This study is based on data from in-depth individual interviews carried out in a poor township, Ngangelizwe in Mthatha, South Africa. It discusses and describes the livelihoods and strategies of low–income households headed by elderly (>60years old) women. The study draws primarily on interviews with 15 elderly women who are receiving or not receiving State pension, selling goods or receiving or not receiving a Child Support Grant from the government for their grandchildren in order to meet the daily challenges they are faced with. It discusses the cultivation of social networks and how these networks in turn impact on the livelihoods, health, survival and social adjustment of the elderly women. This includes reports of these women’s perceptions of poverty, their incomes (the majority (thirteen) were receiving a State pension) as well as a professional pension. The study also reports on the strategies they used to try and avoid poverty through participation in income generating activities, having their grandchildren engaging in income-earning activities mostly after school or during holidays. The study underscores the reality of the adjustments and coping measures that the women have to adopt when faced with new challenges as a result of high morbidity and mortality among adults in the reproductive age groups. The findings of this study indicate that for most women, the inability to attain basic essentials of life leads to loss of self-dignity. Socio-economic factors such as low levels of education, unemployment, little or no income, poor access to resources, many dependants and looking after their children who suffer from HIV/AIDS among the women create a situation where they operate within the “little opportunities” circle. The evidence in this study suggests that social support groups, a pension grant, a child support grant and remittances from their children helped to mitigate some of the poverty experiences of the elderly women. The study also shows that there is a dire need for intensification of poverty reduction programmes at community levels. Women have to be supported with institutional credit to grow and expand their businesses. They need the support and assistance of government in taking care of their sick children and grandchildren due to HIV/AIDS. / Dissertation (MSocSci)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Sociology / unrestricted

No description available.

開始於70年代末和80年代初的改革有效地重整了中國大陸農村經濟。農村工業部門成為80年代中國大陸經濟中最具活力的部門之一，而中國大陸農村工業的發展是以鄉鎮集體所有的企業為先導的。然而，80年代末和90年代初，鄉鎮企業的外部環境開始變得日益嚴峻起來。並且，隨著改革開放和市場經濟快速發展，鄉鎮企業原有制度安排存在的低效率問題日益顯現出來，私有企業和國有企業不斷提高的競爭力，以及中國大陸宏觀經濟的週期性問題，而顯著地降低了鄉鎮企業的效益。由於鄉鎮企業所面臨的問題的增多，一些地方政府開始意識到如果鄉鎮企業要繼續成為農村發展的強大動力，產權改革是必要的。當中央政府於1996年採取了「抓大放小」的政策後，產權改革試點的政治基礎大大擴展了，中國大陸的鄉鎮企業也開始出現明顯的組織和所有制的改革。到2001年，以產權制度為主要內容的鄉鎮集體企業改革進一步擴大，其中涉及產權制度的改革已達90%。本論文將描述並分析鄉鎮企業產權制度改革過程，以及改制後的影響。 / In Shandong and most other parts of China, rural industrial growth was led by enterprises that were collectively owned by townships and villages (TVEs).However, during the late 1980s and the early 1990s, increased competition from private and state-owned enterprises, management problems, and the cyclical nature of the Chinese macro-economy significantly reduced the profitability of TVEs. As the problems facing TVEs multiplied, some local governments began to realize that property rights reform might be necessary and desirable if TVEs are to continue to be a strong engine of rural growth. When the central government adopted its “Zhua-da-fang-xiao” policy in 1996, the political space for experimentation in property rights reform expanded significantly, and China’s TVEs began to undergo significant organizational and ownership changes. By the end of 2001, about 90 percent of TVEs in Shandong had undergone property rights reform. The purpose of this and its companion volumes is to describe and to analyze the process of property rights reform among township-village enterprise in Shandong and to study the consequences of the reform.

<p>This thesis consists of an introduction and four papers exploring various aspects of the Namibian economy. These aspects cover shadow pricing, environmental valuation and capital market development in Namibia.</p><p>Paper I estimates the shadow prices of capital, labour and foreign exchange for the Namibian economy. The results suggest that the shadow price of capital for Namibia is 7.2%. The economic costs of Namibian labour, as a share of financial costs, are 32% for urban semi- and unskilled labour, and 54% for rural semi- and unskilled labour. The economic cost of foreign labour as a share of financial costs is 59%. The estimated shadow exchange rate factor is 4% for the Namibian economy.</p><p>Paper II derives a set of accounting price ratios (APRs) for the various economic sectors of Namibia by using the Semi-Input–Output (SIO) Technique. An APR is the ratio between the market or financial price and the efficiency or economic value of a specific commodity or sector, which is useful for the economic analysis of investment or development initiatives. This larger set of APRs, derived on the basis of information contained in a Namibian Social Accounting Matrix (SAM), should be useful in improving the effective appraisal of development projects and other major investment programmes in Namibia.</p><p>Paper III analyses returns and volatility on the Namibian and South African stock markets, using the daily closing indices of the Namibian Stock Exchange (NSX) and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). The sample covers the period from 4 January 1999 to 20 March 2003. The methodology has three main parts: (i) unit root tests, (ii) cointegration analysis, and (iii) volatility modelling. The results show that the two markets exhibit very low correlations, and there is no evidence of a linear relationship between the markets. Furthermore, a volatility analysis shows evidence of no spillover effects. These results suggest that the NSX could be an attractive risk diversification tool for regional portfolio diversification in southern Africa</p><p>Paper IV studies the determinants of property prices in the township areas of Windhoek, the capital of Namibia. The work‟s major finding is that properties located close to an environmental bad (e.g. garbage dump) sell at considerable discounts. On the other hand, properties located near an environmental good (e.g. a recreational open space) sell at a premium. These results provide evidence of the importance of environmental quality in lower-income property markets in developing countries. It is important, therefore, for Namibian urban planners to incorporate environmental quality into the planning framework for lower-income areas.</p>

