Research Output Repository (HSRC)
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Vuwani schools rise from the ashes: a journey of hope
No full textIn 2016, a team of HSRC researchers visited Vuwani in Limpopo shortly after dozens of schools were vandalized or burned down during violent demarcation protests. In 2024, the researchers returned to conduct a follow-up study as part of an HSRC commissioned project marking 30 years of democracy in South Africa. In this article,
Modimowabarwa Kanyane writes about resilience and hope in Vuwani, where residents have been rebuilding and restoring what had been lost, and about the new challenges they face.N/
The nature of innovation: a study of the informal construction sector in Sweetwaters, KwaZulu-Natal
Get PDFIn South Africa, the informal construction sector plays an important role in providing employment opportunities for skilled and unskilled workers, and affordable housing for lowincome household in marginalised areas. However, the informal construction sector faces numerous challenges, including limited access to resources, training, and formalisation. Despite these challenges, the informal construction sector has demonstrated remarkable resilience and innovation. Informal construction business owners have developed innovative approaches to address challenges related to funding and construction materials. Drawing on a local innovation and production system (LIPS) framework, this study investigates the nature of and barriers to innovation as well as the networks important for innovation in informal construction businesses in Sweetwaters, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. A mixed-methods approach was utilised, incorporating qualitative interviews and a quantitative survey. The study found that the informal construction sector in Sweetwaters faces challenges such as a skills gap, constraints related to the low income market such as low profit margins, and limited access to finance. Principal component analysis revealed that innovation in informal construction businesses is characterised by knowledge, linkages & training, Formal learning & development, and technical infrastructure. Lack of access to formal financing and training were the main barriers to innovation. The strongest interaction patterns occured between informal construction businesses and customers. To improve the informal construction sector, policymakers should focus on skills development, strengthening partnerships, and facilitating access to finance.
The value of science diplomacy: African PhD students benefit from academic collaboration between Africa and the Netherlands
No full textThe HSRC, in collaboration with several African academic institutions, social partners and Dutch universities, is fostering scientific collaboration between Africa and the Netherlands. This partnership is enhancing research
opportunities for African PhD students, including three from South Africa, who have been selected to conduct research in the Netherlands. They are part of the Graduate Research on Worldwide Challenges (GROW)
Programme, which focuses on finding solutions to pressing United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs).N/
South African National Survey of Research and Experimental Development: main trends in South African R&D 2021/22
No full textThis report (Main Trends in South African R&D 2021/22) highlights trends from the most recent survey cycle and
provides high-level analysis of R&D data in South Africa over time. This is presented in areas of interest, that correspond with the principal themes of the R&D Survey, and the policy concerns expressed in the White Paper on Science, Technology and Innovation (Department of Science Technology, 2019). International comparisons are provide for each core area, as international benchmarking is an important component in monitoring South Africa’s R&D progress and development.N/
African CSE Partnerships
No full textThe implementation of Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) across Africa remains complex even though several, related continental and regional policy frameworks exist to support this enterprise. These policy supports include the Eastern and Southern African (ESA) Commitment on CSE, the African Youth Charter, the Maputo Plan of Action, and the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Framework (Chandra-Mouli et al., 2015). Several factors contribute to the complexities of CSE buy-in and roll-out, such as lack of political will, the resistance of parents and religious communities, as well as non-supportive socio-cultural norms (Wangamati, 2020). A rarely explored but albeit important challenge is that researchers and civil society organizations (CSOs) often work in silos when it comes to CSE.
