UWCScholar :: Browsing by Author "Bayat, Amiena"

Browsing by Author "Bayat, Amiena"

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Assessment of poverty and inequality trends in the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria: Evidence from the General Household Survey of Nigeria
(University of the Western Cape, 2018) Jaiyeola, Afeez Olalekan; Bayat, Amiena
The high rate of poverty in Nigeria has reached alarming proportions. Despite average economic growth rates of 6 percent between 2004 and 2010, the incidence of poverty has remained high, increasing from 54.7 percent in 2004 to 60.9 percent in 2010 (Nigerian Bureau of Statistics, 2010). A drop in the poverty rate to an average of 56.1 percent between 1999 and 2007 could be attributed to the measures taken by the civilian government against administrative corruption, increased domestic and foreign investments and some implemented agricultural policies. These efforts were thwarted by subsequent administrations with devastating effects for the Nigerian population. It is in recognition of this that this study examines the political economy of poverty in Nigeria; analyses the variations in poverty and inequality across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria; examines the impact of economic growth on poverty reduction across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria over the period 2010 - 2013; investigates the reasons for the low rates of poverty reduction in Nigeria and analyses whether economic growth in Nigeria was pro-poor.
The association between socioeconomic factors, alcohol use and alcohol-related outcomes in South Africa
(University of Western Cape, 2021) Govera, Hemish; Bayat, Amiena
This thesis researched the relationship between alcohol consumption, socioeconomic characteristics and alcohol-related harms such as subjective health status, chronic health conditions and mental health status in South Africa. The study sought to determine if the alcohol harm paradox (AHP) exists in the country. The AHP is the empirical finding that socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals tend to suffer more alcohol-related harms compared to individuals who are socioeconomically advantaged, despite reporting similar or lower levels of alcohol consumption on average. The research presented the contextual background to alcohol consumption in the country that helped form the current drinking culture, which includes the harmful drinking culture fomented by the apartheid system in the townships and farms of South Africa. The study also reviewed the effectiveness of current alcohol policies and legislation in addressing alcohol-related harms in the South African society.
Chronic and transitory poverty in Nigeria: Evidence from the Nigerian general household survey
(University of Western Cape, 2021) Ohuegbe, Sandra Chiemeziem; Bayat, Amiena
Poverty in Nigeria has always been examined as a static phenomenon, although empirical studies established that, rather than being static, the poverty levels of individuals can change over time and people can enter and leave a transitory state of poverty. Many individuals live in poverty for a long period of time, the length of which is the defining characteristic of a state of chronic poverty. There has been little or no effort by researchers to distinguish households that are chronically poor from those that are transitorily poor. It is against this background that this study sought to investigate the extent of chronic and transitory poverty among households in Nigeria: specifically, what factors influence chronic and transitory poverty in Nigeria.
The economic impact of FinTech in the South African banking industry: A case of digital disruption
(University of the Western Cape, 2019) Mungai, Kinyanjui; Bayat, Amiena
The Fourth Industrial Revolution has provided new opportunities to tackle problems in health, education, transport and many other sectors. In the financial sector, new financial technology (FinTech) is providing new ways of tackling the problem of financial exclusion. The uptake of cell phones has enabled financial service providers (FSPs) to expand into areas where the most vulnerable have hitherto been outside the reach of the banking agency model. This has ultimately allowed previously financially excluded individuals to have access to bank accounts. Through SMACT (Social Media, Mobile, Analytics, Cloud and the Internet of Things) technologies, FSPs are able to collect new types of data such as call detail record data and mobile app data which have been leveraged globally to enable the emergence of M-Pesa in Kenya, the WeChat payments module in China and KakaoBank, South Korea’s first online-only bank. The common thread in these innovations is that these are telecommunications company-led business models that have encroached into the area of finance. Such digital disruption has happened in South Africa but little is understood about how inclusive digital financial services are in the South African context. Moreover, what are the barriers to further financial inclusion, given that South Africa has significantly high bank account uptake rates? What role can the Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies have in breaking those barriers and reaching the lower-income population that has largely been mis-sold financial products that were created for the middle to upper-income population? This study sought to investigate how the diffusion of SMACT technology has contributed to financial inclusion in the South African financial services