest in Africa. Recommendations for future research are encouraged in order to build on this specific field. For example, more extensive research could be pursued concerning CADFund linkages with the Chinese government. Together with this, questions regarding the perceived effectiveness of CADFund could also be addressed – specifically by investigating how projects are managed and monitored by CADFund. In these follow-up explorations, theoretical frameworks such as the “principle-agent theory” could also be incorporated as frameworks with which to view CADFund‟s relationship with the Chinese government. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: China en Afrika se verhoogde interaksie oor die afgelope dekade het baie aandag van die media, akademici, ekonome en politici ontvang. Die opkoms van China as 'n potensiële wêreld ekonomiese mag, het gelei tot beide agterdog en kommer. Kommer oor China se invloed binne Afrika state is geopper deur Westerse sowel as Afrika leiers. Die Chinese ekonomie het ongekende groei beleef sedert hul vertek op ambisieuse hervormings, om hul ekonomie meer vry en oop te maak vir buitelandse belegging en handel, sowel as beleid hervormings wat daarop gemik is om Chinese ondernemings oorsee te bevorder. China se opkoms as 'n belangrike moondheid op internasionale gebied, het gelei to nadere ondersoek van sy buitelandse beleide. Om 'n gebalanseerde beeld van China se betrokkenheid in Afrikastate te kry, is dit noodsaaklik om verskeie komponente van hul betrokkenheid te ondersoek. Hierdie tesis kies om te fokus op China-Afrika Ontwikkelingsfonds (CADFund) as die vernaamste eenheid van analise en beskryf beide die fonds se politieke sowel as 'n ekonomiese rol in China se betrekkinge met Afrika. Hierdie studie sal die politieke en ekonomiese beweegredes agter China se belange in Afrika verken. Gevolgtrekkings word gemaak van strukturele organisasie, belegging benaderings en projekte van China-Afrika Ontwikkelingsfonds. Die manier waarop China-Afrika Ontwikkelingsfonds by China se Afrika-beleid inpas, sal vasgestel word deur te kyk na die fonds se aktiviteite en hoe hulle by die neergelegde beginsels van China se Afrika-beleid inpas. Die belangrikste vraag wat hierdie studie stel, is met betrekking tot die rol wat China-Afrika Ontwikkelingsfonds in China se Afrika-beleid speel. Die mandaat van die fonds is om finasiering, raadgewende en ondersteunende dienste aan Chinese ondernemings te bied wat in Afrika-state wil belê. Met 60 voltooide projekte tot op datum, het die fonds inderdaad gehelp om by te dra tot die Chinese regering se doelwit om Chinese ondernemings aan te moedig om in Afrka te belê. Aanbevelinge vir toekomstige navorsing word aangemoedig om voort te bou op hierdie spesifieke gebied. Byvoorbeeld, meer uitgebreide navorsing oor China-Afrika Ontwikkelingsfonds se bande met die Chinese Regering. Samehangend hiermee,vrae in verband met die vermeende doeltreffendheid van China-Afrika Ontwikkelingsfonds kan ook ondersoek word - spesifiek deur te ondersoek hoe projekte bestuur en gekontroleer word deur China-Afrika Ontwikkelingsfonds. In hierdie opvolg ondersoeke, kan teoretiese raamwerke soos die ”principle-agent theory” ook ingesluit word as raamwerke waarna China-Afrika Ontwikkelingsfonds se verhoudinge met die Chinese Regering gekyk kan word.

