Browsing by Author "Hartzenburg, Trudi"

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    Black manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises in the Western Cape : an analysis of success factors
    (1995) Sawaya, Alen; Hartzenburg, Trudi
    This thesis examines manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from the Western Cape, drawn from three leading industries in the manufacturing sector: clothing, furniture, and panel beating and metal works. The aim of the study is to analyze factors that contribute to the success of black manufacturing enterprises. To this end, the study isolated a group of black SMEs regarded as successful in terms of comparative studies in other countries. A sample of 20 SMEs was selected and detailed interviews formed the basis of the analysis. The information gathered during this process was analysed using Porter's model of competitiveness. A central finding of the survey is that the profile of a successful enterprise would include an entrepreneur with post-school training, a motivation for independence and enhancement of self-esteem, a participative relationship between workers and management, and a good relationship with customers. Most of these entrepreneurs attained competitiveness independent of support institutions (private or public). Entrepreneurs interviewed mentioned that their performance could be enhanced by effective support in marketing and exporting, finance, training, information and, technology, and subcontracting. The conclusion is therefore that the support envisaged in terms of the national strategy for SMEs' advancement, would assist the individual enterprise's quest for competitiveness.
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    An economic and financial evaluation of the health benefits of electrification
    (1995) Delport, Jaco; Hartzenburg, Trudi
    The health benefits of a national household electrification programme are investigated. Cognisance is taken of the lack of utilisation of electricity by newly electrified households. The impact of electrification on air pollution levels and paraffin utilisation is investigated to establish the effect on morbidity due to respiratory infection, paraffln poisoning and bums. The reduced demand for health services stemming from a reduction in morbidity is quantified and its macroeconomic implications investigated. The implications that the results of this quantification process holds for the financing requirements of a national household electrification programme as well as the microeconomic factors underlying the success of such a programme are highlighted. Chapter 1 outlines the methodology that will be used to firstly establish the expected switch to electricity as sole energy-carrier by newly electrified households, secondly to establish the health implications of such a switch, and thirdly to quantify these health implications. Chapter 2 reports the results of the modelling exercise, chapter 3 the resulting health implications and chapter 4 the quantification process. Chapter 5 looks at the macroeconomic implications of the health benefits of electrification. Chapter 6 investigates the impact of the results of this thesis on the financing requirements of the electrification programme. Bibliography: pages 63-68.
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    Food security and regional integration in the SADC region
    (2002) Tagg, Shannon Maria; Hartzenburg, Trudi
    This thesis focuses on food security, policy and trade in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. Food security is rigorously defined, and its ideological foundations are examined. Because food security is so intricately linked to poverty and rural development, a discussion of the food security situation renders a study of the socio-economic situation in the SADC region necessary. Food security is not just an agricultural phenomenon, and thus policies to eradicate hunger have to be broad based as opposed to merely concentrating on increasing food production.
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    An investigation into the demand for illuminating paraffin and liquid petroleum gas in South Africa
    (1992) McGregor, G A G; Hartzenburg, Trudi
    This dissertation investigates the demand for illuminating Paraffin (IP) and Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) in South Africa, and also tests the energy transition theory. The energy transition process outlines the substitution of fuels that occurs with rural-urban migration. Data on income, IP and LPG prices, demographic trends and IP and LPG volumes are incorporated in models to test the energy transition theory: National and regional projections of demand are derived. Income and price elasticities are derived for testing the energy transition theory, where Engel's Law is applied. The derived price and income elasticities for the regional IP models largely confirm the energy transition process where poorer areas are price inelastic. The models of the urban electrified areas and the predominantly rural areas, produce negative income elasticities which reduce the forecasts and suggest that IP is an inferior good due to the availability of superior electricity or free wood respectively. Electrification will play a role in reducing consumption of IP and LPG. However, it can be concluded that due to the predominant price and income inelasticity of demand, the smooth and exclusive transition from wood to IP and LPG and finally electricity suggested by (Viljoen, 1990) is perhaps misleading. It is more likely that tardiness in substituting one fuel for another will impede the complete transition among fuels and that the use of a range of fuels, even if electricity becomes available, will be maintained for some time as the newly urbanised household moves up the modernisation index. The forecasts for IP and LPG for the period 1992 to 1995, emanating from the econometric models developed here, forecast lower growth in consumption as compared with the recent past. The national forecasts for 1992 to 1995 are half those achieved in the last upturn of 1986 to 1989. LPG forecasts are similarly about 50% lower than the historic period. However, the growth in both products is still forecast to be double the projected GDP growth. The regional IP forecasts show most of the growth occurring in the urban areas and the "homelands" closer to the metropoles. High growth is particularly forecast for the large PWV complex with its dense concentration of population and high rate of immigration. In summary, the transitional fuels will remain important energy sources for some time to come. The variables such as population growth, income and IP and LPG prices are significant in determining demand. In spite of Eskom's ambitious plans to provide "electricity for all" a significant proportion of the population will remain without electricity. It is therefore important for policy-makers to ensure that the prices of IP and LPG paid by the consumer are within income constraints as energy is a basic need.