sector. The study made use of a mixed methods approach to answer this research question. Finscope data from 2012 to 2015 was used as the data source for the quantitative section and key informant interviews as the source of data for the qualitative section. The study found that roughly 80% of adults in South Africa are financially included through formal banks. Despite the near 100% uptake rates of cell phones across all income groups, proximity to an ATM or bank branch still significantly determined whether an individual accessed formal financial services. The study also found that ATM withdrawal, store withdrawal and internet banking were infrequently utilised by lower-income adults. In terms of internet banking and digital financial services in general, financial products, especially digital credit, do not appear to be well aligned with the needs of the lower-income consumer. The mismatch of financial products and the needs of lower-income consumers is further worsened by poor financial literacy levels in South Africa, especially among lower-income consumers. The study concludes that more needs to be done to increase economic inclusion, digital inclusion and financial inclusion for the lower-income population in South Africa. While consumer protection and transparency are well covered in the regulatory and legislative framework to which FSPs by and large adhere, a more inclusive and sustainable financial sector will only exist if product fit, affordability, financial literacy and convenience issues are addressed. This should happen in an enabling environment where ICT infrastructure benefits all, interoperability of digital financial services is reached and a regulatory framework more focused on financial inclusion is in place.
Evaluating the impact of facility and household-level factors on early learning development in Philippi, Western Cape
(University of Western Cape, 2021) Madyibi, Siphe; Bayat, Amiena
Early learning opportunities in South Africa are both inaccessible and unequal in quality due to facility and household-level factors. With minimal resources, Early Childhood Development (ECD) facilities in poor communities provide low-quality ECD services to children. Part of the reason that ECD facilities are under-resourced and of poor quality is their inadequate funding. The disparity in quality means that poor children may still lag behind children who have had access to high-quality, well-resourced ECD facilities. Beside facility-level factors, the process of early learning is also influenced by household factors. Studies have found that low-cost stimulations such as storytelling, singing and playing with household objects can be used as tools to promote early development within the confines of the household.
Examining social entrepreneurship as a solution to addressing and reducing youth unemployment among disadvantaged youth in Cape Town
(University of the Western Cape, 2022) Malgas, Nicola; Bayat, Amiena
Youth unemployment is a global problem but is particularly acute in South Africa, with the unemployment rate for youth aged 15 to 24 years currently exceeding 70%. Traditional ways of creating employment are failing to deliver sufficient jobs. Many countries have been able to create youth employment opportunities through entrepreneurship and to solve societal problems caused by unemployment through social entrepreneurship. Yet the total early-stage entrepreneurial activity (TEA), the rate of youth initiation or ownership of entrepreneurial ventures, is low in South Africa compared to its global and African counterparts. This study explores social entrepreneurship as a means of addressing and reducing youth unemployment among disadvantaged young people in Cape Town.
Exploring social capital and its contribution to student success at the University of the Western Cape
(University of the Western Cape, 2022) Dollie, Wiedaad; Bayat, Amiena
Development in education has been a focus area for decades, with theorists and researchers pursuing ways in which to understand the varying outcomes achieved in the South African higher education landscape. This is especially relevant in a context where education is identified as a key determinant for the promise of a better life for individuals. In South Africa, however, acquiring a tertiary education is not a straightforward pursuit.
High-functioning depression among women in South Africa: An exploratory study
(National Inquiry Services Centre (NISC), 2018) Mungai, Kinyanjui; Bayat, Amiena
The study estimated the prevalence and trends of chronic depressive symptoms among women in South Africa from the National Income Dynamics Study (NIDS) data collection waves (2008, 2010, 2012, 2014/2015). NIDS utilised the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CES-D) scale to assess depressive symptoms among adults. From the trend analysis, we observed a decrease in self-reported significant depressive symptoms over the eight-year period in black women (2 .66%), followed by mixed-race (coloured) women (1 .15%). Across race, significant depressive symptoms were associated with socioeconomic status variables such as income, education, and occupational status. Within race, prevalence rates were higher among individuals with low socioeconomic status (lower income, less educated, and less skilled occupations). Black women were at a higher risk of exhibiting high-functioning depression due to their overrepresentation among low socioeconomic stats individuals. Symptom prevalence may be explained largely by psychosocial stressors in patriarchal legacy communities.
