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Economic Pluralism – what does it really mean? And what is it not?
Posted: March 01, 2019
Stephanie CraigGlobally, calls for more economic pluralism in higher education institutions are sounding loud and clear. However, it is not always evident what ‘economic pluralism’ actually means and many people oppose it on the basis of various misconceptions and false assumptions. This blog attempts to clarify this and, perhaps more importantly, outline what economic pluralism is not.
Read ArticleProfit-Led or Wage-Led Growth; How Income Distribution Influences the Macroeconomy
Posted: March 01, 2019
Michele Capazario
There is heated debate surrounding income distribution and the way in which the lives of many can be improved if that distribution were to shift towards those less fortunate. This debate is especially pertinent to South Africa, given our historical context. One aspect of this debate considers the way in which class-based income distribution influences the Macroeconomy, in particular Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Read ArticleRiding on innovation to gain market share: The case of EcoCash
Posted: February 27, 2019
Mmamoletji ThosagoI was in Zimbabwe during the 2018 presidential election week for a friend’s wedding. While I faced multiple cultural shocks, the thing that stood out the most is how my friend and her fiancé made transactions such as purchasing groceries at the supermarket, paying toll gate fees and local taxi fares. More than 90% of their transactions were made using mobile money. This is commendable given the potential of mobile phone technology in advancing financial inclusion. However, the fact that almost 97% of mobile money transactions in Zimbabwe are done through one operator, does raise potential problems. This article briefly explores the structure and evolution of the mobile money sector in Zimbabwe and considers whether EcoCash’s market dominance should be cause for concern.Read Article
The Four-Day Work Week – Can it become a reality?
Posted: February 27, 2019
Stephanie Craig and Zulaikha BreyWorking hours and their effect on productivity and wellness is by no means a new topic of discussion and debate. Prior to 1900, the average American factory employee was required to work 53 hours a week. This was only reduced to the now standard 40-hour work week after much protest by labour unions, and strangely enough has never been seriously contested since. Until now, that is. This article explore the potential benefits, and some of the challenges, of a shorter work week.
Informal settlement dwellers take matters into their own hands
Posted: September 26, 2018
Mmamoletji Oniccah ThosagoRecently, formal institutions and services have begun to emerge in townships, usually through mall-style retail spaces.This has included many financial sector institutions.In doing so, it was expected that the close proximity of banks would lead to an uptake of financial services from the unbanked population based in informal settlements with close proximity to townships. However, the available evidence suggests that this has not occurred, and a number of regulatory barriers have been identified as rendering the use of formal institutions prohibitive for the poor. Read Article
State capture and the transition to a green economy
Posted: July 02, 2018
Brent CloeteState-owned corporations (SOCs), which have been particularly prone to state capture, have an important role in supporting the transition to a greener economy in South Africa. State capture can negatively impact this role, and the broader transition to a greener economy in South Africa, in several ways: State capture creates incentives for rent-seeking and corruption rather than innovation and entrepreneurship, limiting investment in the skills and capabilities required to drive transitions; it compounds existing structural rigidities and makes it more difficult for resources to migrate to where they are most useful during the transition to a low carbon economy; it reduces the capacity within public institutions to implement policies and initiatives that could support the transition. It also drains resources that could be used to support the transition; and it reduces the likelihood that the move to a green economy can reduce inequality. Read Article
Day Zero: What have we learnt?
Posted: June 25, 2018
Samantha MunroIn lieu of ‘day zero,’ the city of Cape Town implemented a number of water resource management measures in order to avoid a situation whereby the city would need to cut off their main water supply. While Cape Town may be the first major city in the world to potentially run out of water, water scarcity and water insecurity are issues experienced across South Africa and globally. Through this water crisis, Cape Town has managed to reduce their water demand by more than half. This article explores some of the most effective methods that were used to create more sustainable water usage and highlights some of the precautionary measures that other cities could potentially adopt and employ before a water crisis point is reached. Read Article
At what price? The budgetary implications of fee-free higher education
Posted: June 25, 2018
Fouche Venter and Dawid PienaarMuch of the on-going debate around fee-free higher education has centred on its appropriateness and fairness for students, universities and colleges. The unavoidable and large budgetary trade-offs this policy creates – i.e. its effect on other government programmes and expenditures – has however received little attention. While the longer term costs and benefits of fee-free education are difficult to quantify, we look at the large short term adjustments that were necessary in government’s 2018/19 budget. The data shows that significant budget cuts have already been necessary across government, many of which are likely to impact on the lives of the poor and / or the growth potential of the economy. Read Article
Too good to be true? The importance of collecting better data.
Posted: June 25, 2018
Dawid Pienaar, Zulaikha Brey and Fouche VenterMany evaluations rely almost exclusively on perception based data collected through interviews with, or surveys of, implementers (programme providers) and/ or beneficiaries (programme users). While interview data is relatively easy to collect and often provides valuable insights, such data suffers from a number of shortcomings, biases and limitations. We highlight a number of these issues in the context of educational research and suggest potential ways of reducing the risk that such issues result in incorrect research findings and recommendations.Read Article
Have changes to transfer duty rates impacted on home ownership?
Posted: April 06, 2018
Linton Reddy and Sarah TruenHome ownership is a goal that most citizens strive for. However, the currently constrained economic environment means that most South Africans will have to wait to own a home. The government can play a role in facilitating this endeavor through a range of fiscal and monetary policy tools. For example, recent amendments to the rate of transfer duties on residential properties may impact on the ability to purchase/finance a home. The evidence, to date, is not particularly promising.
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