Transport infrastructure investment and exports growth in South Africa
- Authors: Gengele , Nosiphelo
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Transportation -- South Africa Infrastructure (Economics) -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Transport Economics)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13370 , vital:39638
- Description: The transport sector is very important in facilitating trade and travel between and within nations. It is at the core of every country‟s economy. In order for transport to play this critical role, this research suggests that it is important for countries to invest in infrastructure. This study examined the impact of transport infrastructure investment on export growth in South Africa for the period of 1994 to 2017. The standard procedure in interpreting the long-run VECM results was applied. All the variables enter the long-run equation significantly, and the signs and magnitudes also appear reasonable. The long run results suggest that transport infrastructure investment have a positive effect on exports in South Africa. As indicated on the long-run equation, transport infrastructure investment is significant in specification; the positive coefficient of the variable in the regression suggests that an increase in investment in the transport infrastructure will lead to an increase in exports. A vector error correction model was estimated with exports, transport infrastructure investment, real effective exchange rate, world gross domestic product, export prices and consumer price index. The variance decompositions show that exports have a high level of inertia in the first year with most of the variations dependent on past export variations. In the second year, employment contributes significantly to variations in exports. Transport infrastructure investment makes very little contribution. Impulse responses show that a positive shock to infrastructure investments increases exports marginally. The results of the study have revealed a number of policy implications that affect transport infrastructure investment and exports. It is highly recommended that government should improve transport infrastructure for all modes of transport as this will lead to an increase in the level of exports in South Africa. Empirical evidence shows that transport infrastructure investment granger cause exports. Government expenditure in transport infrastructure has been considered s one of the means to enhance economic development and transport sector operates as the crucial engine of the economic growth in both developed and developing countries
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- Authors: Gengele , Nosiphelo
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Transportation -- South Africa Infrastructure (Economics) -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Transport Economics)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13370 , vital:39638
- Description: The transport sector is very important in facilitating trade and travel between and within nations. It is at the core of every country‟s economy. In order for transport to play this critical role, this research suggests that it is important for countries to invest in infrastructure. This study examined the impact of transport infrastructure investment on export growth in South Africa for the period of 1994 to 2017. The standard procedure in interpreting the long-run VECM results was applied. All the variables enter the long-run equation significantly, and the signs and magnitudes also appear reasonable. The long run results suggest that transport infrastructure investment have a positive effect on exports in South Africa. As indicated on the long-run equation, transport infrastructure investment is significant in specification; the positive coefficient of the variable in the regression suggests that an increase in investment in the transport infrastructure will lead to an increase in exports. A vector error correction model was estimated with exports, transport infrastructure investment, real effective exchange rate, world gross domestic product, export prices and consumer price index. The variance decompositions show that exports have a high level of inertia in the first year with most of the variations dependent on past export variations. In the second year, employment contributes significantly to variations in exports. Transport infrastructure investment makes very little contribution. Impulse responses show that a positive shock to infrastructure investments increases exports marginally. The results of the study have revealed a number of policy implications that affect transport infrastructure investment and exports. It is highly recommended that government should improve transport infrastructure for all modes of transport as this will lead to an increase in the level of exports in South Africa. Empirical evidence shows that transport infrastructure investment granger cause exports. Government expenditure in transport infrastructure has been considered s one of the means to enhance economic development and transport sector operates as the crucial engine of the economic growth in both developed and developing countries
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The Impact of Automobile Trade on Economic Growth: A Comparative Study of South Africa and Brazil
- Bhasa, W
- Authors: Bhasa, W
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Automobile industry and trade
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Economics)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13292 , vital:39631