The home environment and parental involvement of preschoolers in Philippi, a low-income area: Do they hinder or support early learning?
(AOSIS, 2022) Bayat, Amiena; Madyibi, Siphe
Successful interventions targeting families can only occur through informed research findings. It is important that policymakers understand the unique household dynamics that low-income households face and the kinds of assistance they need to foster early learning and development at home.To investigate the extent of parental involvement in the early learning of preschoolers in Philippi and the role of the home environment in promoting or hindering early learning and development.This study was conducted in Philippi, one of the biggest poor urban settlements in the city of Cape Town, South Africa.The researcher visited 20 early childhood development (ECD) facilities and 40 caregivers in Philippi. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with the ECD principals, practitioners and caregivers.
The impact of spatial inequality on financial inclusion in South Africa
(University of Western Cape, 2021) Bodlani, Lelethu Lithakazi; Bayat, Amiena
Inequality in South Africa has long been recognised as one of the most salient features of our society. Despite many efforts by the government to reduce inequality since our democratic transition in 1994, progress has been limited. The historic patterns of accumulation and economic concentration have continued to feed into South Africa’s patterns of uneven and combined development. Moreover, financial markets in many countries are undeniably incomplete, segmented, and inefficient. This is largely attributed by high transaction costs for both institutions and clients as well as biases against certain parts of the market. Therefore, people will continue to transact outside the formal financial system if they lack easy access and use of formal financial institutions. Private resources are often used in formal areas that provide better access and higher return on investment for private institutions. As a result, the development of the poorest areas remains relatively neglected.
Inflation targeting, South Africa and the Great Recession: An alternative perspective
(University of the Western Cape, 2017) Bestenbier, Liansky; Bayat, Amiena
Described by Mohr (2008:1) as "one of the most hotly debated economic issues in South Africa", the inflation rate is underpinned by its impact on the average South African. A rapid increase in the cost of goods and services could have devastating consequences on the both the growth and development of the country, making it an imperative to effectively manage a change in general prices. The SARB applies an Inflation Targeting (IT) framework to manage the inflation rate and the thesis will interrogate the applicability of this framework within a low growth environment. More specifically, the thesis will ask whether it is prudent to increase the interest rate in a low growth environment. The thesis will employ a mixed research method, namely, a qualitative and quantitative method. However, the qualitative method will be the primary research method and the conclusions derived thereof will be tested within a qualitative model. The qualitative method will take the form of historical narrative which is designed to investigate the behaviour of the inflation rate at a micro level. The choice of this qualitative historical narrative derives from the inconclusive nature of the existing empirical quantitative studies and the resulting lack of a consensus on the effectiveness of the IT framework. This lack of consensus necessitated the use of a different approach to interrogate the IT framework hence the application of the qualitative historical narrative. The narrative will be primarily derived from the economic reports and data of the main authority on South Africa's monetary policy, the South Africa Reserve Bank (SARB). The narrative will also utilise the economic reports and data from reputable sources such as Statistics South Africa, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank, the European Central Bank (ECB), the US Federal Reserve System, and the People's Bank of China (PBC).
Infrastructure investment in Sub-Saharan Africa: Opportunities, risks and prospects for economic development
(University of Western Cape, 2020) Mphigalale, Tshifhiwa Victor; Bayat, Amiena
There is considerable theoretical and empirical research devoted to the study of infrastructure investment and development and how they relate to economic growth. There is also evidence in developed economies that their economies grew following infrastructure investment. The inference can be made that infrastructure investment plays a positive role in economic growth. Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is immensely well-endowed with natural resources yet is the poorest region in the world. Furthermore, SSA countries have similar experiences of public infrastructure investment, such as not having enough transportation infrastructure or the lack of an adequate power supply. Where public infrastructure exists in SSA can be described as ageing, decaying, inappropriate, incomplete or dysfunctional to some degree. The study conducted both qualitative and quantitative analyses to evaluate infrastructure investment in three SSA countries – Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo and Ghana – to determine what levels of investment, challenges and needs are currently experienced in private and public infrastructure investment in the region, particularly pertaining to transportation, energy and ICT infrastructure, and what factors may be influencing investors to avoid investing in SSA infrastructure. The research found that the DRC has the least infrastructure investment while Ghana is ahead of the three countries. The research also found that while Ghana is ahead of the three countries, its governance system is also better and is less corrupt compared to the other two economies with the DRC being at the bottom. As a result, infrastructure investment in SSA has fallen far behind its trading partners due to poor governance and corruption.
