Thesis--Harvard.

A project report submitted to the Faculty of Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Engineering. / The purpose of the investigation contained in this project report was to identify what methods of value capture exist and what conditons would favour their use in the transportation field in South Afdca. The investigation was motivated by a need to identify new ways of generating revenues for transport projects since traditional sources are being depleted or used for other purposes. A review of international literature on value capture identified fourteen techniques which may be used. These techniques were grouped under three headings - property-related charges, joint ventures and merchandising approaches. The advantages and disadvantages of each technique as described in the literature are outlined. Examples of where these techniques have been used around the world are also given and the current situation in south Africa with regard to value capture is presented. A survey of transportation professionals in the public and private sectors in South Africa regarding the identified value capture techniques showed that joint development, the lease or sale of development rights and advertising space and the use of concessions were the most favoured techniques. Tax increment financing. special benefit assessments and employer wage-bill levies were the least favoured. The survey also provided brief descriptions of some past value capture applications in South Africa in the transport sector whilst, accorddng to the survey respondents, future applications will most likely occur in association with the provision of public transport facilities. The main conclusions drawn from the investigation are that value capture must be seen as an essential component in the process of integrating transport and land use; that the involvement of the private sector in value capture exercises is vital and that public authorities will need to revise their role with regard to the delivery of transport facilities if the number of value capture applications is to grow. Additional conclusions offer some guidelines to help further the implementation of value capture in the transportation field in South Africa. / Andrew Chakane 2018

Thesis (MDF)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This research assignment measures the relative odds of certain savings and debt related outcomes based on various domains of financial literacy, I.E. financial control, financial product choice and financial knowledge/understanding? It also measures the relative odds of certain savings and debt related outcomes based on individual elements of each of these domains. Finally it measures the significance in which overall financial literacy, as a product of the various domains, affect the odds of certain financial outcomes relative to other more conventional demographic determinants, such as income, education and age? The data that informs this research was obtained from the Financial Services Board (FSB) of South Africa, who commissioned the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) to conduct the original data collection process by means of a national survey, in 2011. The salient findings of this research include that the relative odds of savings outcomes are by and large more significantly affected by both the individual elements of– and the various domains of financial literacy, than debt related outcomes. Financial control as a domain of financial literacy has the greatest impact on the relative odds of both savings and debt related outcomes, while financial knowledge/understanding has a comparatively weak influence on the relative odds of savings and debt related outcomes. Financial control also has a significant influence on financial outcomes relative to conventionally significant determinants of financial outcomes, namely income and education, especially among lower income and or non-tertiary educated segments of the population. The individual elements of financial control that appear to be most significant in its influence on the relative odds of savings and debt related outcomes, include the use of a budget and an individual‟s reliability in paying his or her bills. The individual elements of the financial product choice domain that have the largest and or most consistent influence on the relative odds of savings outcomes are the extent of research before obtaining financial products and the level of general awareness of financial products. On the other hand, for debt related outcomes, the most influential independent variables (part of the financial product choice domain) are recent regret regarding financial product choice, recent wasteful expenditure on financial products as well as the extent to which an individual is able to identify suitable products. In terms of the individual elements of financial knowledge and understanding, the ability of individuals to understand compound interest affects the relative odds of debt related outcomes most consistently. Forevery savings outcome of interest, the predictor variable (part of the financial knowledge/understanding domain) with the most significant influence is the ability to understand interest on deposits. The research furthermore uncovered that overall financial literacy has a consistently significant influence on savings outcomes relative to conventional determinants of financial outcomes such as income, age and education if the highest categories of income and education are omitted from analysis. Financial literacy is therefore a very good predictor of saving related outcomes when considering the lower income and or non-tertiary educated segments of the population.

