Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 1989. / Some digitised pages may appear illegible due to the condition of the original hard copy. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: see fulltext for abstract / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: sien volteks vir opsomming

D.Comm. / This thesis endeavoured to assess whether the government can simultaneously achieve the objectives of sustained economic growth, income redistribution and fiscal discipline, as stated in the Growth, Employment and Redistribution (GEAR) policy. The simultaneous realisation of these objectives of the GEAR policy brings about controversies between the South African government and other interest groups, such as the trade unions and some academics. Empirical analysis such as econometrics and computerised general equilibrium (hereafter referred to as CGE) techniques were used in an attempt to solve the research question. The Kalman filter technique was applied to model total factor productivity and to establish the link between social services expenditure and economic growth in South Africa. The structural vector autoregressive (SVAR) technique was applied to assess the dynamics of fiscal shocks on output growth and determine the type of taxes that are distortionary in financing the increase in social services expenditure. The study’s main contribution is the application of the CGE technique to assess whether the above three objectives can be reached simultaneously. A new CGE model was built, based on the standard CGE model by Thurlow and Van Seventer (2002). In the new CGE model, some taxes were changed to endogenous variables instead of exogenous variables or parameters as in the standard model. The model introduced a number of government macro closure rules to clear the government balance. The research lead to the following conclusion: When constraints on employment are removed across all the labour categories in South Africa, and the government uses compositional shift of its expenditure to finance the continual increase in social services expenditure, the three objectives, namely fair redistribution of iv income, fiscal discipline and sustained economic growth, will be reached simultaneously. It is recommended that the government fix conditions in the labour market to remove impediments to employment in South Africa (such as lack of appropriate skills for specific activities), as this will enable the government to achieve most of its objectives.

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Management, University of the Witwatersrand, in 50% fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Management (in the field of Public Policy). 17 June 2016 / This paper investigates the nature of relationship between income inequality and consumption expenditure by households. The link between the distribution of income and household spending was determined by exploring the relationship between income inequality and household saving. The econometric estimates show that the propensity of the bottom earners to consume is higher than that of the high income earners. The conclusions from this paper are that; the bottom earners used credit to smooth their consumption expenditure, income inequality has not boosted saving of the top earners and wealth inequality has a minimal effect (although positive) on aggregate consumption Some of these finding are consistent with the theoretical view on income and wealth inequality (Kaldor, 1957) and Aghion et al. (1999). The absence of coping mechanism (such as access to credit and employment), suggests high inequality might result in a decline in the household demand, since the bottom and low earners has high marginal propensities to consume compared with that of the top earners. The existence of imperfect capital markets suggests distributive policies and economic growth are important channels for reducing income and wealth disparities in South Africa. / MB2016

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, University of the Witwatersrand, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Johannesburg, 2016. / The study articulates the key indicators that are drivers of poverty and inequality in the post-apartheid society. Historically, education, employment, household income and service delivery were not used as the foundation for measuring poverty and inequality in the country. Specific objectives for this study are to interrogate the key determinants that have influenced poverty and inequality in South Africa since 1994, and to investigate how the predictors of life circumstances and service delivery changed across the population over the period 1994–2007. Descriptive analysis was used on household surveys (General Household Survey (GHS) 2002–2011, Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) 2008–2011 and Living Conditions Survey (LCS) 2008 and 2011) to determine changes and trends in the living conditions of the population. Multivariate analytical approaches were applied on CS 2007 data with a sample of 360 000 households conducted by Statistics South Africa. Statistical regression models were developed for life circumstances and service delivery measures to explain poverty and inequality. Principal component analysis was applied on CS 2007 to promote multidimensional approaches for poverty and inequality measurement using development indicators as the components for life circumstances and service delivery. The main findings of the study show that low levels of education and high unemployment are the determinants of poverty and inequality. Positive linear relationships between educational attainment and age, employment and population group, age, sex and educational level of household head were established. Income disparities further perpetuate disparities in life circumstances and service delivery. Disparities service delivery are not the determinants but the consequences of poverty and inequality. Poverty and inequality in South Africa are structural showing that, while many people progressed in the last twenty-two years, many remained behind, and even progressed negatively as they remained worse off based on data since the 1996 census. While much work has been conducted on life circumstances such as education, employment and income, work on service delivery in relation to poverty is still limited and thus deserves more attention / GR2018

