WIReDSpace
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Communities in WIReDSpace
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- This community is for all faculties and schools' theses and dissertations by masters and doctoral students.
Recent Submissions
Enterprise development and women entrepreneurship in the renewable energy independent power producer procurement programme in South Africa
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Alcock, Kelly Grace; Urban, Boris
Women entrepreneurs are said to contribute to economic growth and the well-being of societies. The research problem is derived by the pre-historic socio-economic challenges such as a lack of education, financial well-being and socio-cultural aspects which women face in South Africa. This challenges directly impact women entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial activity. The research aims to provide the renewable energy sector with propositions regarding
enterprise development and how it can stimulate an entrepreneurial ecosystem. Systemic Entrepreneurship can break the barrier of economic inequality experienced by women in South Africa, especially as they contribute toward the in the informal sector. The purpose is to understand the women entrepreneurship within the REIPPPP and the committed 0,2-0,7% revenue investment to enterprise development. The study aims to review and determine which regulatory frameworks support an entrepreneurial environment to support women entrepreneurs.
The study underpins resource-based theory to maintain a competitive advantage and interprets access to human capital, social capital and financial capital by women entrepreneurs. A qualitative research design is applied using semi-structured interview guideline to collect data from industry economic development professionals and women entrepreneurs operating in the renewable energy sector in South Africa. Thematic analysis is the data analysis method used
and identifies 21 themes.
The findings suggest a positive relationship exists between incentivised procurement and social enterprises in the informal sector and achieving an advantage through collective identity. Similarly, a positive relationship exists between enterprise development and women's entrepreneurship through human capital, social capital and financial capital; community-based development agencies and business sustainability; asset-based community development (ABCD) and entrepreneurship ecosystems; BBBEE and policy and women's empowerment through entrepreneurship. However, criteria are limited due to a lack of transparency, monitoring, evaluation, and a positive relationship between policy, women empowerment, and gender equality
Intersecting Public- Private and Civil Sector Governance of Gender Transformation in Sports in South Africa
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023-02) Ndzala, Vuyelwa; Abrahams, Caryn
South Africa is a developing country with gender equality being one of the leading priorities since the democratic transition of 1994. is ushered by several stakeholders who have an important role in the governance of gender transformation. As an essential element for development, sports require for an implementation of coordinated strategies, wherein which multi- stakeholders both in the public, private and civil sector can play prescriptive, regulatory, technical as well financial support roles. Some of these roles could include leadership in sports. Yet, issues of inequality, inadequate sports women professionals and administrators is engulfed for more than two decades into democracy in the country. Unequal representation in decision-making positions, pay parity, femicide and gender-based violence, inadequate investment, repetitive negative stereotypes as well as codified norms are some of the visible ills experienced by women in the society as well as in sports. The research began with gender transformation phenomenon as a background to the study drawing into the governance of sports and role players in the sports system in South Africa to provide a summative framework for gender transformation in sports. The theoretical argument suggests that good governance in sports is largely dependent on the how adequately and transparently defined are roles and responsibilities and functions of the partaking stakeholders. Also, on how well the monitoring and evaluation strategies are enforced by the governing organization. Mainstreaming gender equality polices, and strategies is key, and, unless all stakeholders adopt and implement policies including regulatory frameworks to monitor and evaluate these, gender mainstream in sports could have long-lasting impact for women. In this regard, women and girl players across sports codes should not have unequal opportunities in sports relative to their male counterparts. Women have been deprived access to sports participation or being in sport leadership positions. The literature review shows that some underlying factors including exclusions on account of social beliefs and expectations, socio-cultural expectations, inadequate publicity and media coverage, access to participation, funding and poor governance affects optimal participation of women and young girls in sports in South Africa. The primary research objective was to examine the roles and responsibilities of the public-private and civil sector in gender transformation in sports, how the roles and responsibilities intersect and what interactions are involved between the various stakeholders to ensure gender transformation in sports. The study used a qualitative research approach to gain better understanding of the problem, further, applied a purposive sample of knowledge experts including government sector, private sector, sport federation and non-government organisations (administrators/activists, decision- makers, employees, and sport persons) current and retired players, sports journalist, coaches, and clubs (women led, school, and community sports club) to participate in the empirical part of the study. To collect data, the researcher used semi-structured interviews (n=12), audio-recorded the interviews, transcribed and analysed the data using thematic analysis. The following six themes were identified from the data such as: (i) structural support for women and girls in sports, and (ii)gendered meanings of sporting inclusion, (iii) systemic and gendered exclusion, (iv) partnership and collaboration for social change and gender empowerment, and (v) re-shaping the imaginary of sport sponsorship and support. The findings confirmed that: a) public- private and civil sector organisations have a role to play in the transformation agenda and in sports, b) that there is inadequate support and coordination between the role players in favour in ushering gender transformation in sports, c) there is no central coordination of the roles and responsibilities. There is no clear strategy for collaboration of efforts between the role players, each of the entities work in isolation of the other d) there seems to be challenges in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the gender mainstream initiatives and affects the optimal of participation women sports in South Africa. The study enabled the researcher to develop a conceptual framework to address the problem. The framework suggests that all stakeholders (especially sports organisations) adopt and implement policies including regulatory frameworks to monitor and evaluate regulatory measures with the view to promote equality between women and men in sports. Adopt an intersectionality approach that will help to determine the differences the participation rates between the marginalised groups and to those among dominantly situated groups with a view to redress the patriarchal norms and systemic gendered exclusion in sports. Develop equality policies that are monitored and evaluated using scientific research and integrate those into actions that will contribute to progressive long-term change and amenable to respond to changes in response to local situations and specific environments. Develop a structured implementation platforms with concrete actions necessary to strengthen and structure of cooperation between stakeholders to develop their instruments, capacities, policies, and actions, while facilitating dialogue and exchange of experience. It is therefore concluded that women participation in sports in South Africa can only benefit from an investment (implementation) in such a framework that will demand all role players (public, private, and non-governmental organisations) to lead and cooperatively work together to change gender norms and stereotypes in sports in South Africa.
