M.Ing. / In a country that ranks forty seventh on a list of fifty countries in a world competitive survey economic growth should be a high priority in South Africa. The main player in South Africa's energy industry took up the gauntlet and is moving to economic growth with the vision 'to provide the world's cheapest electricity for growth and prosperity." Competition was introduced among the electricity producers by a process called trading and brokering. Majuba power station, the most expensive electricity producer on the South African grid, was left out in the cold. Management of Majuba is challenged to derive resourceful strategies to ensure sustained profitability. These strategies will require a study into world trends to enable them to be more competitive. Crystal ball gazing is not needed to know that major restrictions on pollution of the atmosphere by industry will be curbed by stringent legislation. The current electrification programme in South Africa is bound to impact the shape of the daily load curve. Labour cost and the rate of inflation have been increasing and can be expected to keep on rising in the foreseeable future. It is important to know what macro effect these factors will have on the South African power industry. Majuba must be able to identify the changes lurking on the horizon and have contingency plans in place to meet these challenges. In this work different types of plant needed to meet the daily load demand are researched from literature. It is then compared to the types of plant installed in South Africa. This leads to the conclusion that the installed plant in South Africa is not sufficient to meet the daily demand effectively. A case study is done on Majuba Power Station that has been operating in a two shifting mode since December 1996. This means that the units is started every day to be on full load in time for morning peak and then shut down after evening peak. It is also shown that this mode of operation is proffitable for a relatively expensive power generator.

Experience has shown that effective fisheries governance requires a sound understanding of fisheries as systems incorporating both ecological and human dimensions. The Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries requires that the human components of these systems be considered when developing management and governance frameworks. While the potential for inland fisheries to contribute towards societal welfare and the development of rural livelihoods is becoming increasingly apparent, developing South African inland fisheries requires a careful consideration of both their positive and negative impacts, given that they revolve mainly around five of the world‟s top 100 invasive species. This thesis aimed to explore the value of inland recreational fisheries to rural livelihoods in the Amathole District of South Africa, to the regional economy, and to anglers themselves. Three methods were used to isolate this value. Economic impact analysis was used to estimate the combined total economic impact of the 2011 Divisional Tournament (n=31) and the 2012 Amatola Bass Classic (n=100) on the regional economy of the Amathole District, estimated to be R106 625. The travel cost method was applied to data from the 2012 Amatola Bass Classic in order to estimate the social welfare generated by this tournament. The Negative Binomial model, corrected for truncation and endogenous stratification, estimated this value at R 1 960 090. The sustainable livelihoods framework was used to conduct a broad-based analysis of the value of Amatola Wild Trout, the firm which constitutes the fishery surrounding the rural village of Cata. It was found that the fishery had been responsible for a modest pecuniary impact on the community of Cata within its first two years of establishment, although significant improvements in human capital were found to have resulted from the development of the fishery. These results provide insights into the economic dimension of fisheries in the Amathole District, and will prove useful when weighing up the positive and negative impacts of non-native fish species, particularly when informing decisions regarding their potential eradication.

