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The impact of South Africa's sale of weapons to Saudi Arabia : the case of Yemen
No full textSince the start of the Yemeni conflict in 2014, both the Saudi-led military and the Iranian-backed Houthi Rebel group have launched missile airstrikes across the nation (Sharp & Brudnick, 2015). These attacks are carried out using high-tech military tools, such as drones, aircraft, bombs, and other weapons. According to Hokayem (2016), nearly 24 million Yemenis require aid as Yemen experiences the world’s largest humanitarian crises. Open Secretes released a report in 2020 outlining that weapons used in the war in Yemen could be traced back to Denel, alluding to its role and complicity in the conflict. The aim of this study is to investigate the role of Denel in the conflict in Yemen and its socio-economic effects. In doing so, South Africa’s trade relations with the Saudi-Arabia will be explored. In addition, unpacking the socio-economic conditions that exists domestically and internationally that influence global arms trade. A qualitative research approach is employed. Secondary research analysis is conducted using government publications, international policy reports, books, journals, and newspaper articles. In addressing the social aspect of the arms trade effects, the humanitarian component uses a psycho-social theoretical framework which encompasses Burtons’ human needs theory. In addition to this main theory, the frustration-aggression theory as well as the relative deprivation theory were applied to support the theory central to the study. Fundamental to this study is understanding Denel’s’ complicity in the conflict in Yemen and the effects thereof. This stems from the company’s trade agreements between itself and Saudi Arabia, which has been at the forefront of multiple proxy wars within the region. Denel’s implied complicity stems from the correlation between the heightened period of conflict in the Yemen and the parastatal’s record-breaking order book during the same period. The research study focuses on the period between 2013 – 2016. Further research has been conducted in order to provide a comprehensive historical account and context of the conflict and the role of Denel as a parastatal organisation. Furthermore, this study delves into ongoing crises and the volatile nature of global arms trade regulations. It is for the reasons alluded to above that the study insists on not limiting period of the study to 2013 – 2016. The study findings suggest that although weapons used in the conflict in Yemen could be traced back to Denel, these were insignificant to the overall contribution to the conflict in Yemen, despite South Africa’s and Saudi Arabia’s breach of the End-User agreement. As a result of Saudi Arabia’s continued infringement of human rights, the state was not to be sold weapons as they are proven to have further ramifications against the protection of human rights. Moreover, the arms trade industry partially functions independently from government intervention and regulation, making it increasingly difficult to implement international policy. What is of paramount importance is the direct effect of conflict on innocent civilians who continue to suffer and the human cost of profit and the struggle for power and resources. Recommendations highlighted in the treatise include striking a balance between profitability and the humanitarian perspective by taking into consideration both private sector profit motives and the public sector's responsibility to prioritise human rights and the well-being of people. This approach ensures efficient management of Denel and reduces the possibility of privatization, as Denel remains the lifeline of the South African Defense Force (SADF). To ensure compliance with domestic and international arms treaty regulations, it is necessary to enforce a stricter process for arms sales justification. The agreement should incorporate legal measures that enable the prosecution of the state in cases where irregularities in weapons sales approval, including corruption or personal/political motives, are identified. The study recommends that Denel should initiate a strategic restructuring plan to revitalise its business model and leadership development. This restructuring should prioritise ethical business practices, legality, and vetting of customer information while ensuring profitability for self-sustainability. Addressing irregular sale agreements is crucial before investing in technology advancement and research. Growth assessment should be based on profit margins and order book prospects to ensure business optimisation and resource adequacy. Denel's success is vital for South Africa's GDP growth.Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 202
Trade liberalisation in BRICS countries and its implication on the South African economy
Get PDFSouth Africa has been grappling with sluggish economic growth over the last two decades. To this extent, it is believed that international trade can be used as an instrument to foster growth in the economy of South Africa. This is why South Africa became a member of BRICSS in 2010. Literature postulates that trade liberalisation is an essential element of international trade that promotes economic growth. Trade has been at the forefront of enhancing the economic growth prospects of the BRICS. In 2010, BRICS experienced a significant increase in the share of global trade from 3% in 1990 to 19.3% of global exports of goods and services. Like many other countries involved in trade, BRICS are members of the WTO. Furthermore, the BRICS countries have signed several bilateral and multilateral trade agreements. Brazil is a member of MERCOSUR and signed a preferential trade agreement with India in 2004, and South Africa has been a member of SACU since 2008. Given this, five regional trade agreements are led by the BRICS. These five regional trade agreements include MERCOSUR, SACU, ASEAN-China, EAEU, and SAFTA. The study examined the impact