Analysing state capture through public procurement weaknesses in South Africa
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Aikins,Nana; Lynge, Halfdan
This research report reviews and analyses the procurement system in South Africa concerning the legislative and institutional frameworks that govern state owned enterprises (SOEs). This study aims to assess the system's flaws and inherent weaknesses and highlight how these pitfalls have ultimately aided the phenomenon of state capture.
It is a constitutional requirement that when organs of the state contract for goods and services, they do so in a fair, equitable, transparent, competitive and cost-effective manner. When a public organisation is captured by private interests, it loses its autonomy to act in the furtherance of public welfare, which manifests in its inability to contract competitively, achieving low prices and high quality. A postulation is made in this study that public procurement personnel lack the integrity and personal will to resist collusive behaviour and do not have the institutional strength to detect and withstand corrupt dealings that contribute towards state capture. Following the publication of the State Capture report by the Public Protector of South Africa in 2016, the concept has gained significant political momentum. However, despite this development, there has been a notable lack of academic research on the phenomena, particularly regarding its connection to public procurement. This research aims to fill this gap.
This study draws most of its data from the transcripts of the hearings conducted by the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into State Capture. Through a qualitative explanatory case study approach, using thematic analysis, the study sought to understand the patterns of abuse that occur at each stage of the procurement cycle and what factors contributed to these transgressions. The findings of the study identified challenges associated with lack of capacity, non-compliance with legal policies, bid-rigging and collusive behaviour, and political interference
The Efficacy of Community Music Education Programmes Towards Youth Development and Audience Development: A Case of Buskaid Soweto String Project
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2022-03) Thango, Simangaliso Siyathemba; Desando, Marcus Tebogo
The increasing number of community music education projects in South Africa has risen in the last two decades. Due to the sheer rising interest in the positive outcomes of these projects, previously underprivileged areas now have access to music education and a diverse range of musical opportunities. This research report assesses the efficacy of community music education programmes of the Buskaid Soweto String Project towards youth and audience development. The report used the Buskaid Soweto String Project as a case study done through interviews. The results attained from qualitative research conducted, have shown that the training programme administered by the Buskaid Soweto String Project yields good and positive results toits students. In addition, the success of the music education programmes has a favourable effect on audience development. Data collected, revealed interesting themes relating to the efficacy of music
education programmes by Buskaid. The most notable outcome and results isthe direction and incentive the project provides to its participants and other existing and forthcoming community music projects. This research results also facilitate and create new study and research prospects in the field of music education in previously disadvantaged communities.
Influence of pan-african parliament in regional decision- making on conflict prevention and resolution
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Abanno, Ndidi Ugomma
The establishment of the Pan-African Parliament as an institution of the African Union was prompted by the high incidence of conflict on the continent, and it
is expected to play a role in addressing conflict. However, questions about the PAP's effectiveness in influencing regional conflict-related decision-making have arisen. The study used a combination of interviews, desk research, and participation in PAP sessions as a methodology for this study to explore this issue. The findings reveal that the PAP has consistently engaged in activities to prevent and resolve conflicts, such as debates on conflict-related issues in
committees and the Plenary, fact-finding missions, promoting AU treaties, and developing Model Laws. However, the study also identifies factors limiting the
PAP's influence in AU decision-making processes, including its limited legislative and budgetary powers and lack of coordination with pertinent AU institutions. To enhance its influence, the PAP needs to strengthen its institutional capacity to carry out non-legislative functions, particularly its oversight and representative powers. It must also establish a conflict intervention strategy and collaborative frameworks to improve synergies with AU institutions