The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of agricultural infrastructure on agricultural productivity and agricultural income of smallholder farmers in the North West Province, South Africa. Factors that contribute to the availability, accessibility and satisfaction of smallholder farmers with regards to agricultural infrastructure were also assessed in the study. Using cross sectional data from the North West Province of South Africa, 150 smallholder farmers were selected using stratified sampling to group farmers into those who had agricultural infrastructure and those who did not have. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, divided into six sections as follows: personal socio-economic characteristics of farmers; characteristics of the land; agricultural infrastructure of smallholder farmers; agricultural production and markets; and production activities and financial support rendered to farmers. The data were coded, captured and analysed using STATA 14.0. Data were analysed through descriptive analyses, Principal Components Analysis (PCA), Stochastic Frontier Analysis, Heckman selection procedure and Tobit Regression Models. This result revealed that most of the farmers were male, aged between 41 and 60 years of age, had contact with extension services, had contact with extension services only occasionally and did not engage in non-farming activities. Smallholder farmers had less than 10 years of farming experience, a household size of less than or equal to five members, had about one household member assisting in the day-to-day farming activities. Most of the farmers did not belong to any organisation. Generally, the farmers indicated that they were involved in dry land farming. Farmers who irrigated their farms, did so on approximately 15 and 45 hectares of land. Farmers also indicated that they received agricultural support from CASP and used commercial seeds, fertilizers and animal vaccines as their production inputs. Furthermore, smallholder farmers in the study area received support for inputs while majority indicated they did not have to repay for the inputs. Majority of farmers indicated that infrastructure impacted on their farming enterprises through increases in productivity in their farming enterprises. The study found that the factors influencing agricultural income for smallholder farmers with agricultural infrastructure were: Physical infrastructure index (Coef=0.78: P=0.01); Social infrastructure availability index (Coef=0.61: P<0.01); Institutional infrastructure availability index (Coef=1.05: P<0.01); Level of education of farmers (Coef=0.96: P<0.01); Access to extension services (Coef=1.05: P<0.01); Membership of farmers’ organisations (Coef=0.59: P<0.05); Age of smallholder famers in the study area (Coef=0.05: P<0.01); and Household members assisting in farming activities (Coef=0.24: P<0.05). In terms of smallholder farmers with accessible agricultural infrastructure, factors influencing agricultural income were: Physical infrastructure access index (Coef=1.29: P<0.01); Social infrastructure access index (Coef=0.38: P<0.1); Equipment infrastructure access index (Coef=0.62: P<0.01); Level of education for smallholder farmers (Coef=1.21: P<0.01); Access to agricultural extension services (Coef=1.64: P<0.01); Membership of Farmers’ organisations (Coef=0.77: P<0.05); Age of smallholder farmer (Coef=0.01: P<0.01); and Household members assisting in the farming enterprises (Coef=0.39: P<0.01). In terms of satisfaction of smallholder farmers with agricultural infrastructure, factors influencing agricultural income were: Physical infrastructure satisfaction index (Coef=0.35: P<0.1); Social infrastructure satisfaction index (Coef=0.37: P<0.1); Institutional infrastructure satisfaction index (Coef=1.25: P<0.01); Equipment infrastructure satisfaction index (Coef=1.04: P<0.01); Level of education of respondents (Coef=1.24: P<0.01); Access to extension services (Coef=1.58: P<0.01); Age of smallholder farmers in the study area (Coef=0.05: P<0.01); Number of years farming (Coef = -0.57: P<0.1); and Number of household members assisting in farming (Coef=0.19: P<0.1). The results of the Heckman selection model revealed that the variables impacting on agricultural income were: agricultural infrastructure availability index (Coef=1.12: P<0.01); and access to extension services (Coef=0.62: P<0.05). Furthermore, those impacting on agricultural production were: infrastructure satisfaction index (Coef=-1.31: P<0.01); infrastructure accessibility index (Coef=-0.59: P<0.05); Level of education of smallholder farmers (Coef=0.64: P<0.01); access to extension services (Coef=1.29: P<0.01); and membership of farmers’ organisations (Coef=0.66: P<0.01). The results of the Tobit Regression Model showed that among others factors influencing availability of agricultural infrastructure, the following variables played a critical role: assistance of household members in farming enterprise (Coef=0.702: P<0.01); farm ownership (Coef=0.962: P<0.01); farm acquisition (Coef=0.323: P<0.01)farmer occupation (Coef=0.785: P<0.01); member of farmers’ organisations (Coef=2.066: P<0.01); sources of labour (Coef=1.283: P<0.01); farming experience (Coef=0.100: P<0.01); and agricultural production inputs (Coef=-0.763: P<0.05). In terms of accessibility to agricultural infrastructure, the