Building foundations for peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC): pathways for stability and sustainable development
Get PDFHSRC Policy Brief, MayOver the years, many opportunities to secure lasting peace and stability in the DRC have been missed. However, it is important to reduce human and economic costs, while working towards the gradual achievement of sustainable development. This brief presents a practical, comprehensive and actionable plan to resolve the challenges facing the DRC. This plan emphasizes the importance of recognizing the multifaceted roles of stakeholders involved in the conflict. Key elements include political, economic, and military reforms, alongside fostering strong regional cooperation, economic integration, and enhanced international involvement. This approach highlights the need for accountable and transparent governance, rebuilding trust among peacekeeping forces, enforcing arms embargoes against Non-State Armed Groups (NSAG) in the DRC, and addressing the illegal exploitation of resources that finances armed groups. Additionally, the African Union’s critical role as a mediator and coordinator is underscored as essential for ensuring the success of diplomatic initiative.N/
Public perceptions and attitudes relating to climate change and the just transition in South Africa: results from a 2023 nationally representative survey
Get PDFCommissioned by the Presidential Climate Commission (PCC), JanuaryThe Climate Change and Just Transition survey was conducted on behalf of the Presidential Climate Commission (PCC) as part of the 2023 annual round of the Human Sciences Research Council’s (HSRC) South African Social Attitudes Survey (SASAS) series, involving a representative sample of 3,500 adults aged 16 and older across South Africa?s nine provinces. The sample excluded special institutions, recreational, and industrial areas. The sampling methodology involved three stages. In stage one, 500 Small Area Layers (SALs) were selected and formed the primary sampling units. In stage two, seven visiting points or dwellings were selected per SAL (secondary sampling units). In stage three, a single respondent aged 16 years and older was selected from each dwelling unit, thus totalling a drawn sample of 3,500 respondents. The fieldwork was conducted between August to October 2023, with a realised sample of 3,112 successfully completed interviews.N/
Are poverty, inequality and unemployment here to stay in South Africa?
Get PDFThis study demonstrates the resilience of poverty, inequality and unemployment (PIU) in South Africa, despite several programmes and policies introduced to reduce and/or eradicate them. It further provides an overview of the suite of programmes and policies introduced from 1994 for the purpose of demonstrating what has been done. Given their inability to eliminate these challenges, seemingly, some of the programmes and policies have not been decisive enough to address the causes, which include unequal redistribution of the country’s resources, deep structural inequalities and structural unemployment. Using narrative literature review as a research methodology, the study probes and critically analyses the PIU data. It draws attention to the fact that in 1994, unemployment was 20% and 32.9% in 2024; meanwhile, the 1994 poverty rate was estimated at 24% and the 2023 estimation was 21.6%. The 1994 Gini coefficient was 0.59 and the 2023 one was 0.63. Evidently, despite the efforts over the thirty years of democracy to address these challenges, the soft-hands approach has not worked. Literature suggests that unless something extraordinary is done, the next thirty years will also be characterised by similar challenges. As such, this study recommends constitutional adjustments to enable the urgent need for radical reform.
Innovation trends in the mining and quarrying sector, 2019-2021
Get PDFThis brief examines how much innovation happened in the mining and quarrying sector from 2019 to 2021, including the types of technologies mining and quarrying businesses used, the innovation challenges they faced, and the outcomes of their innovations
The impact of tobacco smoking and smoking cessation on lung cancer and stroke incidence among people with HIV on antiretroviral therapy in South Africa: a simulation modeling study
Get PDFWith declining HIV-related mortality, over 20% of people with HIV (PWH) in South Africa are now over age 50 years, and tobacco-related non-communicable disease burden is increasing. We quantified the impact of smoking and smoking cessation on lung cancer and stroke incidence among PWH in South Africa. Using a microsimulation model, we simulated 18 cohorts of initially virologically suppressed PWH over their lifetime, categorised by sex, initial age (35 years/45 years/55 years) and smoking status (current/former/never). Smoking status remains constant throughout the simulation; individuals with former smoking status quit at model start. PWH can disengage from HIV care and experience virological rebound. We modelled the relative risk of lung cancer for females (males) with current versus never smoking status as 16.69 (15.83), and for females (males) with former versus never smoking status as 1.99-8.80 (1.90-6.18), depending on age at cessation. Corresponding modelled relative risks of stroke were 1.79 (1.54) for current versus never smoking, and 1.00-1.29 (1.00-1.12) for former versus never smoking. We varied HIV-related and smoking-related parameters in sensitivity analyses. Modelled female (male) PWH who stop smoking at age 45 years experience 61.3% (70.9%) and 35.6% (18.6%) lower cumulative lung cancer and stroke incidence over 25 years compared with people who continue smoking. The proportion alive and lung cancer-free or alive and stroke-free over 25 years would increase by 10.4 (9.5) or 10.5 (8.5) percentage points. In sensitivity analysis, smoking and smoking cessation have a greater impact on lung cancer and stroke cumulative incidence if competing HIV-related mortality risks are lower or if PWH experience higher lung cancer and stroke risk compared with people without HIV apart from smoking. Smoking cessation could substantially reduce lung cancer and stroke risk among PWH in South Africa. To reduce the rising non-communicable disease burden among PWH, smoking cessation should become part of routine care of PWH.