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Purpose: The study aims to explore the extent to which human resources development quantifies the economic growth of BRICS countries under the globalization era by controlling country differences. Design/methodology/approach: The study used the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) and Scheffe pairwise comparison tests to quantify the impact of the variables and the level of difference among the BRICS countries onto human Resources development. Findings: The study observes that the impact of human resources development on economic growth of BRICS counties is significant but limited to few countries. The study reveals that countries such as India and South Africa are unable to utilize their human resources efficiently to promote economic growth, as compared with Russia, China and Brazil. The study further argues that there is urgent need of amalgam of various economic development theories keeping in mind the regional needs to extract the positive impact from human resource on economic development. Research limitations/implications: The single limitation of this research is that it was not possible to compare the results with other developing countries to unleash the capabilities of human resources development with regard to economic growth at the universal level. Originality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this paper is the first of its kind to analyze human resources development at a much deeper level. The paper has chosen variables which are important from the policy perspective of government rather than the working perspective, which is a great contribution. Further, for human index the variables chose covering major aspects of human development from spending perspective.

Context: This paper reports on a study of the progress of vocational education and training (VET) and the need for further profession-oriented training of lecturers in public, technical vocational colleges in South Africa, under the consideration of societal and political conditions. Approach: The study is based on a mixed methods approach in which an analysis of educational policy documents and a qualitative and a quantitative study with VET teachers and representatives of education authorities in South Africa are conducted. Findings: The classification of the results is conducted in line with the conditions defined by Phillips and Ochs regarding policy transfers. The following can thus be observed through the bilateral relationship between Germany and South Africa: (1) The Guiding Philosophy of the educational system is characterised by societal and political power structures. This is evident in an analysis of approved reforms within the last two decades. (2) The desired effects of "Ambitions Goals" have thus far not taken hold. Nonetheless, there is a willingness to enact reforms to continue developing vocational education, including the training and further education of lecturers that must be noted. Minimum requirements regarding lecturers' basic qualifications have been formulated, which one in five vocational lecturers in South Africa currently cannot fulfil. (3) The Strategies formulated to implement training methods face the main problem of difficulty in implementation in colleges. (4) The Enabling Structures, i.e. the education-management-system as well as the financial and personnel support of the educational system, are widely perceived by lecturers as unsupportive, ineffective and discriminatory. This is observed, for example, when looking at the equipment used, teachers' salaries, classroom sizes as well as the mentorship programme and further training opportunities. (5) Processes: a discrepancy exists on the level of the lecturers and the central need for further training regarding modern technologies, especially those used by foreign firms in their production in South Africa. (6) The results of the conducted study document a high variation of qualifications among TVET lecturers when it examines their teaching Techniques. Conclusions: Overall, the empirical results of the study reveal a complex structure with respect to the requirements for further training of TVET lecturers, describe central needs for further training of lecturers and deliver connectable knowledge for both the practical educational advancement of lecturer training and further education training, as well as for research in the context of the internationalisation of vocational training in South Africa.

Education is at the core of South Africa's national development. The National Development Plan recognizes the potential of education to transform individuals and drive attainment of other development goals. The country's higher education system is characterized by low participation and high attrition. This presents challenges for the attainment of targets set by the NDP. A number of Open Education Resources initiatives implemented around the world have shown that, when combined with Open Educational Practices, such approaches have potential to address some of the challenges facing the South African higher education sector. This paper explores these initiatives and elements that would need to be considered to ensure an environment that is conducive to their sustainable adoption.

