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Access to financial services in the long term insurance industryEksteen, Ruwaida S. H. 12 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MDF (Business Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die langtermynversekeringsindustrie het voorheen slegs finansiële produkte en
dienste ontwerp, wat gefokus was op die middel tot hoër inkomstegroepe. Die armes
was dus uitgesluit, primêr as gevolg van die laer inkomstegroepe wat nie
lewensversekeringsprodukte kon bekostig nie. Inteendeel, arm huishoudings is, en
was, meer kwesbaar vanweë die feit dat hulle geredelik blootgestel word aan meer
diverse risiko’s – mensgemaakte, sowel as natuurlike risiko’s - terwyl hulle juis
diegene is wat minder middele het om dit bestuur.
Hierdie toedrag van sake het egter drasties verander gedurende die afgelope paar jaar.
Die onderskeie partye, insluitend verteenwoordigers van die
langtermynversekeringsindustrie, het konsensus bereik ten opsigte van die
ontwikkeling van die Finansiële Sektor Handves wat in ooreenstemming is met die
nasionale swart ekonomiese bemagtigingstrategie. Die oogmerk van die Finansiële
Sektor Handves was nie net om mense in die laer inkomstegroepe te bemagtig nie.
Dit het ook ten doel om finansiële insluiting te verseker, en mettertyd, die aktiewe
deelname van die armes in die hoofstroom van die Suid-Afrikaanse ekonomie.
’n Stel toegangstandaarde was gevolglik ontwikkel en geïmplementeer, wat die
langtermynversekerings-produkaanbiedinge aan LSM 1-5 reguleer (met ander woorde
vir die doeleindes van hierdie verslag, huishoudings wat minder as R3 000 per maand
verdien). Die doel van die standaarde wat ontleed word in hierdie verslag, is om te
verseker dat die langtermynversekeringsindustrie geskikte produkte ontwerp wat die
minimum standaarde soos beskryf in die Finansiële Sektor Handves, nakom. In
beginsel word die toepaslikheid en geskiktheid van die toegangstandaarde in hierdie
verslag geëvalueer, met die oogmerk om te bepaal wat die standaarde inhou vir beide
die verbruiker asook die lewensversekeraar van ’n verslaggewingsperspektief.
Die eerste deel van die toegangstandaarde wat goedgekeur is deur die Finansiële
Sektor Handves in 2007, het slegs begrafnisdekking ingesluit, terwyl die tweede deel
gefokus het op nie-begafnisprodukte en sedert 2008 geïmplementeer is.
Laasgenoemde het die volgende dekking ingesluit: lewensversekering, dekking vir
fisiese ongeskiktheid, kredietlewensversekering en gewone lewensversekering. Die
toegangstandaarde wat van toepassing is op verbandlenings is egter nog nie
gefinaliseer nie en is gevolglik nie ingesluit in hierdie verslag nie. ’n Fundamentele vraag ten opsigte van die daarstelling van toegangsprodukte vir die laer inkomstegroepe, is wat die rol is van die publiek vergeleke met die privaatsektor
en dié van die regering. Terwyl die regering optree as die wetgewer, moet dit ook
daarteen waak om nie te veel van ’n rigiede proses vir die privaatsektor daar te stel
nie. Die wetgewer moet die relevante reëls en regulasies stipuleer en sekerheid
verskaf ten opsigte van die inhoud daarvan. Terselfdetyd moet die wetgewer ook die
privaatsektor asook `n klimaat van innovasie ondersteun, sowel as die daarstelling
van ’n stabiele regulerende atmosfeer.
