Thesis (MDF)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / The influx of malls into townships and rural villages post-1994 is well-documented, and researchers such as McGaffen (2010) have attributed this influx to the rising buying power of the Black middle class and other poverty intervention programs created by the government. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of establishing malls in rural Limpopo on spazas and general dealers. Furthermore, the study also evaluated the responses of both spazas and general dealers to competition from the malls. In this regard, 50 outlets composed of 25 spazas and 25 general dealers were interviewed face-to-face on their premises. These in-depth interviews were conducted using the semi-interview guidelines to gain the views of the store owners on the impact of malls in areas such profitability, employment, and the products sold in their outlets. The research further evaluated strategies employed by these outlets in order to cope with the competition from the malls. The main findings were that malls do have an impact on profitability, employment, and the products of both the spazas and general dealers. Similarly, the impact on customers was a mixed bag in that some establishments experienced a decline in the number of customers using their outlets, while at least one spaza shop saw an increase in the number of customers. Finally, the spazas and general dealers employed a number of strategies, such credit facilities, longer operating hours, and focusing on products generally not sold in the mall, in order to counter the impact of competition from the malls.

Thesis (MDF)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / This study considers the impact that the particular funding structure used in the financing of black economic empowerment (BEE) transactions has on the expected outcome. Various structures are evaluated, each with their particular advantages and disadvantages. The report details the history of South Africa, the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), as well as the black economic empowerment phenomenon. An in-depth commentary on the financing structures used for BEE transactions within the IDC is presented together with a new, remodeled structure to be used in the analysis as part of a comparative study to determine whether the existing preferential Vanilla Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) structure garners the most appropriate result for the BEE entrepreneur. The statistical study tests whether the Vanilla SPV structure, where the financier is reliant on dividends for the repayment of their preference shares, is a better structure than the reworked SPV structure, where the financier is reliant on free cash flow for repayment. The results infer that access to free cash flow is preferred by both the financier, as well as the BEE party, as vesting is higher and the bullet payment required to attain that vesting is significantly lower.

Thesis (MDF)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this research was to understand how value for money (‘VfM’), an important decision pillar in public procurement, is applied in South Africa, and compare the VfM regulated framework with other global practices in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Singapore and Hong Kong. VfM is applied when deciding the most appropriate procurement method that utilises public funds in the most cost effective, equitable and transparent manner. Although VfM is vital in the public sector, it is one of the most misunderstood and controversial procurement aspects. The various actors in public procurement processes tend to complicate this key aspect due to their conflicting objectives in relation to a given project. Chief among these are the political influences on the public managers, which tend to manipulate the procurement choice. Consequently over the years, the VfM assessments performed before selecting a procurement method have not been publicly available, thereby increasing concern on whether VfM is achieved, particularly when involving the private sector through public-private partnership (‘PPP’) arrangements. The study explores the various components of VfM, which are the public sector comparator, risk allocation mechanisms, particularly for the road sector projects, discount rates and post project implementation monitoring systems. More importantly, the research analysed how these various aspects were assessed on procuring the N4 toll road. South African National Road Agency SOC Limited (‘SANRAL’), although it did not have the benefit of a PPP guideline as is the case now, it performed extensive feasibility studies and held a transparent procurement process before selecting the private sector party to the PPP. Interestingly, project that was pre-identified as a PPP procurement model and had political support from both the Mozambique and South African governments from inception in order to make it work. The comparative analysis of the South African PPP framework and the selected global PPP markets revealed that the local VfM guidelines were comparable in most aspects such as the PSC construction and risk management methodologies. However, the South African practices could be further improved with increased transparency incorporated in the procurement process such as the publication of the PPP contract once finalised – a practice common in the developed markets analysed. This will go a long way to increasing acceptance of the PPP procurement model in a market that is tainted with mistrust of same. There is need for the civil servants to be trained on the VfM assessment processes so that such analyses are not limited to PPP-type projects, but to conventionally-procured infrastructure projects for increased accountability and effective use of public funds.

Thesis (MDF)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / In recent years South Africa has started to embark on policies to increase FDI and boost the country’s manufacturing sector. FDI inflows are important for their perceived role of bridging the savings-investment gap, while increasing the country’s manufacturing capacity will help diversify the economy and could contribute towards job creation. The literature has revealed that the debate on causality between FDI and trade has not yet been resolved. Furthermore, the FDI/trade relationship has not been adequately addressed in African literature. The research study has investigated the causal link between FDI and manufacturing exports and FDI and manufacturing imports in South Africa for the period 1994 – 2011. Unit root tests of stationarity were performed on the respective time series and it was found that the included variables are non-stationary at their levels, but stationary at first differences. Tests of cointegration revealed that FDI and manufacturing exports as well as FDI and manufacturing imports and vice versa were cointegrated, implying a long-run relationship between the two sets of variables. The study then utilised causality tests based on the significance of the ECM coefficient as well simple Granger causality tests in a bivariate setting. The results indicate one-way causality from manufacturing exports to FDI and from manufacturing imports to FDI. These results suggest that exports and imports of the manufacturing sector matter in the locational inflows of FDI in South Africa. It is recommended that the South African government should encourage FDI policies that have an export component or export strategy. This could attract more FDI inflows that would close the investment gap in the manufacturing sector.

