Economic and political determinants of the South African labour share, 1971–2019

This study examines the drivers of the steady decline in South Africa’s private sector labour share between 1971 and 2019. The focus on South Africa is instructive as its distributional contestation is bounded in a matrix of racial conflict. Crucial reforms on trade, finance and welfare were undertaken since 1994, but the study finds little evidence that the extension of the franchise promoted egalitarianism, since white economic elites invested in de facto political power. This study employs an Unrestricted Error Correction Model to estimate the drivers of the private sector labour share, and the findings suggest that globalisation, financialisation and public spending have decreased the labour share, while the effects of education have been positive but insufficient to halt the decline.

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Untangling discrimination in the private sector workplace in South Africa: Paving the way for Black African women progression to managerial positions

International Journal of Discrimination and the Law ◽

10.1177/1358229121990569 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 135822912199056

Author(s):

Motlhatlego Dennis Matotoka ◽

Kolawole Olusola Odeku

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Black Women ◽

Private Sector ◽

South African ◽

African Women ◽

The South ◽

Quota System ◽

Black African ◽

Managerial Positions ◽

Action Measures

Black African women in South Africa are poorly represented at managerial levels in the South African private sector since the advent of democracy. Their exclusion at these occupational levels persists despite the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998 (EEA) requiring that the private sector must ensure that all occupational levels are equitably represented and reflects the demographics of South Africa. The South African private sector demonstrates its lack of commitment to proliferating black African women into managerial positions by deliberately engaging in race-based recruitment and failing to develop and promote suitably qualified women into managerial positions. As such, the private sector is failing to create upward mobility for black African women to break the glass ceiling. The EEA requires the private sector to apply affirmative action measures in order to achieve equity in the workplace. It is submitted that since 1998, the private sector has been provided with an opportunity to set it own targets in order to achieve equity. However, 22 years later, black African women are still excluded in key managerial positions. However, the EEA does not specifically impose penalties if the private sector fails to achieve the set targets.This approach has failed to increase the representation of black women in managerial positions. However, the EEA does not specifically impose penalties if the private sector fails to achieve the set targets. Whilst this approach seeks to afford the private sector importunity to set its own target, this approach has failed to increase the representation of black women in managerial positions. Employing black African women in managerial levels enhances their skills and increases their prospects to promotions and assuming further leadership roles in the private sector. This paper seeks to show that the progression of black African women requires South Africa to adopt a quota system without flexibility that will result in the private sector being compelled to appoint suitably qualified black African women in managerial levels.

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Challenges facing emerging aquaculture entrepreneurs in South Africa and possible solutions

African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development ◽

10.18697/ajfand.94.18890 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (06) ◽

pp. 16689-16702

Author(s):

MJ Madibana ◽

◽

CH Fouché ◽

CM Mnisi ◽

◽

...

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Rural Communities ◽

Private Sector ◽

South African ◽

Financial Support ◽

Daily Basis ◽

Fish Farms ◽

Nutrition Security ◽

Food And Nutrition ◽

The Government

Despite aquaculture being hailed as the fastest growing farming sector in the world, South African aquaculture is still lagging behind. This article aims to highlight challenges (mostly beyond their control) that South Africa’s emerging aquaculture entrepreneurs have to endure in order to find a breakthrough into the industry. Availability of necessary resources such as land, water, infrastructure,financial support and access to markets, as well as crime are among challenges faced by these entrepreneurs on a daily basis. Limited human resources in capacity building, skills and aquaculture expertise also hinders the development and expansion of aquaculture in South Africa. Complex legislation governing aquaculture further limits the development of this sector to prospective investors. Fish and machinery theft in fish farms has an adverse effect, which had resulted in many enterprises closing down in recent years. South Africa is not a traditional fish-eating nation and this phenomenon has seen many emerging entrepreneurs struggling to locally commercialize their produce. It is well known that fish consumption provides human nutrition with essential nutrients necessary for normal body function. Thus,aquaculture has the potential to contribute to food and nutrition security and alleviate poverty in rural communities. However, plenty of initiatives need to be developed by government and the private sector to develop a sustainable aquaculture industry. These initiatives should involve the establishment of an aquaculture friendly legislation that would support emerging aquaculture entrepreneurs. Several financial institutions view aquaculture as a high-risk business,and as a consequence,decline financial support or loan requests from emerging farmers.Focused research as a strategic initiative to develop aquaculture species that would be first priority for local markets is encouraged. This article explores the challenges facing emerging entrepreneurs and suggests possible solutions that might assist in the development of the aquaculture sector in South Africa. We postulate that constructive and regular engagements between the government and private sector is a key to a sustainable and prosperous aquaculture sector in South Africa.