Behalwe die ontwikkeling van geskikte, bekostigbare en minder komplekse produkte,
berus die verantwoordelikheid op die privaatsektor om vertroue te skep in die
langtermynversekerings-industrie asook om die noodsaaklikheid van risiko-dekking te
propageer. Versekeraars het verder nodig om die laer inkomstegroepe as ’n winsgewende segment te beskou, terwyl die armes versekering as ’n noodsaaklike vereiste moet beskou. Hoe meer vertroue geskep word deur die versekeringsindustrie,
hoe minder sal mense in die laer inkomstegroepe hul geld belê in die informele sektor
wat gekenmerk word deur die afwesigheid van regulering, minder sekuriteit en hoër
risikos.
Dit is verder noodsaaklik vir die sukses van die verskaffing van toegang tot finansiële
produkte, om in gedagte te hou watter impak dit op die verbuiker sal hê. Met
betrekking tot die produkte wat ontwikkel en bemark word deur die
lewensversekeringsindustrie: spreek dit werklik die behoeftes van die laer
inkomstegroepe aan en dra dit positief by tot transformasie? Die privaatsektor is as
gevolg daarvan grotendeels afhanklik van marknavorsing en analises oor
verbuikerstendense gemeet oor tyd. Die impak wat finansiële produkaanbiedinge het
op die laer inkomstegroepe, kan gevolglik nie onafhanklik beskou word nie want die
behoeftes, verwagtinge en profiel van die onderste deel van die piramide sal met
verloop van tyd verander.
Mededinging dra as sulks ook positief by tot die daarstelling van toegang tot
finansiële produkte en dienste. Dit dwing die privaatsektor (die lewensversekeringsmaatskappye)
om vorendag te kom met innoverende wyses om effektiewe toegangsprodukte en dienste te kan lewer aan die armes. Die bring mee dat die
verbruiker waarde vir geld kry wanneer finansiële produkte en dienste aangekoop word van lewensversekeraars.
Met verwysing na die toepaslikheid van die langtermynversekeringsindustrie se
toegangstandaarde en of dit die behoeftes van die armes bevredig: die
lewensversekeringsindustrie het inderdaad baie bereik gedurende die afgelope paar
jaar, deurdat konstruktiewe geleenthede geskep is vir die laer inkomstemark. Gegewe
die minimum-vereistes soos uiteengesit in die Finansiële Sektor Handves, kan die
armes nou ook langtermynversekeringsprodukte bekom wat uitdagings soos fisiese
beskikbaarheid, toegang tot transaksies, bekostigbaarheid, diskriminasie en
kompleksitiet aanspreek.
Dit is daarom noodsaaklik vir die doeleindes van effektiewe finansiële insluiting, om
vir verbruikersopleiding ook voorsiening te kan maak. Finansiële geletterdheid sal in
beginsel die laer inkomstegroepe in staat stel om hulself te kan bemagtig en
terselfdertyd die teikengroep in staat stel om meer ingeligte besluite te kan neem ten
opsigte van hul finansies. Laasgenoemde kan egter nie in isolasie geskied nie.
Finansiële geletterheid en dus verbruikersopleiding, is minstens net so belangrik.
Dit is juis daarom dat, bo en behalwe die regering wat die rol as wetgewer vertolk
deur die toepassing van die reg, al die betrokke partye veronderstel is om ’n
gemeenskaplike oogmerk te hê. Met ander woorde, dit verwys direk na transformasie
en die doelwit om mense in die laer inkomstegroepe te bemagtig – nie net om
finansiële insluiting te bewerkstelling nie, maar van meer belang, om te verseker dat
die armes oor die vermoë beskik om meer ingeligte besluite te kan neem oor hul
finansies. Hierdie aspek sal veral bydra tot effektiewe toegang tot finansële dienste in
die ware sin van die woord - as die armes ’toegelaat’ word om meer aktief deel te kan
vorm van die hoofstroom van die land se ekonomie. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Previously, the long-term insurance industry only developed financial products and
services that were mainly targeted at the middle to high income groups. The poor
have thus been excluded, primarily due to them not being able to afford financial
products and services offered by life insurers. However, poor households are, and
have been, more vulnerable because they are often exposed to more diverse risks,
both ‘man- made’ and natural, whilst having fewer instruments to manage them.