Thesis (MPhil)--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: South Africa requires sustained economic growth in order to alleviate the poverty of its urban population. This study is based on the hypothesis that in order to sustain the existing "good" infrastructure and secure the "high-quality" human resource base of our country, it is necessary to be proactive with regard to the management of commercial/business nodes in order to ensure that they do not deteriorate or become stifled and/or excluded from delivering their full economic potential/contribution towards the urban economy. This study contains a synopsis of the research conducted by the author on behalf of the City of Cape Town - Economic Development and Tourism Directorate during 2003. The purpose was to develop a uniform model to ascertain and monitor the economic health of business areas within the Cape Town metropole. The research was presented to the City of Cape Town in the form of a protocol, which has subsequently been utilised to establish economic profiles for the Athlone Central Business District, Gatesville/Rylands business centre and Airport Industria. The focus and purpose of the protocol was to place tbe City Council in a position whereby the relative economic health of specific business/mixed-use areas within the Cape Metropolitan Area can be properly assessed, selected interventions made where necessary and results monitored. The point of departure that was adopted from the outset was that the assessment need not just relate to negative trends or indications of economic distress, but that there is substantial merit in assessing nodes that are seemingly "getting it right" or "booming". / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Suid-Afrika benodig volgehoue ekonomiese groei ten einde die armoede van sy stedelike bevolking te verlig. Hierdie navorsing is gebaseer op die hipotese dat ten einde die bestaande "goeie" infrastruktuur te handhaaf en ons land se menslike hulpbronbasis van hoë gehalte te verseker, dit nodig is om proaktief te wees ten opsigte van die bestuur van kommersiële/sakepunte ten einde te verseker dat hulle nie agteruitgaan of doodwurg en/of uitgesluit raak van die lewering van hulle volle ekonomiese potensiaal/bydrae tot die stedelike ekonomie nie. Hierdie tesis bevat 'n sinopsis van die navorsing wat die outeur gedurende 2003 namens die Stad Kaapstad - Direktoraat: Ekonomiese _Ontwikkeling en Toerisme - gedoen het. Die doel was die ontwikkeling van 'n eenvormige model om die ekonomiese welstand van sakegebiede binne die Kaapstadse metropool te bepaal en te monitor. Die navorsing is in die vorm van 'n protokol aan die Stad Kaapstad gelewer. Die protokol is daarna aangewend om ekonomiese profiele vir die Athlone Sentrale Sakegebied, Gatesville/Rylands sakesentrum en Airport Industria op te stel. Die fokus en doel van die protokol was om die Stadsraad in 'n posisie te plaas waardeur die relatiewe ekonomiese welstand van spesifieke sakegebiede of gebiede met verskillende ondernemings in die Kaapse Metropolitaanse Gebied behoorlik geassesseer kan word, geselekteerde intervensies waar nodig gemaak kan word en resultate gemonitor kan word. As uitgangspunt is van die begin aanvaar dat die behoefte aan assessering nie net met negatiewe tendense of aanduidings van ekonomiese nood verband hou nie, maar dat daar ook wesenlike meriete lê in die assessering van gebiede wat op die oog af "dinge regkry" of "floreer".

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: High levels of gross national savings reduce a country’s reliance and exposure to the vagaries of the global capital market. On an individual level, delaying consumption and providing for future needs and prosperity is a necessary condition to improve or maintain the quality of life. India and China’s gross national savings and, in particular, their household savings rates are higher than those of South Africa. Within the context of sustaining the global competitiveness of these developing countries - each with a burgeoning middle class – there is a need to ensure that policy formulation recognises the consumption and savings needs of this segment of the population. With a view to understanding the reasons why the household savings rates of China and India are so high in comparison to South Africa, this report investigates whether (and to what extent) South African policy makers can learn from China and India in the design of its policy framework to reduce consumption and create a savings culture. This research project is a comparative analysis of the determinants of household savings behaviour in China, India and South Africa, with specific reference to the consumer behaviour of the middle class consumer in each country. The comparative analysis draws on secondary sources such as journal articles, books, completed research and the Internet. While India and China have high household savings rates, this is not as a function of policy reforms that were introduced to encourage saving. Rather, an absence of sufficient financial sector development and a weak social safety net, coupled with a collective household culture and attitude that values saving ahead of consumption, that has resulted in households in India and China, and in particular middle income households, saving to ensure adequate provision is made. In South Africa, the impacts of financial liberalisation and a flawed social security system have resulted in a failure to provide broad based income protection. Increased consumer access to financial services coupled with a coherent social security structure and continued government investment are critical threads that must pervade the reform agenda in South Africa. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hoë bruto nasionale spaarvlakke verminder ’n land se afhanklikheid van en blootstelling aan die wisselvalligheid van die internasionale kapitaalmark. Op ’n individuele vlak is die uitstel van verbruiksbesteding en voorsiening vir toekomstige behoeftes en voorspoed ’n voorvereiste vir die verbetering of handhawing van lewenspeil. Indië en China se bruto nasionale spaarvlakke, en in die besonder hul huishoudelike spaarkoerse, is hoër as dié van Suid-Afrika. Binne die konteks van die volhoubare wêreldwye mededingendheid van hierdie ontwikkelende lande – elk met ’n ontluikende middelklas – is daar ’n behoefte om te verseker dat beleidsformulering die verbruiks- en spaarbehoeftes van hierdie segment van die bevolking erken. Om te probeer verstaan waarom die huishoudelike spaarkoerse in China en Indië so hoog is in vergelyking met Suid-Afrika, ondersoek hierdie verslag of (in en watter mate) Suid-Afrikaanse beleidvormers by China en Indië kan gaan kers opsteek ten opsigte van die ontwerp van sy beleidsraamwerk om verbruik te verminder en ’n spaarkultuur te skep. Hierdie navorsingsprojek is ’n vergelykende ontleding van die bepalende faktore van huishoudelike spaargedrag in China, Indië en Suid-Afrika, met spesifieke verwysing na die verbruikersgedrag van die middelklas verbruiker in elke land. Die vergelykende ontleding gebruik sekondêre bronne soos joernaalartikels, boeke, voltooide navorsing en die internet. Hoewel Indië en China hoë huishoudelike spaarkoerse het, is dit nie ’n regstreekse uitvloeisel van beleidshervormings wat ingestel is om spaar aan te moedig nie. Dit is eerder ’n gebrek aan voldoende finansiële sektorontwikkeling en ’n swak maatskaplike veiligheidsnet, tesame met ’n kollektiewe huishoudelike kultuur en ingesteldheid wat groter waarde aan spaar heg as aan verbruik, wat daartoe gelei het dat huishoudings in Indië en China, en veral middelklas huishoudings, spaar om genoegsame voorsiening te verseker. In Suid- Afrika het die impak van finansiële bevryding en ’n gebrekkige maatskaplike welsynstelsel gelei tot ’n onvermoë om breedgebaseerde inkomstebeskerming te verskaf. Groter verbruikerstoegang tot finansiële dienste, tesame met ’n samehangende maatskaplike welsynstruktuur en volgehoue staatsinvestering, is kritieke temas wat die hervormingsagenda in Suid-Afrika moet deurvleg.

