Interaction between ethnicity and entrepreneurship in South Africa : Case study of Naledi Municipality

Thesis (D. Tech. (Business Administration)) -- Central University of technology, Free State, 2013This study was carried out to examine the interaction between ethnicity and entrepreneurship in a South African setting. Specifically, a survey using a questionnaire was carried out to determine the influence ethnicity has on entrepreneurial behaviour and attitudes among the Tswana, Afrikaner, Coloured and Indian entrepreneurs in the Naledi Local Municipality in the North West Province of South Africa. A literature review preceded the empirical study to fully comprehend the theoretical and conceptual underpinnings of the interaction between ethnicity and entrepreneurship among different ethnic groups. In the empirical study phase, a questionnaire was administered to 400 randomly selected entrepreneurs in order to collect data on their motives for starting business, source of start-up capital and their attitudes/behaviours regarding risk in business. Waldinger et al.'s (1996) structure, enclave, cultural and situation theories were used as the theoretical base. Out of a total of 400 questionnaires that were distributed, 338 were usable representing an 84.5% response rate. The chi-square tests found significant differences (p < 0.05) between the four ethnic groups on all the key dimensions of ethnicity on entrepreneurship and the success/performance of the four ethnic groups in business. The chi-square test shows that businesses operated/owned by Afrikaner and Indian ethic groups are more likely to perform better than those owned and operated by their Tswana and Coloured counterparts

Socio-economic development through the exploitation of natural resources in rural South Africa

South Africa has many developmental challenges but three have been identified as affecting each other. The three challenges are unemployment, poverty and inequality. The Second Quarter Report by Statistics South Africa (STATSSA) confirms that poverty, unemployment and inequality are highest in rural areas and most especially among people with no or little education. Meanwhile, many people in rural South Africa have access to land which can be used to produce food for the ever increasing population in both the rural and urban areas, as well as for export and other value adding agribusinesses. The task of addressing the challenges of poor communities calls for a multi-stakeholder approach which can include the private sector, NGOs, communities, traditional leaders and the state coming together to pursue economic transformation in rural South Africa by tapping into the natural resources nature has provided for the communities. This article reports on how some stakeholders have come together to transform a rural community in South Africa. The paper uses qualitative data from personal and focus group interviews and observations as the main data collection instruments. The findings indicate that the stakeholders have been able to empower a community by tapping into and effectively using the natural resources in an area to transform it through collaborations and partnerships. The model is recommended to the government and development practitioners for adoption on how the natural resources that exist within communities can be exploited and effectively managed to transform rural economies to ensure inclusive growth and development

Accessing learner support services in a distance education context at UNISA Adult Basic Education Department

This study investigated the access to learner support services by Unisa‟s ABET students in the Department of Adult Education in one of the rural provinces in South Africa. Specifically, a survey using questionnaire and focus group interview was carried out to determine the access gaps in to the learner support services by Unisa‟s adult students. A literature study preceded the empirical study to fully comprehend the theoretical and conceptual underpinnings of the role of learner support in bridging the transactional distance between students on the one hand and the institution on the other hand. In the empirical study phase, a questionnaire was administered to 150 ABET Students in one province in South Africa through the stratified sampling technique and one focus group interview comprising 10 students who access support services at one of the regional offices to assess the importance they attach to the support services that are offered at the regional centres and the extent to which they are able to access them. The focus group interview comprised questions on the students‟ understanding of learner support services and their experiences in accessing them. Moore‟s theory of transactional distance was used as the theoretical base for the study. Out of a total of the 150 questionnaires that were distributed, 117 were the usable representing 78.0% response rate. One of the conclusions drawn from this study is that, although Unisa has most of the learner support services in place but for various reasons, a lot of the students are not able to access the support services as expected as the needs gap for almost all the support services were high. The chi-square tests found significant differences (p is less than 0.05) between the students on the extent to which they are able to access the support services. An integrated learner support framework was suggested for Unisa and other distance providing institutions to address the access gaps adult students‟ encounter in their studies

Addressing the challenges of food security and youth unemployment in South Africa through land reform policies

South Africa’s past policy of apartheid has contributed to some of the socio-economic challenges the country faces today. Some of the challenges include grinding poverty levels, increasing inequality and unemployment among large sections of the population. The constitution of the country makes provision for property and land rights as strategies for addressing some of the past injustices, ensuring food insecurity and sustainable livelihoods. A number of polices have been drafted in this regard, but it is acknowledged that some of the policies that have been adopted by the government have not yielded the desired result leading to the fear that if the situation is not radically addressed may lead to unintended consequences. This paper assesses a number of polices, programs, approaches and strategies regarding land reform policies have that been put into place, most of which have not worked as expected including the fact that the youth have not been factored into most of these programs and policies. This article advocates for the youth to be factored into all land reform and food security policies and programs as a way of capacitating them and getting the youth to see agriculture as a career choice to ensure future food security for the nation, while at the same time addressing youth unemployment and rural poverty. Keywords: land reform, youth, food security, livelihoods, development, policy. JEL Classification: Q15, Q18, O

Accessing learner support services in a distance education context at UNISA Adult Basic Education Department