This thesis consists of an introduction and four papers exploring various aspects of the Namibian economy. These aspects cover shadow pricing, environmental valuation and capital market development in Namibia. Paper I estimates the shadow prices of capital, labour and foreign exchange for the Namibian economy. The results suggest that the shadow price of capital for Namibia is 7.2%. The economic costs of Namibian labour, as a share of financial costs, are 32% for urban semi- and unskilled labour, and 54% for rural semi- and unskilled labour. The economic cost of foreign labour as a share of financial costs is 59%. The estimated shadow exchange rate factor is 4% for the Namibian economy. Paper II derives a set of accounting price ratios (APRs) for the various economic sectors of Namibia by using the Semi-Input–Output (SIO) Technique. An APR is the ratio between the market or financial price and the efficiency or economic value of a specific commodity or sector, which is useful for the economic analysis of investment or development initiatives. This larger set of APRs, derived on the basis of information contained in a Namibian Social Accounting Matrix (SAM), should be useful in improving the effective appraisal of development projects and other major investment programmes in Namibia. Paper III analyses returns and volatility on the Namibian and South African stock markets, using the daily closing indices of the Namibian Stock Exchange (NSX) and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). The sample covers the period from 4 January 1999 to 20 March 2003. The methodology has three main parts: (i) unit root tests, (ii) cointegration analysis, and (iii) volatility modelling. The results show that the two markets exhibit very low correlations, and there is no evidence of a linear relationship between the markets. Furthermore, a volatility analysis shows evidence of no spillover effects. These results suggest that the NSX could be an attractive risk diversification tool for regional portfolio diversification in southern Africa Paper IV studies the determinants of property prices in the township areas of Windhoek, the capital of Namibia. The work‟s major finding is that properties located close to an environmental bad (e.g. garbage dump) sell at considerable discounts. On the other hand, properties located near an environmental good (e.g. a recreational open space) sell at a premium. These results provide evidence of the importance of environmental quality in lower-income property markets in developing countries. It is important, therefore, for Namibian urban planners to incorporate environmental quality into the planning framework for lower-income areas.

The decisions and actions of management in organisations have an increasing impact on individuals, other organisations and the community. The importance of the exercise of corporate social responsibility can no longer be based on the assumption that the self–interest of the owner of the property will lead to the public good, or that self–interest and public good can be kept apart and have nothing to do with each other. On the contrary, it requires of managers that they assume responsibility for the public good, that they subordinate their actions to an ethical code of conduct, that they restrain their authority wherever their exercise would infringe upon the common will and upon the freedom of the individual. South Africa is one of the countries with the highest illiteracy rate in the world. There are more children dropping out of school in South Africa than any other country in the world. The social and economic impact of the lack of education is difficult to comprehend. Lack of education affects company productivity and competitiveness adversely. A lack of education increases the training costs of organisations immensely. Hence, companies cannot sit on the sideline, but should rather be involved in education through corporate social responsibility programs. The primary objective of the study is to investigate the relationship between corporate social responsibility spending by companies, especially on education, and improvement in standards of education, thereby increasing the overall annual Grade 12 pass rate. In order to address the primary objectives of the study, the following secondary objectives were formulated: * To understand and obtain insight into the dynamics of social responsibility programs of companies that are involved in education; * To analyse and identify the main reason for companies to be involved in education; * To analyse and assess corporate and school partnerships in and around the designated area; * To measure output for different township high schools by using the grade 12 pass rate as a measuring tool; * To establish the level of satisfaction within companies that have embarked on corporate social responsibility programs; and * To establish the importance of mathematics and science as part of the school education. The most important conclusions that could be drawn from the study are: * Companies had endorsed corporate social responsibility as part of their strategy; * It had been extremely difficult to obtain information about companies' corporate social responsibility programs due to information being classified as confidential by companies. This could be a serious impediment for advancement of literature and research in the country; and * Companies had contributed massive resources to the advancement of education through their educational programs, but this had not yielded the consistently desired results through improvement of the Grade 12 pass rate. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

