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An evaluation of the theory behind the South African Expanded Public Works ProgrammeHeradien, Elde Joy 03 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / Bibliography / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis evaluated the theory behind the South African Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) during its first phase from 2004-2009. The research examined how sound the EPWP theory was which explains the logic that links programme objectives and programme activities and resources. The data for this study comprised of government departmental documents on the EPWP, the context of the EPWP and the policies that informed it.
Evaluation of the EPWP theory revealed that the programme was based on a sound theory if focusing solely on projected objectives, activities and resources. However, the evaluation also revealed deficiencies in the programme theory with regard to the EPWP reaching its larger policy goals. The theory construction and evaluation framework by Rossi, Freeman and Lipsey (2004) is an evaluation tool that was used to evaluate the EPWP. More theory based approach evaluations would add value to the lack in theory based programme evaluations in South Africa.
In brief, the problem of unemployment is structural in South Africa and requires long term solutions. The policies and policy programmes should thus be designed with permanent employment measures in mind. However, employment through one of the largest policy programmes in South Africa, the EPWP, was short term. It is therefore recommended that this method of programme evaluation be utilised in more studies prior to implementation of a programme, because if the logic behind a programme is sound, its chances to succeed could be improved. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie tesis evalueer die teorie agter die Suid-Afrikaanse Uitgebreide Openbare Werke Program (UPWP) tydens die eerste fase van 2004-2009. Die navorsing ondersoek hoe grondig die teorie die logika tussen program doelwitte en program-aktiwiteite en hulpbronne verduidelik. Die data vir hierdie studie bestaan uit departementele dokumente oor die konteks van die UPWP en die beleid wat die program ingelig het.
Evaluering van die UPWP-teorie het aan die lig gebring dat die program gebaseer is op 'n grondige teorie, met die fokus uitsluitlik op geprojekteerde doelwitte, aktiwiteite en hulpbronne. Die evaluering van die UPWP-teorie het ook die gebrek met betrekking tot die bereik van groter beleidsdoelwitte aan die lig gebring. Die teorie konstruksie-en evalueringsraamwerk deur Rossi, Freeman en Lipsey (2004) is 'n evaluering instrument wat gebruik was om die UPWP te evalueer. Meer teoreties-gebaseerde evaluerings sal waarde toevoeg tot die gebrek van teorie-gebaseerde program evaluering in Suid Afrika.
Ter opsomming, werkloosheid is n strukturele probleem in Suid Afrika en vereis langtermyn oplossings. Die beleide en die beleid programme moet dus ontwerp word met permanente indiensneming geleenthede in gedagte. Indiensneming deur een van die grootste programme in Suid-Afrika, die UPWP bied egter kort termyn indiensneming. Dit word dus aanbeveel dat die teorie-gebaseerde benadering van programevaluering in meer studies gebruik word voor die implementering van 'n program, want as die logika agter 'n program grondig is, is die kanse van sukses verhoog.
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A study to determine to what extent companies in South Africa are prepared to use corporate social responsibility as a developmental tool to alleviate povertyScholtz, Louise 03 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MPhil (School of Public Management and Planning))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / The negative impact of poverty on development and security in South Africa has been exacerbated by high food prices. However, high food prices have also had a positive effect in that it galvanised civil society into coalescing and finally playing an activist role. Looking at the development of corporate social responsibility and how it was shaped by external influences exerted on it by society, the thesis argues that high food prices might be one of those triggers that might change the implementation of corporate social responsibility from that as a business tool to one that is more developmental in its intent. This argument is one that has been proposed by developmental theorists, but has been resisted by companies for various reasons herein discussed. In the same way that corporate social responsibility is shaped by external factors, development is also determined by the macro (economic) policies and state capacity in which the company operates. State incapacity has led the citizens looking at companies increasingly to fulfil a more developmental role. In this regard there are problems attendant to the private sector assuming the responsibilities of the state and the thesis argues that the private sector should rather play a complementary role to development interventions of government. The combination of the factors highlighted above has led to increased pressure on the private sector to play a more developmental role, and there appears to be a degree of acknowledgment from the private sector. This thesis looks critically at some approaches to corporate social responsibility and uses one particular company to illustrate, not only some of the critical factors of successful engagement with development through CSR, such as leadership and context specific interventions, but also to show that development and, particularly, poverty alleviation is compatible with running a profitable organisation.