This state of affairs has drastically changed during the past couple of years. The
respective stakeholders, including representatives from the long-term insurance
industry, reached consensus with regards to the development of the Financial Sector
Charter which is aligned to the national black economic empowerment strategy. The
objective of the Financial Sector Charter is not only to empower people in the lower
income groups. It also aims to ensure financial inclusion and, eventually, the active
participation of the poor in the mainstream of the South African economy.
A set of access standards that governs life insurance products and services offered to
LSM 1-5 (i.e. for the purposes of this report, households earning less than R3 000 per
month), were developed and implemented accordingly. The objective of the access
standards, analysed in this report, is to ensure that the long term insurance industry
develops appropriate products that meet the minimum standards defined in the
Charter. In principle, this report evaluates the feasibility of the access standards with
the aim of ascertaining what the standards imply for both the consumer as well as the
life insurer from a reporting perspective.
The first set of access standards, approved by the Financial Sector Charter in 2007,
included funeral products only, whereas the second phase, which focused on nonfuneral
products, came into effect in 2008. The latter is applicable to the following
financial products: life cover, physical impairment cover and credit life cover. The
access products standards relevant to mortgage protection are not yet finalised and
have therefore been excluded from this report.
A fundamental question in terms of providing access to the low income groups is the role of the public versus private sector delivery as well as that of government. Whilst
government acts as the lawmaker, it also needs to be sensitive towards not creating
too much ‘red tape’ for the private sector to comply with. The regulator should
therefore stipulate and clarify the relevant rules and regulations, but at the same time
support the private sector and encourage a climate of innovation as well as creating a
stable regulatory environment.
Apart from developing appropriate, affordable and less complex insurance products,
the private sector’s responsibility is to create trust in the insurance industry as well as
to promote the need for risk insurance. Insurers thus need to see low income earners
as a profitable segment, whereas poor people need to see insurance as a necessity.
The more trust is created by the insurance sector, fewer people in the low income
groups will invest their money in the informal sector which entails no regulation, less
security and higher risks.
It is furthermore pivotal for the success of access to financial services to take into
account how this will impact on the consumer. With respect to the products
developed and marketed by the life insurance industry: does it really meet the needs
of the poor and does it contribute positively to transformation? The private sector is
therefore heavily dependent on research and analyses of consumer trends measured
over time. As a result, the impact that financial product offerings have on the low
income earners cannot be dealt with on its own, because as time passes so will the
needs, expectations and profile of the bottom of the pyramid change.
On its own, competition tends to also contribute positively towards access to financial
services. It forces the private sector (i.e. life insurance companies) to come up with
innovative ways of providing effective access, products and services to the poor. This
ensures that the end user gets value for money, when procuring financial products and
/or services from life insurers.
In respect of the viability of the long-term insurance industry’s access standards and
whether or not it speaks to the needs of the poor: the life industry has indeed achieved
a lot over the past couple of years, by creating constructive opportunities for the lower
end of the market. Given the minimum requirements as per the Financial Sector Charter, poor people can now also obtain long-term insurance products that address challenges with regards to physical accessibility, transactional access, affordability, non-discrimination and the level of complexity.
However, more important for the low income group to participate effectively in the
mainstream of the South African economy, is the fact that the need for financial
literacy is even bigger. It is one thing to have the right of entry (i.e. access) to the
financial services sector in terms of life insurance product offerings, but it is different
if that same target audience does not have the ‘know-how’ to use and implement the
products developed.
It is hence an imperative for the purposes of effective financial inclusion to also make
provision for consumer education. In principle, financial literacy will enable the
lower income groups to become more empowered and at the same time, ensure that
the target audience is equipped to make more informed decisions about the finances.
Given the latter, it can however not happen in isolation. Financial literacy and thus
consumer education, is equally important - if not more.