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Cost Profiling of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Treatment in South Africa: Medicines That Are Still Too Expensive to Swallow

10.21203/rs.3.rs-751789/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Reeya Singh ◽

Frasia Oosthuizen ◽

Ebenezer Wiafe ◽

Kofi Boamah Mensah ◽

Varsha Bangalee

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Public Sector ◽

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia ◽

Private Sector ◽

Tyrosine Kinase ◽

Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors ◽

South African ◽

Myeloid Leukemia ◽

Kinase Inhibitors ◽

The Public

Abstract Background The development of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) has improved chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) management and increased CML prevalence due to low mortality rates. CML management is potentially lifelong and expensive and requires pharmacoeconomic approaches and regular review of therapy to ensure that patients obtain cost-effective therapeutic outcomes. Although the introduction of TKIs generics has improved the availability of TKIs, the high-cost implications continue to hinder TKIs accessibility and translate into poor quality of life. To improve the availability and accessibility of TKIs in South Africa, interventional programs have been instrumental. A notable intervention is the collaborative effort of Novartis pharmaceuticals and The Max Foundation which has provided free access to Imatinib to patients in need. In recognition of the needs of CML patients, this study aimed to provide an overview of TKIs regulatory approval, availability, and cost profile in the South African (SA) context for the 2019 period. Methods The researchers searched the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) website on 20 August 2019 to identify TKIs, generic and innovator brands, that was duly registered. The costs of the registered TKIs were extracted from the Medicines Price Registry (2019) and the Department of Health awarded tenders for oncology medications (2019). The results were analysed quantitatively using Microsoft Excel and presented as tables. Results Three TKIs were registered in SA: Imatinib, Dasatinib, and Nilotinib. Generics were only available for Imatinib. Despite the numerous Imatinib generics available in the private sector, treatment for CML chronic phase (CP) patients in the private sector was more expensive than in the public sector. Apparent cost inequality was noted where the same TKI (Nilotinib 200 mg) costs substantially less (by 92.4%) in the public sector than in the private sector. Conclusion The study concluded that the accessibility to CML management in the private sector is hindered by the high cost of therapy compared to the public sector. The availability of generic forms of Imatinib eliminated monopoly and improved medicated access compared to Dasatinib and Nilotinib. To improve CML medication access, stakeholders' engagement is required to control cost.

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The In-Betweeners: Racio-ethnic and Masculine Identity Work of Indian Male Managers in the South African Private Sector

The Journal of Men s Studies ◽

10.1177/1060826518778239 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 27 (1) ◽

pp. 3-23 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Nasima M. H. Carrim

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Private Sector ◽

South African ◽

Middle Management ◽

Identity Work ◽

Senior Management ◽

Masculine Identity ◽

Indian Men ◽

Career Ascendancy ◽

Indian Male

This article examines the extent to which minority Indian male managers engage in identity work in their efforts to gain career ascendancy in the private sector in South Africa. Indian male managers occupying diverse management posts at middle management and senior management levels in various sectors were interviewed. Results indicate that Indian men worked and reworked their managerial and cultural identities to form coherent identities which they were comfortable enacting in corporate South Africa. Race hierarchy in some workplaces placed Indian males at a disadvantage related to promotional opportunities. There is no simple solution to the problem as race hierarchy still dominates corporate South Africa, and Western norms still prevail.

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Determinants of skills demand in a state- intervening labour market

Higher Education Skills and Work-based Learning ◽

10.1108/heswbl-08-2017-0050 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 7 (4) ◽

pp. 408-422 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Khotso Tsotsotso ◽

Elizabeth Montshiwa ◽

Precious Tirivanhu ◽

Tebogo Fish ◽

Siyabonga Sibiya ◽

...