of trade liberalisation in BRICS countries on South Africa’s economic growth. The method of data analysis used in this study is the pooled mean group (PMG) estimator as proposed by Pesaran et al. (1999) and autoregressive distributive lags (ARDL) on a country-by-country basis on data covering a period from 1995 to 2018. Based on the PMG simulation, the results show that trade liberalisation in BRICS countries positively impacts South Africa’s economic growth during the period under review. Notwithstanding, import tariffs in BRICS countries hinder economic growth in South Africa. The PMG results are also confirmed by country-by-country ARDL models used in this study in that trade liberalization in BRICS positively impacts South African economic growth during the period under review. Once again, import tariffs in BRICS negatively impacted South Africa’s economic growth. Regarding the country-by-country ARDL models, the results reveal that trade openness has a positive and statistically significant impact on economic growth in South Africa, mainly from Brazil, India, and China in the long run but not in the short run. Further control variables used in this study were gross fixed capital formation, human development index, government expenditure, inflation rate, real effective exchange rate and import tariffs. The control variables' analysis suggests that the BRICS trade liberalisation's impact on South Africa’s growth can be enhanced by intensifying human development, gross fixed capital formation, government expenditure, controlling inflation, and maintaining a stable exchange rate. It is also equally important to ensure that the import tariffs are managed such that they do not compromise the good intentions of trade liberalisation. Based on the study results, trade liberalisation policies in BRICS are recommended to be coordinated so that all obstacles combating the effectiveness of trade liberalisation are removed. Trade liberalisation should be accompanied by adequate infrastructure. This can be achieved through government expenditure that is biased towards economic infrastructure. Furthermore, the BRICS must focus on human capital investment to ensure that they continue to adopt innovative ways of trade, for example, trade digitalisation. Whilst this thesis does not suggest using a single currency amongst BRICS, it is important to ensure that exchange rate volatility is minimised to a large extent. It cannot go without saying that high inflation erodes trade relations amongst and within BRICS in that goods and services produced in BRICS economies become less competitive. This in itself compromises whatever gains may be obtained through trade liberalisation. Given these dynamics regarding BRICS trade liberalisation, it is recommended that the processes towards policy formulation to declare BRICS integration as a free trade area should be fast-tracked.Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Economics, Development and Tourism, 202
Examining the effect of government expenditure on economic growth in South Africa
No full textThis treatise assesses the effect of government expenditure on economic growth in South Africa. The results of most extant empirical studies indicate that government expenditure has a negative effect on economic growth. Augmented Dickey-Fuller and Phillips-Perron tests were conducted to determine stationarity and order of integration. The ADF results indicated that government expenditure (GXE), government infrastructure expenditure (GEIE), government social infrastructure (GSIE), and GDP are stationary after first difference. The Johansen co-integration tests (maximum Eigenvalue and trace tests) indicated one co-integrating relationship between social infrastructure, economic infrastructure, government expenditure, and economic growth. VECM was estimated because of the presence of co-integration between variables for the period 1970-2021. The long run results indicate that government expenditure and economic growth have an effect, but the effect is very low as the speed of adjustment, 0.013% is also slow. on the other hand social infrastructure expenditure has a negative effect on economic growth. This study conducted diagnostic checks- the lagrange multiplier correlation test, normality tests and hetero-scedasticity tests to test the properties of the model and expenditure to components that contribute most the country's productivity and economic growth, which in this case is economic infrastructure.Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Economics, Development and Tourism, 202
Failure of autonomous maintenance program at the Gqeberha food manufacturing plant
Get PDFThe main emphasis of this research is on the identification of the main factors explaining the difficulties and failure of Autonomous Maintenance (AM) program implementation from the year 2018 to 2024. This qualitative study focuses on a Port Elizabeth, South Africa food processing company that has implemented an AM program. The lack of success attained in staff training after the implementation phase drove this investigation. This study was carried out to provide first-hand evidence of the pragmatic difficulties in the execution of the AM program. Three main goals defined the research: first, to find the problems that emerged during the AM implementation; second, to investigate the inadequacy of the training program in equipping workers with the necessary skills and competencies to successfully carry out AM; and thirdly, to get valuable opinions on possible enhancements or alternative approaches to the implementation phase of AM from operators, line leaders, and analysts. There is an existing research vacuum as nothing is known about how training affects the implementation of AM in food processing plants especially in South Africa. Purposive sampling selected thirty persons. Thirteen process operators, nine technical operators, six-line leaders, two preventive maintenance owners, and a senior management representative made comprised the group. Extensive