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An analysis of the use of the public private partnership model in financing public sector research and development infrastructure in South AfricaMashele, Makhosini Thaniel 12 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MDF (Business Management))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Economic development depends on a number of variables, including the ability of the
economy to innovate technologically. Innovation depends to a large extent on the value,
both qualitative and quantitative, of the research and development (R&D) happening in an
economy. R&D in turn require various activities and inputs, including human resources,
capital and infrastructure. The focus of this study is on the alternatives available to the
public sector for funding public R&D. Most of the current public R&D infrastructure comes
from the fiscus, which is strained under the pressure of many competing and immediate
needs.
An alternate model for funding public R&D infrastructure is that of public private
partnerships (PPPs), which are private sector-supported initiatives for delivery of public
goods and services. These are used all over the world to deliver public services with a
high degree of success in sectors such as health (hospitals and services) and transport
(roads, airports). This study looks at how this model can be applied in the delivery of public
R&D infrastructure, which has not been popular in South Africa to date.
A questionnaire was designed to look at five key areas for investigation with regard to R&D
infrastructure, namely: the type of infrastructure as a determinant for the success of the
PPP; the perception regarding the risk of the transaction; the incentives available to the
private participants; the availability of capital in the market; and the effect of regulations on
the transaction. These are investigated through the use of a questionnaire to get
responses from people who have an understanding of PPP transactions in the country.
The results show that R&D PPPs are possible and should be explored. One of the main
reasons why they are currently not popular is because they are under-explored. The
respondents felt that: the PPP regulations may have to be changed or adapted to be
effective in the administration of PPP transactions; the risks for R&D PPPs seem to be
high; sufficient capital exists to fund these transactions; the type of the infrastructure being
financed is not necessarily a hindrance; and there are sufficient incentives for the private
sector to participate in these transactions. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Ekonomiese ontwikkeling hang af van 'n aantal veranderlikes, onder andere die ekonomie
se vermoë om tegnologies te innoveer. Sodanige innovasie word in 'n groot mate bepaal
deur die waarde, beide kwalitatief en kwantitatief, van die navorsing en ontwikkeling wat
binne die ekonomie plaasvind. Navorsing en ontwikkeling vereis weer verskeie aktiwiteite
en insette, waaronder menslike hulpbronne, kapitaal en infrastruktuur. Hierdie studie fokus
op alternatiewe wat vir die openbare sektor beskikbaar is ten opsigte van die befondsing
van openbare navorsing en ontwikkeling. Die huidige openbare navorsing- en
ontwikkelinginfrastruktuur kom hoofsaaklik van die fiskus, wat weens verskeie
mededingende en dringende behoeftes onder druk is.
'n Publieke-private venootskap (PPV) bied 'n moontlike alternatiewe model vir befondsing
van 'n openbare navorsing- en ontwikkelinginfrastruktuur. Openbare goedere en dienste
word hiervolgens gelewer deur middel van inisiatiewe wat deur die privaatsektor
ondersteun word. Die model word wêreldwyd baie suksesvol aangewend in sektore soos
gesondheid (hospitale en dienste) en vervoer (paaie, lughawens). Hierdie studie
ondersoek hoe die model toegepas kan word in die skep van 'n openbare navorsing- en
ontwikkelinginfrastruktuur in Suid-Afrika, hoewel dit tot dusver nie hier gewild was nie.
'n Vraelys is ontwerp om vyf sleutelareas ten opsigte van navorsing- en
ontwikkelinginfrastruktuur te ondersoek, naamlik: tipe infrastruktuur as 'n determinant vir
die sukses van die PPV; persepsie aangaande risiko met betrekking tot die transaksie;
aansporing wat aan private deelnemers gebied word; beskikbaarheid van kapitaal in die
mark en die uitwerking van regulasies op die transaksie. Hierdie vraelys is aangewend om
reaksie te verkry van persone wat begrip van publieke-private ondernemings in die land
het.
Die resultate wys dat PPV's binne 'n navorsing- en ontwikkelinginfrastruktuur moontlik is
en verder ondersoek behoort te word. Een van die hoofredes waarom dit tans nie gewild is
nie, is die gebrek aan toepaslike navorsing. Respondente het aangedui dat: PPV
regulasies moontlik verander of aangepas sal moet word om effektief te wees in die
administrasie van sodanige transaksies; die risiko's vir PPV's in navorsing en ontwikkeling
hoog voorkom; voldoende kapitaal vir befondsing van transaksies beskikbaar is; die tipe
infrastruktuur wat befondsing ontvang nie noodwendig 'n hindernis is nie en dat voldoende
aansporing vir die privaatsektor gebied word om aan hierdie transaksies deel te neem.