The decisions and actions of management in organisations have an increasing impact on individuals, other organisations and the community. The importance of the exercise of corporate social responsibility can no longer be based on the assumption that the self–interest of the owner of the property will lead to the public good, or that self–interest and public good can be kept apart and have nothing to do with each other. On the contrary, it requires of managers that they assume responsibility for the public good, that they subordinate their actions to an ethical code of conduct, that they restrain their authority wherever their exercise would infringe upon the common will and upon the freedom of the individual. South Africa is one of the countries with the highest illiteracy rate in the world. There are more children dropping out of school in South Africa than any other country in the world. The social and economic impact of the lack of education is difficult to comprehend. Lack of education affects company productivity and competitiveness adversely. A lack of education increases the training costs of organisations immensely. Hence, companies cannot sit on the sideline, but should rather be involved in education through corporate social responsibility programs. The primary objective of the study is to investigate the relationship between corporate social responsibility spending by companies, especially on education, and improvement in standards of education, thereby increasing the overall annual Grade 12 pass rate. In order to address the primary objectives of the study, the following secondary objectives were formulated: * To understand and obtain insight into the dynamics of social responsibility programs of companies that are involved in education; * To analyse and identify the main reason for companies to be involved in education; * To analyse and assess corporate and school partnerships in and around the designated area; * To measure output for different township high schools by using the grade 12 pass rate as a measuring tool; * To establish the level of satisfaction within companies that have embarked on corporate social responsibility programs; and * To establish the importance of mathematics and science as part of the school education. The most important conclusions that could be drawn from the study are: * Companies had endorsed corporate social responsibility as part of their strategy; * It had been extremely difficult to obtain information about companies' corporate social responsibility programs due to information being classified as confidential by companies. This could be a serious impediment for advancement of literature and research in the country; and * Companies had contributed massive resources to the advancement of education through their educational programs, but this had not yielded the consistently desired results through improvement of the Grade 12 pass rate. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

No description available.

Funerals are still considered as very important and well attended occasion in the black townships of South Africa. In the recent past, traditional African funerals practices have affected a number of powerful and complex systems that have been interaction in Africa. The three most important being traditional African cultures, modern Western culture and the environment. The study was conducted to establish factors that led to excessive funerals expenditures in some black townships communities of South Africa, in order to create a pastoral response to this phenomenon. The project was done in Ramatlabama village in the North West province and also in Soweto in the province of Gauteng. A qualitative methodological plan was followed allowing exclusive experiences to emerge. Families, adults and young church groups, clergy, Bishop, Social group and a Funeral undertaker , an in-depth qualitative analysis was employed in order to find the real reasons that led to excessive funeral expenditure. The data collected and analyzed revealed that factors such as impressing neighbors, meeting community and family expectation were the reasons for the phenomenon. There were other external factors that contributed indirectly to the practice and such as commercialization and politicization. In order to address this practice that is making the poor more vulnerable, the Shepherding Model of Gerkin’s and Pollard’s Theory of positive deconstruction was explored. It was found that the Clergy needed to be helped to be aware of the fact that excessive funeral expenditure requires a pastoral response with the right attitude and meaningful dialogues with those affected. The pastoral care-giver with adequate knowledge and exposure to life of pastoral care seeker will have a greater advantage to help most if not all families that usually find themselves in this predicament or dilemma. The best way for the church to help the poor families venture into the future, it’s by educating our communities on how not to spend beyond their means. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / gm2013 / Practical Theology / unrestricted

Micro-property developers are social entrepreneurs operating in townships and offer high quality rental units that upholds the dignity of community members. Although they are making a valuable contribution they are also faced with many challenges and the biggest being access to funds. This study looks at how impact investing, an emerging funding model can be used to address this challenge. Impact investing can be described as a cross-sectional initiative that involves the professional participation of various stakeholders; to drive social entrepreneurship to a level which can drive the socio-economic impact within communities, to create a social good that optimises financial, social and environmental returns ( Annual Impact Investor Survey, 2019). This research study seeks to explore and understand collaboration strategies that can be employed by micro-property developers in the context of South African townships. This study investigates how micro-property developers, through institutional systems and a multi-stakeholder approach can collaborate with impact investors by applying the concept of collective impact effort in township areas. Further on, this study highlights the importance of impact investing and unpacks the successes and challenges in township areas by illuminating how risk-taking, organisational values and funding contribute to corporate considerations in generating measurable, social and environment impact combined with financial return. Through relevant literature consulted and the use of in-depth interviews this study adopted a qualitative research methodology. Research participants included micro-property developers, impact investors and intermediaries. The research findings indicate that in the corporate ambit of social entrepreneurship and impact investing; variables such as income, risks, impact measurement, the situated area of human settlement and investor readiness are key considerations in the successful acquisition of funding opportunities. In addition, although impact investment in township areas is still an untapped market in South Africa, community leadership and partners should equally advocate the need of inclusion and innovation to steer sustainable impact investment opportunities in such communities. This study suggests that impact investors and funders should work toward cross-sectional initiatives that are scalable and inclusive, and that can create a positive impact in township communities. This study also recommends that a level of deeper knowledge is required through informed research, to understand the value and the impact of impact investments in township areas. This way, scientific data can override all stereotypical notions linked to township investments, as stigmas of crime and risks still hinder investment opportunities in townships compared to their urban counterparts.