Regulation of Network Industries in South Africa

2021 ◽  
pp. 552-575
Author(s):  
James Hodge ◽  
Tamara Paremoer
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Operational Efficiency ◽  
Public Utilities ◽  
Network Industries ◽  
Navigation Systems ◽  
Regulatory Oversight ◽  
Structural Problems ◽  
Price Increases ◽  
Additional Challenge ◽  
Structural Separation

The 1980s saw a global shift to the liberalization and regulation of network industries which were previously public utilities. Underperforming SOEs and unsustainable debt forced South Africa down this road in the late 1980s with the additional challenge of addressing racially skewed access post-apartheid. In telecommunications, this resulted in a managed liberalization process which has seen private entry but continual structural problems due to a failure to undertake wholesale regulation of the incumbents. Despite a policy advocating structural separation of transmission and generation within electricity, reform stalled due to a shift in government thinking and successful lobbying by Eskom. The regulator, NERSA, has also failed to impose operational efficiency and rein in large price increases. Within transport, aviation was liberalized in the early 1990s with effective regulatory oversight of the airports and navigation systems. However, a dependency on cross-subsidies between ports and rail within Transnet has stalled reform elsewhere.

Is Xenophobic Violence and Criminality Systemic in Post-Apartheid South Africa? A Critical Analysis of Growing Denialism to 2015 Incidents

Politeia ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mbekezeli Comfort Mkhize ◽  
Kongko Louis Makau
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Rule Of Law ◽  
Critical Analysis ◽  
Hate Crime ◽  
International Organisations ◽  
Foreign Nationals ◽  
The Rule Of Law ◽  
South Africans ◽  
Structural Problems ◽  
The Government

This article argues that the 2015 xenophobic violence was allowed to spread due to persistent inaction by state officials. While the utterances of King Goodwill Zwelithini have in part fuelled the attacks, officials tend to perceive acts of xenophobia as ordinary crimes. This perception has resulted in ill-advised responses from the authorities, allowing this kind of hate crime against foreign nationals to engulf the whole country. In comparison with similar attacks in 2008, the violent spree in 2015 is characterised by a stronger surge in criminal activities. The militancy showcased fed a sense of insecurity amongst foreigners, creating a situation inconsistent with the country’s vaunted respect for human rights and the rule of law. Investors lost confidence in the country’s outlook, owing in part to determined denialism in government circles regarding the targeting of foreigners. While drawing from existing debates, the article’s principal objective is to critically examine the structural problems that enable xenophobia to proliferate and the (in)effectiveness of responses to the militancy involved in the 2015 attacks. Of particular interest are the suggested responses that could be effective in curbing future violence. The article concludes that xenophobia is systemic in post-apartheid South Africa. Strong cooperation between the government, national and international organisations could provide the basis for successful anti-xenophobia measures. The article further argues that the country is obliged to find a sustainable solution to the predicament for humanitarian reasons firstly, and in recognition of the support South Africans received from its African counterparts during the liberation struggle.

Mariner Performance using Automated Navigation Systems

1994 ◽  
Vol 38 (14) ◽  
pp. 868-872 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin A. Akerstrom-Hoffman ◽  
Myriam Witkin Smith
Keyword(s):  
Information Systems ◽  
Human Factors ◽  
Collision Avoidance ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Operational Efficiency ◽  
Careful Consideration ◽  
Navigation Systems ◽  
Electronic Chart ◽  
Cross Track ◽  
Test Scenarios

Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS) technology has recently emerged as a promising aid to maritime navigational safety and operational efficiency. ECDIS is likely to have multiple effects on the tasks bridge personnel must perform. However, careful consideration must be given to safety in adopting this new technology. A shiphandling simulator-based evaluation of some human factors aspects of the use of ECDIS is presented. The issues discussed include the effect on navigational safety and workload as a result of introducing ECDIS to the bridge, and the mariner's preference for and use of chart information and navigational data. Experienced mariners each made multiple port arrivals and departures as the lone watchstander on the bridge: navigating a planned route, responding to harbor traffic, and managing the preparations for arrival or departure. During “baseline” transits, conventional methods were available to the mariner. During the test scenarios, one of two prototype ECDIS systems was also added to the bridge. Under certain conditions, ECDIS reduced the mariner's workload for navigation. In addition, ECDIS showed a potential to increase safety as measured by a smaller cross-track distance from the planned route and by a larger proportion of time available to devote to collision avoidance and “look out”.

The poverty implications of high oil prices in South Africa

2012 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 293-313 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret Chitiga ◽  
Ismael Fofana ◽  
Ramos Mabugu
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Government Policy ◽  
Petroleum Industry ◽  
Policy Instruments ◽  
Oil Prices ◽  
Government Revenue ◽  
Price Increases ◽  
Price Subsidy ◽  
The Government ◽  
Poverty Indicators

AbstractAn energy-focused macro-micro approach is used to assess the poverty implications of government policy response to increases in international oil prices in South Africa. The first scenario assumes that increases in international oil prices are passed on to end users with no changes in government policy instruments. In this scenario, poverty indicators increase. The second scenario assumes that the world price increases are nullified by a price subsidy by the government. This scenario still leads to an increase in poverty as the beneficial price effect is cancelled out by a decline in households’ income induced by the financing method used. While revenue generated from a 50 per cent tax on windfall profit of the petroleum industry helps to minimize the loss in government revenue, it does not contribute to mitigating the increasing poverty trend, since the decline in saving and investment under this scenario restricts the country's growth, employment and income distribution perspectives.