The work reviews the ongoing controversy over work and play within the framework of a constructivist early childhood curriculum. Educators and parents with narrow perception of play view it as mere physical actions of walking, clapping and singing outside class work. However, educators who hold a constructivist epistemological view of child play see play as educative, and possessing ingredients for stimulation that foster an all-round development of children. The paper examines various dimensions of play and work within a constructivist early childhood education paradigm, with special reference to playful learning. The authors argue that teachers of young children need to conceptualize play with a supportive policy and procedural environment that meet the criteria for evaluational, relational and instrumental relevance. Some challenges associated with the use of playful learning in early childhood education centres in Nigeria and South Africa are highlighted.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to systematically examine and draw attention to the potential benefits of solar power generation for access to and use of information and communication technologies (ICT) aimed at sustainable development in emerging economies. Design/methodology/approach: Electricity plays a crucial role in the development and use of ICT and in the process of striving to achieve sustainable development in emerging economies. It has been shown that electrical energy is intrinsically linked to economic, environmental and social dimensions of sustainable development. An extensive analysis of the major contribution of solar electricity in various sectors such as economic, social and environmental benefits is provided. The paper concludes with a discussion on current status of solar electricity in major emerging economies, their planning policies and strategies for promoting solar power generation for increased access to ICT by people and sustainable development of society. Findings: The demand for electricity in residential, commercial and industrial sectors in developing countries (emerging economies) is likely to increase, both as a result of increase in population and expanding industrialization. It remains amongst others, a growing challenge for these nations to obtain and put in place reliable and secured electricity supplies, for accessing ICT and to work towards achieving sustainability. The important issues that must be considered and addressed for the successful implementation of solar electricity programs for sustainability and wellbeing in developing nations are pointed out. Practical implications: The paper shows that the problems of lack of qualified solar technicians and established Photovoltaic (PV) markets and business modes, renewable (solar) energy education have to be addressed. Other issues include appreciation of solar electricity as one of the major energy component, lowering initial cost of the PV technology, availability of finance mechanisms for customers, import tax exemption and regarding electricity as one of the basic needs like food, shelter and clothing. Overhaul of existing systems needs to take place in order to provide the means to deal with some of these issues. Originality/value: Availability of power remains crucial for development in emerging markets. Solar electricity is of major interest for the energy sector in developing or emerging economies because it offers the possibility of generating renewable electricity using sunlight: a resource that is widely and freely available in most, if not all, developing countries. This paper raises awareness about this in a unique way and identifies problems faced by the sectors. To address some of these challenges without compromising the goal of sustainability and development, it is important that low carbon emitting electrical energy sources such as solar electricity are given high priorities by policy makers, industries and research and development institutions in emerging countries. Some innovative suggestions are provided for achieving this. (Contains 1 figure and 1 table.)

This paper investigates the relationship between Grade 12 learner preferences for study in higher education, student enrolment in higher education programmes, and student graduations in different programme areas, considering the match between these supply-side indicators and a forecast of skills demand in South Africa as a first step towards ascertaining the extent to which the higher education system is meeting the demand for skills in the labour market. While learner preferences are predominantly for study in the field of Science, Engineering and Technology (SET), student graduations are predominantly in the Humanities. And since a large proportion of scarce-skills areas are SET-related, this creates a mismatch that has implications for the economic development of the country. Simultaneously, however, the demand for educators (school teachers and academics) is even greater: the strongest discrete demand is for educators, followed by that for managers. The paper concludes by urging more concerted development of teachers and managers.

Recent cross-country growth studies have found that ethnolinguistic fractionalization is an important explanatory variable of long-run growth performance. This paper highlights some limitations of cross-country studies by focusing on the time series evidence for South Africa. In presenting variation over time in a number of social dimensions, this paper adds longitudinal evidence on a range of dimensions that have been linked to long run economic development. Given South Africa's history of ethnic and racial politics, it constitutes a useful case study to explore the dynamics of the possible effects of ethnolinguistic fractionalization on growth. We introduce several new sets of fractionalization indicators for South Africa: ethnolinguistic, religious and cultural fractionalization, and a polarization measure. The results of this study provide important nuance to the existing body of evidence, for the use of fractionalization indices in growth studies.

During the last thirty years, National Qualification Frameworks have emerged as an attempt by the state to "manage" the relations between education, training and work. Drawing on South African experiences of ten years of development of a competency and outcomes based National Qualifications Framework (NQF), this paper highlights the areas of greatest contestation and achievement. We argue for a view of NQFs as a work-in-progress and as contestable artefacts of modern society, which can provide an opportunity to address, in a modest manner, aspects of lifelong learning that contribute to economic development, social justice and personal empowerment.