following variables played a critical role: engagement in non-farming activities Coef=1.275: P<0.01); contact with extension services (Coef=1.205: P<0.01); farm ownership (Coef=0.403: P<0.01); farmer occupation (Coef=0.456: P<0.01); membership of farmers’ organisations (Coef=1.111: P<0.01); sources of labour (Coef=0.653: P<0.01); farming experience (Coef=0.045: P<0.05) and land tenure (Coef=0.156: P<0.01). In terms of satisfaction with agricultural infrastructure, among other factors influencing satisfaction with agricultural infrastructure, the following variables played a critical role: organisation for extension services (Coef=1.779: P<0.01); assistance of household members in farming enterprise (Coef=0.411: P<0.01); government agricultural support to farmers (Coef=0.419: P<0.01); farm ownership (Coef=0.464: P<0.01); membership of farmers’ organisations (Coef=1.011: P<0.01); age of farmer (Coef= 0.030: P<0.01); level of education (Coef= 0.483: P<0.01); marital status (Coef=0.290: P<0.01); and gender (Coef= -0.576: P<0.01). The results of the analysis were used to close the knowledge gap with regards to the impact of agricultural infrastructure, availability, accessibility and satisfaction on the productivity and agricultural income of smallholder farmers in the North West Province. In terms of recommendations, the study highlighted that agricultural industries and government should commit in assisting smallholder farmers to be productive and to participate in economic activities. This could be achieved through collaboration with industries in implementing initiatives that assist and accelerate the development of smallholder farming and also through assisting smallholder farmers access agricultural infrastructure. / Agriculture and Animal Health / Ph. D. (Agriculture)

Thesis (M. Tech.) - Central University of Technology, Free State, 2006 / Since the earliest days, people have travelled. Not only was it time consuming, limited and only for the rich, but it was not necessarily a pleasure. Since those early days, travel and tourism has developed to such an extent that it has become one of the major industries in the world, providing the tourist with amongst others technologically advanced air transportation, luxury resorts and a variety of experiences and attractions at many different destinations. The major developments in air transportation have opened up many opportunities, but it has also placed most destinations within easy reach of the tourist, as most destinations have become more accessible. This automatically led to increased competitiveness between different destinations, both locally and internationally. Competitiveness of the destination may be based on a variety of contributing factors such as its scenic beauty, the variety of attractions offered, natural resources, the accessibility, the host population, availability and quality of infrastructure, diseases, flight availability and frequency, seasons and many other factors. However, a destination will never become the most popular or most visited one if the tourist cannot afford to visit it. Price undoubtedly plays a very important role in the decision-making process of the tourist when choosing a destination. The prices at any destination are influenced by a variety of internal and external factors which, in the end, has a direct influence of the actual travel cost of the tourist. This study focuses on South Africa’s price competitiveness as an international destination. The major travel components or products that an international tourist will spend money on during his/her visit to South Africa are international flights, accommodation, attractions and food and beverages. The prices of these components were compared to similar products of Thailand and Australia, which have previously been identified by SA Tourism as South Africa’s major competitors. The focus of the research is therefore on the expenditure patterns, price perceptions and the tourists’ perception of whether or not they perceived South Africa’s tourism products to be affordable, to offer value for money or not. Perceptions of departing international tourists who have already used these products were tested. Once established, an international travel price index and a hotel price index were formulated for South Africa, which may be used to monitor international tourist expenses. These indices may also be used as indicator of the affordability and price competitiveness of South Africa as a tourist destination. There is not one individual in South Africa that cannot, either by means of direct or indirect revenue, benefit from South Africa being a tourist destination of choice. The opportunities and possibilities created by foreign revenue spent are legio. Hence it comes as no surprise that tourism in South Africa has become the priority of many different role players such as government, commerce, product owners and private industries. As it is difficult for a destination to control the external environment, the destination’s focus should therefore rather be on the factors that it can control or influence to a certain extent. By ensuring that South Africa’s tourism products are competitively priced and offer value for money, one of the major factors that may hamper the growth of South Africa as a destination has been addressed. In economic challenging conditions, the