Black entrepreneurship: a case study on entrepreneurial activities and ambitions in a South African township

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 162-179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Preisendoerfer ◽  
Ansgar Bitz ◽  
Frans J. Bezuidenhout
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Black Population ◽  
Entrepreneurial Intentions ◽  
Entrepreneurial Activity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Structural Problems ◽  
Self Employment ◽  
Black Entrepreneurship ◽  
Entrepreneurial Activities

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to investigate the current self-employment rate as well as entrepreneurial intentions of the township’s population on the basis of an empirical case study of a single township. It is often assumed that the black population of South Africa (mostly living in townships) has a low participation rate in entrepreneurial activities and a low level of entrepreneurial ambitions. Besides the level of entrepreneurship, personal and socio-economic factors affecting participation in entrepreneurship are explored. Design/methodology/approach – The article uses a face-to-face survey of about 350 adult residents of the township under investigation. Findings – Contrary to the common assumption, entrepreneurial activity, which also includes all kinds of informal business ventures, cannot be qualified as low in the township under investigation. The same holds true for entrepreneurial ambitions, that is, people’s intentions to start their own business in the near future. The factors influencing the probability of self-employment are similar to what we know from many other studies in the field of entrepreneurship. Socio-demographic attributes (gender, age), human capital factors (schooling, health) and social network resources (membership of organizations, self-employed friends) are significant predictors of entrepreneurial activity. It proves to be difficult, however, to explain who, in fact, articulates entrepreneurial ambitions. Practical implications – The findings show that the basic prerequisites for expanding black entrepreneurship in South Africa are in place. Politically, it seems appropriate to initiate more public support programs for black entrepreneurship, as such programs can help to translate entrepreneurial ambitions into action. However, to stay realistic, the contribution of entrepreneurship to overcome the structural problems of deprivation and poverty of the black population of South Africa should not be overestimated. Originality/value – The article is based on a careful survey in a township using a random sample. Given the rare access to a disadvantaged township community, the result that there is no evidence of “lack of entrepreneurial impetus” deserves scientific and political attention.

WITCHCRAFT AND THE EXCHANGE OF SEX, BLOOD, AND MONEY AMONG AFRICANS IN CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

2002 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 300-334 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erik Bähre
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Close Relationships ◽  
Cape Town ◽  
Daily Basis ◽  
Structural Pattern ◽  
Structural Problems ◽  
Life Itself ◽  
Intimate Relations

AbstractIn post-apartheid South Africa witchcraft is an ever-growing concern, as political liberation has not led to liberation from occult forces. The study of modernity and globalisation has revealed the significance of the study of witchcraft in contemporary Africa. Among Xhosa migrants in Cape Town the discourse on witchcraft also revealed very specific problems that people encountered within close relationships. The lived conflicts, anxieties and desires were revealed in the exchange of sex, blood (as a metaphor for life itself ), and money. This same pattern of exchange appeared in witchcraft, and particularly the role of witch familiars. Witch familiars embodied the anxieties and desires that people experienced on a daily basis concerning sex, blood, and flows of money in intimate relations. The structural problems that were part of the migrants' social configurations were thus revealed in a structural pattern of exchange within witchcraft.

scholarly journals The design and development of software simulating interactive marine radar and electronic navigation instruments based on a PC platform

1999 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Kieron Michael Tesling Cox
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
International Standards ◽  
Navigation Systems ◽  
International Maritime Organisation ◽  
Positioning Systems ◽  
Direction Finder ◽  
Global Positioning ◽  
Marine Radar ◽  
Radar Simulator

This study was intended to develop suitable software to emulate Marine Radar and other Electronic Navigation Systems found on Merchant,vessels. This equipment includes Radar with or without Automatic Radar Plotting facilities, Navstar Global Positioning Systems, Echo Sounders, Radio Direction Finder as well as Decca Navigator. Certain of these aids are required in the Radar Simulator Specifications [ref 1] to which the SAMSA - South African Maritime Safety Authority (formerly the South African Department of Transport) adheres. SAMSA is the authority which approves Maritime training and Simulators in South Africa in compliance with International standards as laid down by, IMO - International Maritime Organisation.

Options and Directions for Psychology within a Framework for Mental Health Services in South Africa

1993 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 64-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Kriegler
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Cultural Issues ◽  
Potential Cost ◽  
Structural Problems

Structural problems in mental health services conjoined with attitudinal barriers are the cause of inadequate mental health care in South Africa. However, the major reason for the failure of psychology to address the needs of the majority lies in training deficiencies. In spite of the potential cost benefits of psychotherapy and prevention by way of counselling and educative interventions, psychologists are not perceived or employed as primary members of mental health teams. In schools they are rapidly losing ground. The profession is disempowered to position itself strategically to become a significant roleplayer in the ‘new’ South Africa. Affirmative action for psychology is needed. Ways in which the state may help are suggested, including the creation of more posts and training opportunities in health care settings, as well as use of the school as a locus for health and mental health care delivery. The author concludes with a call to the profession to get its own house in order by way of self-regenerating actions in the areas of training, addressing political and cross-cultural issues, and service delivery.

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