Cosmo City was established as a pilot project to integrate the low, middle and high income communities to live together and share common resources like schools, medical facilities, churches and shopping centres. Over a period of seven years, waste management has become a problem leading to littering, illegal dumping and overfilling of skips. Perceptions of waste management in different income households were studied. The specific objectives were, willingness of households to separate waste from source, health concerns emanating when one interacts with waste at the sources, effect of incentives on household’s willingness to separate waste from source, household’s opinion on including the waste pickers in the formal waste management system. Data was collected using structured questionnaire and interviews. The results indicated that 30% of low income households, 23% of middle income households and 10% of high income households recycle waste. The study revealed that 78% of low income households, 78% of middle income households and 80% of high income households were willing to sort waste from source. Overall results showed about 20% drop when sorting waste without incentives was suggested. 52% of low income households, 55% middle income households and 48% high income households rated hygiene as the major health concern on sorting waste from source. 85% of low income households, 77% of low income household, 71% of middle income and 78% of high income households support the incorporation of waste pickers in the formal waste management system. The results related to perceptions of the community on waste management suggest that the three different communities are willing to participate in waste management and support the incorporation of the waste pickers in the formal waste management system. In general this study should serve as a guideline for legislation, policy and regulations formulation. Integrated solid waste management that involves waste pickers and separation of waste from source can help with job creation, boosts the economy and deviate waste from landfilling to recycling. / Environmental Sciences / M. Sc. (Environmental Management)

Thesis (MTech (Entrepreneurship))--Peninsula Technikon, Cape Town, 2002 / The scope and extent of home-based businesses and the determination of the method by which the greater portion of household income is generated, in poor neighbourhoods, is the crux of this study. The study was undertaken among the 2245 households in the Kleinvlei sub-economic housing area located in the Oostenberg municipal substructure within the Cape Metropole. According to the municipal statistics the average income among these households is R75 (Rands 75) per month and the educational level of the population is of a low standard. A random sample of500 households was the basis of the research data. The size, necessity and importance of self-generated (business-derived) income in augmenting primary employment-related (wage-based) earnings is the focus ofthis research study. Declared sources of income are verified by measuring the percentage spent on essential household goods and services. Ancillary objectives are determining the motivation for starting these businesses as well as measuring household wealth (assets) through observations. The significance of this descriptive research is the determination of the relative contribution Of business income and the magnitude of the levels of poverty. It provides the primary data (base information) for policy formulation relating to social and economic development in this sub-economic. The results correlate with findings of national longitudinal studies. The level of job creation through businesses is minimal and the extent of unemployment is much greater than anticipated.

Household savings performance has been of great interest to researchers as a result of its close association with supporting an environment conducive to investment and economic growth. South African savings rates have been declining with household savings showing a significant deterioration over the past two decades. Policymakers are primarily occupied with investigating methods to encourage savings and control consumption levels. However there remains some ambiguity regarding the variables that impact household savings behaviour. Higher domestic savings can assist with improving South Africa’s GDP growth rate, which has not realised the expected targets in recent years. The Vector Error Correction Model approach was applied to determine the long-run impact of certain variables on the household savings rate and household debt ratio. The study employed annual time series data over the 20-year period 1994 to 2013. Variables that were studied in relation to the household savings rate included youth dependency, elderly dependency, financial liberalisation and financial deepening. The impacts of financial liberalisation and financial deepening were also examined against the household debt ratio. Findings revealed that household savings are negatively impacted by youth dependency. Results for elderly dependency and financial deepening had weak explanatory power on household savings. Financial deepening was found to significantly increase household debt levels whilst the results concerning financial liberalisation were inconclusive for both the household debt and household savings variables. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / lmgibs2015 / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / Unrestricted

