scholarly journals South Africa's Youth Unemployment Dilemma: Whose Baby is it anyway?

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (1(J)) ◽  
pp. 56-68
Author(s):  
Natanya Meyer
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Youth Unemployment ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Skills Development ◽  
Entrepreneurship Training ◽  
Perceived Employability ◽  
Perceptions Of Students ◽  
Realistic View

Youth unemployment is a major concern to various different countries, including South Africa, which ranked fourth-worst in the global youth unemployment ratings in 2013 and 2014reaching rates of more than 50 percent. Entrepreneurship development and increased employability through appropriate skills development have been considered as possible solutions to this growing problem. The aim of this study is to determine perceptions of students pertaining their entrepreneurial outlook and perceived employability. Validated Entrepreneurship- and Employability Scales were used to determine entrepreneurial outlook and perceived employability perception. A total of 293 students from a South African University participated in this study. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, histograms, Pearson correlation, MANOVA and ANOVA. The findingsof this studyshow that student’sperceptions indicated that if they haveamore entrepreneurial outlook, it could strongly increase their employability. They also do not think that after the completion of their degrees that they would be more employable. A significance difference was found between year level of study, race, age, and perception of entrepreneurial outlook and employability variables of the students.They seem to have a realistic view when it comes to the risk of possible unemployment for some time after graduation. Based on these findings, it is suggested that introducing entrepreneurship training and employability programs (skills development) to students during the completion of their higher education career, could assist in the reduction of youth unemployment in South Africa.

scholarly journals South Africa’s Youth Unemployment Dilemma: Whose Baby is it anyway?

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natanya Meyer
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Youth Unemployment ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Skills Development ◽  
Entrepreneurship Training ◽  
Perceived Employability ◽  
Perceptions Of Students ◽  
Realistic View

Youth unemployment is a major concern to various different countries, including South Africa, which ranked fourth-worst in the global youth unemployment ratings in 2013 and 2014reaching rates of more than 50 percent. Entrepreneurship development and increased employability through appropriate skills development have been considered as possible solutions to this growing problem. The aim of this study is to determine perceptions of students pertaining their entrepreneurial outlook and perceived employability. Validated Entrepreneurship- and Employability Scales were used to determine entrepreneurial outlook and perceived employability perception. A total of 293 students from a South African University participated in this study. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, histograms, Pearson correlation, MANOVA and ANOVA. The findingsof this studyshow that student’sperceptions indicated that if they haveamore entrepreneurial outlook, it could strongly increase their employability. They also do not think that after the completion of their degrees that they would be more employable. A significance difference was found between year level of study, race, age, and perception of entrepreneurial outlook and employability variables of the students.They seem to have a realistic view when it comes to the risk of possible unemployment for some time after graduation. Based on these findings, it is suggested that introducing entrepreneurship training and employability programs (skills development) to students during the completion of their higher education career, could assist in the reduction of youth unemployment in South Africa.

scholarly journals Assessment of the Dissimilarities of EDI and SPI Measures for Drought Determination in South Africa

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 82
Author(s):  
Omolola M. Adisa ◽  
Muthoni Masinde ◽  
Joel O. Botai
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Correlation Coefficient ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Standardized Precipitation Index ◽  
Drought Monitoring ◽  
Drought Indices ◽  
Drought Severity ◽  
Pearson Correlation Coefficient ◽  
Drought Duration

This study examines the (dis)similarity of two commonly used indices Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) computed over accumulation periods 1-month, 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month (hereafter SPI-1, SPI-3, SPI-6, and SPI-12, respectively) and Effective Drought Index (EDI). The analysis is based on two drought monitoring indicators (derived from SPI and EDI), namely, the Drought Duration (DD) and Drought Severity (DS) across the 93 South African Weather Service’s delineated rainfall districts over South Africa from 1980 to 2019. In the study, the Pearson correlation coefficient dissimilarity and periodogram dissimilarity estimates were used. The results indicate a positive correlation for the Pearson correlation coefficient dissimilarity and a positive value for periodogram of dissimilarity in both the DD and DS. With the Pearson correlation coefficient dissimilarity, the study demonstrates that the values of the SPI-1/EDI pair and the SPI-3/EDI pair exhibit the highest similar values for DD, while the SPI-6/EDI pair shows the highest similar values for DS. Moreover, dissimilarities are more obvious in SPI-12/EDI pair for DD and DS. When a periodogram of dissimilarity is used, the values of the SPI-1/EDI pair and SPI-6/EDI pair exhibit the highest similar values for DD, while SPI-1/EDI displayed the highest similar values for DS. Overall, the two measures show that the highest similarity is obtained in the SPI-1/EDI pair for DS. The results obtainable in this study contribute towards an in-depth knowledge of deviation between the EDI and SPI values for South Africa, depicting that these two drought indices values are replaceable in some rainfall districts of South Africa for drought monitoring and prediction, and this is a step towards the selection of the appropriate drought indices.

scholarly journals Self-perceived employability among undergraduate students at a South African university

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Doret Botha
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
The Self ◽  
The South ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Perceived Employability ◽  
Managerial Implications

