The Case of SADC

This paper will explore whether and to what extent the (legal) rules of coordination that originated and developed in the EU can be transposed to SADC – a region characterized by high levels of migration, weakly developed social security systems and the absence of suitable portability arrangements. The principle of coordination of social security is primarily aimed at eliminating restrictions that national social security schemes place upon the rights of migrant workers to such social security. One of the fundamental principles of social security coordination is that of portability, which is the ability to preserve, maintain, and transfer vested social security rights or rights in the process of being vested, independent of nationality and country of residence. The best practice around the world to ensure portability of social security entitlements consists of multilateral and bilateral social security agreements. These agreements originated and developed in the EU, and EU coordination arrangements arguably still represent the most sophisticated and developed system of its kind, and one that is worth emulating. In this paper, it is argued that any future attempts at coordinating social security schemes in SADC should start with employment injury schemes, which is the only social security scheme common to all SADC member states. The paper considers some of the issues that should be taken into account in designing social security agreements in SADC along the lines of the EU model

A Correlation Analysis of Tech-based English Activities and Japanese Elementary Student Affective Variables

This paper reports the results of a group of Japanese elementary school students involved in a confirmatory study regarding technology-based foreign language activities and affective variables. The students were all native Japanese in the same school in Nagano prefecture, Japan (N = 27). The purpose of the study was to confirm previous results reported by Tagami (2011b), whose students participated in the preparation of a video ‘letter’ to send to student in Australia. His students also viewed a video ‘letter’ sent by the students in Australia. His results showed strong correlations between tech-based foreign language activities, international posture, and motivation, their self-perceived communicative competence (aka self-confidence in using English in oral communication), and EFL willingness to communicate, and desire to visit foreign countries. Both studies used an identical self-report measure after the viewing of the other school’s video ‘letter’. The results herein show strong correlations between foreign language activities, motivation, and willingness to communicate; motivation and international posture; and willingness to communicate and international posture.  Also, the students reported that their interest in English improved when they realized English was a necessary means to communicate. Second, their willingness to communicate in English was supported through the activity. The results are discussed as they relate to teacher EFL classroom practice

Coordination of Social Security: The Case of SADC

This paper will explore whether and to what extent the (legal) rules of coordination that originated and developed in the EU can be transposed to SADC – a region characterized by high levels of migration, weakly developed social security systems and the absence of suitable portability arrangements. The principle of coordination of social security is primarily aimed at eliminating restrictions that national social security schemes place upon the rights of migrant workers to such social security. One of the fundamental principles of social security coordination is that of portability, which is the ability to preserve, maintain, and transfer vested social security rights or rights in the process of being vested, independent of nationality and country of residence. The best practice around the world to ensure portability of social security entitlements consists of multilateral and bilateral social security agreements. These agreements originated and developed in the EU, and EU coordination arrangements arguably still represent the most sophisticated and developed system of its kind, and one that is worth emulating. In this paper, it is argued that any future attempts at coordinating social security schemes in SADC should start with employment injury chemes, which is the only social security scheme common to all SADC member states. The paper onsiders some of the issues that should be taken into account in designing social security greements in SADC along the lines of the EU model

ARE WE STILL INVESTING IN SOUTH AFRICAN AGRICULTURE: PERCEPTIONS, EVIDENCE AND ANALYSIS

In this paper the question of investment in the South African agro-food and fibre complex is explored. The analysis is based on empirical values and opinions/perceptions from ±400 agribusinesses operating in this complex. From the analysis it is clear that decisions to invest in the agro-food and fibre complex in South Africa must be viewed as on "knife-edge". A range of recommendations and policy options will be required to activate investment drivers and to address constraints in order to stimulate investment and to achieve growth.Agricultural and Food Policy,

DETERMINANTS OF COMPETITIVENESS IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN AGRO-FOOD AND FIBRE COMPLEX

The competitiveness of the South African agro-food and fibre complex depends on a number of factors: technological, socio-political and economic. This paper attempts to identify and analyse such factors by using a framework of analysis proposed by Michael Porter (1990). Appropriate measures to increase competitiveness are proposed. These include improved supply chain management, cost reduction, contractual pricing and the establishment of a clear "agribusiness development policy".Agribusiness, Industrial Organization,