Theses (MDF)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) capitalise on the distinctive advantage of the private sector’s capacity and experience in providing public infrastructure and services. This collaborative arrangement pools the resources and strengths of each partner in order to attain the anticipated project objectives. Municipalities are faced with a number of challenges; among them the consistent increase in urban population growth and resource constraints. This then inhibits infrastructure provision and puts pressure on the public institution to deliver basic services such as water and sanitation, and solid waste disposal. In light of this, private sector participation can enhance urban development through capacity building and delivery of the necessary infrastructure and services. This study examined the performance of an operation and maintenance PPP project in the area of solid waste management in the Municipality of Windhoek. More specifically, it assessed the extent to which this particular project has contributed to infrastructure development and service delivery at the municipal level, the factors that contributed to the success of the PPP arrangement, the lessons that can be learnt from, and the challenges associated with such an undertaking. By applying a case study methodology and utilising typical performance indicators of a PPP, the author attempted to determine the effectiveness of this PPP project. The study revealed that engaging a competent private sector partner can be an effective way of delivering critical services needed for attaining the desired goal. On the other hand, the study found that a lack of explicit quantitative targets and/or deliverables incorporated in the contract agreement makes it difficult to assess and measure the performance of the project. Furthermore, the study discovered the importance of clearly identifying, prioritising and apportioning all risks associated with the project at the time of contract formulation to avoid any undesirable consequences such as non-compliance, which can lead to penalties for the contracted partner. The study observed that the factors contributing to the success of the project were the keen interest of both partners in the long-term sustainability of the project, the presence of an experienced contractor, and having clear monitoring mechanisms in place.

Thesis (MDF)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This research study has examined the impact of contract farming on enhancing efficiencies with the agricultural value chain for smallholder tobacco farmers in Mashonaland Central Province in Zimbabwe. The major challenges facing smallholder farmers in Africa in general and Zimbabwe in particular relate to financial constraints, technical expertise and market access. Contract farming as a transactions-cost-focussed-model is considered more effectively responsive to those challenges than the pure market approach which insufficiently addresses the impact of information asymmetries, bounded rationality, uncertainty, governance challenges and infrastructure challenges, among others. It allows for closely monitored smallholder financing by agribusiness entities which reduces or eliminates the probability of loan default. Contract farming is seen as an important mechanism in transforming the fragmented, subsistence agriculture in rural Africa into high commercialised and viable business undertakings. In this study, extensive reference is made to literature on agriculture financing; empirical research data on smallholder productivity and loan recoverability is drawn and analysed using the quantitative research methodology. The analysis sought to test for relationships among a set of variables and in the process examined the impact of contract farming. A comparative analysis of national data on the contract and auction system of tobacco marketing was done with emphasis on production and sales volumes, crop quality, price stability and market access. The results from the quantitative analysis of farmer-level and country-level data indicated a strong correlation between smallholder farmer production, productivity and loan recoverability and contract farming value chain intervention mechanisms.