Concerted efforts have been geared towards development in the South African Post-apartheid era at local level. Studies have shown that local governments have recognized local economic development as a crucial tool for addressing development-related challenges. The extent to which the municipalities have ingrained the local economic development goal, however, has received little to no attention. Hence, this paper intends to fill the missing gap and answers the following questions: what are the key components of economic development at the local level in the post-apartheid era? To what extent has the local economic development stimulated growth and development with particular reference to small and medium scale enterprise? What are the donors’ approaches to local development and their critical challenges? Using the secondary sources of data collection, this paper reviews current level of economic development at local municipalities in South Africa. Thereafter, it examines the impact of the municipal government strategies designed to stimulate political and socio-economic development agenda at the local level in South Africa. This paper identifies strategic planning and local resources needed to address the local economic development in South Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

financial grant creates an avenue to reduce poverty, inequality and to improve equitable economic development. The objective of this paper is to examine the effect of social financial grant increases on poverty alleviation in South Africa. The paper inclines on prior poverty theories of economic growth, which highlights the use of social financial grants to achieve poverty reduction and equitable economic growth. The paper applies a quantitative approach; data on social grants were from the publications of the South African department of statistics and the South African Social Security Agency. The ensuing cross-sectional data were analysed using the structural equation modelling approach. Findings from the analysis indicate that, amongst the seven types, only three namely, the grants for old age, grants for disability and grants for supporting a child enhances reduction in inequality. On the contrary, four of the seven social grant types enhance reduction in poverty level; these are the grants for war veterans, aid grants, grants for dependency, and grants for fostering a child. The paper highlights policy implications of the findings, which includes inter alia, that policy makers may target poverty reduction or inequality reduction using specific social grant types. Findings from this paper provide an avenue for further research to assess poverty and inequality reduction through these social grant types in other developing economies. Such research should check if this current research result is replicable using social grant data from other developing countries. This paper uniquely applies the SEM model to evaluate poverty and inequality implication of social grants in South Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After decades of decline, African higher education is now arguably in a new era of revival. With the prevalence of knowledge economy discourse, national governments in Africa and their development partners have increasingly aligned higher education with poverty reduction plans and strategies. Research capacity has become a critical development issue; and widening participation to doctoral education is seen as an instrument for enhancing this capacity. Against this backdrop, this paper presents a review of emerging initiatives and policies that have some bearing on the PhD in select sub-Saharan African nations, namely Ethiopia, Ghana and South Africa. The findings show a shared optimism about the economic value of higher education, and explicate divergences and convergences in the framing of problems and policy responses related to doctoral education across the three nations. In the conclusion we reflect on challenges and policy omissions in the pursuit of the African PhD.

Copyright of Studia Periegetica is the property of WSB University in Poznan and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Internet technology usage is a veritable support to public governance albeit somewhat understudied. Objective: The objective of the paper is to evaluate whether a combination of public governance and internet usage assists in achieving sustainable development goal (SDG) of hunger reduction. Prior Work: the paper is inclined on past theories, which suggest that governance combined with internet technology is vital in achieving SDG of hunger reduction. Approach: Data were collected from the World Bank Development Indicators and from the World Wide Governance Indicators. Data were analysed using the fixed effect panel regression. Results: Results show that effective governance alone is insignificantly related to achievement of SDG goal 2, but after the inclusion of internet usage into the model, public governance proves to be significantly related to SDG 2 (hunger reduction). Implication: African governments should subsidize internet access for the poor and should prioritize governance effectiveness to reduce hunger and achieve Sustainable Development Goal 2. Further research should evaluate the relationship between government subsidization of internet data for the poor and hunger reduction. Value: this paper provides first approach, which suggests that introducing internet usage into the governance variable enhances governance effectiveness toward achieving sustainable development goal of hunger reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to assess the development pattern of resource-rich