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Creating a sustainable environment for infrastructure deliveryLe Roux, Ellouise 03 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Since 1994 the government of South Africa has spent substantial amounts of money on the development and expantion of infrastructure to include the previously disadvantaged. Each year the amount spent on infrastructure increased, and still the poor is marginalised. The title proposes that there should rather be a focus on creating a sustainable environment to deliver infrastructure. The economy, unemployment, people living in poverty and level of human resources determine the environment in which infrastructure is delivered.
South Africa is on a growth path towards 2030 that aims to reduce unemployment by aproximately 10% and increase the economic growth rate 5% per annum. Key challenges that inhibits economic growth were identified by the National Planning Commision (NPC). These key challenges such as poverty, poor education, unsatisfactory public tranport and a divided society represent the environment that South Africa is currently operating in. If these key challenges could be addressed and nullified a sustainable environment could be reached.
The purpose of this thesis is to investigate a sustainable environment to deliver infrastructure. Existing models will be analysed and the key principles will then be incorporated in the development of the proposed Infra-Connect Model. Strategic Planning and decision-making tools will also assist in the process towards developing the Infra-Connect Model.
The theoretical results that are obtained are positive. It conforms to the goals that are set out based on the key challenges presented by the NPC. The financial resources are found to be distributed more effectively and the poor is empowered to take part in the economic activities and hence a sustainable environment to deliver infrastructure is created. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Sedert 1994 is daar aansienlike bedrae bestee op die opgradering en uitbreiding van infrastruktuur. Steeds is die huidige infrastruktuur nie voldoende nie en onontwikkeld. Die behoeftiges is steeds uitgesluit uit die ekonomiese aktiwiteite en gemarginaliseer. Hierdie verhandeling beoog om die fokus te plaas op die skepping van ‘n volhoubare omgewing wat die ontwikkeling van infrastruktuur tot gevolg het. Die omgewing verwys na die ekonomie, die behoeftiges, vlak van werkloosheid, en die kwaliteit van onderrig en mense ontwikkeling.
Suid Afrika is in die proses om ‘n groeiplan saam te stel vir 2030. Onbevredigende dienslewering, ‘n verdeelde samelewing, en onvoldoende onderrig is onder andere faktore wat die groei van Suid Afrika verhinder om ‘n positiewe, kompeterende land teen 2030 te wees, soos geïdentifiseer deur die National Planning Commision. Hierdie faktore verhoed dat Suid Afrika positiewe ekonomiese groei ervaar.
Die doel van die verhandeling is om die skepping van ‘n volhoubare omgewing wat infrastruktuur lewering tot gevolg sal hê, te ondersoek. Bestaande modelle word geanaliseer en gebruik om ‘n model vir munisipaliteite saam te stel wat sal help om fondse reg aan te wend en die druk rondom infrastruktuur lewering te verlig.
Die teoretiese uitkomstes is positief en daar is gevind dat die model die bepalende faktore aanspreek. Die behoeftiges is na afloop van die model beter af waar hul bemagtig is en ‘n werksgeleentheid gebied word. Die gevolg is dan ‘n verlaging in die werkloosheidskoers en ‘n verwagting dat Suid Afrika se ekonomie positief sal groei. Voldoende lewering van infrastruktuur en dienste word dan ook verwag. Sodoende word ‘n volhoubare omgewing geskep vir effektiewe ontwikkeling en lewering van infrastruktuur en basiese dienste.
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Mainstreaming women in development? : a gender analysis of the United Nations Development Programme in South Africa.Rippenaar-Joseph, Trunette 12 1900 (has links)
Thesis (DPhil (Political Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Gender Mainstreaming (GM) was popularised as an approach to advance gender equality
at the United Nations (UN) World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995. Since then
it has been adopted by the UN and international development organisations as the
approach to integrate women and gender issues into development. The United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP), a major international development organisation,
claims a strong policy commitment to GM. As such, it is an important organisation to
study for its GM implementation to establish what lessons can be learnt from its practice.
Because it is an international organisation, the study has implications for global GM as
well as for SA.
