Regional Studies

KwaZulu-Natal Economic Review

by ALTMAN, M, MAYER, M, LETLAPE, L, VASS, J, GOSTNER, K, DREYER, L, ROWE-SETZ, J, 2002
Research Report, Employment Growth & Development Initiative, Human Sciences Research Council

In 2002, KwaZulu-Natal’s Department of Economic Development and Tourism appointed the Human Sciences Research Council to undertake an economic review of the province with a view to establishing a provincial industrial strategy. The review encompassed the following key themes: • Growth in traditional and non-traditional primary, secondary and tertiary sectors • Changes in industrial structure,…

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The Role of Economic Powerhouses in Regional Development: Lessons for South Africa in Africa: Executive Summary

by HEESE, K., ALLAN, K., MASIWA, G. & MELROSE, F., 2005
Research Report, Employment Growth & Development Initiative, Human Sciences Research Council

Regional trade and development play a key role in economic growth. The HSRC has for some years been tracking South Africa’s role in African trade and investment. This study by Heese et al considers the role of regional economic powerhouses in regions other than sub-Saharan Africa. We wanted to understand the role of regional powerhouses…

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Horizon Scanning in South Africa: South Africa as a Regional Power? What it Means and the Challenges to 2030

by KAGWANJA, P., 2007
Research Report. Human Sciences Research Council. Prepared for DFID

South Africa’s status as an economic, political and military powerhouse in Africa has immense potential of promoting Africa’s stability, development and participation in global governance. The future of South Africa’s regional and global engagement continues to be framed by views of its emerging regional power or a ‘regional superpower’ status: the largest GDP in Africa;…

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Promotion of Secondary Industrial Development & Clustering in Mpumalanga: stainless steel and chemicals clusters

by ALTMAN, M., MAYER, M., STEYN, G., SLATER, D., GOSTNER, K., LETLAPE, L., DANIELS, R., and Blueprint Strategy & Policy, 2003
Research report, Employment and Economic Policy Research, Human Sciences Research Council, Pretoria. Prepared for the Department of Economic Affairs, Gaming and Tourism, Mpumalanga Province

“Altman et al. assess the potential for the development of a stainless steel cluster in the Middleburg/ Witbank area and a general petrochemicals cluster in Secunda. They identify concrete opportunities that would provide a platform for the development of small and medium enterprises that will generate employment opportunities. They reveal opportunities for cluster development in…

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Trends and Policy Challenges in the Rural Economy: Four Provincial Case Studies

by ALIBER, M. DE SWARDT, C., DU TOIT, A., MBHELA, T. & MTHETHWA, T., 2005
Cape Town: HSRC Press

“There are indications of deepening rural poverty since 1994, despite many policies and initiatives that aim to stimulate the rural economy. The trends affecting the rural economy are not understood with sufficient clarity to enable government to formulate an adequate response. National datasets alone are not sufficient to depict these trends; there is a need…

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