countries like Norway, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the Republic of South Africa by analyzing their stock markets. As resource-rich countries have profound implications for the world's sustainable development, it is essential to investigate whether they transform natural resource wealth into sustained growth by reorientation from related to raw material industries to modern ones based on information and technologies. The analysis of resource-rich countries' stock markets allowed us to conclude that partially these countries are on the way to an economy dominated by intangible assets. Nevertheless, despite the declared intentions, some traditional attachments to raw materials are still present. At the same time, most companies in the optimal portfolios of these markets have a long-term nonlinear strategy. The impact of the pandemic COVID-19 turned out to be significant, but short-lived. The research was carried out based on R and Python packages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a gender analysis of the South African government's proposed new policy on international migration, identifying a number of areas of implicit gender discrimination. Such "discrimination by default" is of more than academic relevance, having important implications for national and regional development. Research undertaken by the Southern African Migration Project indicates a growing "feminization" of migration to South Africa from the Southern African region, as well as gender-specific motives and patterns of migration. If migration is to be effectively managed, such realities must be taken into account. The paper concludes by advocating a development-centered, "household strategies" approach, both in understanding international migration to South Africa and in the further development and implementation of legislation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The year 2022 marks the sixth democratic local municipal demarcation process in South Africa. The Municipal Demarcation Board has invited the public to put forward their suggestions for the revision of local municipal boundaries based on the Municipal Demarcation Act (27 of 1998) by the end of March. However, the legislative criterion that guides the process remains as complex as it was in 1998 and the public still questions how and why municipal boundaries are demarcated in South Africa. A direct product of the complexity is that many voices remain muffled and their frustrations are displayed in public protests. These protests are to an extent due to municipalities being too large, lacking economic bases, and having poor governance structures to administer efficiently, resulting in many struggling to provide basic services and remain financially viable and sustainable. This article unpacks the application process that needs to be followed by the Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB), the Member of Executive Council (MEC), and the public to motivate for the re-demarcation of local boundaries. The paper argues that the process is complicated and calls for its revision. Furthermore, the paper suggests that smaller and more compact municipalities, at scale and proportional to economic base, might be the solution to the on-going crises of South African Municipalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Policy documents for schools and education are being increasingly standardised all over the world and some research claims that a global curriculum is developing in which aspects such as entrepreneurship, lifelong learning and sustainable development are common denominators. This is regarded as a sign that economic rationality is gaining more and more ground in education alongside, or at the expense of, a democratic educational ideal. The aim of this study is to discuss one of these aspects, entrepreneurship, as a concern for schools and education and to put entrepreneurship in relation to the democracy-fostering mission of education. What do the policy documents have to say about entrepreneurship? Is there an inherent opposition between the entrepreneurial and the democratic justification of education? The paper is organised in two steps. The first step illustrates the global spread of entrepreneurship in policy documents for education through examples from the north and the south, respectively, in this case Sweden and South Africa. The second step deals with the concept of "democracy", which is of crucial relevance to education. Both connections and conflicts between fostering entrepreneurship and fostering democracy are discussed, and an integrative perspective is tested as an alternative to dualistic attitudes.

This paper was a result of an analysis from various data sources with a purpose to develop a better understanding of the level of socio-economic well being of young people in South Africa. Such understanding is aimed at enabling government to plan and implement well-structured and integrated development programmes that are relevant to the socio-economic needs of the youth and that will enable them to fully participate in all aspects of society. Two main sources of data were used for this analysis. The first is the Status of the Youth (SYR) data set. The second data set used in this study is the South African Social Attitudes Survey (SASAS) which is a national representative sample of 5,000 households. The study shows that the quality of life among majority of young people remains low, reflecting the historical racial cleavages of South African society. This is mainly due to the emergence of the AIDS pandemic in South Africa, and the fact that many young people remain outside the labour market.