It is therefore critical that, apart from government fulfilling its role as regulator by
upholding the rule of law, all the stakeholders should have a universal goal. In other
words, this directly addresses transformation and the objective of empowering people
in the lower income groups – i.e. not only to ensure financial inclusion, but more
importantly to enable poor people to make more informed decisions about their
finances. And only this will contribute to effective transformation in the true sense of
the word - if poor people are ‘allowed’ to become more actively involved in the
mainstream of the South African economy.
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The disintermediation of commercial banks by non-bank financial institutions in SwazilandMawocha, Tineyi Emmanuel 12 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MDF (Development Finance))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This research is influenced by and starts from the work carried out by the IMF in Swaziland, wherein they comment about the significant growth in the use of savings and credit co-operatives compared with that of commercial banks. They also report the lack of growth of the financial sector resulting in sluggish economic growth.
This report sets out to establish through a survey, the attitude of the Swazi public towards commercial banks, and to establish if indeed there is a deliberate move away from commercial banks to non-bank financial institutions in general. In the process the reasons for migrating from commercial banks are established. In addition, the ultimate use of funds borrowed in general, is also investigated. Specifically for those people who use non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs), the research further probes the uses of such funds, and whether or not such funds are likely to affect economic growth. The survey is augmented by results from questionnaires responded to by selected microfinance institutions (MFIs) as a means of cross-checking and validating results obtained from the public survey.
Findings are that in Swaziland, while the growth of savings and credit co-operatives (SACCOs) is acknowledged, there does appear to be a tendency to still use commercial banks by the economically active population. Borrowing tends to be for school fees, followed by the purchase of building materials for constructing rural homes on ancestral land, as well as for personal use and business activities. It also appears that the majority of users of financial intermediaries are civil servants, which comes as no surprise as government is the largest employer.
The conclusion is that Swaziland’s problems with sluggish economic growth appear to be from more than a shallow financial sector, but a myriad of other reasons that have not been explored in this study. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die navorsing is gebaseer op die uitkoms van die werk uitgevoer deur die Internasionale Monetêre Fonds (IMF) as vertrekpunt, waarin hulle meer beduidende groei in die gebruik van spaar en krediet-kooperatiewe gevind het in vergelyking met die trae groei in die gebruik van kommersiële banke. In dieselfde verslag haal hulle ook aan dat die gebrek aan voldoende groei in die finansiële sektor onderliggend is aan die stadige ekonomiese groei.
Hierdie verslag bepaal deur middel van ‘n opname, die gesindheid van die Swazi-publiek teenoor kommersiële banke om vas te stel of daar ‘n opsetlike voorkeur vir nie-finansiële instellings is, bo kommersiële banke. Die studie ondersoek ook die spesifieke gebruik en toepassing van fondse verkry vanaf nie-finansiële kooperatiewe en of die gebruik daarvan ‘n negatiewe impak op ekonomiese groei het. Die uitkoms van hierdie ondersoek word bevestig deur die bevindinge van vraelyste wat deur geselekteerde mikro-finansiële instellings voltooi is, te vergelyk met die bevindinge van publieke opnames.
Die bevindinge vir Swaziland is dat alhoewel daar groei is in die spaar-en krediet-kooperatiewe, daar steeds ‘n tendens onder die ekonomies aktiewe populasie is om gebruik te maak van kommersiële banke. Lenings word hoofsaaklik gebruik vir die befondsing van skoolgelde, daarnaas vir die aankoop van boumateriaal vir die konstruksie van landelike huise in voorvaderlike gebiede wat deur stamleiers toegeken word, sowel as vir persoonlike gebruik en besigheidsfinansiering. Dit wil ook voorkom asof die meerderheid van die leners staatsamptenare is. Dit is te verwagte, aangesien die regering die grootste werkgewer is.