in-person interviews with operators, line leaders, and top management gathered the data. Thematic analysis was used to examine the data even further to pinpoint the main themes that emerged. Six main topics found in this research best capture the difficulties faced by a food processing company using AM. The problems were poor training, limited time and resources, lack of motivation and rewards, ineffective communication, involvement, and accountability; management gave production priority over autonomous maintenance; and there was no culture of dedication. Several factors contribute to the ineffectiveness of the training program in enabling employees with the required skills to implement AM: the lack of practical examples to support theoretical ideas, limited resources, trainers lacking expertise in their respective fields, which limits understanding. The main emphasis of this research is on the identification of the main factors explaining the difficulties throughout the implementation period. Moreover, this research improves the body of information already in use by stressing the inadequacies of the training program in developing important skills. Helping AM operators and line supervisors understand the difficulties they faced is the primary goal of the research. Top executives will be offered the recommendations for improving and maximizing the AM program. Understanding the training needs for operators will help production managers and human resources professionals to guarantee their successful training and efficient application of the program. Operations management experts in academia have thorough understanding of AM including theoretical ideas, pragmatic implementation, and the difficulties using successful strategies. The key limitation was the narrow focus of the research, which mainly looked at people within the production line of the model line to understand the problems that emerged during the implementation of autonomous maintenance. The generalisation of the results to the whole workforce is not achieved due to the exclusion of employees from other areas of the factory. The company wants to start a thorough training program with a cross-functional team to enhance operator communication. The main topics explaining the problems in the training program is another disadvantage. This will be a strong basis for further studies.Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Business School, 202
The influence of leader intellectual humility on employee engagement and retention in an academic environment
Get PDFIn a knowledge economy, higher education institutions play a critical role in the development and dissemination of knowledge and skills. These institutions are centres of teaching, research, innovation and critical thinking, essential in addressing the complex challenges posed in a world characterised by volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity (VUCA). In South Africa specifically, higher education institutions are challenged to transform, democratise and decolonise, as well as to elevate the voices of historically marginalised and diverse groups. While academic leaders may be considered as experts in their fields, the complexity of our current world requires new solutions, diversity, critical thinking, innovation, and therefore also intellectual humility. This study explored intellectual humility in an academic environment, and specifically the influence of leader intellectual humility on the engagement and retention of academics. To attain the purpose of the study, a literature study was conducted that explored the academic environment in South Africa, leadership, humility, intellectual humility, engagement and retention. A cross-sectional, mixed methods empirical study was conducted, involving semi-structured interviews with ten early career academics and a survey with an online questionnaire administered to academics at an institution of higher learning. The qualitative analysis revealed that intellectual humility was perceived as a desired competency for all academics in higher education as it cultivated a culture of respect and openness, diverse perspectives, diversity, equity, inclusion and belongingness. Descriptive statistics revealed a relatively high level of intellectual humility among the academics surveyed, while no significant differences were found based on whether or not the participants were in a leadership position. The only differences were found in terms of rank, and interestingly, results for associate professors/professors revealed higher levels of intellectual humility than for lecturers/associate lecturers. No significant correlations were found between intellectual humility and engagement, nor between intellectual humility and retention, but a significant correlation was found between engagement and retention. Structural Equation Modelling confirmed a relationship between the sub-factors of intellectual humility and sub-factors of work engagement, except for Lack of Intellectual Overconfidence, which was found to relate to vigour only. Intellectual humility was not related to retention at the institution, while vigour and dedication, as sub-factors of work engagement, were found to be related to retention at the institution. Academics in their unique role as facilitators of knowledge creation and dissemination have a responsibility to embrace intellectual humility as it is of value for themselves, their colleagues, students and society. The study contributed to a better understanding of the importance of intellectual humility in an academic environment, the perceptions of academics and intellectual humility and the relationships between intellectual humility, work engagement and retention. The study accumulated into a framework for intellectual humility among academics in an academic environmentThesis (DPhil) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Industrial Psychology and Human Resources, 202
Public policy considerations and the enforcement of restraint of trade agreements.