Investigating institutions and policies shaping smallholder farming in South Africa: A case study of the Nkomazi area, Mpumalanga province
(University of the Western Cape, 2022) Nhleko, Millicent; Bayat, Amiena
The agricultural sector plays an important role in the economy, globally. For developing countries, particularly rural areas, smallholder farming has become an active livelihood strategy. However, poverty and household food insecurity are still prevalent among smallholder farmers. This study aimed to improve understanding of the state of smallholder farming in South Africa and the institutions and policies shaping smallholder farming in rural areas. The study took place in the Nkomazi area, of the Mpumalanga province in South Africa.
Investigating school-level and out-of-school factors influencing the performance at selected secondary schools in the Eastern Cape Province, Amathole west district
(University of the Western Cape, 2023) Kohli, Nontandazo; Bayat, Amiena
Education is considered vital not only for personal development but also for community development and the social development and economic prosperity of countries. The quality of basic education in post-apartheid South Africa has become a public concern as South Africa’s learners rank below many other developing countries in internationally benchmarked measures, including its poorer neighbours. Grade repetition and drop-out rates are alarmingly high indicators that, despite many interventions by the national government over the past three decades, the basic education system is not working. Underperformance in South African secondary schools is particularly characteristic of historically and economically disadvantaged areas such as the Amathole District Municipality in the Eastern Cape province. The passes obtained in the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examination are considered a benchmark of performance in Grade 12, the exiting year of basic schooling. This study investigated the school-level and out-of-school-level factors that influence the underperformance of selected schools in the Amathole West education district that perform poorly in the NSC examinations.
Investigating the psychosocial causes and effects of high Secondary school dropout rates in Sir Lowry’s Pass, Western Cape
(University of the Western Cape, 2023) Petersen, Savannah; Bayat, Amiena
This thesis explores the psychosocial causes and effects of students dropping out of high school in the Sir Lowry’s Pass community. This investigation is supported by secondary and primary literature and research contributing to the importance of this topic as a social phenomenon and as a developmental key factor in poor communities. The issues surrounding this phenomenon are complex, multifaceted and can have long term negative effects after dropping out of high school (Macleod, 1999). The issue of elevated high school dropout rates is a worldwide issue; it is especially problematic in developing countries such as South Africa. Most recent statistics show that approximately 3% of 15-year-olds and approximately 9% of 17-year-olds drop out of school in South Africa (Stats SA, 2020). Psychosocial factors related to issues of poverty, crime, substance abuse, teenage pregnancy, a lack of education and lack of employment opportunities are amplified in poor communities in South Africa. These influence behaviours, choices, perspectives and ideas students have about themselves and their futures (Frosh, 2003). These are experienced on an individual, micro and macro level. By using Human Capital Theory as a theoretical lens to better conceptualise this phenomenon of high, high school dropout rates especially in poor communities. The researcher gives developmental and economic context to the relevance of the issue by including Human Capital Theory. The Sir Lowry’s Pass Village is a semi-rural community located in Cape Town, South Africa. This research treats the chosen area of Sir Lowry’s Pass as a case study and investigates the issue of dropout rates through a qualitative research approach. This community was purposely chosen due to its socioeconomic and education characteristics. including the absence of a high school, limited youth development opportunities, overall underdevelopment in the community as a whole and the significance of high school and primary school dropout rates. This study aims to better understand why individuals from the Sir Lowry’s Pass community often do not complete their high school education and how it has affected their lives shortly after dropping out as well as over an extended period of time after they have dropped out of school. In addition, the study attempts to shed light on the community of Sir Lowry's Pass Village and its needs. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted including twenty participants who have dropped out of high school; these participants were purposely selected as the sample group. Semi-structured qualitative interviews with five key informants selected from the community with specific insights into the issue of high school dropouts in Sir Lowrys Pass were also conducted. The data from both interview groups were analysed thematically, common factors and challenges were identified as themes in order to transfigure the data into information that can be understood through a thematic lens. The prominent themes identified include poverty, crime, substance abuse, teenage pregnancy, lack of education and unemployment. These key themes were used to analyse the information further in order to develop recommendations and conclusions. The study's key findings indicate that the roots of high school dropout rates trace back to primary school challenges, the students' home environments and circumstances and the prevalence of poverty within the community. The success or difficulties that these students experience while in high school need to be further understood as these youth are going through crucial developmental stages of their lives. Finding ways to help these students transition to high school and make a success of their education so that they might be able to build a life of upward mobility and opportunity. Not only for themselves but also for their families and collectively improving their communities. Needs to start by understanding what the challenges are that are preventing them from being able to do so. This research attempts to highlight the challenges individuals that have dropped out of high school and what they experience as dropouts in order to make sure that dropouts are not lost in development due to challenges that they have had while attempting to complete their education.