This thesis examines mainstreaming women and gender in development in the UNDP
Country Office in South Africa (UNDP/SA). It explores the gap between Gender
Mainstreaming policy and practice, through discursive analysis of UNDP policy
documents and reports, as well as an analysis of qualitative interview data and
participatory approaches. The study focuses on the organisational challenges facing
institutions trying to mainstream gender, particularly in the South African context. It puts
forward a proposal for improving GM by combining organisational development and
feminist theory. Through the proposal, which focuses on a broad transformation process
within which to frame GM implementation, the thesis aims to contribute towards
advancing gender equality through GM in South Africa and elsewhere.
Development was initially gender-blind until the early 1970s. Since then, development
organisations have moved women and gender onto the development agenda through
various approaches. The major approaches have been Women in Development (WID),
Gender and Development (GAD) and Empowerment. The current approach, Gender
Mainstreaming (GM), is about moving women and gender issues from the margin to the
centre of development organisations and their practice. While being an improvement on
the earlier approaches, GM still faces a number of challenges for successful
implementation in development organisations such as the UNDP.
This qualitative study interrogates the GM policy discourse of the UNDP/SA, and finds a
serious gap between its policy discourse and practice. This gap is evident not only in the
UNDP/SA, but also in one of its funded projects, the Capacity Building Project for the
Office on the Status of Women. GM fails to make an impact because of factors such as
lack of training, absence of political will from senior managers in development
organisations (and in government), and lack of resources. It is also clear that GM cannot
occur in the absence of a broad organisational transformation process. To address the
challenges facing GM, I propose a model for implementation with a special focus on the
deep structure of organisations that exposes the masculinist roots of gender inequality.
What is essential for this model to succeed is that GM implementation should be framed
within a broader organisational transformation process, based on organisational
development and feminist theory. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geslagshoofstroming het gewildheid verwerf as ‘n benadering om geslagsgelykheid te
bevorder by die Verenigde Nasies (VN) se Wêreld Konferensie oor Vroue in Beijing in
1995. Daarna is dit deur die VN en internasionale ontwikkelingsorganisasies aanvaar as
die benadering om vroue en geslagskwessies te integreer in ontwikkeling. Die Verenigde
Nasies Ontwikkelings Program (VNOP), ‘n vername internasionale ontwikkelingsorganisasie,
maak aanspraak op ‘n sterk toewyding aan Geslagshoofstroming as beleid.
Die VNOP is dus ‘n belangrike organisasie om te bestudeer vir sy Geslagshoofstroming
implementering om vas te stel watter lesse ons kan leer. Die studie het implikasies nie net
vir Suid-Afrika nie, maar ook globaal omdat die VNOP ‘n internasionale organisasie is.
Die tesis ondersoek die hoofstroming van vroue en geslag in ontwikkeling in die VNOP
Kantoor in Suid-Afrika (VNOP/SA). Dit verken die gaping tussen Geslagshoofstroming
beleid en praktyk deur middel van ‘n diskoers analise van VNOP beleids-dokumente en
verslae, en ‘n analise van data verkry deur kwalitatiewe onderhoude. Die studie fokus op
die organisatoriese uitdagings vir die instellings wat Geslagshoofstroming probeer
implementeer, veral in die Suid-Afrikaanse konteks. Dit stel ‘n kombinasie van
organisatoriese ontwikkeling en feministiese teorie voor om Geslagshoofstroming te
bevorder. Die tesis streef daarna, deur die voorstel wat fokus op Geslagshoofstroming as
deel van ‘n breë transformasie proses, om by te dra tot die bevordering van
geslagsgelykheid in Suid-Afrika en elders.
Ontwikkeling was aanvanklik geslagsblind tot met die vroeë 1970s. Sedertdien het
ontwikkelingsorganisasies vroue en geslagskwessies op die agenda geplaas deur verskeie
benaderings. Die vernaamste benaderings was Vroue in Ontwikkeling (WID), Geslag en
Ontwikkeling (GAD), en Bemagtiging (Empowerment). Die huidige benadering,
Geslagshoofstroming, het ten doel om vroue en geslagskwessies vanaf die kantlyn te
beweeg tot in die kernpunt van ontwikkelings-organisasies en hulle praktyke. Alhoewel
dit ‘n verbetering op die vorige benaderings is, staar Geslagshoofstroming
implementering nog ‘n aantal uitdagings in die gesig in ontwikkelingsorganisasies soos
die VNOP.
Die kwalitatiewe studie interrogeer die Geslagshoofstromings diskoers van die
VNOP/SA en vind ‘n ernstige gaping tussen sy beleidsdiskoers en praktyk. Hierdie
gaping is sigbaar nie net in die VNOP/SA nie, maar ook in een van sy befondsde
projekte, die Kapasiteitsbou Projek vir die Kantoor vir die Status van Vroue.