Get PDFA restraint of trade is often incorporated into a contract of employment, stipulating that an employee is restricted from working in the same industry or sector as the employer for a specified period of time. Such a provision is aimed at protecting an employer's proprietary interests, such as trade connections and secrets, which may potentially benefit a competitor unfairly and unlawfully. In South Africa, the principles associated with restraints of trade are rooted in common law. The landmark judgment in Magna Alloys & Research (SA) (Pty) Ltd v Ellis clarified the legal position regarding agreements in restraint of trade in South Africa. Prior to the judgment, there were considerable differences in the approaches adopted by the courts in relation to provisions in restraint. These differences primarily centered around the Roman-Dutch law notion, which holds that contracts voluntarily entered into ought to be honored (pacta sunt servanda), and the English law approach that contracts in restraint of trade are prima facie unenforceable. The court in Magna held that the position in South Africa with regard to agreements in restraint of trade is that each agreement should be examined with regard to its own circumstances to determine whether the enforcement of such an agreement would be contrary to public policy. This means that while restraints of trade are generally enforceable, they must be reasonable and not against the public interest. The reasonableness of the restraint is assessed based on factors such as the duration and geographic scope of the restraint, the nature of the employee’s role, and the interests of the employer that the restraint seeks to protect..Thesis (LLM) -- Faculty of Law, Department of Mercantile law (Labour Law), 202
Investigating long-term sustainability of financing photovoltaic systems, small scale inverters for the local communities in Soweto, South Africa
Get PDFThe study explores the energy supply challenges faced by South Africa. The research was triggered by the decline of the social fabric and lack of economic development in communities such as Soweto due to energy crisis in South Africa. It also analyses the impact that the energy supply challenges have on communities, as well as socio-economic development, employment opportunities and human development. Hence, it provides the nexus between the feasibility of funding photovoltaic (PV) installations, supply of clean reliable energy, socio-economic development, and environmental sustainability. An in-depth literature review was conducted to obtain insights into various funding mechanisms that were adopted in Asia and the Andean countries for the installation of renewable PV systems to provide electricity in marginalised communities, with the aim of achieving sustainable development. This study was conducted using quantitative research methods, which consisted of collecting data from Soweto residents and using probability sampling method, 92 of the respondents completed the survey. The data collected was analysed using data analysis techniques such as, Pearson correlation test, Chi2 and sample T-testing analysis which were conducted to help the researcher to create knowledge and better decision-making and allowed for multiple measurements to be analysed simultaneously. The results obtained from the Pearson correlation as well as Chi2 techniques, indicated a positive relationship between the value of funding PV solar systems and the installation of small-scale inverters in Soweto Township. The analysis performed shows that funding the installation of PV solar system will contribute towards affordable, sustainable energy as well as economic growth in Soweto. Strong emphasis should be put on the analysis of funding models that will contribute towards affordable, clean, sustainable energy in the Townships. This can be achieved through tax breaks or incentives that were implemented by the national treasury in February 2023 or, the establishment of green funds coupled with incentives from the United Nations (UN) (National treasury , 2023). This study was significant in South Africa, since there are no studies of similar nature that have been conducted before, that are related to funding models, renewable energies technologies, micro grids for the marginalised communities.Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Business School, 202
Evaluation of leadership stimulus on employee intrinsic motivation in the Transnet locomotive maintenance business at Swartkops