The Relationship between mental health and socioeconomic status : depressive symptoms among adults in South Africa
(University of the Western Cape, 2016) Mungai, Kinyanjui; Bayat, Amiena
Mental disorders are estimated to be experienced by one out of three South Africans in their lifetime. (Stein, Seedat, Herman, Moomal, Heeringa, Kessler & Williams, 2009:3). Empirical studies indicate, that people, who are poor, live in impoverished neighbourhoods, have lower education levels and are subsequently more likely to have mental disorders. This study focuses on depression. Empirical studies point to depression being negatively correlated with socioeconomic determinants, but is this the case in South Africa? From a theoretical standpoint the study considers how socio-structural aspects such as poverty and educational outcomes (amongst other socioeconomic variables) can lead to the prevalence and persistence of depressive symptoms. The main question the study aimed to investigate was whether depression was negatively related to socioeconomic status, and through which pathways does socioeconomic status affect depression. This study used panel data from the National Income Dynamics Study (NIDS) to examine the socioeconomic determinants of depressive symptoms. Waves 1 (2008) and 4 (2014/2015) of the NIDS data were used to answer the research question. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the 10-item version of the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). The scale measured depressive symptomatology. The cut off that was used was a score of 10 or higher, which indicated the occurrence of significant depressive symptoms. In order to assess which socioeconomic determinants increase the probability of experiencing significant depressive symptoms, a probit model was used to make this investigation. The results of the study indicate that, despite the recent increase in depression in 2012 and 2014/2015, the overall prevalence of depression in South Africa has declined significantly between 2008 and 2014/2015. Socioeconomic status was found to be negatively associated with depression. In particular, a low income and occupational status were associated with a significantly greater probability of being depressed. Disparities in depression outcomes followed the disparities in socioeconomic status. Hence the study found that women and Africans were particularly vulnerable to depression as they were socioeconomically disadvantaged.
School readiness and community-based early childhood development (ecd) centres in low income communities: Examining the case of Gugulethu, Western Cape Province
(University of the Western Cape, 2022) Chikwanda, Miriam; Bayat, Amiena
South African children’s access to ECD facilities has significantly improved over the years. However, persistent negative learning outcomes nationally call into question whether children are being adequately prepared for schooling. Most children in South Africa live in communities characterised by limited resources and poverty. These children start their learning trajectory with poor-quality early learning opportunities. The lack of quality early learning means that poor children not only enter the schooling system ill-prepared to cope and excel, and remain behind children who have had access to high-quality, well-resourced ECD facilities, but their poor educational start continues to limit their learning and life opportunities well into adulthood. The key to changing this is adequate school readiness preparation (SRP), including key aspects of physical, socio-emotional, language and cognitive development.