tourist has become more value for money driven than before when choosing a destination. The focus of the research is therefore to establish if South Africa’s tourism product prices are regarded to provide value for money or not to international tourists. The research was divided into two parts: literature and empirical research. The population of this study was foreign tourists to South Africa that have completed their journey and who were questioned in the departure halls of Johannesburg’s Oliver Thambo and Cape Town International airports. An overview of the research results give a general indication that South African tourism products are more expensive than was anticipated by foreign tourists. Seventy five percent of respondents indicated that they paid more for accommodation, air transportation and attractions than they expected to pay. Of the different accommodation types used, the five star luxury hotel accommodations were found to be too expensive whilst other graded accommodation were perceived as being priced fairly, even cheaply. The paid attractions that the respondents visited were, with the exception of the Kruger National Park, all fairly priced. Cape Town was indicated as a city that was perceived to be more expensive that other cities visited by international tourists.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In the history of the world, technological change has always played a central role in the advancement of the global economy. Every now and then a technological development comes along that causes a quantum leap in the technological progress of the world. Such were the mechanical developments that led to the industrial revolution, or the electronic developments that led to the more recent information technology revolution. A characteristic of these developments is its profound impact on the world economy. An explosion of new product and production possibilities typically follows such landmark technological developments. So fast and intense are the technological and resulting economic changes, that it can truly be described as a revolution. Recently, the rapid advances in molecular biology have caused such a multitude of new product and production possibilities in biological sciences that it can be described as a biotechnology revolution. Modern biotechnological techniques like recombinant DNA techniques have made the genetic manipulation of organisms possible. This creates possibilities of new production techniques and products previously unimaginable. The centre stage of the biotechnology revolution is in the US and Europe. South Africa and other developing countries have lagged behind in adopting and extracting economic value from modern biotechnology. This study investigates the issues in modern biotechnology and how the South African economy can benefit from modern biotechnology. It was found that modern biotechnology has tremendous economic potential and that already many overseas companies are generating huge profits from modern biotechnology products in all fields of biotechnology. However, some concerns about the safety of modern biotechnology point at the necessity for a proper global regulatory framework to ensure the consumer acceptance of biotechnology products required to continue to extract value from new biotechnology developments. Various cost factors need to be considered in the biotechnology industry and in South Africa the importance of these cost factors is much more pronounced due to the small scale of the South African economy. South Africa and many other developing countries will most definitely benefit from adopting modern biotechnology and expanding national biotechnology capacity. However, analyses like cost-volume-profit, economic potential, and production factor gap analyses need to be executed, preferably up to product level, to determine the appropriate biotechnology areas or products with the biggest economic potential and on which South Africa should focus its biotechnology efforts. Government stimulation of the South African biotechnology industry is welcomed by the industry. The expansion of South African biotechnology capacity will result in sustainable long-term economic benefits, not only to South Africa, but also to other developing African countries. It is concluded that the large-scale adoption of modern biotechnology in South Africa is appropriate and that the exploding biotechnology product developments, combined with increased market acceptance of modern biotechnology products, will create significant economic benefits in the South African economy. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Sedert die vroegste tye in die geskiedenis van die wereld het tegnologiese ontwikkeling 'n sentrale rol in die vooruitgang van die wereldekonomie gespeel. Elke nou en dan vind daar 'n tegnologiese ontwikkeling plaas wat 'n kwantumsprong in die vooruitgang van die wereld tot gevolg he!. Voorbeelde hiervan is die meganiese ontwikkelinge wat tot die industriele revolusie gelei het, of die meer onlangse elektroniese ontwikkelinge wat die informasietegnologierevolusie tot gevolg gehad het. 'n Kenmerk van hierdie ontwikkelinge is die geweldige impak wat dit op die wereldekonomie gehad het. 