Cultural tourism has become an important research topic. In particular, authenticity issues and the commodification of local cultures have seen significant research attention. Despite this type of research’s growth, many locations in the Global South require investigation. This paper attempts to address this dearth by investigating the experiences of people employed at the Matsamo Cultural Village in the Mpumalanga Province of South Africa. Data was collected through a survey questionnaire and qualitative interviews. Participants were selected using purposive sampling, and collected data were analysed using content analysis. Major themes that emerged from the content analysis are the growth of tourist visitation at Matsamo Cultural Village and the motivation of employees to promote cultural tourism. While the Matsamo Cultural Village arguably authentically represents the local people and their Swati culture, it is contended that as the sector grows, employees will perceive cultural tourism as an economic means to an end rather than a cultural exposé celebrating Swati culture. These issues are untangled in the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This systematic review provides investigation into the evolution of Supply Chain Management (SCM) practices from Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0 in South African enterprises, with a specific focus on the integration of Blue Ocean Strategy. Industry 5.0 marks a significant shift towards more personalised, sustainable, and humancentric industrial practices, leveraging advanced technologies to improve operational efficiency and address environmental concerns. The research aims to investigate how SCM practices in South African firms are transforming under the influence of Industry 5.0 paradigms and to assess how the Blue Ocean Strategy can bolster competitiveness, operational efficiency, and sustainable growth. Adopting a comprehensive methodology, this study systematically reviewed peer-reviewed articles from 2019 to 2023. Employing the PRISMA framework for structured literature review, and thematic analysis using Atlas-ti 24 software, the research scrutinised the evolution of SCM practices, focusing on technological adoption, strategic innovation, and sustainability integration. The findings reveal that South African firms are progressively adopting Industry 5.0 technologies, integrating them within SCM to improve flexibility, responsiveness, and sustainability. The application of Blue Ocean Strategy is identified as a catalyst for creating uncontested market spaces and driving innovation, which not only improves the firms' market position but also aligns with sustainable business practices. However, challenges such as technological integration complexity, high transition costs, and the need for skilled human resources are notable impediments. This research significantly contributes to academic literature by providing a nuanced understanding of the SCM evolution in the context of Industry 5.0 within emerging markets, particularly focusing on South African enterprises. It also offers practical insights for industry practitioners on leveraging Blue Ocean Strategy alongside Industry 5.0 technologies to achieve competitive advantage and sustainable growth. The study underlines the need for policy interventions to support technological adaptation and capacity building in the SCM sector, suggesting avenues for future research on overcoming the barriers to Industry 5.0 adoption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of International Economics / Economia Internazionale is the property of Camera di Commercio di Genova and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In most nations, small businesses are viewed as vital to economic advancement. These smaller businesses can take advantage of environmental opportunities more effectively than huge corporations since they are more adaptable. Nevertheless, in the course of their activity, they also face numerous challenges. The study aimed to look at the challenges faced by Small businesses in South Africa and the consequences of small business failure within the country. The study also made recommendations on how to sustain these small businesses. This paper was written by employing a descriptive literature review. The descriptive literature review approach is an organised process that seeks out, collects, and evaluates published works in a specific area to identify any discernible patterns or trends. Every SME failure situation ought to be reviewed as a unique case and treated on its merit. Consequently, the success of small businesses would be found in the reverse of these elements, namely, entrepreneur capacity, enterprise competitiveness, and environmental conduciveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the nexus amid renewable energy, non-renewable energy consumption, CO2 emissions and economic growth in South Africa. VECM and Granger causality approach were employed in the paper. Empirical result suggested that carbon emissions granger cause GDPC uni-directionally. Essentially, From the various empirical estimation, it is discovered that CO2 has a positive impact on GDPC in the study. This shows that disregarding the ecological contamination cause by CO2 that animate the GDPC, which make it challenging for severe measure by government to control fossil fuel byproduct cause by non-environmentally friendly power in the framework. REN shows causality with GDPC in one direction, and that implies REN accessibility move with growth in GDPC. Since the review assessment results likewise exhibit that CO2 has a causality with economic growth in SA. The public authority needs to intiate severe guideline with respect to weighty fossil fuel byproduct innovation this would empower the turn of events and execution of more powerful and low-carbon innovation across all enterprises, eventually advancing economic growth in SA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Studia Periegetica is the property of WSB University in Poznan and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