Geslagshoofstroming maak nie impak nie as gevolg van faktore soos ‘n gebrek aan
opleiding, die afwesigheid van politieke wilskrag by senior bestuurders in
ontwikkelingsorganisasies (en in die regering), en ‘n gebrek aan hulpbronne. Dit is ook
duidelik dat Geslagshoofstroming nie kan plaasvind in die afwesigheid van ‘n breë
organisatoriese transformasie proses nie. Om die uitdagings vir Geslagshoofstroming aan
te spreek, stel ek ‘n implementeringsmodel voor met ‘n spesiale fokus op die diep
struktuur van organisasies wat die maskulinistiese oorsprong van geslagsongelykheid
blootlê. Noodsaaklik vir die sukses van die model, is die kontekstualisering van
Geslagshoofstroming in breë organisatoriese transformasie, gebaseer op ‘n kombinasie
van feministiese en organisatoriese ontwikkelingsteorie.
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Using aspects of game theory for enhanced stakeholder participation perspectives in integrated water resource management: a Kat River Valley case studyMbatha, Cyril January 2005 (has links)
South Africa is a water poor region and yet, like in many other developing countries, water resources are a valuable production input in socially important industries such as agriculture and mining (Nieuwoudt et al., 2004:162-182). With a mean annual rainfall and runoff of 502mm and 42mm (420m³ per hectare per annum) respectively, Briers and Powell (1993:1) speculate that water shortages will limit South Africa’s economic development in the twenty-first century. In response to the challenges of water resource scarcity and socio-economic inequalities, in 1997 the South African Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF), following international trends, formulated a National Water Policy (NWP) based on Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) principles (Palmer et al., 2003). The main objectives of the NWP (1997) are to protect national water resources from degradation, provide economically disadvantaged communities with access to water resources and promote economic development, through the devolution of water management responsibilities to locally established water institutions (NWP, 1997). The pursuit of these objectives requires a thorough investigation of biophysical, sociopolitical and economic characteristics of the demarcated water areas. For such an investigation to provide accurate and locally relevant results, broad stakeholder participation is of paramount importance. The thesis discusses economic measures required in pursuing enhanced stakeholder participation levels at local levels. A socio-economic survey investigation describing major participation trends against reported property rights and Willingness to Pay values was conducted in the Kat River Valley, Eastern Cape province. From the investigation, observed participation trends driven by economic interests were identified and used in recommendations proposed for the policy implementation process. Using game theoretic arguments as guidelines in soliciting cooperative behaviour in the use and consumption of common resources (Ostrom, 1990), the thesis proposes the introduction of water related public works projects as employment creating vehicles for individuals and communities targeted for economic empowerment and participation in the water policy. However, for sustainable stakeholder participation levels, it is argued that the employment positions created through the projects need to be designed in a manner that would encourage an evolution of long-term relationships between stakeholders and the water management institutions.
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Impact of the global financial crisis on economic growth: implications for South Africa and other developing economiesSavy, Neil Edward January 2015 (has links)
This paper examines the impact of the recent global financial crisis on economic growth in developing economies and South Africa in particular. It explores whether the events experienced by developing countries conform to what would be anticipated from economic theory. This is done by firstly comparing country growth forecasts for 2012 captured in 2008 at the beginning of the crisis to actual 2012 GDP growth data. Secondly, panel data analysis is used to investigate three important transmission channels, namely those of Trade, Capital Flows and Exchange Rates for 25 developing economies. The results suggest that economic forecasters in 2008 on average overestimated GDP growth for 2012 by -21.6 percent (excluding Venezuela). The only important transmission channel identified using Trend analysis to explain this negative impact on growth was capital flows. However when using Panel regression analysis all three channels were found to explain the economic impact of the crisis on GDP growth for developing countries, conforming to economic theory. It was discovered that, contrary to what was initially expected, portfolio inflows actually increased for most developing countries during the crisis. This possibly can be explained by the impact of quantitative easing in the USA. South Africa was found to have been negatively impacted by the global financial crisis, but to a lesser extent when compared to most other developing countries. The findings are important for global investors looking for new investment opportunities. The extent to which individual economies are “decoupled” from developed economies’ performance provides possible opportunities for diversifying risk through a geographic spread of investor portfolios.