Thesis (MComm (Statistics and Actuarial Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / The aim of this study is to assess the welfare of South Africa in terms of poverty and inequality. This is done using the Income and Expenditure Survey (IES) of 2000, released by Statistics South Africa, and reviewing the distribution of income in the country. A brief literature review of similar studies is given along with a broad de nition of poverty and inequality. A detailed description of the dataset used is given together with aspects of concern surrounding the dataset. An analysis of poverty and income inequality is made using datasets containing the continuous income variable, as well as a created grouped income variable. Results from these datasets are compared and conclusions made on the use of continuous or grouped income variables. Covariate analysis is also applied in the form of biplots. A brief overview of biplots is given and it is then used to obtain a graphical description of the data and identify any patterns. Lastly, the conclusions made in this study are put forward and some future research is mentioned.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The primary objective of this study was to verify the extent to which income distribution among the population groups in South Africa has changed since the 199! population census. These were the findings: It was established in this study that, at October 1996 the income share of Whites had dropped from 71.2 percent (1970) to 51.9 percent. The White population constitute 12.6 percent of South Africa population in 1996 but they received more than 50 percent of personal income in the country. At October 1996 the per capita income of Whites was 8.8 times that of Africans, 4.5 times that of Coloureds and 2.3 times that of Indians. The study found that income disparities between the population groups have narrowed, but there are a lot left to be done to remove income inequalities in the country. The study found that the income which accrued to each population group was not uniformly distributed within the group. In all population groups, the poorest 40%, and the next 41-70% household income classes suffered losses in household income shares between 1991 and 1996. In all population groups it was the richest 10% households who received the lion's share of income which accrued to the group, between 1991 and 1996. The study further found a shift in African employees from elementary occupations to artisan and machine operators. Between 1995 and 1999 the proportion of Coloureds in elementary jobs declined in favour of artisans, machine operators, managers and professionals. Indians and Whites had the smallest proportion of their workforce engaged in elementary occupations Only 5.4 percent of Africans aged 20 and above were found to possess degrees, diplomas and certificates in 1999, compared to 6.5 percent Coloureds, 14.3 percent Indians, 31.5 percent Whites. As high as 15.5 percent of Africans had not received any formal education at October 1999 compared to 7.9 percent Coloureds, 3.5 percent Indians and 0.3 percent Whites. Unemployment in all population groups has increased since the 1996 South African population census. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die primêre doelwit van hierdie studie was om die verandering in die omvang van die inkomsteverdeling tussen die bevolkingsgroepe sedert die 1991 bevolkingsopname te bevestig. Daar is bevind dat die inkomste aandeel van Blankes vanaf 71.2 persent in 1970 na 51.9 persent in 1996 afgeneem het. Die Blanke bevolking het 12.6 persent van die Suid-Afrikaanse bevolking in 1996 uitgemaak, maar hulle ontvang meer as 50 persent van persoonlike inkomste in die land. In Oktober 1996 was die per capita inkomste van Blankes 8.8 keer meer as dié van Swart Suid-Afrikaners en 6.8 keer meer as dié van Kleurlinge. Die studie het gevind dat inkomsteverskille tussen die bevolkingsgroepe verminder het, maar dat daar nog groot inkomste ongelykhede is. Die studie het verder bevind dat die verdeling van inkomste binne elke bevolkingsgroep ongelyk verdeel is. Tussen 1991 en 1996 het in alle bevolkingsgroepe, die armste 40%, en die volgende 41-70% huishoudelike inkomsteklasse 'n daling in hul aandeel van huishoudelike inkomste ondervind. In alle bevolkingsgroepe was dit die rykste 10% huishoudings wat die grootste aandeel aan inkomste ontvang het tussen 1991 en 1996. Die studie het ook gevind dat daar 'n verskuiwing van swart Suid-Afrikaanse werknemers van elementêre beroepe na ambagsmanne en masjienoperateurs plaasgevind het. Tussen 1995 en 1999 het die verhouding van anderskleuriges in elementêre beroepe afgeneem ten gunste van ambagsmanne, masjienoperateurs, bestuurders en professionele beroepe. Asiate en Blankes het die kleinste verhouding van hulle werksmag in elementêre beroepe gehad. In 1999 was slegs 5.4 persent van swart Suid-Afrikaners, ouderdom 20 en ouer, in besit van grade, diplomas en sertifikate, in vergelyking met 6.5 persent Kleurlinge, 14.3 persent Asiate en 31.5 persent Blankes. Tot en met Oktober 1999 het 15.5 persent van swart Suid-Afrikaners geen formele opleiding ontvang in vergelyking met 7.9% Kleurlinge, 3.5% Asiate en 0.3% Blankes. Werkloosheid het sedert 1996 in alle bevolkingsgroepe toegeneem sedert die 1996 Suid-Afrikaanse bevolkingsopname.

The social conditions in the rural areas of South Africa are by now widely known and numerous researchers have documented the poverty stricken quality of life which generally prevails amongst black families in these areas (Wilson and Ramphele, 1989). The vast majority of rural households have incomes which are below subsistence levels and in the Homelands, agricultural productive ability has become so eroded that rural household income is now chiefly derived from remittances from migrants in the towns or from the wages of farm labourers (Nattrass and May, 1986). As such, at present the majority of black rural households living in Region E make up consumer communities which must purchase the majority of their subsistence needs, rather than producer communities in which subsistence needs can be met from the utilisation of local resources (Derman and Poultney, 1983). Despite this unpromising situation, the diminishing importance of agricultural production to the South African national economy (Bethlehem, 1989), and the dominance of urbanisation as a social force, it can be argued that the rural areas of Region E will be directly and substantially affected by efforts to restructure the South African economy as a whole. Consequently, revitalising the rural economy in a restructured social and economic system would be a concern in itself, even though the effect of this for a future growth path for South Africa may be uncertain (Kaplinsky, 1991:54). The report will first examine the broad demographic changes in Region E noting the impact of these changes on the rural areas. Thereafter, the economic processes which characterise the rural areas will be discussed, in particular, employment, income levels and income distribution. This will feed into a discussion of the social processes which will include changing dynamics of migration, and a socio-economic profile of rural households. The paper concludes by briefly examining access and usage of basic services and facilities in the rural parts of Region E.