Thesis (MDF)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / The World Bank (1994) concluded that there is a close relationship between infrastructure and economic growth. This also reflects on the water sector because, despite water sector importance, water services infrastructure is probably one of the most difficult to finance, while its deficiency or absence instils a particular burden on society. According to Baietti and Raymond (2005), more than 1.1 billion people worldwide do not have access to safe drinking water, and approximately 2.4 billion are without adequate sanitation. Yet these estimates underestimate the gravity of the situation in relation to access gap and quality of services provided. Most consumers face situations where water services are intermittent and when available the water is not safe for consumption, while sanitation facilities are overloaded, unused or in despair. This research was conducted in the North West Province with municipalities that have the status of water services authorities. This included a combination of district and local municipalities. The North West Province has 11 water service authorities of which nine are local municipalities and two are district municipalities. The competing demands and needs for governments to provide infrastructure for other sectors such as roads and energy further aggravate the stance of finance unavailability for the water sector. The purpose of the study was to highlight the challenges that municipalities face in financing water services infrastructure. The result of the study will provide knowledge and innovative ideas that will allow South Africa‘s municipalities to address challenges of service delivery. At municipal level water services are provided through a variety of approaches, although most involve centralised systems with large supply, distribution and treatment facilities. The social benefits that water services provide are well known, particularly those that relate to public health including reduced morbidity and mortality from waterborne diseases. The challenge is that funding to meet these development objectives is either scarce or entirely unavailable. The Water Services Act 108 of (DWAF, 1997) requires water services authorities and water service providers to put significant efforts into cost recovery for sustainable provision of water services. This aspect has significant challenges which results from widespread poverty and a culture of non-payment from communities inherent as a remnant of protest against apartheid. The scope of the water sector is complex, owing to its diversity, interactions and synergies with other industrial, commercial and financial sectors, and its international nature. Under the current South African constitutional and legislative framework, municipalities will remain to be a major player in the development, financing and delivering of water services infrastructure for sustainable growth and development. Water Services Authorities (WSAs) have responsibilities including protection and management of water resources, provision of adequate and sustainable water services, operation and maintenance of water services infrastructure, monitoring and management of municipal water quality to regulatory requirements and reporting to the Department of Water Affairs (DWA) with regards to the aforementioned. Water service delivery failures at the municipal level are a widespread and fundamental problem in South Africa. At the same time, under the current decentralisation policies, the responsibility for delivering such services is increasingly being delegated to lower levels of government/municipalities that are often ill equipped for the challenge in terms of financial and human resources capacity. Cardone and Fonseca (2006) indicated public administration and financial management capacity at central and sub-sovereign levels of government as limited, and affecting the timely transfer of funding as well as the capacity of municipalities to absorb those funds. Various strategies are needed to enable municipalities to secure and finance their water services infrastructure. These include understanding what bankers are looking for, understanding where donors are going, greater involvement of the private sector, matching service levels to affordability, improving revenues and influencing the regulatory regime.

Thesis (MPhil)--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The world has been engaged in a global ‘development project’ since the late 1940s. This process gained new momentum with the end of colonialism and the emergence of newly independent countries, all of them plagued with high levels of poverty. Traditional models of economic growth based on industrialization and import-substitution did not deliver the expected results to reduce poverty, especially in Africa. New ways of engaging with development emerged; in particular the basic needs approach in the 1970s and later the human development approach. Independently a new environmental movement surfaced in the 1960s, responding to the rallying call of global environmental destruction as a result of economic activities. For the first time a global language on the limitations nature presents to development emerged. The ‘movement’ received particular traction with the emergence of global climate disruption as the single largest global environmental issue. ‘Human needs’, represented by the anthropocentrists, and ‘environmental limitations’, represented by environmentalists were merged in an uncomfortable union to give birth to the notion of sustainable development. Yet, as a result of a large variety of perspectives, no agreement has been reached on what sustainable development means or should achieve. There is agreement though that developmental needs and environmental challenges are both urgent. An important unanswered question is how the world will pay for sustainable development interventions. Some interesting ideas on alternative sources of development finance has been around for a while, yet has not found practical application. Carbon finance, an innovative new source of funding, is an exception. This exploratory research was conducted by reviewing existing relevant literature using the inductive logic technique. It was initiated as a result of specific experiences leading the researcher to some general ‘truths’. The findings revealed that carbon markets, which are primarily focussed on reducing carbon emissions and which in itself makes a positive contribution to sustainability, has over the last few years successfully leveraged billions of dollars for investment in sustainable development projects globally. Some of these have the added advantage of co-benefits for the poor. Its role is set to expand as a source of development finance. South Africa has the potential to earn large amounts from carbon trading, assisting the country to move to a more sustainable development trajectory. The findings concluded that realising this potential will require a more focussed approach, especially from the South African Government. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die wêreld is sedert die 1940s besig met ‘n grootskaalse ‘ontwikkelingsprojek’. Die proses het nuwe momentum gekry teen die einde van die koloniale tydperk. Die nuut onafhanklike state het almal gebuk gegaan onder hoë vlakke van armoede. Tradisionele modelle van ekonomiese groei gebasseer op industrialisasie en invoer vervanging, het nie die verwagte resultate in terme van armoede verligting - veral in Afrika - gehad nie. Nuwe benaderings tot ontwikkeling - spesifiek die ‘basiese behoeftesbenadering’ in die 1970s en later die menslike ontwikkelingsbenadering – is ontwikkel met die hoop dat dit beter resultate sal lewer om armoede hok te slaan. Terselfdertyd het ‘n nuwe omgewingsbeweging in die 1960s ontstaan, in reaksie op die vernietig van die natuur deur die mens se ekonomiese aktiwiteite. Die gevolg was dat daar ‘n internasionale taal onstaan het wat die beperkinge wat die natuur op ontwikkeling plaas kon verwoord. Dit het veral momentum gekry met die bewuswording dat aardverwarming die wêreld se grootste omgewingsuitdaging bied. Mense se behoeftes soos verwoord deur antroposentriste, en omgewingsbeperkings soos verwoord deur omgewingskundiges, het bymekaargekom om die nuwe konsep van volhoubare ontwikkeling te vorm. As gevolg van ‘n groot verskeidenheid van interpretasies is daar geen ooreenstemming oor wat volhoubare ontwikkeling beteken of behoort te bereik nie. Waaroor daar wel ooreenstemming is, is die feit dat die wêreld se behoefte aan ontwikkeling sowel as die omgewingsuitdagings beide dringend is. ‘n Belangrike vraag wat niemand nog kon beantwoord nie, is hoe die wêreld gaan betaal vir volhoubare ontwikkelingsprojekte. Alhoewel daar ‘n paar kreatiewe idees vir alternatiewe bronne van ontwikkelingsfinansiering die rondte doen, het nog nie een daarvan praktiese beslag gekry nie. Die enigste vindingryke nuwe bron van ontwikkelingsfinansiering wat wel geïmplimenteer is, is koolstof finansiering. Dié ondersoekende navorsing is gedoen deur middel van ‘n literatuur studie van bestaande relevante materiaal, deur gebruik te maak van die induktiewe logika tegniek. Die studie is geïnisieer as gevolg van spesifieke ondervindings wat die navorser gelei het na algemene ‘waarhede’. Bevindinge uit die studie het aangedui dat koolstof markte, wat primêr ten doel het om die vrystel van aardverwarmingsgasse te beperk en dus opsigself ‘n positiewe bydrae tot volhoubaarheid lewer, oor die laaste paar jaar daarin geslaag het om miljarde dollars beskikbaar te maak vir volhoubare ontwikkelingsprojekte wêreldwyd. Sommige hiervan het die voordeel dat dit arm gemeenskappe bevoordeel. Die rol van die koolstofmarkte gaan in die toekoms toeneem. Suid Afrika het die potensiaal om groot bedrae te verdien uit koolstof finansiering, wat die land behoort te help om op ‘n meer volhoubare ontwikkelingspad voort te gaan. Die bevindinge sluit af deur aan te dui dat die realisering van dié potensiaal ‘n baie meer gefokusde benadering deur veral die Suid Afrikaanse Regering gaan vereis.

