Wits School of Governance (ETDs)

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Subject: search.filters.subject.SDG-12: Responsible consumption and production

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Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
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    Policy challenges affecting the electric vehicle manufacturing sector in South Africa
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Mateko, Freeman Munisi
    The evolution of technology has brought many changes to the automotive sector on a global scale. Different economies in the Global South and Global North are making strides to adopt modern technology, such as electric vehicles, which are more efficient than internal combustion engine vehicles. Electric vehicles have zero emission levels and this is crucial for supporting climate change action. Economies that have adopted electric vehicles succeeded due to robust policies and financial incentives for car manufacturers, among other factors. The aim of this research was to explore the extent to which the policy environment facilitates for increased adoption and manufacturing of electric vehicles (EVs) in South Africa. This research is in line with various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It supports SDG 7 by encouraging the use of electric vehicles for cleaner energy, as well as SDG 9 by advocating for automotive sector innovation and infrastructural development. Furthermore, the emphasis on lowering emissions coincides with SDGs 11 and 13 by promoting sustainable urban environments and climate action. In terms of the research methodology, the study was based on qualitative research techniques. Interviews and literature review were used for data collection. Six policy documents were analyzed in this study. The target population for the study were the stakeholders in the South African car manufacturing sector. Purposive sampling was used to select a total of ten participants for the study. Data was analyzed through content and thematic analysis techniques. The results of primary study demonstrated how ambiguous South Africa's current electric vehicle policy environment is. Additionally, it was determined that some factors must be considered to guarantee a seamless switch to electromobility. Developing and executing electric vehicle policies, maintaining a steady supply of energy, lowering import taxes on EV parts, skill development, providing purchase subsidies, and providing production and technological incentives are a few of these elements. In terms of policy recommendations, it was suggested that there is need for timeous implementation of electric vehicles policy, producing battery electric vehicles, promoting research and development on electric vehicles and there is need for increased government support towards car manufacturers in South Africa.
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    Drivers for the institutionalisation of public sector monitoring and evaluation in Zimbabwe
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2021) Moyo, Nodumo; Korth, Marcel
    The continued failure to monitor and evaluate the performance of public sector programmes and projects over the years prompted the institutionalisation of public sector monitoring and evaluation in Zimbabwe. Owing to the scant attention paid to monitoring and evaluation (M&E), and the fact that its emergence as a practice is a nascent development in Zimbabwe, this study contributes to this under-researched area by assessing the factors that accounted for the institutionalisation of public sector M&E. Guided by the qualitative research methodological approach coupled with a case study research design, the study established that the institutionalisation of M&E in Zimbabwe was an internally-driven process underpinned by the need to continuously improve government performance, the enhanced quest for evidence-based public decision making, programme and policy development, and to ensure compliance with regulations from the donor world, the fulfilment of the requirements in the Constitution of Zimbabwe, 2013 and the need for improved transparency and accountability in the public sector
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    Social capital in community food gardens in Alexandra Johannesburg
    (2020) Bhayla, Schlain Andrea
    Social capital is a common outcome in community food gardens, yet detailed measurement of the concept is often unclear. Little is known about social capital in Johannesburg gardens and how it is mobilised. This research used both qualitative and quantitative methods to understand how gardeners mobilised social capital, and how Nan Lin’s weak-tie position emerged in Greater Alexandra Greening Route gardens. Further, it sought to understand what the theoretical and policy implications of measuring social capital were. Lin’s conceptualization of social capital, resources embedded in a network, was used. The Resource Generator, a social capital measurement tool, was adapted using findings from focus groups and used to measure access to social capital. Semi-structured interviews were used to understand the mobilisation of social capital. Findings suggest social capital is present in GAGR gardens and mobilised to achieve gardeners’ aims. Gardeners may also benefit from expanding gardens to serve a community purpose
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    The role of institutional arrangement in the development of the agro-processing sector (2011-2015)
    (2020) Moyo, Cynthia
    The study unpacks institutional arrangements which were available when developing the agro-processing manufacturing sector with the milling industry as a case study in the period 2011-2015. In-depth interviews were conducted with the respondents from five institutions (DTI, DAFF, IDC, NAMC and GDARD), FABCOS and Old Mutual Masisizane Fund respondents did not owner the interview invitation which led to the study relying more on secondary data. The key findings revealed that there are common factors that have been contributing to the inefficiencies in policy implementation which includes territorial disputes and policy inconsistency. The study also learnt that there were no concrete institutional arrangements on the ground, thus the network was weak or non-existent. Issues of coordination, information sharing, business practices and moral hazard among the few factors contributed to little or no current visible successes to date which led to policy and network failure. Therefore, industrial policy durations must be introduced to the project at planning phase to avoid lack of participation at implementation phase. Involved institutions need to understand and play their roles rather than focus on how well institutional arrangement is integrated to avoid weak network systems (Provan & Milward, 1995). The institutional arrangements between government and private sector need to be strengthened to avoid or minimize poor business practices on entrepreneurs once they have received funding. Thus, within network systems, mentoring institution need to be included to ensure that businesses are run effectively. Moreover, government need to work together with DFIs for funding purposes as this will ensure that their priority areas are also considered by DFIs when identifying their strategic areas. Agricultural policies must be drafted together with industrial policies because both policies strive to contribute to the national long-term vision such as job creation, poverty alleviation and reduction in inequality (Briones & Felipe, 2013)