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Private Sector ◽

Labour Market ◽

South African ◽

The State ◽

Transport Sector ◽

Content Type ◽

South Africans ◽

Wage Rates ◽

The Social

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to improve the understanding of the drivers and determinants of skills demand in South Africa, given the country’s history and its current design as a developmental state. Design/methodology/approach In this study, a mixed methods approach is used. The study draws information from in-depth interviews with transport sector stakeholders including employers, professional bodies, sector regulatory bodies and training providers. Complementary to the interviews, the study also analyses employer-reported workplace skills plans from 1,094 transport sector firms updated annually. A Heckman correction model is applied. Findings The study finds that changes in competition, technology, ageing employees, market conditions and government regulations are among the most frequently stated determinants reported through interviews. Using a Heckman regression model, the study identifies eight determining factors, which include location of firm, size of a firm, occupation type, racial and generational transformation, subsector of the firm, skills alignment to National Qualification Framework, reason for skills scarcity and level of skills scarcity reported. The South African transport sector skills demand is therefore mainly driven by the country’s history and consequently its current socio-economic policies as applied by the state itself. Research limitations/implications Wage rates are explored during stakeholder interviews and the study suggests that wage rates are an insignificant determinant of skills demand in the South African transport sector. However, due to poor reporting by firms, wage rates did not form a part of the quantitative analysis of the study. This serves as a limitation of the study. Practical implications Through this research, it is now clear that the state has more determining power (influence) in the transport sector than it was perceived. The state can use its power to be a more effective enabler towards increasing employer participation in skills development of the sector. Social implications With increased understanding and awareness of state’s influence in the sector, the country’s mission to redress the social ills of the former state on black South Africans stands a better chance of success. Private sector resources can be effectively mobilized to improve the social state of previously disadvantaged South Africans. However, given the economic dominance of the private sector and its former role in the apartheid era in South Africa; too much state influence in a supposedly free market can result in corporate resistance and consequently, market failure which can be seen as result of political interference. Originality/value South Africa has had an unprecedented social and economic trajectory to date. This said, its economic and social policies are unlike what we have observed before. Thus, identification of determinants and understanding of mechanisms of influence, on skills demand in the sector in which an African state plays such a close and active role, is in itself a unique contribution to knowledge and compels us to revisit our traditional assumptions about market behaviour. This study is one of the very few of its kind in the labour market research with a South African context.

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Small Business Development, Entrepreneurship And Expanding The Business Sector In A Developing Economy: The Case Of South Africa

Journal of Applied Business Research (JABR) ◽

10.19030/jabr.v18i2.2115 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 18 (2) ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

John Luiz

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Small Business ◽

Private Sector ◽

South African ◽

Industrial Structure ◽

Business Development ◽

Business Sector ◽

Font Size ◽

Concerted Effort ◽

Small Business Development

A dynamic small business sector can make an important contribution, not only in employment creation, but also in lessening concentration in South Africa’s generally oligopolistic industrial structure. However, for the small business sector to make a meaningful contribution to the economy it needs to be integrated into the mainstream. This is going to require a concerted effort both from government and the formal private sector. The paper investigates how the South African private sector views small business and whether it is making a concerted effort at integrating this sector into the framework of the economy as a whole.

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Market barriers for voluntary climate change mitigation in the South African private sector

South African Journal of Economic and Management Sciences ◽

10.4102/sajems.v17i5.532 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 17 (5) ◽

pp. 639-652 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Derick De Jongh ◽

Carmen Möllmann

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Economic Growth ◽

South Africa ◽

Private Sector ◽

South African ◽

Climate Change Mitigation ◽

Voluntary Action ◽

The South ◽

Bottom Line ◽

Change Mitigation

A key challenge in the twenty-first century is to enable economic growth and increase both environmentalquality and social inclusiveness, while mitigating and adapting to the impacts of climate change. The need for a transition to more sustainable consumption and production patterns is undeniable and sustainable economic growth must be placed at the heart of future development for all citizens. The South African private sector is under enormous pressure to remain globally competitive while balancing the interests of society, the environment and its shareholders. It has been suggested that there are discrepancies between what companies say and what they actually do, as they are challenged to move from policy to action. This paper evaluates the extent to which the private sector in South Africa adheres to voluntary climate change mitigation mechanisms and identifies potential market barriers impeding the large-scale uptake of such mechanisms. The research findings suggest that the private sector in South Africa has adopted a “take position, wait and see approach” which places them in a position to take advantage of and influence the opportunities and risks associated with climate change without having a negative impact on the bottom line. The primary barrier to voluntary climate change action is the vagueness of local and international policy frameworks. The different rules and resultant uncertainty around local and international frameworks appear to impede consistent and meaningful action. Although this uncertainty does not prevent the private sector from taking voluntary action, it does appear to negatively affect the overall scale and type of climate change mitigation efforts. While companies are continually improving the quality of sustainability reporting and public disclosure, the challenge still lies in translating these strategies into daily operations and sustainable practice that goes beyond ad hoc mitigation actions.