High-risk municipalities in South Africa are identified by their inability to render public goods and services owing to their almost dysfunctional operating systems and structures. Such municipalities are in financial distress and struggle to ensure inclusivity in implementing Local Economic Development (LED) projects that target poverty alleviation in impoverished communities. To understand how high-risk municipalities, expose citizens to dire poverty and inequalities, the study draws from an interpretive paradigm that allows for the use of a qualitative approach. A critical discourse analysis (CDA) was adopted to examine the implementation of various LED programmes in South African high-risk municipalities to alleviate poverty and promote socio-economic development. Peer-reviewed journal articles were used to validate the discussions emanating from the extensive document review. Findings derived from the study have shown that LED strategies as poverty alleviation techniques in high-risk municipalities have been met with several challenges. These include coalition politics, skills shortage, poor financial accountability, lack of compliance with legislation, weak oversight structures, poor strategic planning and budgeting skills including lack of monitoring and evaluation of the LED programmes. Derived from this study is that in high-risk municipalities, dedicated budgets are required to support municipal officials' training and development, which is critical for driving inclusive LED and poverty reduction programmes. Inclusive citizen participation in LED projects is fundamental for creating the citizen's sense of gain while triggering innovative capacities that lead to employment regeneration. Conclusions drawn for this paper indicate that regular monitoring and evaluation are key to ensuring that systems and structures of high-risk municipalities become responsive to the needs of citizens while accelerating developmental local government in South Africa. The study recommends co-production in the form of active stakeholder networking of public officials since fostering close ties with the mutually beneficial private sector through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) can help enhance public service delivery in high-risk municipalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reducing inequality and promoting sustainable economic development have become two of the most pressing concerns for global economies. Since economic and tourism development cannot occur without involving issues surrounding natural resources, perceptions and opinions regarding sustainability cannot be excluded from deliberations when it comes to economic development. However, coordination between local governments, business stakeholders, and other community members of a local economy is imperative in order to effectively promote the development of sustainable tourism. Therefore, this paper aims to further explore the idea of developing sustainable tourism and local economic development (LED) by determining whether there are any differences between the local government, business stakeholders, and the community regarding their perceptions of the importance of tourism sustainability in a local economy. This study follows a quantitative approach using primary data collected via a questionnaire distributed to the three groups. SPSS was used to conduct data analysis, with the results indicating a statistically significant difference concerning the natural and cultural sustainability of the Vaal Triangle region, South Africa. For example, business stakeholders believed that natural and cultural sustainability presented a major challenge to regional development. However, the local government did not recognise these factors as significant or challenging to regional development. This study contributes to the research gap on tourism sustainability and its critical role in influencing the local economies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transformation is regarded as a national imperative in South Africa to deal with the inequalities of the past. Several pieces of legislation, policies and codes have been instituted to drive the process in the country. The question, however, remains whether the transformation process has resulted in a compliance culture or if indeed it is aspirational in driving change that is forward thinking, innovative and truly all inclusive. The travel and tourism sector is a sector that can provide access to the economy for many in terms of job creation and entrepreneurial opportunities. In South Africa, the National Tourism Sector Strategy (NTSS) which provides a blueprint for the tourism sector, places transformation at the centre of the changes required to grow the sector. The aim of the paper is to analyse the transformation processes underway in the tourism sector in South Africa and the impact that this may have had on promoting growth and access in the sector. In terms of international tourism scholarship this paper debates a distinctive dimension of the tourism sector in South Africa, namely the processes and progress around transformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article aims at exploring the role of Local Economic Development (LED) in reshaping the economy of South Africa through the promotion of Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) in local government. This paper is built on the post 1994 South African government concept of grassroots initiatives and community participation. With local government being viewed as a sphere of government, this meant that it is allocated a range of roles and responsibilities with respect to economic and social development. Therefore, the objective of the paper is to examine how the LED has contributed to reshape the grass root economy of South Africa. The research design used in this article was a mixed method approach. In the qualitative method, data were collected by means of an extensive review of government and public documents, academic books and articles. In terms of the quantitative method, SMME entrepreneurs in the Mbombela