- Description: Economic theory suggests that trade plays a critical role in the economic performance of a country. South Africa and Brazil’s automobile trade has been greatly influenced by government intervention through policy regimes with essentially similar objectives. Through the Automotive Production Development Programme in South Africa and the Plano Brasil Maior in Brazil, both countries have invested much effort in legislation, technology and capital to boost the automobile industry and overcome challenges of strengthening the automotive value chain, sustaining employment, raising productivity and increasing sales volumes both internally and on foreign markets. In light of such government interventions, this study investigates the contribution of the automobile trade on economic growth on South Africa and Brazil. The major concern is to determine whether the impact of the automobile trade is greater in South Africa and lesser in Brazil or vice-versa. This paper uses panel data analysis through the Least Squares Dummy Variable technique using quarterly data from 1995 to 2016. The regression results show that exports of automobiles, domestic investment in automobile trade, employment levels in the automobile industry together with the levels of general government expenditure positively affect GDP growth while imports of automobiles and inflation have a negative effect on general economic performance. Both countries should continue with automobile trade and governments should offer more production incentives and tax exemptions for component imports. Automobile industries are strategic industries which need government protection. Promotion of long-term partnerships and relationships within the automotive industry will play a critical role in boosting production with associated deepening of the components industry. The LSDV model results reveal that the individual country effects are statistically significant; this implies that the results for South Africa and Brazil differ. South Africa had a higher country coefficient which indicates that they benefitted more from the automobile trade than Braz
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- Authors: Bhasa, W
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Automobile industry and trade
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Economics)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13292 , vital:39631
- Description: Economic theory suggests that trade plays a critical role in the economic performance of a country. South Africa and Brazil’s automobile trade has been greatly influenced by government intervention through policy regimes with essentially similar objectives. Through the Automotive Production Development Programme in South Africa and the Plano Brasil Maior in Brazil, both countries have invested much effort in legislation, technology and capital to boost the automobile industry and overcome challenges of strengthening the automotive value chain, sustaining employment, raising productivity and increasing sales volumes both internally and on foreign markets. In light of such government interventions, this study investigates the contribution of the automobile trade on economic growth on South Africa and Brazil. The major concern is to determine whether the impact of the automobile trade is greater in South Africa and lesser in Brazil or vice-versa. This paper uses panel data analysis through the Least Squares Dummy Variable technique using quarterly data from 1995 to 2016. The regression results show that exports of automobiles, domestic investment in automobile trade, employment levels in the automobile industry together with the levels of general government expenditure positively affect GDP growth while imports of automobiles and inflation have a negative effect on general economic performance. Both countries should continue with automobile trade and governments should offer more production incentives and tax exemptions for component imports. Automobile industries are strategic industries which need government protection. Promotion of long-term partnerships and relationships within the automotive industry will play a critical role in boosting production with associated deepening of the components industry. The LSDV model results reveal that the individual country effects are statistically significant; this implies that the results for South Africa and Brazil differ. South Africa had a higher country coefficient which indicates that they benefitted more from the automobile trade than Braz
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The nexus between savings, investment and foreign capital in South Africa : an application of the Feldstein-Horioka puzzle
- Authors: Mtolo, Inga
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Investments, Foreign -- South Africa Saving and investment -- South Africa Capital movements -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8968 , vital:34177
- Description: This study investigates the relationship between savings, investment and foreign capital in South Africa, with special focus on the application of the Feldstein-Horioka theory. South Africa is a country that is still faced with relatively low saving levels. Given the low savings experienced by the country, available literature has alluded that foreign capital has played a greater role as the major driver of private investment expenditure in South Africa. Based on this background, the study empirically investigates the relationship between savings, investment and foreign capital utilising the Autoregressive Distributed Lag Model estimation technique for the period 1965 to 2015. The empirical results revealed that there is a positive and significant relationship between savings and investment in South Africa. The empirical results also show that for the period 1995 to 2015, the different types of external financial flows utilized in the study and investment have a positive relationship. These results have been consistent with our apriori expectations and other prior studies. This suggests that, in the case of South Africa, apart from interest rates, there are other factors that determine investment. The positive relationship between investment and foreign capital flows suggest that policies which are aimed at attracting the different types of foreign financial flows should be implemented.