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Organic Food Certification in South Africa: A Private Sector Mechanism in Need of State Regulation?

Potchefstroom Electronic Law Journal/Potchefstroomse Elektroniese Regsblad ◽

10.17159/1727-3781/2016/v19i0a584 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 19 ◽

pp. 1 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Odile Juliette Lim Tung

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Private Sector ◽

South African ◽

Organic Food ◽

State Regulation ◽

Organic Production ◽

Agricultural Product ◽

Animal Protection ◽

Certification System ◽

Organic Products

Organic production targets the development of a sustainable cultivation system and a variety of high-quality products with emphasis on environmental protection, biodiversity and high standards of animal protection. In South Africa, the organic sector pioneered private practices and systems in small informal groups to guide the public and private sectors on environmental and sustainability issues. A private certification system for organic products is applicable in the country consisting of network certification and third-party certification in collaboration with foreign and locally-based certification organisations. Local producers also use self-declaratory vendor claims associated with organic labels. A State auditor mechanism is nonetheless applicable with respect to the use of the term “free range” on labels for meat products. South African National Standards (SANS 1369) on Organic Agricultural Production and Processing (OAPP) have been drafted by the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) but the final version has not yet been made public. There is presently no specific legislation on organic products in the country but draft regulations (under the Agricultural Product Standards Act) on the control and sale of organic products which have not yet been promulgated. With mainly a private organic food certification system, to what extent do South African organic food products respect rules of organic production? This paper looks into the organic food regulation in South Africa and examines how far this private sector mechanism for organic food certification is in need of State regulation.

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Reframing Xenophobia in South Africa as Colour-Blind: The Limits of the Afro Phobia Thesis

MIGRATION LETTERS ◽

10.33182/ml.v17i3.789 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (3) ◽

pp. 433-444

Author(s):

Amanuel Isak Tewolde

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

South African ◽

Analytical Framework ◽

Conflict Theory ◽

Black African ◽

South Africans ◽

Theoretical Perspectives ◽

Online Newspaper ◽

Close Proximity ◽

Realistic Conflict Theory

Many scholars and South African politicians characterize the widespread anti-foreigner sentiment and violence in South Africa as dislike against migrants and refugees of African origin which they named ‘Afro-phobia’. Drawing on online newspaper reports and academic sources, this paper rejects the Afro-phobia thesis and argues that other non-African migrants such as Asians (Pakistanis, Indians, Bangladeshis and Chinese) are also on the receiving end of xenophobia in post-apartheid South Africa. I contend that any ‘outsider’ (White, Asian or Black African) who lives and trades in South African townships and informal settlements is scapegoated and attacked. I term this phenomenon ‘colour-blind xenophobia’. By proposing this analytical framework and integrating two theoretical perspectives — proximity-based ‘Realistic Conflict Theory (RCT)’ and Neocosmos’ exclusivist citizenship model — I contend that xenophobia in South Africa targets those who are in close proximity to disadvantaged Black South Africans and who are deemed outsiders (e.g., Asian, African even White residents and traders) and reject arguments that describe xenophobia in South Africa as targeting Black African refugees and migrants.

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Region of Birth and Child Mortality among Black Migrants to South Africa: Is there a foreign-born advantage?

MIGRATION LETTERS ◽

10.33182/ml.v13i3.289 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 13 (3) ◽

pp. 359-376 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Tiffany L Green ◽

Amos C Peters

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

South African ◽

Child Mortality ◽

Southern Africa ◽

Strong Relationship ◽

Developed Countries ◽

Black Immigrants ◽

Foreign Born ◽

Region Of Origin ◽

Child Deaths

Much of the existing evidence for the healthy immigrant advantage comes from developed countries. We investigate whether an immigrant health advantage exists in South Africa, an important emerging economy. Using the 2001 South African Census, this study examines differences in child mortality between native-born South African and immigrant blacks. We find that accounting for region of origin is critical: immigrants from southern Africa are more likely to experience higher lifetime child mortality compared to the native-born population. Further, immigrants from outside of southern Africa are less likely than both groups to experience child deaths. Finally, in contrast to patterns observed in developed countries, we detect a strong relationship between schooling and child mortality among black immigrants.

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