Local Municipality of the Mpumalanga Province, South Africa (SA) completed self-administered questionnaires. The findings point to the fact that South Africa needs to make the SMMEs environment conducive and favourable for business purposes. LED does contribute positively towards the growth of the economy of South Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Underlying this paper is the conviction that it is of utmost importance that business ethics should indeed become an integral part of business culture in all, and therefore also in developing countries. It is not to be denied that business ethics has to a much larger extent become part of the business culture in developed countries than in developing countries. In this paper, I first of all wish to provide an explanation for the fact that business ethics is fighting an uphill battle in becoming part of the business culture in developing countries. Secondly I want to give a thumbnail sketch of the preconditions that have to be fulfilled in order to stimulate the development of a moral business culture in developing countries. In order to achieve these goals I will focus mainly on Africa, and more specifically on South Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Youth entrepreneurship is considered an important factor in economic growth, job creation, and poverty alleviation. Although youth entrepreneurship is considered a key to addressing unemployment, the youth unemployment rate remains worrisome in developing countries. This paper assessed the entrepreneurship training in universities as a means of reducing youth unemployment. Youth unemployment is an impediment to inclusive economic development, limits the earning potential and future prospects of a new generation of South Africans, stymies business growth, threatens social cohesion, and puts pressure on government resources. Data was collected from the Durban University of Technology students in Durban. A qualitative approach was adopted in which semi structured interviews were used to obtain an understanding of the importance of universities in reducing the rate of unemployment in South Africa. In addition, nonprobability sampling, specifically purposive was used in the study to select the Durban University of Technology's benefiting students from the Durban Entrepreneurship Centre. The data collected was coded and analysed using thematic analysis. The findings revealed that universities play a crucial role in supporting youth entrepreneurship in South Africa, which has led to a reduction in the rate of unemployment in South Africa. Findings were categorised into themes. Universities' effort to reduce unemployment has yielded positive results, however, both the students and the universities are faced with a number of challenges. It is recommended that universities work together with the government to design strategies that help to reduce unemployment in South Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The informal business sector in many developing economies is often seen as a driver of economic growth due to the role that this sector plays in the creation of employment opportunities, increasing the social activities of its communities, and providing business opportunities for rural entrepreneurs. The informal economy has been known to be insulated from macro-economic volatility in the global markets, but this could be an oversight on the part of the national government as they have not taken this sector into account when determining GDP or strategic imperatives to bolster the economy. The COVID-19 pandemic showcased how unprepared many economies were in the face of harsh government-imposed lockdowns and the resultant job losses that occurred due to individuals being unable to go to work. The South African government, whilst acknowledging the informal sector and the subsequent economic and social role it plays, lacks the necessary policy framework and enablement of this sector, as well as a platform that enables the continuation of business practices for informal traders that will protect them from the daunting impacts of a pandemic or another global catastrophe. The purpose of this study is to comprehend and analyse the socio-economic ramifications of the COVID-19 epidemic and its impact on the informal economy in South Africa. To do so, the study utilises discourse analysis and which is carried out using a secondary data collection approach. Theses for master's and doctoral degrees, papers presented at conferences, policy documents, government gazettes, statistical data from governments, and reports from international organizations are all taken into consideration. Articles published in scientific journals that have been subject to the process of peer review are also taken into account. According to the findings of the study, in order to protect the informal sector from unforeseen disasters in the future, it is recommended that policies and protection mechanisms be put into place. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Bantustans were created during the apartheid period of South Africa's history and represented one of the key pillars of planning for 'grand apartheid'. A major challenge was the promotion of economic development in these territories in order to give them a facade of economic legitimacy. Four of the ten Bantustan ethno-states eventually acceded to the grant of 'independence' which created a changed environment for territorial economic development. The article explores a transition in economic development planning by the apartheid state from Bantustan industrialization to a focus on tourism and casino resort developments as a potential driver of Bantustan economic progress. In terms of methods and sources the paper applies an historical approach that blends secondary sources with primary documentary material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public protected areas are set aside to legally protect the country's biological and culturally diverse resources. In South Africa, the protected areas have sustainably conserved some of the country's most biologically