Thesis (MTech (Public Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2011 / The study aims to assess how people in South Africa perceive the impact of the global financial crisis on the South African economy in the context of unemployment, poverty, crime, the mining, industrial, manufacturing and agricultural sectors, household expenditure, capital inflows, capital flows, capital outflow, electricity prices, education funding, health funding, remittances, pension funding, and financial institutions. From 2008 to 2010 the South African economy entered into recession because of the global financial crisis which was caused by the collapse of the United States’ housing market. A survey questionnaire which aimed to measure the perceptions of the impact of the global financial crisis on the South African economy was administrated to 300 randomly selected students and staff at two universities. A number of people were selected from the general public in Cape Town and at selected survey areas: two universities and five townships in Cape Town (Mandela Park, Hout Bay Harbour, Guguletu, Nyanga and Khayelitsha). The research followed the procedure of random sampling with students and staff at two universities in Cape Town and they were selected by the researcher and fieldworkers on an arbitrary basis. The employed field workers selected persons from the townships on the same basis. Results from the survey showed that a majority of respondents from universities and non-university subjects (170) agreed that the global financial crisis has impacted negatively on the South African economy in the context of unemployment, poverty, crime, the mining, industrial, manufacturing and agricultural sectors, capital inflows, capital flows, electricity prices, education funding, health funding, pension funding, and financial institutions. The survey questionnaire was designed according to the sample, which comprises staff and students at two universities in Cape Town, as well as, non-university subjects. This meant that many respondents included university staff and students because they are educated and have more knowledge and understanding than non-university subjects. This research found that non-university respondents were more unwilling to participate. The fieldworkers were also challenged to assess the perceptions of a large number of these respondents owing to a lack of language and cognitive skills. The research used two fieldworkers to assess the perceptions of university respondents concerning the impact of the global financial crisis on the South African economy. The research also used 14 fieldworkers to assess the perceptions of non-university respondents concerning the impact of the crisis on the South African economy. The cost of the fieldworkers’ remuneration was justified as the assessment process would have been extremely difficult for the researcher to have undertaken alone.

Increasing accountability is a key element in a wide variety of governance reforms, from national level, public sector restructuring, to anti corruption campaigns and to centralise service delivery at local levels. (Van Wyk, 2002:311). Financial accountability has a major effect on performance issues, and these two combined have implications on democratic accountability. It is obviously a fact that when public officials become accountable, this will have a positive effect on service delivery. The introduction of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) 1999 (Act 1 of 1999) as amended by Act 29 of 1999 adopts an approach to financial management, which emphasises the need for accountability of results by focusing on output and responsibility rather than the rule driven approach of the previous Exchequer Acts. One quickly realises that the PFMA aims to regulate financial management at both National and Provincial levels of government. It directs attention at revenue, expenditure, assets and liabilities and aims to see that these are managed efficiently and effectively. Public finance accountability is increasingly becoming important in the public sector. One means of effecting accountability is through auditing. For this reason the Office of the Auditor -General through the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa 1996 (Act 108 of 1996 section 216 (1)) was established to facilitate effective accountability through auditing. The Office of the Auditor -General’s role is by no means minor, for it plays a major role in curbing corruption and acts as a ‘watchdog’ of the nation over public funds. Amidst high mismanagement and misuse of public resources, as well as corruption, especially in developing countries, the major question one asks is how effective the Auditor -General can be in ensuring effective public financial management and accountability within state departments so as to improve service delivery.

This investigation focused on why the poor are in debt, what they are indebted for, when debt was incurred, why a loan was incurred, and from whom it was aquired and for what purpose. In addition, it investigated the reasons for indebtedness, as well as the possibilities of how this situation may be addressed and the indebtedness reduced.

This investigation focused on why the poor are in debt, what they are indebted for, when debt was incurred, why a loan was incurred, and from whom it was aquired and for what purpose. In addition, it investigated the reasons for indebtedness, as well as the possibilities of how this situation may be addressed and the indebtedness reduced.