Die gevolgtrekking van die ondersoek is dat Swaziland se trae ekonomiese groei meer onderliggende beperkende oorsake het as bloot net die oppervlakkige uitwerking van die (kommersiële) finansiële sektor. Hierdie onderliggende redes word nie verder ondersoek as deel van hierdie studie nie.
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An analysis of alternative funding strategies for protected area management : a case study of Ezemvelo KZN WildlifeDube, Thabiso B. 03 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MDF)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / The proper management of protected areas is important for biodiversity conservation and
continued flow of ecosystem services such as the building up of soil resources and the provision of
clean water. Protected areas provide a means of livelihood for communities on the peripheries of
these protected areas through conservation based development projects and create an opportunity
for people to learn about the environment and wildlife. Protected areas are areas of land and/or
sea especially dedicated to the protection and maintenance of biological diversity, and natural and
associated cultural resources, and management through legal or other means (International Union
for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), 1994). These are special places around the world that are
managed for conservation purposes. Darey, (1998), recommends that protected areas should be
planned and managed as a system, a shift from the previous mindset in which they were
considered as separate entities. The role played by protected areas is vital and is recognized in
most countries including 177 countries who are signatories to the Convention of Biological
Diversity (CBD). The CBD caters for cooperation amongst its members by providing support for
the financing of protected area systems. There exists, therefore a global mandate for and a specific
responsibility to ensure that protected areas are adequately financed.
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife is a statutory nature conservation body mandated with the protection of
natural resources and management of biodiversity in the province of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).
Biodiversity conservation needs to happen both inside and outside of state-controlled protected
areas to create conservation corridors and buffer zones and also to prevent the environmental
degradation taking place as a result of human population growth, habitat destruction, and
unsustainable development. (Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, 2005). The
challenge facing Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife in carrying out this mandate is the lack of adequate
financial resources. The subsidy received is not sufficient to cover all the conservation initiatives
that the entity would like to undertake and so the exploration of alternative financing initiatives is
required.
The aim of this paper is to explore and discuss alternative funding strategies that can be used by
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife to supplement the subsidy received from government. These strategies
will form a blueprint that protected area managers can use to source sustainable alternative
funding that is reliable and environmentally friendly. This study was conducted at Ezemvelo KZN
Wildlife’s head office, based at Queen Elizabeth Park in Pietermaritzburg. The research included
input from the organization’s Hospitality Managers and Conservation Managers spread throughout
the Province. A questionnaire was designed and circulated to draw responses from Executives and
relevant Managers. Interviews to ascertain the organizations sources of funding and future
sources were carried out. Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife official documents such as annual reports,
strategic documents and project plans were reviewed and interpreted. The report showed that
90percent of the organizations funding comes from government or state affiliated organizations.
These sources are neither sufficient nor reliable. Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife cannot plan adequately
before establishing the annual subsidy it will receive from government – its primary funder
(Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, 2008). The research also showed that there are numerous strategies that
the organization can implement to supplement its subsidy. These include the widespread
implementation of Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) strategies and revenue maximization
through improved customer service.
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife has a great potential to generate sufficient funds through its commercial
services such as camping, accommodation, gates and boating services to name but a few. The
challenge however is to develop an operational strategy that will be devoid of bureaucracy and
promote business best practices and the formation of partnerships with the private sector and the
communities in the form of Public Private Partnerships (PPP’s) and co-management agreements
respectively.
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An evaluation of the regulation and supervision of co-operative financial institutions in South AfricaKuhlengisa, McIntosh M. 03 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MDF)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / Co-operative financial institutions (CFIs) as a concept has been in existence in South Africa for a number of years either as credit unions, “stokvels”, savings and credit co-operatives and/or FSC‟s. As a result, regulators have long realized the need and potential of the CFI concept, with an exemption notice promulgated in 1994 and the Co-operative Bank specific legislation in 2007, allowing institutions modeled around a common bond to take deposits within certain conditions, to ensure the safety and soundness of such institutions and to facilitate financial inclusion.
