Local economic development as a social dialogue : a case of Enterprise iLembe.

Master of Commerce in Leadership Studies. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville 2015.In looking for a structure that would successfully foster a participatory approach to Local Economic Development (LED) matters and at the same time create institutions that are socio-economically sustainable, Local Economic Development Agencies (LEDAs) have been identified as mechanisms of economic cooperation between different stakeholders at the local level. This research identified Enterprise iLembe as the custodian of social dialogue in the iLembe District and as an institution that can drive the common developmental goals set out by the district municipality. This research studied the role of social dialogue in LED matters through the case study of Enterprise iLembe. Enterprise iLembe is a development agency of the iLembe District, which was tasked with driving economic growth and investment promotion. The aim of the research was to study the level of cooperation between Enterprise iLembe and its stakeholders (local and district municipalities, the chamber of commerce and the greater iLembe community) from a social dialogue perspective. The research also aimed to understand the role of social dialogue in LED matters and the potential barriers that inhibit social dialogue in the district. This qualitative study involved interviews with officials from Enterprise iLembe, the iLembe District municipality, the iLembe Chamber of Commerce and the South African Local Government Association (SALGA). It was found that the chief problem causing the confusion and friction between the LEDA and the local municipal LED units is not only the uncertainty surrounding the roles and responsibilities as noted by previous literature and reports, but also the lack of consultation and information sharing between the LEDA and local municipal LED units; the LEDA was found to be trying to act as an autonomous body instead of embodying common developmental objectives and consulting with the parent municipalities. The key point here is that there is an undervaluing of local municipal input when implementing the common developmental objectives. The research recommends that Enterprise iLembe should engage in social dialogue (in its full sense) with local municipalities in order to have an effective social dialogue about the functions of both the agency and local municipalities. It is also recommended that the formalisation of forums in the informal economy be hastened in order to tap into the economic potential that the informal economy offers

Re-imagining African-Nordic relations in a changing global order

Ahead of the 20th Annual African–Nordic Foreign Ministers’ meeting, scheduled for 14 June 2022 in Helsinki, this study considers how turbulence in the international system may affect relations between Africa and the Nordic region (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden). In particular, it examines how the special relationship between these two regions may be affected by changes in the global order, and how it may have to adapt to ensure that the relationship evolves and remains relevant for both regions. The report evaluates the levels and spheres of African–Nordic cooperation and is divided into four parts. First, an overview of African and Nordic positions and priorities is presented. Second, Africa’s strategic partnerships with various countries and regions – China, Europe, India, Russia and Turkey – are explored, in order to compare the Africa–Nordic relationship with these others. Contributors examines how these partnerships are structured, the types of initiatives or activities undertaken to sustain them, and how these partnerships have adapted to today’s global order. Third, the report analyses several elements of the Africa–Nordic relationship that may shape the direction of the partnership in future, including: - Nordic development assistance to Africa; - Migration and its potential implications for Africa and the Nordic countries, including the impact of the war in Ukraine; - Africa–Nordic trade, investment and loans; - Political, peace and security relations and cooperation; - African and Nordic support for, and cooperation in, multilateral organisations; - Climate change. Finally, the various sections of the report are synthesised, and overall findings are presented