Thesis (MComm)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Financial independence is what most people strive for; however, world trends indicate that it eludes the majority of the population. In South Africa, financial independence figures, especially at retirement, range disconcertingly between 6% and 10%. Numerous factors contribute to and influence financial independence, such as the current economic climate, personality characteristics and attitudes and behaviour. In an attempt to understand the complexity of the interplay between finance and psychology, this research explores a commercial product, the Moneymax Profile (MMP), and endeavours to relate it to scientific literature that will contribute to the understanding of how personality characteristics and attitudes and behaviours toward money will influence financial independence. An ex post facto correlational research design was employed in this exploratory quantitative study (n = 67). The Financial Independence Scale (FIScale) was constructed for the purposes of the study. The concept of optimal financial attitudes and behaviour (OFAB) was developed and defined as measurable attitudes and behaviour that maximise the likelihood that individuals will experience financial security or independence. OFAB was measured by subscales of personality (locus of control, Type A/B personality, time orientation) and financial attitudes and behaviour (for example budgeting, social referents, financial discipline, control of investments). Results indicated that locus of control, time orientation, budgeting, social referents and control of investment were reliable measures of OFAB. The Moneymax traits with a moderate correlation that contributed significantly to OFAB were pride, emotionality, confidence, contentment, spending and trust. The traits of involvement, power and risk taking were significant, but the relationship with OFAB was weak. The remaining traits of altruism, work ethic, self-determination and reflectivity held little statistical value. The principle contributors to an individual’s financial habits and current status were noted to be education level, unexpected circumstances and trusting others. The lack of available psychometric properties for the MMP and the small sample were major limitations of this study. The disciplines of economics and psychology would do well to continue working together in an effort to comprehend money and money personality. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Finansiële onafhanklikheid is ‘n stand van sake waarna meeste individue streef. Wêreldwyd word hierdie nie vir die oorgrote mederheid behaal nie. In Suid-Afrika blyk die getal vir finansiële onafhanklikheid slegs 6% tot 10% te wees. Faktore soos die huidige ekonomiese klimaat, persoonlike eienskappe, gesindheid en gedrag word as bydraende faktore beskou. ‘n Poging word aangewend om die komplekse interaksie tussen finansies en sielkunde te ondersoek en dit deur middel van ‘n kommersiele produk, Moneymax Profile (MMP), en onderneem om wetenskaplike literatuur te gebruik om vas te stel wat se komponente van persoonlikheid, gesindheid en gedrag nodig is vir ‘n individu om finansiëel onafhanklik te kan wees. ‘n Ex post facto korrelasie navorsingsontwerp word in die kwantitatiewe navorsingstudie (n = 67) gebruik. Die Financial Independence Scale (FIScale) was vir die navorsing ontwikkel. Die konsep van optimale gesindheid en gedrag (OFAB) word voorgelê en word as volg gedefinieer: meetbare gesindheid en gedrag wat ‘n individu se waarskynlikheid vergroot om finansiele sekuriteit en onafhanklikheid te beleef. OFAB was gemeet deur subskale van persoonlikheidseienskappe (lokus van kontrole, Tipe A/B persoonlikheid, tydorienteering) en finansiële gedrag en gesindheid (byvoorbeeld begrotings, sosialegroepsdruk, finansiële disipline, beleggingsbestuur). Resultate wys dat lokus van kontrole, tydorienteering, begrotings optrek, sosialegroepsdruk, en beleggingsbestuur geldige metings van OFAB was. Die Moneymax trekke wat beduidend en matige verwantskappe het met OFAB was trots, emosienaliteit, sekerheid, tevredenheid, besteeding en vertroue. Die trekke van betrokkenheid, mag en risiko was beduidend maar die korrelasie was swak. Die oorblywende trekke van altruïsme, werksetiek, selfbeskikking en oordenking hou weinig statistiese waarde. Faktore wat bydra tot ‘n individu se finansiëlegedrag en huidige finansiëlestatus is opvoedkundevlak, onbeplande omstandighede en om andere te vertrou. Die gebrek aan psigometriese eienskappe van die MMP het die studie gekniehalter. Die dissiplines van die ekonomie en sielkunde word aangemoedig om geld en geldpersoonlikheid verder te verken.

M. Tech. Business Administration / Financial distress and bankruptcy is one of the most significant threats to the going concern of many businesses, irrespective of their size and nature of operations. Research in corporate financial distress and corporate failure prediction dates back to the mid-sixties, and the bulk of the studies have been conducted within the context of highly developed market economies. Very little research has been conducted within the context of emerging markets, and using small and medium-sized firms. This therefore encouraged the author of this research report to conduct a study, applying a model specifically developed for emerging economies to predict financial distress of small and medium-sized South African listed firms. The main purpose of this study is to examine whether a model designed for financial distress prediction and credit scoring in emerging markets is reliable, and can be accurately applied in South Africa.

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in 25% fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Management (in the field of Public and Development Management) March 2017 / In recent years, increased attention being given to accountability on public finances in South African municipalities saw an increase in the number of municipalities establishing Municipal Public Accounts Committees (MPACs) to address deficiencies and gaps in the local government accountability mechanisms and oversight. The purpose of the study was to establish the alignment between the recently established MPACs and the generally accepted public accounts committees with respect to the institutional design, practices and performance assessment. A qualitative case study of the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality (NMBM) MPAC was followed where documents were analysed and semi-structured in-depth interviews with purposively selected participants were conducted. This research study revealed some gaps in the alignment of the NMBM MPAC to the generally accepted public accounts committees. The most crucial gap that emerged pertained to the mandate and powers of the NMBM MPAC. Recommendations for enhancing the financial oversight of the NMBM MPAC were made. The study also suggests further research on a larger number of municipalities. / GR2018