Electronic Theses and Dissertations (Masters/MBA)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10539/37942

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    Exploring the benefits of Social Entrepreneurship in Gauteng, South Africa
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2021) Azeeemah, Shiraz Ahmed Mahomed; Hlologelo, Malatji
    South Africa, like other Africa countries, is experiencing high rates of unemployment and poverty. In response, the government has introduced various economic and social assistance programmes to uplift marginalised communities and poor people. However, assistance by government is often not sufficient to address all socio-economic issues. As a result, the private sector, through businesses, is undertaking various social projects to help the government meet the needs of poor people. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the practice of social entrepreneurship, in particular how it is practiced, and how it contributes to addressing societal problems such as poverty. The study was in nature a qualitative research study, and employed a case study design. Through the purposive sampling technique, 16 individuals were sampled, drawn from companies that have interests in or that practice social entrepreneurship in the South African context. The data was collected through online one-on-one interviews, while the data was analysed using a thematic analysis method. The study found that social entrepreneurship is a tool for sustainable development, and that it does have an impact in helping decrease poverty, create employment and assist communities. However, several challenges, such as funding, lack of resources and government support, and absence of policy direction are obstacles facing the social entrepreneur on a daily basis. Some of the recommendations are that a central hub is established, for all stakeholders to engage in dialogue, which may lead to policy development that will assist the social entrepreneur, and for learning from other, more experienced social entrepreneurs
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    Exploring Challenges & Support Structures for Small, Medium & Micro Enterprises in South Africa
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2022) Lephoko, Nolwazi; Banga, Chantal
    The purpose of this study is to explore what are the current impediments that still face SMME’s in South Africa and whether support programs in place have been effective in mitigating these impediments that result in the observable high failure rate of this sector. The study explores the SMME sector as well as all responsible and participating stakeholders within government, NPO’s and conglomerates that aid in the progress of the sector, as a crucial vehicle in job creation in South Africa. The research uses lack of funding as a focal point and aims to critically analyze any measures and efforts made thus far to eliminate this continuous barrier, primarily in South Africa. The research method used is a qualitative approach which was deemed as an effective approach to identify impediments faced by SMME’s through semi-structured questions conducted through an interview, while also investigating efforts and strategies employed by interviewing key stakeholder within support programme initiatives in the country. The study revealed the following findings: Access to finance remains an impediment for micro and small business in South Africa; Micro and small enterprises utilize mainly non-traditional funding alternatives due to the difficulties of accessing traditional funding avenues; Informal sector transition in South Africa continues to be stalled; Lastly there have been evident changes regarding supplier diversity efforts in South Africa’s private sector owed to governments support program and incubation effort
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    An energy mix policy to address the wicked problem of energy insecurity in South Africa
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Khumalo, Nduduzo S. P.; Mondi, Lumkile
    Eskom is struggling to consistently supply electricity as required by the country, therefore failing to keep the lights on. Eskom has been producing less and less power over the years, a wicked problem for an economy faced with poverty, unemployment and inequality. This wicked problem in the energy (electricity) supply system has impacted a large number of stakeholders. These include, mining, commercial and industrial, agriculture, households and the entire Southern African Power Pool and its customers. As a result, this energy insecurity problem of all the stakeholders is therefore considered as a wicked problem that does not have a straightforward solution. This research investigates the impact and challenges in the economy and society at large as a result of wicked problem, energy insecurity, and assesses what can be done by the society to mitigate these challenges and then propose a solution to the identified problem in the form of Energy Mix Policy. It does so by using secondary data from multiple database sources. This research argues that the energy insecurity (unreliable energy supply) in South Africa is a wicked problem. It affects multiple stakeholders from the business communities, government, industries, and everyone in the society, even touching climate change environmental management sectors. This also affects all economic industries, commercial businesses, water supply, hospitals, telecommunications, and transportation sectors, etc. as they all require power to operate, and therefore a solution would require all these stakeholders to be involved and act collectively together in finding a solution that can assure energy security for all