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Now showing 1 - 5 of 19

Recent Submissions

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    A review of effectiveness of Development Finance Institutions in Botswana (case study: Botswana Development Corporation and Local Enterprise Authority)
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2019) Gaobakwe, Katso Bonang; Alagidede, Imhotep
    Are development finance institutions (DFls) in Botswana effective? To what extent do they contribute to the economic development agenda of the country? And can they be made to work better and more effectively? These pertinent questions form the background of this study. In particular, this study examines whether the DFls are adhering to, and upholding their mandates. Using the performance management theory as the theoretical framework, we assess the common problem across DFls and how they may be addressed. The paper further examines the financial performance and sustainability of these entities together with their impact on the economic growth of the country both individually and collectively as a sector. The study focused on a ten (10) year period between 2006/07 and 2015/16, the researcher was desirous of using current information, and at the time of this decision some of the DFl's were undergoing their Annual financial statement audits for the previous year that is 2017, hence the decision to use 2016 as the cut off year. Furthermore, the time period of the research, ten years was used to capture a full cycle of a typical investment. Lastly, human resource rotate, and records management is a challenge through the DFl's in Botswana, therefore a conclusion was reached that it would be a challenge to look at a period where no current personnel had an impact one way or another and for institutional memory purposes and the records maybe lost or inaccessible. The research revealed that for the period under review the DFls in Botswana were very ineffective. Although they have created employment and sensitised Batswana with regards to the entrepreneurship mentality they have not lived up to or fulfilled their mandates. In spite of the existence of corporate governance structures there has been persistent poor performance, combined with serious concerns around financial sustainability and allegations of corruption and mismanagement. At the time of completing this research two (2) out of the four (4) DFls were going through restructuring and retrenchment process. The recommendations put forward include review of the model frameworks with the view of implementing the framework utilised by successful DFls in developed countries, improving and empowering the supervisory bodies, deliberate linkages between all OFls to promote direct project transfer and co investments, appropriately capacitating the DFls with the requisite skilled human resources and lastly accelerating self-sustenance plans.
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    A review of road models for vehicular control
    (Taylor and Francis Group, 2022-05) Limebeer, D. J. N.; Warren, E.
    Over the last 25 years a number of road models have been developed for use in a variety of vehicular control problems. These models are important, because they dictate the force-generating capabilities of the tyres, as well as constrain the movement of the vehicle itself. Early road models used two-dimensional (2D) ‘flat road’ representations, the advantages and deficiencies of which are well understood. Once it became apparent that three-dimensional effects can be important in limit-performance studies, ribbon-based three-dimensional (3D) road models were developed. The large lateral camber variations on highly-banked NASCAR tracks highlighted deficiencies in ribbon-based road representations that required correction. Upgraded models addressing these deficiencies were only developed recently. The purpose of this paper is to review and compare a number of road models – particularly those developed for use in racing studies. Comparative computed results are provided that hight some of the similarities and differences between these models.
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    Determinants of government cyber security capacity in developing countries
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2025) Rezaei, Amir Hossein; Chikane, Rekgotsofetse
    This study aimed to identify and analyse the key determinants of government cybersecurity capacity in African and developing countries and assess the effect of these determinants on government cybersecurity capacity within these two groups of countries. The study employed quantitative analysis using ordinal logistic regression models and the sixth version of the Digital Society Project dataset, specifically examining longitudinal data from 2000 to 2023 in 50 African and 90 developing countries. In developing countries, there was a negative relationship between government social media monitoring and government cybersecurity capacity, whereas there was no significant relationship between government social media monitoring and government cybersecurity capacity in African countries. The findings indicated that the impact of state Internet control measures on government cybersecurity capacity varies based on the specific control measure and its application. It also showed that monitoring social media and legal frameworks have different effects on the government’s cybersecurity capacity in these two groups of countries. A restrictive legal framework for state Internet content regulation was negatively correlated with government cybersecurity capacity in African countries. While this study has provided valuable insights into cybersecurity capacity building in African and developing countries, it also highlights the need for further research to address the identified limitations and explore new avenues for cybersecurity research in the Global South.
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    Mobility and Metanarrative: Revisiting South African Social Science through Migration and Displacement
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2014-06) Landau, Loren B.
    Not Available
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    Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Job Creation in Limpopo Province, South Africa
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2025) Rakubu, Mokgadi Betty; Maleh, Thindisa
    This report takes a close look at how foreign direct investment (FDI) influences job opportunities in Limpopo Province, South Africa, between 2018 and 2024. Despite a steady stream of foreign investments in the mining sector, unemployment rates in the province remain worryingly high. The research draws from established theories like Dunning’s Eclectic Paradigm, Dependency Theory, and Endogenous Growth Theory to unpack the complex factors that shape whether investments translate into real jobs on the ground. To investigate these issues, both a numbers-driven and a qualitative approach were used. Data was collected on FDI inflows from industry trackers and government databases, then matched that information against official statistics on employment trends in Limpopo. Policy documents were reviewed, as well as corporate reports and local development plans, to understand real-world impacts. At the same time, descriptive and correlation techniques were used to identify patterns in the data, and a simple regression model was used to test if and how much FDI really boosts job creation in mining. The findings paint a nuanced picture. On the one hand, Limpopo has succeeded in attracting significant foreign investments, especially in capital-intensive mining operations. On the other hand, these flows of money haven’t translated into a meaningful rise in employment levels. High-tech machinery, automation, profit repatriation, and policy uncertainties seem to cut into the number of jobs that FDI could otherwise create. Meanwhile, gaps in local skills and infrastructure further limit the benefits of investment. Based on these insights, the report suggests several strategies to make FDI a stronger force for job creation. These range from linking tax and policy incentives to actual hiring commitments to diversifying into industries that rely more on people than on automated processes. The need to strengthen coordination among government, investors, and local communities is also highlighted so that well-intentioned policies on paper can turn into practical, on-the-ground improvements for residents. In essence, while FDI can provide essential capital for growth, it takes focused effort, whether in the form of improved education and training, smarter regulations, or inclusive business models, to ensure that these investments uplift local people and help reduce unemployment in the province.