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- Authors: Mtolo, Inga
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Investments, Foreign -- South Africa Saving and investment -- South Africa Capital movements -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8968 , vital:34177
- Description: This study investigates the relationship between savings, investment and foreign capital in South Africa, with special focus on the application of the Feldstein-Horioka theory. South Africa is a country that is still faced with relatively low saving levels. Given the low savings experienced by the country, available literature has alluded that foreign capital has played a greater role as the major driver of private investment expenditure in South Africa. Based on this background, the study empirically investigates the relationship between savings, investment and foreign capital utilising the Autoregressive Distributed Lag Model estimation technique for the period 1965 to 2015. The empirical results revealed that there is a positive and significant relationship between savings and investment in South Africa. The empirical results also show that for the period 1995 to 2015, the different types of external financial flows utilized in the study and investment have a positive relationship. These results have been consistent with our apriori expectations and other prior studies. This suggests that, in the case of South Africa, apart from interest rates, there are other factors that determine investment. The positive relationship between investment and foreign capital flows suggest that policies which are aimed at attracting the different types of foreign financial flows should be implemented.
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Consumers' attitudes towards ready-to-eat fast-food products and their relationship with obesity in Mdantsane township in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Matyolo, Pamela
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Obesity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Obesity
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9022 , vital:34183
- Description: The South African fast-food industry has experienced substantial recent growth. However, as consumers have incorporated more fast food into their daily diets, obesity has become a major problem. The aggressive marketing techniques of fast food firms coupled with the busy urban lifestyle have significant implications for dietary health habits. The study aimed at investigating consumers’ attitudes towards fast food and the relationship between fast food consumption and obesity. The field survey design of the study employed a mixed-methods approach involving the use of a semi-structured questionnaire. The study was limited to the Mdantsane Township located in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. A quota sample of 200 respondents (n = 200) was selected from which data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive results revealed that the participants had positive attitudes towards fast foods. Although they agreed that eating fast foods increased body weight, the participants mostly did not feel overweight or obese. The participants were well aware of the negative health implications of excessive fast food consumption. This knowledge generally did not deter their positive fast food attitudes, although participants expressed their desire for additional healthier fast food options in the market. Regression estimates further revealed that carbohydrate and starchy type of fast foods (𝑃 < 0.01), other sources of fast foods (𝑃 < 0.05), age group, physical appearance and meaty type of fast foods (𝑃 < 0.10) had significant influence on the frequency of fast food consumption. The results further revealed that physical appearance (𝑃 < 0.01), religion (𝑃 < 0.05), age group and supermarkets and source of fast foods (𝑃 < 0.1) had significant influence on respondents’ BMI scores. The study concludes that there exist socio-economic and institutional factors that have considerable bearing on consumers’ fast food consumption and BMI scores. The study advocates for public health policy making concerning awareness of the negative health consequences of fast food consumption targeting mostly young adult females who mainly purchase in franchises and supermarkets with a high meaty diet.
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- Authors: Matyolo, Pamela
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Obesity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Obesity
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9022 , vital:34183
- Description: The South African fast-food industry has experienced substantial recent growth. However, as consumers have incorporated more fast food into their daily diets, obesity has become a major problem. The aggressive marketing techniques of fast food firms coupled with the busy urban lifestyle have significant implications for dietary health habits. The study aimed at investigating consumers’ attitudes towards fast food and the relationship between fast food consumption and obesity. The field survey design of the study employed a mixed-methods approach involving the use of a semi-structured questionnaire. The study was limited to the Mdantsane Township located in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. A quota sample of 200 respondents (n = 200) was selected from which data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive results revealed that the participants had positive attitudes towards fast foods. Although they agreed that eating fast foods increased body weight, the participants mostly did not feel overweight or obese. The participants were well aware of the negative health implications of excessive fast food consumption. This knowledge generally did not deter their positive fast food attitudes, although participants expressed their desire for additional healthier fast food options in the market. Regression estimates further revealed that carbohydrate and starchy type of fast foods (𝑃 < 0.01), other sources of fast foods (𝑃 < 0.05), age group, physical appearance and meaty type of fast foods (𝑃 < 0.10) had significant influence on the frequency of fast food consumption. The results further revealed that physical appearance (𝑃 < 0.01), religion (𝑃 < 0.05), age group and supermarkets and source of fast foods (𝑃 < 0.1) had significant influence on respondents’ BMI scores. The study concludes that there exist socio-economic and institutional factors that have considerable bearing on consumers’ fast food consumption and BMI scores. The study advocates for public health policy making concerning awareness of the negative health consequences of fast food consumption targeting mostly young adult females who mainly purchase in franchises and supermarkets with a high meaty diet.