This study investigated the access to learner support services by Unisa‟s ABET students in the Department of Adult Education in one of the rural provinces in South Africa. Specifically, a survey using questionnaire and focus group interview was carried out to determine the access gaps in to the learner support services by Unisa‟s adult students. A literature study preceded the empirical study to fully comprehend the theoretical and conceptual underpinnings of the role of learner support in bridging the transactional distance between students on the one hand and the institution on the other hand. In the empirical study phase, a questionnaire was administered to 150 ABET Students in one province in South Africa through the stratified sampling technique and one focus group interview comprising 10 students who access support services at one of the regional offices to assess the importance they attach to the support services that are offered at the regional centres and the extent to which they are able to access them. The focus group interview comprised questions on the students‟ understanding of learner support services and their experiences in accessing them. Moore‟s theory of transactional distance was used as the theoretical base for the study. Out of a total of the 150 questionnaires that were distributed, 117 were the usable representing 78.0% response rate. One of the conclusions drawn from this study is that, although Unisa has most of the learner support services in place but for various reasons, a lot of the students are not able to access the support services as expected as the needs gap for almost all the support services were high. The chi-square tests found significant differences (p is less than 0.05) between the students on the extent to which they are able to access the support services. An integrated learner support framework was suggested for Unisa and other distance providing institutions to address the access gaps adult students‟ encounter in their studies

Business doing well by doing good in the community: The case of Sedikong sa Lerato in South Africa

Published ArticleUntil quite recently, businesses the world over simply focused on profit maximization without really caring about the impact of their activities on society. In fact, such were the attitudes of most businesses that today‟s atrocities such as child labor and environmental degradation could easily pass as normal business practice. Of late however, society has been insisting that organizations conduct their activities in a socially and environmentally responsible manner. Heeding this call has led a small South African cooperative (called Sedikong sa Lerato) to adopt the triple bottom line (TBL) business practice. Applying the phenomenological approach through interviews and a focus group discussion, we probed how the TBL principle is being applied at the cooperative and the impact it is making in the surrounding community. The results show that Sedikong sa Lerato is positively impacting on the community whilst achieving its stated profitability goals leading to a win-win situation for the business and community. Based on this finding, we recommend that similar organizations replicate what Sedikong sa Lerato is doing hoping that the practice will assist such organizations to attain their goals while also benefitting their communities. That is, doing good to do well

The holistic management concept in rearing Nguni cattle: a way out for sustainable agriculture and minimizing rural poverty?

Published ArticleThis study explores how the holistic management concept is being applied by the Tiger Kloof Educational Institution to ensure sustainable agriculture in rural South Africa. Holistic management in sustainable development provides benefits in three areas of development, which are the environment, economic and social. Before the advocacy for what is now referred to as the triple bottom line principle, businesses would only consider the economic aspect of doing business, which has proven to be unstainable in most instances. The Tiger Kloof Educational Institution is applying the holistic veld management in practical farmer training on Nguni cattle to promote and maintain biodiversity, improve water and mineral cycles and rear cattle that are purely grass-fed thus leading to low cost production. There are health and poverty reduction benefits that are noticeable in the surrounding towns and villages. The study uses the case study design to ascertain how the holistic management principle that is being applied at the institution is ensuring sustainability. The findings indicate that holistic management, as applied at the institution, meets the triple bottom line criteria that can be replicated in other rural communities in South Africa and elsewhere to ensure sustainable development

Academic-practitioner collaboration with communities towards social and ecological transformation

In this article we offer a discussion around our academic-practitioner involvements with one another and with a targeted community, in relation to a particular project. In the title of the article, we have hyphenated the term academic-practitioner to render fuzzy the distinction between “academic” roles (associated with institutions of higher learning and with professional research) and the roles of “practitioners” operating and learning in the field in engagement with communities. In the article we detail our collaborations with one another and with a farming community in all undertaking (co)inquiries around options for social and ecological development. We explain how this fits the epistemological views as offered by Indigenous authors propounding an Indigenous research paradigm (with transformative intent) to generate visions of realities in-the-making, towards enhanced wellbeing in communities and towards a sustainable future. We provide a detailed example in the course of our deliberations.Community engagement directorate, University of South AfricaAdult Basic Education (ABET

Ethnicity and Entrepreneurial Motive Differences: A South African Case Study

South Africa is often referred to as the rainbow nation because of its diversity in race, culture, ethnicity, language and other social discriminants. Meanwhile, diversity usually reflects in behaviour, attitudes and other human characteristics. Thus, ethnic diversity in South Africa should expectedly reflect in the entrepreneurial behaviour, attitudes, and motives of the different ethnic groups. This research explored the entrepreneurial motives of four ethic groups in a local municipality of South Africa to determine if there are significant differences. In this study, survey data was used to compare the motives that Tswanas, Afrikaners, Coloureds and Indians assign for engaging in entrepreneurial activities. The findings indicate that the four ethic groups differ significantly in entrepreneurial motives. Based on the findings, the researchers make recommendations to guide government, NGOs, development practitioners and all interested parties for promoting entrepreneurship among the different ethnic groups in South Africa. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n14p22