'n Ontploffing in produkte en produksietegnieke is tipies die gevolg van hierdie landmerk tegnologiese ontwikkelinge. Die tegnologiese- en gevolglik ekonomiese veranderinge is so vinnig en intens dat dit waarlik as 'n revolusie beskryf kan word. Die onlangse vinnige vooruitgang in molekulere biologie het so 'n ontploffing in nuwe produkte en produksietegnieke in die biologiese wetenskappe veroorsaak, dat dit as 'n biotegnologiese revolusie beskryf kan word. Moderne tegnieke, soos rekombinante-DNS-tegnieke, maak die genetiese manipulasie van organismes moontlik. Dit lei tot die ontwikkeling van nuwe produkte en produksietegnieke wat voorheen ondenkbaar was. Die fokuspunt van die biotegnologie-revolusie is in die VSA en Europa. Suid-Afrika en ander ontwikkelende lande het agtergeraak in die toepassing en ekonomiese aanwending van moderne biotegnologie. Hierdie studie ondersoek spesifiek die kwessies in moderne biotegnologie en hoe Suid-Afrika voordeel daaruit kan trek. Die studie het bevind dat moderne biotegnologie geweldige ekonomiese potensiaal het en dat daar reeds baie buitelandse maatskappye is wat groot winste in alle velde van biotegnologie genereer. Daar is egter sekere bekommernisse oor die veiligheid van moderne biotegnologie. Dit dui op die noodsaaklikheid van 'n deeglike globale regulatoriese raamwerk. So 'n raamwerk sal die verbruikersaanvaarding verseker wat nodig is vir die suksesvolle ekonomiese toepassing van moderne biotegnologie. Verskeie kostefaktore moet in die biotegnologie-industrie in berekening gebring word en in Suid-Afrika is hierdie kostefaktore baie belangrik weens die klein skaal van die Suid Afrikaanse ekonomie. Suid-Afrika en baie ander ontwikkelende lande kan definitief uit die aanvaarding van moderne biotegnologie en uitbreiding van biotegnologie-kapasiteit voordeel trek. Analises soos koste-volume-wins-, ekonomiese potensiaal- en produksiefaktorgapinganalises moet egter uitgevoer word, verkieslik tot op produkvlak, om die geskikte biotegnologieveld met die grootste ekonomiese potensiaal vir Suid-Afrika te bepaal. 'n Paar sleutel marksuksesfaktore moet in die biotegnologiebedryf in gedagte gehou word. Die kernbeginsel van hierdie sleutel marksuksesfaktore is geidentifiseer as die vermoe van biotegnologieprodukte om so 'n goeie waarde-aanbieding aan die klient te bied, dat die mark bereid is om 'n premiumprys vir die produk teen ekonomies lewensvatbare vraaghoeveelhede te betaal. Stimulering van die Suid-Afrikaanse biotegnologiebedryf deur die regering word wyd deur die industrie verwelkom. Die gevolglike uitbreiding van die biotegnologiekapasiteit in Suid-Afrika sal langtermyn ekonomiese voordele vir SuidAfrika, asook vir ander ontwikkelende lande in Afrika inhou. Die gevolgtrekking van hierdie studie is dat grootskaalse aanvaarding van moderne biotegnologie gepas is in Suid-Afrika en dat die ontploffing in biotegnologieprodukontwikkelings, tesame met groter markaanvaarding van moderne biotegnologieprodukte, groot potensiele voordele vir die toekomstige Suid-Afrikaanse ekonomie inhou.

Thesis (MScAgric)--Stellenbosch University, 1999. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of the study is to determine the rate of return to cover crop research in the wine industry. The method followed will prove an invaluable contribution toward the need to determine a suitable approach for evaluation studies. The importance behind such a study is the development of appropriate ex ante evaluation approaches, which will assist in the allocation of public research resources in both a social and economical manner. The wine industry is currently enjoying healthy international demand, but will need to remain competitive to reap the full benefit of international exposure. The need therefore exists for a continuation of research at the institutional level, in order to maintain the progressive nature of research knowledge that was available in the past. The evaluation of ex post and ex ante research will assist in maintaining government funding for research and help with campaigning for private investment of research in the wine industry. The use of two evaluation approaches was used for the analysis. Firstly, the production function approach achieved a rate of return of 44 percent, using weather and research expenditure as a means to explain the variations in wine grape yield. Secondly, a cost benefit approach was devised in order to make a direct comparison between the cost and benefits related to the cover crop research. The rate of return achieved for this mode of analysis is 37 percent, using trial plot data as a source of information on potential benefits. In addition to this the cost benefit approach was used to show the difference in rate of return that is achievable between two growing regions. The variable that exists between the two regions, is the higher rate of irrigation in one of the regions. The high rate of return achieved for the investment, provides suitable motivation for the increase in state funding for research in the wine industry, and provides valuable information for the enticement of support by private investors. The two methods used in the study will both draw a certain amount of criticism, largely as a result of the lack of available data. The empirical nature of the approaches is however simple and applicable down to the project level. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie studie is om die opbrengs op navorsing oor dekgewasse in die Suid- Afrikaanse wynbedryf te bepaal. Hierbenewens het die studie dit ook ten doel om gepaste metodieke vir die evaluering van navorsingsprojekte daar te stel. In hierdie opsig maak hierdie studie ' n bydrae tot besluitneming oor die allokering van openbare fondse vir landbounavorsing op 'n ekonomies en sosiale optimale wyse. Die Suid- Afrikaanse wynbedryf beleef tans ' n bloeifase, hoofsaaklik as gevolg van sterk internasionale vraag na sy produkte, maar salop sy internasionale mededingendheid moet let indien die volle voordele hiervan benut kan word. Daarom is dit noodsaaklik dat die bedryf op tegnologiese gebied moet kan meeding, en dus dat navorsingsbesteding nie onoordeelkundig ingekort word rue. Inligting oor die opbrengs op navorsingsbesteding is dus noodsaaklik om die volgehoue betrokkenheid van die staat te kan regverdig, hetsy as finansier of as katalisator vir privaatsektor betrokkenheid. In hierdie studie is die opbrengs op navorsing gemeet deur beide die bekende produksiefunksie benadering sowel as deur koste-voordeel ontleding. In die eerste geval is 'n opbrengskoers van 44% gemeet, en in die tweede geval is dit 37%. By die kostevoordeel ontleding is ook 'n verdere onderskeid gemaak tussen twee wynbou-streke om die invloed van meer besproeiing te bepaal. Ten spyte van dataprobleme, veral wat betref die koste van navorsing, kan beweer word dat die inligting so verkry van nut sal wees vir besluitnemers by die toekenning van skaars navorsingsfondse, asook by bedinging om privaatsektor fondse.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Profit margins of typical farming systems in the Swartland have come under pressure because of international market forces decreasing milk and wheat prices as well as the deregulation of the agricultural marketing boards in South Africa after 1994. The profit margins of small grain production systems are specifically under pressure. It has therefore become necessary to evaluate different combinations of farming enterprises continuously. The profitability of changing farming enterprises can be examined by means of budgeting techniques. In this study the profitability of the inclusion of more home grown feed stuffs in the fodder flow program of dairies, currently run according to a zero feed lot grazing system, was investigated. The technique of Linear Programming (LP) was used in this regard. Grain production per hectare can vary to a large extent in the Swartland because of the large variation in soil forms and soil types. To accommodate these differences, a case study was conducted in each of the identified sub regions of the Swartland. The information gained from each case study was presented to a panel of producers and other experts during group discussions. Technical experts ensured that the latest available technology is applied, while the producers evaluated the practical implications of this. A further outcome of this method was that specialised subject related matters could be evaluated in group discussions focussing on the implications for the farming system as a whole. Thus, aspects related to the multidisciplinary nature of farming systems could be evaluated simultaneously. It is concluded that farm profitability can, under described circumstances be improved by including more home grown feed stuffs in the fodder flow program of the dairy production system. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Dalende melk- en koringpryse weens nasionale sowel as internasionale markkragte, asook die deregulering van landboubemarkingsrade in Suid-Afrika na 1994, het die winsgrense van boerderystelsels in die Swartland onder druk geplaas. Die winsgewendheid van kleingraanproduksiestelsels is veralonder druk. Dit is gevolglik nodig om kombinasies van boerderyvertakkings deurlopend te evalueer. Die winsgewendheid van veranderinge in boerderybedryfstakkombinasies kan met behulp van begrotingstegnieke bepaal word. In hierdie studie is die winsgewendheid van die inskakeling van geproduseerde voere teen 'n hoër peil in die voervloeiprogram van die melkbedryfstak, wat volgens 'n voerkraal- of nulbeweidingstelsel bedryf word, by die kleingraanproduksiestelsel ondersoek. Die tegniek van Lineêre Progammering (LP) is hiervoor gebruik. Weens groot variasies in grondvorm en grondtipe in die Swartland kan graanproduksie baie varieer. Ten einde hierdie verskille te kan akkommodeer, is 'n gevallestudie winsgewendheidsontleding in elk van die geïdentifiseerde substreke van die Swartland gedoen. Die inligting verkry uit hierdie gevallestudies is aan 'n paneel van produsente en ander kundiges tydens groepbesprekings in debat geplaas. Tegniese kundiges het verseker dat die nuutste tegnologie toegepas word, terwyl produsente die praktiese implikasies hiervan kon evalueer. 'n Verdere uitvloeisel van hierdie werkswyse is dat vakspesifieke gespesialiseerde aangeleenthede in die groepbespreking beoordeel word tesame met die implikasies wat dit vir die boerderystelsel in sy geheel inhou. Sodoende word aspekte wat verband hou met die multidissiplinêre geaardheid van boerderystelsels gelyktydig ondersoek. Daar word tot die gevolgtrekking gekom dat die winsgewendheid van boerderye met kombinasies van kleingraan en melk in die Swartland, onder bepaalde omstandighede, deur die gebruik van selfgeproduseerde voergrondstowwe vir die melkproduksiestelsel, aansienlik verhoog kan word.