Orientation: South Africa has been suffering from persistently high levels of unemployment since 2008. The youth is regarded as the most at-risk group in the South African labour market and unemployment amongst the youth is considered one of the most critical socio-economic problems in South Africa. Increasing one’s employability is essential to securing employment and enhancing one’s well-being.Research purpose: This study aimed to explore the self-perceived employability of undergraduate students at a South African university.Motivation for the study: Currently, there is a scarcity of published research on the self-perceived employability amongst undergraduate students at higher education institutions in South Africa.Research approach/design and method: The study was conducted within a positivistic research paradigm. A quantitative-based cross-sectional survey design was used. Convenience sampling was used to select the students who were included in the survey. Data were collected through a web-based survey, using a standardised coded questionnaire that consisted of a five-point Likert-type scale.Main findings: The results indicated that the respondents were relatively confident about their internal employability, but they were less confident about their opportunities in the external labour market.Practical/managerial implications: Understanding one’s employability and the accompanied issues creates awareness of one’s potential, skills and knowledge to become a successful citizen and employee.Contribution/value-add: The study shed light on the self-perceived employability of undergraduate students at a South African university and consequently contributes to the existing literature on employability in the South African context.

scholarly journals Developing And Validating A Measure Of Monitoring And Evaluation For The South Africa Skills Development Context

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 225-238
Author(s):  
Maelekanyo Christopher Tshilongamulenzhe
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Monitoring And Evaluation ◽  
Skills Development ◽  
The South ◽  
Economic Sectors ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Development Context ◽  
Skills Shortages

Abstract As nations around the world grapple with the deepening challenge of skills crunch, policies, strategies and interventions are being devised to develop and retain a competitive workforce. South Africa is not spared from the global talent war, and the persistence of skills shortages across most economic sectors makes the country vulnerable economically and socially. Legislative instruments and strategies were formulated and implemented to ameliorate the situation, but scientific evidence suggests a looming crisis due to poor monitoring and evaluation systems regarding the success of these instruments and strategies. This study develops and validates a monitoring and evaluation (ME) scale for the South African skills development context. A quantitative nonexperimental cross-sectional survey design was used to collect data from 557 participants. Data were analyzed using SPSS and AMOS software (version 23.0). The findings show that the ME scale is scientifically valid and reliable and can be used with confidence in the South African skills development context. The findings provide scope for a validation study on an independent sample, and an evaluation of structural invariance of the ME scale across sample subgroups.

Responses of South African Science Talent Quest Students to the Question “Why Am I Doing a Research Project for Expo 2005?”

2007 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 173-187
Author(s):  
Kevin Rochford
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Cape Town ◽  
Skills Development ◽  
South African Context ◽  
Personal Interest ◽  
Research Projects ◽  
Research Project ◽  
African Context ◽  
Scale Format

This study asked the question “Why am I doing a research project for Expo 2005?” The sample of respondents comprised 155 aspirant young scientists and technologists who exhibited their projects in the 2005 Cape Town Science Talent Quest (Expo) competition for schools. They commenced their participation in the Expo judging session by responding to eleven literature-derived reasons or motivations for commencing research investigations. These items were presented in a hikert-scale format, and included a novel source of motivation framed uniquely in the local South African context. Subsequently, open-ended questions and interviews were conducted in more depth with selected students who offered amplified responses and explanations. It was found that the Expo students gave higher ratings to reasons that were intrinsic (such as personal interest, skills development, personal challenge and ambition) than to reasons that were externally controlled (such as emulating somebody else's example, or meeting other people's expectations). The students' self-reported levels of enjoyment of their research projects correlated highest with the strength of their commitment to enhancing social emancipation in South Africa through their chosen research projects.

Student perspectives on employability development in higher education in South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Oluyomi Susan Pitan ◽  
Colette Muller
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Extracurricular Activities ◽  
Work Experience ◽  
Personal Development ◽  
Development Planning ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Perceived Employability ◽  
South African Universities

PurposeThis study responds to identified challenges of poor work-readiness of many graduates and the inadequate relation between education and work. Through students' perspectives, the study examines the extent to which selected South African universities are supporting their students in developing employability skills and the influence of such employability support on students' enhanced employability.Design/methodology/approachThrough purposive sampling, information was obtained from a sample of 402 final year students at two universities in South Africa. After an exploratory factor analysis, 34 of the 35 items on the questionnaire successfully loaded for further analysis under seven components.FindingsSouth African universities that were analysed are adequately engaging their students with two of the six employability development opportunities (EDOs), while students' engagement with the other four is only to a fair extent. EDOs are found to jointly influence students' employability. The curriculum has the highest influence, followed by personal development planning, career development learning and work experience. Real-world activities and extracurricular activities were not found to influence students' self-perceived employability.Originality/valueBeyond identifying skills that graduates are expected to possess, which dominate the discussion and debate on graduate employability, this study elucidates the role of universities in providing support structures – EDOs – that enable students to establish an appropriate connection between theory and practice. It provides insight into the employability potential of South African universities and increases the universities' awareness of what they can do to ensure the production of work-ready graduates.