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    Rural income, welfare and migration : a study of three Ciskeian villages
    (1993) Sperber, Flint S; Hartzenburg, Trudi
    The on-going significance of the rural areas in policy formation in South Africa has its roots in the country's spatially skewed population distribution and the persistence of 'oscillating' or 'circular' migration. Thus, rural income (its level, sources and distribution) and rural welfare remain important policy considerations. This thesis, based on a microeconomic study of three Ciskeian villages, examines these issues, and attempts to use the understanding so gained, to consider the likelihood of continued circular migration. Chapter 1 places the study in context, providing necessary background to the research area. Chapter 2 looks at the spatial structure and education levels of households in the three villages studied. Chapter 3 deals with the problem of defining and measuring 'rural household income', whilst Chapter 4 examines the adequacy and distribution of this income, paying attention to how changes in various components of income affect rural income distribution and welfare. This thesis is concluded in Chapter 5 with an analysis of the factors contributing to the persistence of circular migration.
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    SADC Trade Protocol and its potential impact on the South African clothing and textiles industry : a case study of Pepkor
    (2004) Mbono, Nontsikelelo Rose; Hartzenburg, Trudi
    Generally, it is accepted that regional co-operation and integration is effective means to facilitate economic growth and sustainable development, particularly among the developing countries. Even the developed countries have adopted the regional approach since it is believed that its benefits outweigh the costs associated with it. Africa also acknowledged this, and formed various regional trading arrangements. However, this research focuses more on regional cooperation and integration in the SADC region. The SADC Trade Protocol was signed by all member states in 1996, with the aim to eventually form a free trade area by 2008 by gradually removing all tariffs and non-tariff barriers to intraregional trade. SADC member states are mainly concerned about the implications of the protocol on their economies, particularly the performance of their industries, as well as on trade patterns in the region. Hence, the process of ratification and implementation of the protocol has taken much longer than expected, due to ongoing negotiations between member states in an endeavour to address their concerns. Some of their major concerns are being addressed through revisions and additions to the provisions of the trade protocol. The implementation started on 01 September 2000. This research aims to establish the potential impact of the trade protocol and the proposed free trade area on the South African manufacturing industry, particularly on the clothing and textiles industry. The most crucial part of this paper is a case study, which has been conducted on one of South Africa's largest clothing companies using telephonic and face-to-face interviews, in an attempt to gain insight on the impact of the trade protocol, especially the clause on rules of origin, on the clothing and textiles industry and how the industry will continue to respond to the implementation of the protocol. How will the trade protocol impact on the trade and investment flows in the region? Will there be any specific implications on pattern of capital flows within the region? What about choice of location for future investment in the region? While there are benefits of the trade protocol for the region, through its promotion of investment and intra-regional trade and opening a larger market for the member states, it remains a concern that some member states will not benefit as much as their counterparts. The impact of the rapidly changing trade and investment environment on various sectors may differ, and the sensitive sectors remain a major concern. What are the major concerns about the clothing and textiles industry, in view of its sensitive nature? This research seeks to provide answers to various questions pertaining to the SADC trade protocol and its impact on manufacturing industry in South Africa and in the SADC region. It draws conclusions about the clothing and textiles industry as well as the manufacturing industry at large, based on the experience of one large clothing company.