Social capital and developmental outcomes : a case study of black communities in Cederberg and Matzikama municipalities in the mid-2000s
(University of the Western Cape, 2015) Bayat, Amiena; May, Julian; Ruiters, Greg; Marysse, Stefaan
Transforming economic growth into tangible benefits for poor communities appears to have frustrated development practitioners and policy makers. Despite the net positive growth achieved between 1994 and 2014 the face of poverty and inequality remains largely unchanged in South Africa. In such circumstances there is a pressing need for scholars to rethink the social foundations of economic activity and policy (Chang, 2006; Fine, 2001, 2005). One specific line of enquiry that has attracted attention among economists (Stiglitz, 2000; Woolcock, 2001; Fine, 2001) is that of social capital. This thesis seeks understanding of the relationship between social capital and the socioeconomic advancement of poor African/Black residents, particularly those in rural municipalities where there is a lack of financial and other resources. With this in mind, Robert Putnam’s path-breaking theory will be reformulated to explore the relationship during the mid-2000s between social capital, trust, political participation and socioeconomic outcomes in two rural municipalities in the Western Cape province of South Africa, namely Cederberg and Matzikama. The research questions the adequacy of Putnam’s theory of social capital, arguing that it is conceptually simple and inadequate as a description of how membership in social groups (networks) lead to better socioeconomic outcomes in the context of marginal, rural African/Black communities residing in under-capacitated municipalities. The thesis argues that an alternative conceptual framework is required, capable of depicting the complexity of the social processes required to translate social group membership into tangible benefits for poor households, as an explanation of why African/Blacks in Cederberg experienced better socioeconomic outcomes than their counterparts in Matzikama.
Status of living standards in Nigeria between 2010 and 2013
(Taylor and Francis Group, 2020) Jaiyeola, Afeez Olalekan; Bayat, Amiena
Nigeria experienced a drop in the poverty rate to an average of56.1% between 1999 and 2007. This could be attributed to themeasures taken by the civilian government against adminis-trative corruption, increased domestic and foreign investmentsand some implemented agricultural policies. These effortswere thwarted by subsequent administrations with devastatingeffects on the Nigerian population. Despite an average annualeconomic growth rate of 6% between 2004 and 2010, theincidence of poverty has remained high, increasing from54.7% in 2004 to 60.9% in 2010. The high rate of poverty inNigeria has reached alarming proportions. It is in recognition ofthis that this study analyzes the variations in poverty across thesix geopolitical zones of Nigeria, including the rural and urbanareas
The Relationship between Conspicuous Consumption and Poverty in Developing Countries: Evidence from South Africa
(University of the Western Cape, 2017) Madyibi, Siphe; Bayat, Amiena
For many years the word poverty was synonymous with deprivation and the inability to satisfy basic necessities. According to Alkire and Santos (2014:257), about 1.67 billion people in developing countries lived below the then poverty line of $1.25 per day, while a staggering 2.74 billion lived on less than a higher poverty line of $2 a day, using the US Purchasing Power Parity (PPP). In the midst of the hunger and constrained resources implied by these statistics, it is alarming that the poor allocate a significant share of their limited income to expensive visible consumption that does not effectively alleviate poverty or increase their well-being. This puzzling behaviour was first identified by Veblen (1899) as 'conspicuous consumption', and is described by Kilsheimer (1993:341) as 'the motivational process by which individuals strive to improve their social standing through the conspicuous consumption of consumer products that confer and symbolise status both for the individual and surrounding significant others'. Unlike the affluent, when poor households engage in conspicuous consumption they are forced to neglect basic needs such as education, nutrition and health care, as they are under severe monetary constraint (Linssen, Van Kempen & Kraaykamp, 2011:61). For this reason Moav and Neeman (2012:936) argue that conspicuous consumption by poor households in developing countries is to blame for persistent poverty as well as inequality. Against this backdrop, this study sought to determine the degree of correlation between conspicuous consumption and poverty. Specifically, to what extent does conspicuous consumption contribute to increasing poverty in South Africa? In addressing this research question, the study used officially published data from the National Income Dynamics Study (NIDS), starting from the first wave in year 2008 to the last during 2014/2015. The study found that South African adults, including the poor, have gradually increased their household expenditure share on visible consumption (personal care, cellphones, shoes and clothing). This increase in visible consumption among the poor coincided with a decline in food consumption, suggesting that food consumption was reduced to engage in conspicuous consumption. This consumption behaviour is most prevalent among the poor and the African population group. Hence a correlation between poverty and conspicuous consumption in South Africa is postulated.

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