Thesis (MScAgric)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The importance of the agricultural sector in the South African economy is often stressed by farmers and agricultural industry organisations. The reality, however, is that the sector has constituted less than 3% of the economy since 2005 (DAS, 2012). It is therefore important that the current role of the agricultural sector in the South African economy is investigated. This has been the subject of a number of studies. The most comprehensive study to date was undertaken by Brand (1969) within the well-known framework of Johnston and Mellor (1961). A number of less comprehensive studies have followed. This is the second comprehensive analysis of the role of the agricultural sector in the South African economy. This study reapplies Brand’s (1969) framework to the data currently available. The results are contrasted with those obtained by Brand (1969) and other authors, in order to establish whether, and if so how, the role of the sector has changed in the last 50 years. The results obtained are then incorporated into policy suggestions. The findings of this thesis are, firstly, that the agricultural sector has been unable to meet the demand for the main food items consumed domestically since 2000. This, however, did not result in the predicted rapid increase in food and general inflation. Secondly, agricultural exports have not played a growth-leading, but rather a balancing role in economic development, because the sector maintained a positive trade balance during the full period of analysis. Thirdly, the sector has released labour to the rest of the economy since 1962, thereby fulfilling what is seen as a requirement by the economic development literature. Fourthly, the sector has probably made a net transfer of capital to the rest of the economy since the mid-2000s. Lastly, the agricultural sector plus the sectors with which it has the strongest linkages represented around 7% of the economy in 2010. This study concurs with Brand’s (1969) main conclusion that the South African agricultural sector does not play a growth-leading or initiating role in the economy, but rather a growth-permissive role. This is due to the sector’s relatively small quantitative significance in the economy, which limits the growth impact of agricultural exports, capital transfers from the sector and linkages with the rest of the economy. The sector plays a growth-enabling role, however, by supplying food to consumers at the lowest possible price - either by producing it domestically, or by affording food imports with the exchange earned through the export of agricultural produce. In addition, the sector has an important role in providing employment, especially in rural areas. It is recommended that the current agricultural marketing and international trade policy framework, which is conducive to international trade and limits market distortions, is retained. The sector has the potential, given the adoption of the required policy, to create employment by virtue of its relatively high labour intensity and the existence of some complementarities between capital and labour in the sector. Also, the competiveness of the sector should be increased by means of an investment in infrastructure. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die belangrikheid van die landbousektor in die Suid-Afrikaanse ekonomie word dikwels deur boere en bedryfsorganisasies benadruk. Die realiteit is egter dat die sektor sedert 2005 minder as 3% van die ekonomie uitmaak (DAS, 2012). In die lig hiervan is dit belangrik dat die huidige rol van die landbousektor in die Suid-Afrikaanse ekonomie ondersoek word. Dít was al die tema van verskeie studies, waarvan die mees omvattende tot op hede deur Brand (1969) binne die bekende raamwerk van Johnston en Mellor (1961) aangepak is. Verskeie minder omvattende studies het sedertdien gevolg. Hierdie tesis is dan die tweede omvattende analise van die rol van die landbousektor in die Suid-Afrikaanse ekonomie. Brand (1969) se raamwerk word op die huidige data toegepas. Die resultate word dan met dié van Brand (1969) en ander navorsers vergelyk om vas te stel of, en indien wel hoe, die rol van die sektor verander het oor die afgelope 50 jaar. Hierna word die resultate in beleidsvoorstelle geïnkorporeer. Daar word eerstens bevind dat die landbousektor sedert 2000 nie in staat is om in die binnelande vraag na die hoof-voedselsoorte wat plaaslik verbruik word, te voorsien nie. Dit het egter nie tot die voorspelde sterk toename in voedsel- en algemene inflasie gelei nie. Tweedens het landbou-uitvoere nie ’n leidende rol in ekonomiese groei gespeel nie, maar eerder ’n balanserende rol vervul aangesien die sektor gedurende die volle periode van analise ’n positiewe handelsbalans gehandhaaf het. Derdens het die sektor arbeid aan die res van die ekonomie beskikbaar gestel, soos vereis in die ekonomiese ontwikkelings literatuur. Vierdens het die sektor waarskynlik sedert die middel-2000’s ’n netto-bydrae kapitaal aan die res van die ekonomie gemaak. Laastens het die sektor, tesame met die sektore waarmee dit