Get PDFThis research evaluated the leadership styles' stimulus on employee intrinsic motivation, focusing on the Transnet Locomotive Maintenance Business in Swartkops as there are leadership and motivation challenges in the organisation. Furthermore, the study explored the stimulus of three distinct leadership styles which are transactional, transformational and charismatic leadership on employees' levels of intrinsic motivation. The primary objective was to explore how these leadership styles nurtured or hindered the internal drive of employees, contributing to the organisation's overall performance. A qualitative research approach was used in the study. Semi-structured interviews were employed to collect insights from participants within the Transnet Locomotive Maintenance Business in Swartkops. Ten participants were selected using purposive selection. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the collected data, revealed patterns and connections between leadership styles and intrinsic motivation outcomes. The study unearthed that transactional leadership, often linked with reward-based approaches, unfavourably stimulated intrinsic motivation for most participants. Conversely, transformational leadership emerged as a potent positive force, constructively stimulating the intrinsic motivation of most employees. Charismatic leadership, known for its persuasive and emotionally engaging attributes, presented a mixed picture, constructively and destructively stimulating intrinsic motivation; therefore, the outcomes of this research have implications for leadership development, organisational strategy and employee engagement practices. The study recommends a transformational leadership style, emphasising inspiration, empowerment and a shared vision, and this enhances employees' intrinsic motivation and, consequently, organisational performance.Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Business School, 202
Evaluating factors affecting the effectiveness of the tender system In Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality
Get PDFThe tender system is a complex process requiring attention to detail; when followed correctly, it is advantageous for both the vendor/service provider and the customer (public or private sector). However, many factors affect it and end up contributing to its ineffectiveness. This study mentions political interference and bureaucracy, maladministration, fraud, corruption, flawed tender practices, delay in payments and lack of skills by tender administrators. Against this background, the primary objective of this study is to contribute to improving the tender system in Buffalo City Municipality by investigating the factors that make it ineffective. A quantitative research design was used, and a sample was taken from contractors carrying out work for Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province. Convenience sampling was used while conducting this study. This study’s demographic data is analysed in percentage form using simple descriptive statistics. Once data had been gathered from the independent and dependent variables, the researcher used it to draw a conclusion and inferences using inferential statistics to show relationships between multiple variables to generalise results and make predictions. A multiple regression analysis was also employed.Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Business School, 202
The impact of underperforming state-owned enterprises on the South African economy
Get PDFProblems have existed in South African SOEs for more than 80 years and in the more recent past, billions of rands in bailouts have begun to accumulate in an effort to revive struggling SOEs and consequently has placed the South African economy under immense fiscal strain. With the use of case study analysis, this study set out to determine the impact bailouts of underperforming SOEs are having on the budget deficit as well as government debt, with particular focus aimed at the contributions of Eskom and SAA. Thereafter, the study adopted a VAR framework and investigated if either the budget deficit or government debt share a relationship with economic growth based on data from 2000-2020. It was discovered that an alarming R331,206 billion has been given out in bailouts to underperforming SOEs over the past decade. As a result, SOEs have been identified by credit rating agencies, financial institutions such as the IMF and the National Treasury as posing one of the greatest threats to the fiscal outlook and a widening budget deficit. Results from the granger casualty tests only found evidence of unidirectional causality running from GDP to both the budget deficit and government debt, meaning there was no evidence to suggest that changes in the budget deficit and government debt influence GDP. The estimated VAR model also failed to find evidence of a statistically significant relationship existing between the budget deficit and GDP as well as government debt and GDP. These findings suggest that there is inconclusive evidence to suggest that underperforming SOEs do impact economic growth via the budget deficit and government debt. However, government expenditure was found to have a statistically significant and negative relationship with GDP which indicates that expenditure has been wasteful and is a reflection of the impact bailouts have on economic growth when considering the significant amount of expenditure directed towards SOEs over the past two decades.Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Economics, Development and Tourism, 202