The study provides an overview of the regulatory and supervisory frameworks for CFIs in South Africa, noting the roles of various regulatory stakeholders as well as the perceptions of the regulated institutions.
The study finds that despite the small size relative to the overall economy, and the low penetration rates, the CFI sector in South Africa is providing financial services to marginalized communities. However, capacity is a major constraint in the development and growth of the sector. As a result, any supervisory interventions will be pointless in the absence of appropriate capacity interventions. Despite the existence of various regulators, regulatory and supervisory oversight is considered weak. There is lack of clarity on the various roles of the different regulators within the sector, raising scope for regulatory arbitrage. In addition, the role of the representative body has been called into question, with some CFIs querying its relevance. Regulations have been put in place to address some of these anomalies, and these were evaluated in the context of recommending appropriate supervisory frameworks to enhance the safety and soundness of the sector and minimize regulatory arbitrage. The recommendations are also aligned to the nature and size of such institutions within the broader national strategy of promoting access to financial services in a safe and sound manner.
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Motivation and proposal for an integrated rural entrepreneurial developement agency for the Western CapeVan Deventer, Johanna Elizabeth 03 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MDF)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / The purpose of the research report is to propose a model for an integrated rural entrepreneurial
development agency in the Western Cape.
In September 2010, it was reported that the economic development landscape in the Western
Cape could expect significant changes in the coming months. Urban economic development has
received a lot of attention in the past and probably will in the future as urban areas are densely
populated with high incidences of poverty and unemployment. Rural areas on the other hand has
not received the deserved attention and the work that are done somehow seem not to have the
desired impact.
The proposed model was developed from models available in literature and practical experience
gained at Casidra (Pty) Ltd. Casidra is currently the implementing agent for the Western Cape
Provincial Government with a focus on rural development.
From the literature study, it is clear that entrepreneurial development in rural areas have some
basic requirements such as community buy in into the process, a catalyst to start the process,
skills and entrepreneurial training, access to markets and the establishment of a network of role
players to drive the process of development.
The proposed model explores possible opportunities and relationship that could assist in the
process of rural entrepreneurial development. The proposed model could be standalone agency
and function as such or it could be part of the proposed Economic Development Agency in the
Western Cape driving rural development in the Province.
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The role of preferential procurement in promoting historically disadvantaged SMMEs : evidence from Ekurhuleni MunicipalityRantseli, Palesa 03 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MDF)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / Small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) play an important role in the economic growth and
development of any economy. They contribute to the goals of growth, equity, job creation and
poverty reduction in different ways. Given the importance of the SMME sector, governments
throughout the world including the South African government, have focused their attention on the
development of this sector to promote economic growth, income distribution and employment
opportunities.
Most SMMEs in South Africa fail due to a variety of reasons, including a lack of access to markets,
which is one of the critical factors for the survival and growth of SMMEs. The government of South
Africa has introduced the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act (Act 5 of 2000) to
address the challenge of market access for SMMEs. The Act is aimed at utilising the purchasing
power of government as an instrument of SMME development. SMMEs, especially those owned by
historically disadvantaged individuals, are afforded an opportunity to access markets they would
otherwise find difficult to penetrate.
Given the importance of access to markets to SMMES, the study seeks to analyse the role of
preferential procurement in Local Government with specific reference to Ekurhuleni Metropolitan
Municipality (EMM), as an instrument of promoting the development of historically disadvantaged
SMMEs in South Africa.