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Genotypic and phenotypic characterization of enterococci from cow dung and environmental water sources in three selected dairy farms in Amathole District
- Authors: Tanih, Godfred Ngu
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Enterobacteriaceae Water -- Microbiology Enterococcus faecalis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2348 , vital:27755
- Description: Enterococcus species are integral members of the gastrointestinal microfloral of humans, animals, birds, as well as insects. Their presence in water and food has been greatly associated with faecal contamination. This study was aimed at evaluating the incidence of Enterococcus species in cow dung and environmental water sources in three commercial dairy farms. In addition, their antibiotic profiles were determined as well as resistance and virulence genes. Furthermore, the genetic relatedness of the isolates was determined by molecular typing method (RAPD PCR). Three hundred and thirty four water and faecal samples consisting of 117, 116 and 101 were collected from Seven Star Middle Drift and Fort Hare Dairy trusts respectively. Of the 334 samples collected, 289 were of faecal origin and 45 from water sources within the farms. All samples were screened for enterococci using culture base growth media and molecular methods targeting the tuf gene. Speciation was done using species-specific primers and the incidences of various species within the farms determined. Furthermore resistance to antibiotics and multidrug-resistant phenotypes were established using the disk diffusion method. Genes coding for virulence and resistance were also determined. From the samples collected, 313 (289 faecal and 24 water) presumptive enteroccocci were isolated, 305 of 313 (97.45 percent) were confirmed as Enterococcus of which 239 of 305 (78.38 percent) were identified as E. hirae, 15 of 305 (4.92 percent) as E. faecium, 12/305 (3.93 percent) as E. durans, 6 of 305 (1.97 percent) as E. faecalis and 33 of 305 (10.82 percent) were unidentified. Out of the five virulence genes that were targeted in the study only gelE (71.80 percent of 219/305) and ace (27.2 percent 83/305) were present in the isolates. Phenotypic resistance to antibiotics was observed is in all twelve antibiotics tested with multidrug resistance phenotypes detected in some enterococcal isolates most predominant in Seven Star and Middledrift dairy trust. Finally RAPD profiles of the isolates showed high relatedness between the strains from water and cow dung sources in all three commercial dairy farms suggesting possible contamination from cow dung to the water sources or vice versa.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Tanih, Godfred Ngu
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Enterobacteriaceae Water -- Microbiology Enterococcus faecalis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2348 , vital:27755
- Description: Enterococcus species are integral members of the gastrointestinal microfloral of humans, animals, birds, as well as insects. Their presence in water and food has been greatly associated with faecal contamination. This study was aimed at evaluating the incidence of Enterococcus species in cow dung and environmental water sources in three commercial dairy farms. In addition, their antibiotic profiles were determined as well as resistance and virulence genes. Furthermore, the genetic relatedness of the isolates was determined by molecular typing method (RAPD PCR). Three hundred and thirty four water and faecal samples consisting of 117, 116 and 101 were collected from Seven Star Middle Drift and Fort Hare Dairy trusts respectively. Of the 334 samples collected, 289 were of faecal origin and 45 from water sources within the farms. All samples were screened for enterococci using culture base growth media and molecular methods targeting the tuf gene. Speciation was done using species-specific primers and the incidences of various species within the farms determined. Furthermore resistance to antibiotics and multidrug-resistant phenotypes were established using the disk diffusion method. Genes coding for virulence and resistance were also determined. From the samples collected, 313 (289 faecal and 24 water) presumptive enteroccocci were isolated, 305 of 313 (97.45 percent) were confirmed as Enterococcus of which 239 of 305 (78.38 percent) were identified as E. hirae, 15 of 305 (4.92 percent) as E. faecium, 12/305 (3.93 percent) as E. durans, 6 of 305 (1.97 percent) as E. faecalis and 33 of 305 (10.82 percent) were unidentified. Out of the five virulence genes that were targeted in the study only gelE (71.80 percent of 219/305) and ace (27.2 percent 83/305) were present in the isolates. Phenotypic resistance to antibiotics was observed is in all twelve antibiotics tested with multidrug resistance phenotypes detected in some enterococcal isolates most predominant in Seven Star and Middledrift dairy trust. Finally RAPD profiles of the isolates showed high relatedness between the strains from water and cow dung sources in all three commercial dairy farms suggesting possible contamination from cow dung to the water sources or vice versa.