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An investigation into problems facing small-to-medium sized enterprises in achieving growth in the Eastern Cape : enhancing the strategy for developing small 'growth potential' firms in the Eastern CapeSha, Shafeek January 2006 (has links)
As the world economy continues to move towards increased integration, some of the greatest opportunities for Small-to-Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) will derive from their ability to participate in the global marketplace. It is generally accepted that SMEs are becoming increasingly important in terms of employment, wealth creation, and the development of innovation. However, there are considerable doubts about the quality of management in this sector with policy-makers suggesting that there are particular weaknesses in innovation, a lack of financial acumen, marketing, entrepreneurial flair, practical knowledge, and human resource management. As a result, many firms do not reach their full potential and fail to grow. According to organisational life cycle models, the introductory phase is particularly important since it is generally known and accepted that there is a high mortality rate of SMEs within the first two years. Given this high failure rate, it becomes vital to research the factors/characteristics/management abilities that are required to enable the SME to survive and indeed progress to the growth phase of the organizational life cycle. This research seeks to investigate the internal and external factors that are consistent in the success of SMEs who have reached the growth phase. A significant contribution to the enhancement of the growth potential of a firm will be made through the understanding of these factors.
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Youth entrepreneurship and poverty alleviation in KentanePotwana, Viwe January 2017 (has links)
The goal of this research was to explore the experiences of the youth in Kentane with respect to the role that a entrepreneurship plays in alleviation poverty, with the intention to enhance recommendations to the local municipality, the private sector and governmental departments. The study focused on entrepreneurship as one of the strategies that is deemed capable of reducing poverty and increasing economic growth. A qualitative research approach was used to explore the experiences of the entrepreneurial youth, where permission was attained from the youth prior to the commencement of the study. Purposive sampling was utilised to recruit participants and data was collected by means of semi-structured interviews. Qualitative data analysis was carried out using steps outlined in Creswell (2003). Five main themes were identified during data analysis where the main finding was that there was a lack of knowledge and resources to broaden the scope of youth based businesses in the area. Another major finding from this study was the introduction and imposition of haphazard short-term projects aimed at alleviating poverty that often failed as they did not address the needs specific to the community. Youth of Kentane are dedicated as entrepreneurs; however, they need the collaboration of interested parties and stakeholders to realise their respective potentials. Developmental and training programmes are crucial to assist the entrepreneurial youth of Kentane.
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An analysis of local level development in South Africa: a case study of UitenhageMeyer, Sarah January 2008 (has links)
Development backlogs, in terms of unemployment and poverty, plague many developing countries. Countries have established and implemented various policies and plans to address these challenges. In response to these development backlogs, South Africa has instituted the notion of decentralisation and developmental local government, whereby local governments are largely responsible for initiating and facilitating development in the area under their jurisdiction. Furthermore, the potential role the private sector can play in development is being increasingly recognised by government, politicians, academics and developers alike. Uitenhage has a strong corporate presence and therefore this sector has the potential to contribute towards development in the town. However the concept of using corporate social responsibility (CSR) to promote development in South Africa is relatively new and, as will be revealed in the case study, definitions and underlying motivation for undertaking CSR vary. Local Economic Development (LED) and, more recently, CSR, have been recognised as major drivers of development and are being implemented throughout the country. As this thesis illustrates, they often merge and can work hand-in-hand to promote local development. Although the private sector, through CSR has the potential to contribute to development, they often do not have the available human resources to implement development initiatives. As is evident in the case study, partnerships between the private and public sectors often emerge as a result. Development institutions play a key role in development and often assist in bridging the gap between citizens, the state and the market. The development institutions in Uitenhage often act as instigators and facilitators on behalf of the larger corporations. The case study in Uitenhage, is a locality where there is a strong automotive industrial cluster and several major firms which are active in the development process. Furthermore, development institutions are committed to the socio-economic development of the town and the promotion of small micro medium enterprises (SMMEs), through various support services. The development institutions, often in partnership with the local government and the public sector, have initiated various local developmental projects in the town, of which three will be discussed in the case study. In this thesis, case study research reveals that corporations often do not meet their potential developmental role and their CSR actions are often considered as ‘window-dressing’ aimed at boosting their corporate image. Similarly, with regard to the development institutions, their development and job creation results look impressive at first glance, but further investigation reveals a collapse of a large number of projects. Despite the potential of LED and CSR to be major drivers of local development, there are still a number of hindering factors, which will be revealed in this thesis and lessons to be learnt which can help to inform future local development projects
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