Thesis (MBA) -- Stellenbosch University, 2007. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: South Africa has been granted a unique opportunity in being nominated as the first African nation to host the FIFA World Cup, and one of the first developing nations to host a global mega sporting event. The successful hosting of this event could provide the country with a global platform to promote the richness, diversity, and vast economic opportunities to the world stage. Economic development and significant global events taking place in South Africa may further contribute to leadership in the continent, and bring increased business and consumer confidence into prominence, as well as increase the leverage of private capital. The South African business and investment environment is in transition from a primary focus on construction, mining, manufacturing in the automotive, timber and steel sectors, to a knowledge economy focusing on sector development of skills training, education , IT and teleccmmunications, and property development. Infrastructure capacity, service delivery and skills shortages and the high rate of structural unemployment impose significant supply-side constraints with regard to the impact on the rate of real GDP growth and how growth is translated into employment opportunities and socio-economic development for the Western Cape and South Africa. Cape Town's position as co-host to selected events in 2009 and 2010 provides the critical window of opportunity to expand infrastructure investment to ensure a truly global destination of choice for investors and tourists. This event offers Cape Town the opportunity to ensure sustainable legacies, especially in terms of transport systems, the creation of a green lung in the midst of the city, improved service delivery and a world class multi purpose facility. All these contribute to the accelerated and shared economic growth of the City of Cape Town and the Province of the Western Cape. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Suid-Afrika se nominasie as die eerste land in Afrika om as gasheer vir die FIFA Wereldbeker 2010 op te tree, is 'n unieke geleentheid. Suid-Afrika is ook een van die eerste ontwikkelende lande wat toegewys is om hierdie sport geleentheid aan te bied. Die suksesvolle aanbieding van hierdie geleentheid, kan Suid-Afrika die geleentheid bied om die unieke diversiteite en ryke ekonomiese geleenthede van die land aan die wereld ten toon te stel. Ekonomiese ontwikkeling en hierdie besondere gebeurtenis in Suid-Afrika, mag verder bydra tot die bevordering van leierskap op die kontinent en 'n verhoogde vlak van sake- en verbruikersvertroue wat die verhoging van privaat kapitaalbesteding kan aanmoedig. Die Suid-Afrikaanse sake en investeringsomgewing is in transformasie vanaf 'n primere fokus op konstruksie, myne, en die vervaardigingsbedryf, veral die motor, hout en staal sektore, na 'n kennis gedrewe ekonomie met 'n klemverskuiwing na ontwikkeling binne die sektore, van vaardigheidsopleiding. informasie tegnologie, telekommunikasie en eiendomsontwikkeling. 'n Tekort aan voldoende infrastruktuur-en dienslewering kapasiteit, 'n tekort aan vaardighede, sowel as die hoe koers van strukturele werkloosheid, veroorsaak beperkinge met betrekking tot die impak op die greei van die Bruto Binnelandse Preduk, en hoe hierdie greei snel omgeskakel kan word in werksgeleenthede en sosio-ekonomiese ontwikkeling vir die Wes-Kaap en Suid-Afrika. Kaapstad se gedeelde posisie as gasheer van spesifieke geleenthede in 2009 en 2010, verskaf die geleentheid om deur middel van die uitbreiding van infrastruktuur investering te verseker dat investeerders en toeriste, Kaapslad as 'n volwaardige globale bestemming beskou. Hierdie gebeurtenis bied ook aan Kaapstad die geleentheid om op 'n volhoubare ontwikkelingswyse 'n besondere nalatenskap te verseker, veral met betrekking tot die vervoerstelsel, die skepping van 'n green long in die middestad, verskerpte dienslewering en 'n wereldklas veeldoelige fasiliteit, wat in totaal bydra tot die versnelde en gedeelde ekonomiese greei van die Stad Kaapstad en die Provinsie Wes-Kaap.