Magister Economicae - MEcon (Social Development)

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Browsing by Author "Dinbabo, Mulugeta F."

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    Assessing the contribution of rural tourism to local economic development as a strategy for poverty alleviation: a case study on the Ukhahlamba district –Senqu municipality in South Africa
    (University of the Western Cape, 2013) Qongo, Siyabonga Christopher; Dinbabo, Mulugeta F.
    Tourism is one of the many external forces influencing the direction and options for local economic development. A truly legitimate and practical discussion on tourism development must take place in and with the communities that are being influenced by tourist industry development. The tourism sector is the fourth largest generator of foreign exchange in South Africa and lies third, after manufacturing (24.4%) and mining and quarrying (8.6%), in its contribution to the economy, at 8.2%, but poverty and unemployment still persist, especially in rural areas. In line with the conceptual and theoretical framework derived from both demand and supply factors, this research was conducted to explore and develop a conceptual framework to examine how prices are established in local markets for tourism andassess the level of community participation in the tourism business ventures at Senqu Local Municipality in South Africa. Both quantitative and qualitative methods of research have been applied throughout the study. The views of the community on their socio- economic conditions and their willingness to participate in tourism business ventures were also sought. The findings of the study lead to the conclusion that the socio-economic living conditions of the community of SLM are very poor and that empowerment and participation of the community could be an answer to alleviation thereof and provide a contribution to local economic development.
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    Assessing the impact of government grants on poverty and inequality: a microsimulation study in South African
    (University of the Western Cape, 2014) Wurku, Seyfe Tadesse; Dinbabo, Mulugeta F.
    Poverty and inequality are the major challenges of the post-apartheid government of South Africa. In order to address these challenges, the government designed a range of policies and strategies including social grant programs. The main objectives of social grants in South Africa focus on relieving poverty and enabling the previously disadvantaged communities to access basic social services. However, poverty and inequality remains high in the country (statistics SA,2014). The main objective of this study is to critically examine the impact of selected government grant programs on poverty and inequality in South Africa. The study estimates households' consumption function using the third wave of National Income Dynamics Study (NIDS) of South Africa and simulates the impacts of government grant on poverty and inequality. It examined how these impacts vary across population groups, gender and geographical locations. The findings indicate that monthly government grants decrease the head count poverty by between 3.7% and 4.4%, the poverty gap by between 1.9% and 2.7% and severity of poverty by between 1.2% and 1.9%. Government grants also reduce the odds of being in a state of poverty by approximately 59.1%. In terms of inequality, the findings show that government grants have little to do with reducing inequality (1.6%).
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    A comparative study of the transaction costs of doing business in formal urban vs informal settlement areas: a case study of microenterprises in Joe Slovo and Maitland, Western Cape, South Africa
    (University of the Western Cape, 2014) Mahamed, Mahamed Rage; Dinbabo, Mulugeta F.
    The main objective of this research was to measure and compare the influence of institutions (government laws, rules, regulations) on the transaction cost of establishing microenterprises in informal/township areas and suburbs. The research target area was Maitland (a suburb) and Joe Slovo (a township area). A research framework was developed using the theories of institutions and the TACE. In order to achieve the research objectives, both quantitative and qualitative research designs were used. A total research sample of 40 microenterprise owners were selected from these two areas. A random sampling technique was used to select half (twenty) microenterprise traders in Maitland and the other half (twenty) from Joe Slovo. The research also applied non-random sampling technique to select relevant government institutions that regulate microenterprises in these two areas. The research has collected both primary and secondary data. To collect the primary data, face-to-face interviews were held with the shop owners in the two research sites and government (City) officials. A questionnaire containing both open-ended and closed-ended questions was used in collecting the primary data. The secondary data was collected using desktop (internet) search and also physically searching government archives and publications. Descriptive statistics (frequency distributions and graphical representations) of the data were used to analyze and compare the data collected in a meaningful way. The research also used non-parametric independent samples t-test to compare the differences of the transaction costs of establishing microenterprises in Joe Slovo and in Maitland. The data collected was analyzed and compared using SPSS statistical research analysis software. The results show, to establish a microenterprise business, microenterprise owners in both formal and informal areas need to comply with the environmental health laws. In addition to complying with the environmental health laws, microenterprises in formal areas are obliged to comply with the City zoning scheme and seek permission to establish businesses in these areas. The application process for seeking the City zoning approval is cumbersome and subjective. The results show that entrepreneurs in informal/township areas are automatically allowed by the local government to establish microenterprises in these areas and need not comply with the Zoning Scheme. The main findings of the study reveal that microenterprises in formal suburbs face higher TACs in establishing businesses in these areas when compared to those in township areas.
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    Street children and accessing universal basic education: A case study of Enugu State, Nigeria.
    (University of the Western Cape, 2021) Ogbuabo, Emmanuel Ogbonna; Dinbabo, Mulugeta F.
    The phenomenon of street children presents a global challenge as it continues to increase and affects almost every nation. Nigeria is no exception, with an ever-increasing population of street children, with many of them as a result of insurgence attacks in various states in Nigeria. The Nigerian government acknowledges that education is a key to development and a great tool in changing the dynamics of street children. It further recognises education as a right and not a privilege, especially with Nigeria’s adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the passage into law of the Child’s Right Act of 2003. The importance of basic education, which serves as the foundation of the education system, cannot be over-emphasised, particularly since the government made free basic education one of the core mandates of the Universal Basic Education Board. However, the continuous loitering of children during school hours has led to questions being asked about the implementation of the free basic education programme. Using Enugu State as a case study, and applying the right-based approach, this study sought to find answers to why street children might not be accessing the free basic education. The phenomenon of street children not accessing this education, is contributing to their ever-growing numbers in the streets of Nigeria. This is a qualitative study that was conducted in Enugu, Nigeria. It used the purposive sampling technique, targeting children living on the streets, as well as policy makers, programme officers of the Universal Basic Education Board, administrative heads of basic education schools, nongovernmental organisations (NGOs), and community-based organisations (CBOs) working in areas relating to street children. The study used qualitative data collection methods comprising of focus group discussion and in-depth interviews. The data collected was analysed using NVIVO Qualitative Research Software. The study sought to identify the challenges and make recommendations to relevant stakeholders, to improve policy implementation, and to present specific recommendations to ensure better access for street children and other vulnerable groups to benefit from policies such as the Universal Basic Education policy. It is discovered that many street children will love to go to school but other factors such as poverty, poor implementation of the free education policy among others have kept these children out of school. These children aspire to be teachers, doctors, accountants, lawyers and business administrators and wish they can be sponsored or given free education.