Browsing by Author "Shedi, Olwethu"

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Financial Directions and Budget Trends in Government Healthcare
(Southern Centre for Inequality Studies (SCIS), 2023-11) Sachs, Michael; Abdullah, Fareed; Madonko, Thokozile; Jonas, Kim; Slingers, Nevilene; Zvawada, Tanaka; Ewinyu, Arabo; Shedi, Olwethu
This working paper provides evidence and analysis that can assist in taking forward the agenda of the Presidential Health Compact. It does so by reviewing the financial performance of the government healthcare system over the last decade. After assessing the financial management performance, it looks at the “financial health” challenges facing the system, including the problems of accruals and medico-legal claims. The report then examines the budget pressures faced by provincial healthcare departments, as well as the different allocation of resources and levels of care across provinces. It ends with a conclusion and tentative reflections informed by the evidence.
Public services, government employment and the budget
(Southern Centre for Inequality Studies (SCIS), 2022-10) Sachs, Michael; Ewinyu, Arabo K.; Shedi, Olwethu
This report presents independent analysis using publicly available data on budgets, audited spending outcomes, and government plans for future expenditure. Our main concern is to draw inferences about the impact of budget choices on the allocation of real resources to core public services. The quantitative nature of budget choices means that, in contrast to other forms of policy expression, trade-offs between different policy goals are made clear and explicit. The report attempts to gauge the quantitative aspect of public policy in three respects. First, we identify the trends in real spending over the last two decades. Second, we use the budgets approved by parliament and provincial legislatures to gauge the impact of budget choices on real resource allocation over the next three years. Third, we present analysis of government pay and employment trends, which are strongly concentrated in the core public services that are our interest.
Spending choices in Budget 2022
(Southern Centre for Inequality Studies (SCIS), 2022-07) Sachs, Michael; Ewinyu, Arabo K.; Shedi, Olwethu
This paper offers an independent appraisal of expenditure choices implied by the budget 2022 numbers by presenting National Treasury budget data in a form that is accessible and policy-relevant. The analysis may not be uncontroversial or “neutral” but is balanced and grounded in evidence. The report’s focus is on spending allocated through the national budget. Other elements of public spending (such as the state-owned companies, the budgets of metropolitan municipalities and spending financed by rates, levies or user charges) are mentioned where relevant. Tax policy is dealt with in passing but future reports aim to tackle the revenue side of the budget directly. After discussing the fiscal context for expenditure choices, the report analyses the aggregate resource allocation and choices implied by the budget estimates and then considers expenditure trends in each major policy area: healthcare, education, social protection, criminal justice and defence, economic policy and community development.
The impact of ‘compensating’ women for hours of unpaid care work on household poverty
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Shedi, Olwethu; Benhura, Miracle
Estimating the effect of ‘compensating’ women for unpaid care work on household poverty levels, we used Time Use Survey data for 2000 and 2010 to estimate time spent on unpaid care work, and Post-Apartheid Labour Market Series to estimate earnings for both 2000 and 2010. To achieve this, we used the Economy- wide Mean wage approach, the Opportunity Cost Average wage approach, and the Generalist wage approach. In line with literature, we confirm that, on average, women spend more time on unpaid care work than men do, and that women's average earnings are lower than that of men. We found that the estimated monthly ‘compensation’ does indeed reduce the level of household poverty. However, the Generalist wage approach compensation had the least impact on household poverty levels. Unpaid care work affects women all around the world. While some countries have made progress in recognizing, reducing, and redistributing unpaid care work, women continue to bear the brunt of the burden. Governments have a role to play in encouraging a more equitable distribution of unpaid household care duties. Flexible work hours and shared parental leave are two options for businesses to facilitate more equitable split of unpaid family care duties and assist women in achieving a better work/life balance.