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This empirical study was aimed at analysing the financial performance of black economic empowered companies, as selected per Impumelelo publication - 2000/1 edition. The Unit of Analysis of this study is therefore the phenomenon commonly described as Black Economic Empowerment, and in particular the financial performance of these business entities with specific interest in the following ratios; ROE, ROA, PIE and DIE. The fundamental problems analysed in this study are: Whether these Companies can financially perform consistently, with specific reference to ROE (Management effectiveness) and ROA (Company's efficiency); Whether these Companies utilised their capital efficiently - Financial leverage; Whether is worth investing in any commercial bank or in black economic empowerment Companies; Market perception of these Companies; Whether these Companies are really highly geared; through a comparative study between Impumelelo sample and similar white-owned companies, to assess the better performer on Management effectiveness and Company efficiency. The purpose of this study was further to draw appropriate empowerment strategies from the U.S.A, Malaysia and Brazil; contextualised them into the South African situation. The outcomes of these analysis revealed that black economic empowerment companies are indeed highly geared than their white-counterparts, and due to this inherent risk inconsistency in performance has been identified. Within the selected performance categories only half of the sample is classified as good performers, eight percent as excellent performers while profitability is maintained by seventy six percent of the companies. Over the period reviewed more then ninety percent of these companies' consistently signalled wrong perceptions to the market. On the comparative study, the Impumelelo sample overwhelmingly outperformed the white-owned sample on ROE and ROA per sector. Impumelelo sample revealed volatility in the returns comparing to low stable returns by the white-owned sample. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie empiriese studie was om die finansiële prestasie van swart ekonomiesbemagtigde maatskappye, soos geselekteer deur Impumelelo - 2000/1 uitgawe, te analiseer. Die onderwerp van hierdie studie is dus die verskynsel gewoonlik beskryf as Swart Ekonomiese Bemagtiging, en in die besonder die finansiële prestasies van hierdie entiteite, veral die volgende verhoudings (ratio's): Wins op Belegging, Wins op Bates, Prys/verdienste en Skuld/ekwiteit. Die fundamentele probleme wat hierdie studie analiseer is: Kan hierdie maatskappye konsekwent finansieel presteer veral wat betref Bekwaamheid van Bestuur en Bekwaamheid van die Maatskappy? Kan hierdie maatskappye hulle kapitaal effektief gebruik? (Finansiële hefboming.) Is dit beter om in 'n handelsbank te belê of in swart ekonomies-bemagtigde maatskappye? Wat is die mark persepsie van hierdie maatskappye? Maak hierdie maatskappye werklik op grootskaal gebruik van hefboming? Hoe vergelyk hierdie Impumelelo steekproef met soortgelyke maatskappye in wit besit, veral wat betref die bedrewenheid van die bestuur en die effektiwiteit van die maatskappy? 'n Verdere doelwit van hierdie studie is om toepaslike bemagtigings strategië van die VSA, Malaysië en Brasilië te bestudeer in samehang met die Suid-Afrikaanse situasie. Die uitslag van hierdie studie is dat swart ekonomies-bemagtigde maatskappye inderdaad meer van hefboming gebruik maak as hulle wit eweknieë, en as 'n gevolg van hierdie inherente risiko is hulle prestasies soms inkonsekwent. In die selekteerde prestasie kategorië kon net die helfde van die steekproef geklassifiseer word as goeie presteerders en agt persent as uitstaande presteerders. Ses-en-sewentig van die maatskappye toon 'n wins. Gedurende die periode onder bespreking het meer as neëntig persent van hierdie maatskappye aanhoudend verkeerde seine na die mark uitgestuur. In die vergelykende studie het die Impumelelo steekproef oorweldigend die steekproef in wit besit verbygesteek veral wat effektiwiteit betref per sektor. Die Impumelelo steekproef se wins is onbestendig in vergelyking met die lae, stabiele wins van die steekproef in wit besit.

Thesis (MDF)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The effects that capital market development has on growth, specifically whether capital market development can lead to growth, have been widely debated. Studies have been conducted on modernised and sophisticated economies that give evidence of the existence of such a relationship. However, with the current increase in African economic growth rates scholars and policy makers are beginning to question the validity of the relationship in the African context. In addition, the jury is still out on whether capital market development causes growth, or whether growth causes capital market development, and what the nature and transmission mechanism of the relationship is. This study is guided by King and Levine (1993c) as well as literature reviews from various researchers. The study conducts a quantitative analysis of the South African capital markets, more specifically the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, in order to provide insight into the relationship between capital market development and growth. The time series regression analysis is conducted over the 1996-2006 period.