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Tourism-focused micro-enterprises in the Eastern Cape : problems and progress in an African perspectiveBamber, Sarah 03 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MDF)--Stellenbosch University, 2006. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this research project has been to investigate support provision for tourism-focused
micro-enterprise development in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, and to evaluate the
effectiveness of available support in assisting emerging micro-entrepreneurs to break into the
tourism industry. General trends in the tourism sector are discussed, in relation to the province as a
whole and more specifically concerning the areas in which research was undertaken, highlighting
prospects for potential growth of the sector and its contribution to the local economy. Results of a
survey undertaken among Eastem Cape tourism micro-enterprises are presented, and findings
further explored through in-depth case studies and a sector sub-survey of crafters. Currently
available support programmes are then assessed in terms of their relevance for the microenterprise
sector and constraints identified. The research reveals that although the volume of
assistance available may appear to be great, little of real significance is currently reaching
emerging micro-entrepreneurs. Recommendations for future programmes to more effectively
address the needs of tourism-focused micro-entrepreneurs are made. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die projek ondersoek ondersteunjngsmaatre~ls vir kleinsake in die toerismebedryf van die
Ooskaap en evalueer die doeltreffendheid van bestaande ondersteunings ten voordele van
opkomende mikro-ondernemings. Teen die agtergrond van die toerismebedryf in die Ooskaap val
die klem van die studie op die sogenaamde Wild Coast asook op Mdantsane/Ooos-London.
Algemene tendense in die toerismesector word bespreek, sowel wat die provinsie betref asook,
meer spesifiek, die ondersoekgebiede. Die uitslae van 'n opname onder Ooskaapse mikroondernemers
word uitgespel en bespreek, aangevul deur enkele gevallestudies en 'n
sektoropname onder 'n groep kunsflyt-ondernemers. In die lig van die insette word bestaande
hulpprogramme evalueer vir hulle toepaslikheid met betrekking tot mikro-ondernemers en die
struikelblokke wat deur hulle ondervind word. Uit die evaluasies blyk dit dat, nieteenstaande die
groot diversiteit van programme, min ondersteuning werklik die beoogde groep -beginners" bereik.
Aanbevelings word gemaak met die oog op die teikengroep in die Ooskaap, maar word ook gemik
op die wyer debat oor toerismebevordeirng by die opkomende kleinskaalbedrywe dwarsoor Afrika.
Terwyl Suid-Afrika staan voor 'n deurbraak van (swart) kleinsake ondernemings in die toerisme
sektor sal so 'n deurbraak in ander Afrikalande heelwat langer neem en inisi~el heel selektief
ptaasvind.
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Credit risk assessment of the microfinance industry in Nigeria : an application to Accion Microfinance Bank Limited (AMFB)Oguntoyinbo, Mojisola 12 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MDF)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / The research report provides a credit risk assessment and evaluation of Accion Microfinance Bank
Limited (AMFB) for the period 2006 to 2010, using Morgan Stanley’s methodology for analysing the
credits and performance ratings of microfinance institutions (MFIs). Since MFIs are set up to
provide credit and other financial services to the poor, financially underserviced segment of the
society, and since the credit support granted to such micro businesses usually lacks collateral, it is
imperative that the management of such credit services be sound in order to mitigate the high risks
involved. Thus, credit risk management determines the success and survival of microfinance banks
(MFBs): weak credit management leads to capital erosion and eventual failure, whereas sound
credit risk management guarantees profitability and sustainability and, hence, the realisation of the
objectives of their setup – enhancing the welfare of micro-entrepreneurs. The data for the research
report were sourced from AMFB’s financial statements for the years 2006 to 2010 and from
interviews that were conducted with principal officials of this MFB. The research found that good
regulatory corporate governance and management practices, sound quantitative credit risk
assessment and management, and quality and maturity of management lead to low credit risk
accompanied by high profitability and sustainability for MFBs. As AMFB matured, the quality of
portfolio, profitability, sustainability and operating efficiency were seen to increase. The quality of
shareholders, board and management was found to be crucial for the sound management of the
MFB. The research report, therefore, recommends regular and continuous credit risk identification,
assessment and management, as well as sound corporate governance, if MFBs are to survive and
grow and achieve their developmental objectives.
