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Does public sector employment crowd out private sector employment? the case of South Africa
(University of Fort Hare, 2025-08-22) Gwebu, Ndumiso; Kapingura, F M
The main objective of the study is to establish whether public sector employment crowds out private sector employment in South Africa. Time series data for the period from 2000Q1 to 2022Q4 was utilised in the analysis. The Autoregressive Distributed Lag Model cointegration technique was employed to evaluate the long-term relationships and short run dynamic interactions among the variables. The data's time series properties were examined using the Phillips Perron and Augmented Dickey Fuller unit root tests. The results revealed that public sector employment has a positive effect on private sector employment in South Africa. The results imply that public sector employment compliments private sector employment in South Africa. The results also revealed that trade openness, centralised collective bargaining, hiring and firing regulations, and unemployment have a negative effect on private sector employment. Conversely, GDP growth and labour market regulations have a positive effect on private sector employment in South Africa. The results imply that public sector employment does not crowd out private sector employment in South Africa. This result contributes to the ongoing discussion of whether changes in the public employment level is a practical tool for promoting private sector employment. Policies should be guided towards cautiously increasing government expenditure towards government programmes, which would contribute towards an increase in public sector employment leading to a multiplier effect on private sector employment.
The impact of transport infrastructure investment on trade openness in South Africa
(University of Fort Hare, 2025-07-24) Godlo, Sibonisiwe; Dlwangushe, S; Hlafa, B
South Africa’s economic growth and global competitiveness were reported to depend significantly on the quality of its transport infrastructure, which played a vital role in facilitating trade. This study was conducted to investigate the impact of transport infrastructure investment on trade openness in South Africa over the period 1992 to 2022. Using annual time series data, the study applied descriptive trend analysis, unit root testing (ADF and PP tests), and the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model to explore both the short-run and long-run dynamics between the variables. The results revealed a statistically significant and positive long-term relationship between transport infrastructure investment and trade openness, where a 1% increase in investment was associated with an estimated 4.5% increase in trade openness. In the short run, the Error Correction Model indicated a strong adjustment speed of 66%, suggesting a rapid return to equilibrium. Based on these findings, the study concluded that sustained and well-targeted transport infrastructure investment was essential for enhancing South Africa’s trade openness. It further offered policy recommendations, including improving rail and port systems, increasing public investment, and aligning infrastructure policy with trade and industrial strategies to promote economic integration and growth.
The district development model and water service delivery in the Elundini local municipality in Mount Fletcher
(University of Fort Hare, 2025-07) Dlaza, Yonela; Chivanga, S; Monyai, P B
The District Development Model is one of the strategies implemented to overcome service delivery challenges in municipalities and assist the government spheres in working in units with one plan, budget, and goal. Mount Fletcher is one of the smallest towns in the Eastern Cape and faces water service delivery challenges, scarcity, and unavailability. This study investigated the role of the DDM in water service delivery in the local municipality of Elundini. The primary goal of this study was to examine strategies for planning and monitoring the DDM's activities of DDMs in the provision of water services. Data for this study were gathered through semi-structured interviews and observations using a qualitative research methodology. The key findings of this study show that the DDM still needs to assist the municipality in providing adequate water to Mount Fletcher communities since its implementation. Moreover, the communities of Mount Fletcher continue to experience inequality in water service delivery as the municipality claims to face budget challenges. As the municipality plans to use the IDP to track the progress of the DDM's initiatives, it is also essential to monitor ward-based developments that directly impact the community. These communities struggle with water service delivery, access to roads, healthcare, and failing businesses. Additionally, given the municipality's recognition that the Moroka community faces the most significant impact in terms of water service delivery, it is imperative to regularly repair and inspect boreholes to prevent further harm and distress for residents. The active involvement of the community in the DDM plans would prove advantageous, ensuring a clear understanding of the developments within their communities.
Electric vehicle battery remanufacturing: circular economy leadership and workforce development
(MDPI, 2024-09-18) Chigbu, Bianca Ifeoma; Nekwevha, Fhulu H.; Umejesi, Ikechukwu
Given the increasing momentum globally towards sustainable transportation, the remanufacturing of used electric vehicle lithium-ion batteries (EV LIBs) emerges as a critical opportunity to promote the principles of the circular economy. Existing research highlights the significance of remanufacturing in resource conservation and waste reduction. Nevertheless, detailed insights into South Africa’s (SA’s) specific capabilities and strategic approaches in the context of used EV LIBs remain sparse. By utilizing in-depth interviews with fifteen key industry stakeholders and drawing on institutional theory, this qualitative study evaluates SA’s infrastructure, technical expertise, and regulatory frameworks in the EV LIB remanufacturing sector to address this gap. The findings reveal proactive strategies, including technical expertise, sustainable infrastructure, and robust regulatory frameworks aligned with global standards. This study proposes strategic initiatives like the Interdisciplinary Innovation Hub and Mobile Remanufacturing Labs, which are analytically derived from stakeholder insights and aim to predict potential pathways for workforce development, especially in rural areas. Innovative training programs, including the Virtual Reality Consortium, Circular Economy Institutes, and the Real-world Challenges Program, will ensure a skilled workforce committed to sustainability and circular economy principles. The conclusions highlight SA’s potential to become a leader in EV LIB remanufacturing by integrating circular economy principles, enhancing technical expertise, and fostering international collaboration.
Effects of baobab oil seed cake on growth performance and enteric methane emissions in Savannah × Boer crossbreed yearling goats
(University of Fort Hare, 2020-02) Saho, Samkelo; Mpendulo, C.T.; Mupangwa, J.F.
The study was conducted to investigate the effects of feeding graded levels of baobab oil seed cake (BOSC) on growth performance and enteric methane emissions of Savannah × Boer goats at yearling age. A total of 24 goats weighing 16.63 ± 3.639 kg were used in a completely randomized block design. The study was conducted for 70 days, where the adaptation period was 14 days. The baobab oil seed cake was included in the diets at 0% (control diet), 15%, 30%, and 45 % on a mass basis. The experimental diets were iso-nitrogenous and iso caloric. In experiment 1, the parameters measured include the average daily feed intake (ADFI), body weight gain (BWG), and average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and enteric methane emissions (EME). On weeks and treatment interaction, the ADG and the BWG were higher in goats fed on diets with 15%, 30%, and 45% BOSC than those fed on the control diet (0% BOSC). Highest ADG was observed on goats that fed on a diet with 30% BOSC. The inclusion of baobab oilseed cake (15%, 30%, and 45% BOSC) goats’ diets significantly increased (P<0.05) (ADFI). Females in the current study gained more weight than males. It was observed that goats fed diets with 0% baobab oil cake emitted higher methane output (P<0.05). Methane emission decreased as the baobab inclusion levels in the diet increase (P<0.05). Female Savannah × Boer goat emitted more methane than male (P<0.05). It was noted that the interaction between animal sex and baobab oil seed cake inclusion levels significantly (P<0.05) influenced methane emission. It was concluded that baobab oil seed cake can be strategically used as animal feed ingredient to influence growth performance and to modulate rumen fermentation in goats.. However, it will be necessary to investigate the effect of baobab seeds on meat quality and the fatty acid composition of goats in future research.