die sterkste skakels het, in 2010 sowat 7% van die ekonomie uitgemaak. Hierdie studie stem met Brand (1969) se hoofbevinding saam, naamlik dat die Suid-Afrikaanse landbousektor nie ’n groei-inisiërende rol in ekonomiese groei speel nie, maar eerder ’n groei-vergunnende een. Dít is ’n gevolg van die sektor se klein kwantitatiewe omvang in die ekonomie, wat die impak wat landbou-uitvoere, kapitaaloordragte en die sektor se skakels met die res van die ekonomie op makro-ekonomiese groei het, beperk. Die sektor stel egter ekonomiese groei in staat deur voedsel teen die laagste moontlike prys aan verbruikers te verskaf - óf deur dit plaaslik te produseer, óf deur die invoer daarvan te bekostig met die buitelandse valuta wat deur middel van landbou-uitvoere verdien word. Verder het die sektor ook ’n belangrike rol as werkverskaffer, veral in plattelandse gebiede. Daar word voorgestel dat die huidige landboubemarkings- en internasionale handelsbeleid, wat internasionale handel bevorder en markverwringing beperk, behou word. Gegewe dat die vereiste beleid ingestel word, het die sektor die potensiaal om werk te skep weens die betreklik hoë arbiedsintensiteit, en die moontlikheid om arbeid en kapitaal in sommige gevalle op ’n komplementêre wyse aan te wend, wat in die sektor bestaan. Die mededingendheid van die sektor moet ook verskerp word deur middel van staatsinvestering in infrastruktuur.

Thesis (MDF)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / This paper investigates the impact of education on economic growth in South Africa using annual panel data from 1990 to 2011, controlling for regional differences. Education is believed to be an important factor in developing an economy. The theoretical basis of education on economic growth comes from the endogenous growth theory. The endogenous growth theorists believed that investing in education is linked to an increase in efficiency and productivity of labour. It can be argued that by boosting cognitive and other skills, education makes labour more productive and accelerates innovation and technological progress, bringing higher economic growth. The nature of the data allowed for panel estimation techniques to be employed and the fixed effects and random effects models were considered in a Generalised Least Squares estimation framework, with the final estimation model informed objectively by the Hausman test. Education was found to be positively related to GDP, with variations across provinces observed. The results have implications for both policy and further research, which are outlined in the final chapter.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Rapid urbanisation, coupled with growing per capita incomes and a rapid rising middle class, is triggering rapid growth in urban food markets. Despite these opportunities, agriculture in South Africa is confronted with diminishing profit margins due to direct production cost increasing at rates above the revenue generated from agricultural products. This research assignment has aimed to define the attributes of an effective agricultural value chain in South Africa, given the challenges faced. To achieve this goal, the research focus was on the results of an in-depth analysis of the Dutoit Group’s deciduous fruit value chain. To be able to perform a value chain analysis it is of utmost importance to first understand the meaning of the concepts as well as their origin and the evolution of their application. This is achieved through a comprehensive study of literature. Three value chain analysis tools were used for the research. These tools were an industry analysis, value chain maps and benchmarking. Through the literature review the importance and relevance of these three tools were also explored and reasons provided why they can be regarded to be adequate for a proper in-depth analysis. An overview of the Dutoit Group’s history, focusing on the specific key events influencing the evolution of their value chains, is also discussed together with their business philosophy, business model and main accomplishments. This is done to provide context to the environment in which the value chain analysis process was performed. The main focus of the fourth chapter is the application of the three value chain analysis tools on the Dutoit Group’s deciduous fruit value chain, utilising primary and secondary data collected through interviews with specific value chain actors, observations, management information and literature obtained from the public domain. Through the application of the three value chain analysis tools the effectiveness of the Dutoit Group’s deciduous fruit value chain was evaluated, and strengths and weaknesses identified. The research results showed that the Dutoit Group’s internal deciduous fruit value chain has been effective in addressing the risk of diminishing profit margins. In addition the results showed that the key attributes of an effective value chain which are able to address the current challenges are defined as effective integration, strong relationships between value chain actors, high levels of productivity and strong leadership.