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Small and medium scale enterprises development in Nigeria : constraints and policy optionsEkwem, Ijeoma 12 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MDF)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / This study was undertaken to find out how the SME sector in Nigeria has developed over time and to what extent it has performed its critical role of driving the country’s industrial transformation and development as it has done in other developed countries.
This study has explained in detail, the development of SMEs in Nigeria and identified the economic potential of SMEs, their major problems, challenges and constraints, which have hindered them from playing the vital role in the Nigerian economic growth and development as well as made appropriate recommendations for redressing, reducing and/or eliminating them so that they could occupy their pride of place in the Nigerian economy. It also considered the various programmes implemented by various governments, to support and promote SMEs’ growth and development as well as the roles played by the government and the financial institutions towards promoting the development and growth of SMEs in Nigeria.
The study employed primary date via questionnaires which were administered to the sampled financial institutions and SMEs’ operators, and the emanating data was analysed using simple percentages, charts and mean ranking. The Chi-square analytical technique was employed and the empirical analysis indicates that there has not been any significant contribution of government support towards developing SMEs, and also that there is a relationship between the sizes of SMEs and their modes of financing.
The study determined, among others, that with the exclusion of lack of finance, the major constraints or challenges of SMEs ranked in descending order are inadequate managerial/board expertise, poor infrastructural facilities, inconsistencies in government policies, lack of financial records, multiple taxes and levies, etc. It also determined that lack of finance is a function of multiple problems and that the major sources of credit available for the financing SMEs in Nigeria are personal savings, family/friend support and commercial banks.
The study recommended, among others, SME partnership and equity participation by financiers, loan guarantees, interest rate concession, fiscal incentives, and adequate training for SMEs as the factors that will drive the rapid transformations and development of the SME sector in Nigeria.
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The opportunities and challenges of promoting inclusive financial services through mobile money : the case of MTN mobile money in UgandaMitchell, Corin Sebastian 12 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MDF)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / Perhaps the African equivalent to the industrial revolution is the mobile revolution we’ve witnessed over the past decade. Specifically the innovation and extraordinary growth of mobile money, mobile technology platforms and ongoing service offerings to millions of otherwise mostly precluded people. The potential for these technologies coupled with latent untapped user demand across sub-Saharan Africa to catalyse investment, crowd in competition and financial service providers and as a result push financial inclusion through access and use, is vast. Link these reasons with the ever sought after global demand for ‘increase in shareholder value’ and it can easily be seen why mobile operators are continuously expanding, partnering with banks and predominantly expanding in emerging and frontier markets in sub-Saharan Africa.
This research report explores MTN MobileMoney in Uganda as the case in point; possibly one of the most exciting and rapidly growing platforms in Africa.
The research reveals that whilst profitable, it is a very competitive business with tight margins. Continuous education is critical if people from all walks of life are truly to benefit and scale is to be reached to make it even more profitable when servicing the ‘unbanked’ and bottom of the pyramid.
Uganda and other countries too, should think strategically about introducing national identity documents, or equivalent, to ensure they maximise the potential ease and reach of technology that can have real and relevant development benefits to people – especially the under-served and poor. Not doing so merely serves as disadvantageous.
Broader benefits of mobile money and mobile transactions go far beyond purely the individual user, and include the country’s economy as a whole, providing convenience to corporate as well as small businesses and individuals – the anywhere, anytime factors. Benefits accrue to businesses, and to government, in terms of cost efficiencies and paying large numbers of staff, increased safety and security in a less cash dependent economy.
There is significant local and international demand for innovation and new product offerings, driving mobile operators globally and in emerging and frontier markets in particular.
There are a number of key factors that make mobile money a commercial success; it’s not just about churn reduction. These factors are explained and explored in this research report.
Specifically when data was gathered from MobileMoney users there were no immediate or unexpected surprises. However, what was striking and reassuring was the positive attitude and experience of users, as well as what appears to be latent demand for more services and users’ trust in MTN to provide these.
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