Thesis (MDF (Business Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Tegniese bystand bly steeds ’n aktuele kwessie in die meeste ontwikkelende lande. Tegniese samewerking is vir baie dekades gebruik as ’n werktuig vir die opbou van toenemende kapasiteit en, van groter belang, as ’n manier om projekte te implementeer. Werkskrag is nodig sodat ontwikkeling kan plaasvind. Dit is ’n uitdaging om te bepaal hoe tegniese bystand voorsien moet word, en of sodanige bystand wél aan die ontvanger se behoeftes voldoen. Sommige is van mening dat Westerse lande geneig was om aan ontwikkelende lande voor te skryf watter soort tegniese bystand hulle sou benodig. Dit het daartoe gelei dat die meeste ontvangers nie verantwoordelikheid vir produksie aanvaar het nie. Navorsing verwys na die behoefte vir tegniese bystand asook die sukses wat tot nou toe behaal is op dié terrein, alhoewel dit gering was. Die meeste ontwikkelende finansiële instansies, insluitende die Wêreldbank, lewer bewys van tegniese bystandsprogramme. Hierdie programme dien as ondersteuning vir instansies in die uitbetaling van verdere fondse vir ontwikkeling. Die verslag dui aan dat, alhoewel tegniese bystand en ontwikkelingsfinansiering wél werk, vooruitgang steeds nodig is. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Technical assistance continues to be a topical issue in most developing countries. For many decades, technical cooperation has been used as a vehicle to build capacity building and, more importantly, as a way to implement projects. Capacity is required for development to take place. The challenge is how the technical assistance is provided, and whether such assistance is what the recipient needs. Western countries have tended to prescribe to the developing countries in terms of the kind of technical assistance they need, which has resulted in many recipients not taking responsibility for the output. The research alludes to the need for technical assistance and the successes that have been achieved until now in the field, even though they have been marginal. Most development finance institutions, including the World Bank, are shown to have technical assistance programmes. Such programmes assist the institutions in disbursing more development funds. The Report indicates that, although technical assistance and development finance do work, improvement is still required.

Thesis. 1978. M.C.P.--Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning. / MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND ROTCH. / Bibliography: leaves 150-153. / M.C.P.