New Challenges for South African Development and Training — Linkages to Empirical Research

2005 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dinesh C. Jinabhai
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Empirical Research ◽  
Development Strategy ◽  
Global Economy ◽  
Training And Development ◽  
Skills Development ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Fast Tracking ◽  
And Training

With the introduction in South Africa of the Skills Development Act (1998) and the Skills Development Levies Act (1999) respectively, employer organizations are obliged to set aside a portion of their annual payroll for the internal training and development of their workforce. The function of the statutory National Skills Authority (NSA) is to implement the skills development strategy, monitor its performance and report the progress made by the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs). In the South African context, training and development has only recently received attention as a means of addressing critical personnel development initiatives. The focus is now shifting towards fast tracking skills development, which is being integrated into the overall business plan of organizations. Strategies need to be initiated to harness knowledge workers as competitive resources for the new global economy and for world-class competitiveness. This article accentuates the importance of the skills development strategy and offers a systems approach to skills development for organizations. It also highlights some empirical research and its linkages to the emerging challenges of the skills development strategy in South Africa. The article concludes with implications for skills development and training and maps the way for future research.

Intimate crimes: heroin and the rise of amaphara in South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-79
Author(s):  
Mark Hunter
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Black Men ◽  
Social Mobility ◽  
Drug Policy ◽  
Youth Unemployment ◽  
Public Culture ◽  
National Context ◽  
Heroin Users ◽  
Unemployment Rates

ABSTRACTThe term ‘amaphara’, possibly derived from ‘parasites’, burst into South African public culture in the 2010s to refer to petty thieves addicted to a heroin-based drug locally called whoonga/nyaope. Drawing on ethnography and media sources to interrogate the rise of ‘amaphara’, this paper argues that South Africa's heroin epidemic magnifies the attention – criticism but also sympathy – directed toward marginalised black men who have few prospects for social mobility. It locates amaphara in the national context where drug policy is largely punitive and youth unemployment rates are painfully high, but gives particular attention to families’ and communities’ experiences with intimate crimes, especially petty thefts. It further shows that amaphara is a contested term: heroin users are brothers, sons and grandchildren and they gain most of their income not from crime but by undertaking useful piece work in communities.

scholarly journals Meeting Dividend Thresholds Through Earnings Management of Listed Companies in South Africa

2020 ◽  
pp. 77-95
Author(s):  
Xin Yao Li ◽  
Pei-Wen Chen
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Earnings Management ◽  
Regression Model ◽  
Agency Theory ◽  
Prospect Theory ◽  
South African ◽  
Listed Companies ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Signal Theory ◽  
Dividend Distribution

Dividend distribution influences corporate operating decisions, and the prior year’s dividends represent an earnings threshold. The purpose of this study was to clarify perceptions regarding the manipulation of income toward a desired earnings goal (i.e., dividend threshold). In this study, data from 2011 to 2019 were collected from the S&P Capital IQ database. A regression model was adopted to analyze the manipulation of income toward a dividend threshold (i.e., desired earnings goal) among South Africa’s listed industry. Moreover, the behavior of managers of listed South African firms tended to meet or exceed dividend thresholds by manipulating earnings, which is consistent with signal theory, prospect theory and agency theory. Keywords: Dividend thresholds, Earnings management, South Africa, Signal theory, Prospect theory.

Evaluating the Effectiveness of the National Youth Service Programme in Skill Development of Unemployed Graduates in the North West Province of South Africa

2021 ◽  
pp. 98-115
Author(s):  
R. RENA ◽  
B. T. T. DIALE
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Skill Development ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Youth Unemployment ◽  
Fiscal Year ◽  
Skills Development ◽  
North West ◽  
Youth Service ◽  
The North ◽  
North West Province

For the last 3 decades, youth unemployment has been a major challenge in South Africa. Education and training has been considered as a solution to this challenge in the country. The South African Government introduced skills development programs focusing on the youth to reduce unemployment and poverty. However, the youth unemployment among the skilled has been persistent. Given this background, an attempts is made in this study to evaluate the effectiveness of the National Youth Service Program (NYSP) in skill development of unemployed Graduates in the North West Province of South Africa and determine stakeholder involvement in the conceptualization, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the skills development program. The research methodology used in this study was both quantitative approach aimed to fill in the knowledge gap, which is achieved through critical reading and analysis of what other researchers have identified, and qualitative method. A cross-sectional survey was conducted to collect data. Questionnaires were self-administered to obtain primary data from (90) graduates and (10) stakeholders who took part in the NYSP. Th e main finding of the study indicates that 83 % of the NYSP graduates are unemployed since completing the skills development program in the 2017 fiscal year. The study alluded that lack of stakeholder participation and commitment in the NYSP was attributed to the high rate of NYS graduate unemployment. Stakeholder engagement and participation will also play a critical role in ensuring that learners completing the skills development program are linked to employment opportunities and are self-reliant. The study recommends that stakeholder identification should take place before the program is being implemented.

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