rich areas and endangered species; these areas also provide the main way in which people can visit relatively undisturbed areas of high natural and cultural value. Considering sustainability while managing protected areas raises new challenges such as how to reach a balance between economic development and conservation. Public-private partnerships (PPPs) serve as an important framework to develop protected areas that will bring along benefits such as: financial benefits for conservation, community empowerment through economic development, and tourist satisfaction. Public and private sector partnership is the best of both systems: as the private sector brings along the management expertise, knowledge, and resources, the public sector formulates policy and protects the interest of the public. The study aimed at examining the practical importance of managing eco-tourism development through PPP by collecting pre-existing textual data. A content analysis of published academic and industry papers that focused on the management of eco-tourism development by means of PPP, within a global and local context was analysed and thematically coded. The stakeholder theory in eco-tourism development highlights the importance of identifying stakeholder interests and influence to assist with the facilitation efforts toward sustainable eco-tourism development and alignment of functional activities in PPA. The results reveal definitive and practical policy response is needed on how best to apply these regulations to optimise PPP transactions to the benefit of all stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the world came to a relative standstill during the initial stages of the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, with nearly all countries having enforced some kind of COVID-19 regulations, the global tourism economy was one of the hardest hit. Travel bans and border closures resulted in many tourism businesses having to enter business rescue or shut down indefinitely. This new economic climate forced the tourism economy to imagine a new reality and to consider a negotiation of its revival in a post-pandemic world. Coupled with the impact on tourism itself, the pandemic resulted in a subsequent economic crisis, which unarguably, impacted upon travel, particularly leisure tourism. The South African tourism sector is no exception and will need to explore several avenues in addressing this new status quo. With domestic tourism being a weighty component of many countries' tourism economies, it serves as an important building block for the resurgence of the industry. This is especially the case in a time when uncertainties are particularly prevalent for the re-emergence of international travel. Therefore, domestic tourism in South Africa has been a key starting point as travel restrictions have slowly started to lift, a context, which has been highlighted in current debates amongst South African tourism stakeholders. This paper explores the potential opportunities for opening up tourism to cash-strapped South Africans by specifically addressing their savings and travel cultures and prospects for future travel. The paper presents a desktop review of the recent introduction of savings and payment schemes available to travellers in South Africa, with particular focus on travel stokvels, leisure on lay-by and pay at your pace options. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A nation's financial commitment to health investment and expenditure has a corresponding effect on its economic growth and development. Understanding the interplay and underlying connection between health expenditure and national development is critical in forecasting the wellbeing of a nation, vis-à-vis health preparedness. In this paper, we explore the impact of public healthcare expenditure on economic development in South Africa between 1996 and 2016. The autoregressive distributed lag model, error-correction model and a time series panel were adopted in analysing this effect. Empirical findings demonstrate a positive relationship between PHE and HDI in South Africa. Further, health investment may increase the income of health workers and provide for better working conditions and facilities to save lives. In addition, the relationship between CPI and economic development is insignificant, however CPI mediates PG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Experts recommend support to patents for stimulating innovation. Also, the South African government supports patents, in particular, international patents. In this paper it is examined how this strategy can be designed to successfully trigger economic progress. Aim: The present South African activities in patents are investigated in this paper and areas identified where an intensification of patenting looks promising for economic progress. Setting: The patent activities since 1985 are analysed and compared to the annual export– import balance from 2009 to 2018, in order to identify starting points for improving economic structures. The data are linked to current suggestions to the National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI) for future technologies. Methods: The analysis of patents is performed, using the international patent database PATSTAT, as well as the analysis of the export–import balance at the WITS database of the World Bank. Results: The patent analysis reveals a low level of South African domestic patents, with a focus on less complex goods and a stagnation period of 35 years. The data on the export – import balance show negative figures for consumer goods and even more so for capital goods. Conclusion: Economic progress can be accelerated by stimulating patent and economic activities to produce more complex consumer and capital goods. However, it may be necessary to focus on certain areas at the beginning in order to achieve a sufficient critical mass of competence and international competitiveness. In any case, the support of patents is only successful when it is closely linked to a strategy regarding technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]