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Professional behaviour among nursing students at a college in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Magopeni, Sibongile Nomvuyo
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Nursing students -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Nursing -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Nursing -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2566 , vital:27896
- Description: The focus of the study was to explore and describe reasons for poor professional behaviour among nursing students at a public nursing college in the Eastern Cape. The objectives of the study were to explore and describe the reasons for poor professional behaviour among nursing students and to describe strategies to improve poor professional behaviour. The study has significance for the college management, staff, nursing students, registered nurses and everyone involved in professional development of nursing students. The population for this study consisted of third-year nursing students following the four-year comprehensive basic course for registration leading to the Diploma in Nursing (General, Community & Psychiatry) and Midwifery at a public nursing college. The research questions were: What do you understand by professional behaviour? What are the reasons for poor professional behaviour among nursing students? What could be done to improve professionalism among college nursing students? A qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual design was used as a framework for the study. Permission to conduct the study was obtained from the University of Fort Hare ethics committee and other relevant authorities as indicated in the study. Ethical principles were maintained and informed consent obtained. Data collection was done using focus groups and an audiotape with a purposefully sampling of 30 third-year nursing students at the public college of nursing. Data were analysed using Tesch’s method of analysis for qualitative research. Three major themes emerged: students’ understanding of professional behaviour, reasons for poor professional behaviour and methods to improve poor professional behaviour. It was concluded that poor professional behaviour has an effect on professionalism and it should be addressed and corrected for protecting the professional image. Recommendations: Policies regarding inappropriate professional behaviour at the college should be in place and easily accessible to every staff member and nursing student. Department of Health should conduct reflective courses and seminars on professionalism and these should begin at the same time as the academic programme.
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- Authors: Magopeni, Sibongile Nomvuyo
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Nursing students -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Nursing -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Nursing -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2566 , vital:27896
- Description: The focus of the study was to explore and describe reasons for poor professional behaviour among nursing students at a public nursing college in the Eastern Cape. The objectives of the study were to explore and describe the reasons for poor professional behaviour among nursing students and to describe strategies to improve poor professional behaviour. The study has significance for the college management, staff, nursing students, registered nurses and everyone involved in professional development of nursing students. The population for this study consisted of third-year nursing students following the four-year comprehensive basic course for registration leading to the Diploma in Nursing (General, Community & Psychiatry) and Midwifery at a public nursing college. The research questions were: What do you understand by professional behaviour? What are the reasons for poor professional behaviour among nursing students? What could be done to improve professionalism among college nursing students? A qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual design was used as a framework for the study. Permission to conduct the study was obtained from the University of Fort Hare ethics committee and other relevant authorities as indicated in the study. Ethical principles were maintained and informed consent obtained. Data collection was done using focus groups and an audiotape with a purposefully sampling of 30 third-year nursing students at the public college of nursing. Data were analysed using Tesch’s method of analysis for qualitative research. Three major themes emerged: students’ understanding of professional behaviour, reasons for poor professional behaviour and methods to improve poor professional behaviour. It was concluded that poor professional behaviour has an effect on professionalism and it should be addressed and corrected for protecting the professional image. Recommendations: Policies regarding inappropriate professional behaviour at the college should be in place and easily accessible to every staff member and nursing student. Department of Health should conduct reflective courses and seminars on professionalism and these should begin at the same time as the academic programme.
- Full Text:
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