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- Year 2018
- Author(s) Bhavna Deonarain, TIPS Researcher: Sustainable Growth
Economic, social and environmental consequences of the global crisis of sustainability are hindering growth and development, particularly in developing countries. In response to the awareness of a changing climate, and ratified commitments to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improve sustainability, South Africa has embraced decarbonising the transport sector, the…
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- Year 2018
- Author(s) Neva Makgetla
This policy brief first assesses the GDP trends and why the latest quarter appears out of step; then reviews the factors that might lead to an overstatement of the slowdown; and finally outlines the longer-term slowdown.
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- Challenges around the GDP data for first quarter 2018 (1818 Downloads)
- Year 2018
- Author(s) Struan R. Robertson
There is a need to assess the status of plantation forestry and what can be improved to facilitate the sustainable use of land and water resources in South Africa, and spread the benefit of efficiency gains in the value chain. There is also a need to assess the barriers that…
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23 November 2017
Revisions to South Africa’s Gross Domestic Product
- Year 2017
- Author(s) Asanda Fotoyi, TIPS Economist
Even though data revisions are a normal feature of any statistical compilation process, such revisions are seldom taken into account or understood by users of statistics. This results in an over reliance on initially published preliminary estimates that are subject to change. Gross domestic product (GDP) estimates, for instance, are…
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- Revisions to South Africa's GDP (2052 Downloads)
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14 November 2017
Using the green economy and youth inclusion for sustainable development in South Africa
- Year 2017
- Author(s) Shakespear Mudombi, TIPS Economist: Sustainable Growth
South Africa’s economic growth relies strongly on resource and energy-intensive sectors, which worsens the pressure on the environment and exacerbates the threat of climate change (Montmasson-Clair, 2012). The country is also grappling with high income inequality, unemployment and poverty levels. Economic growth has not been inclusive (Mayer et al, 2011).…
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- Year 2017
- Author(s) Wendy Nyakabawo, TIPS Economist
South Africa through its Industrial Policy Action Plan (IPAP) identifies local content as a strategic industrial policy instrument, which can be used to leverage the power of public procurement; reduce the country’s trade deficit; address market failures; foster infant industries; and increase the governments tax base (the dti, 2016). Although…
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11 June 2017
Responses to the electricity oversupply
- Year 2017
- Author(s) Neva Makgetla, TIPS Senior Economist
Since 2011, Eskom has experienced a sharp decline in demand, while the electricity intensity of the South African economy has fallen by a quarter from 2005 to 2017. This briefing note analyses the factors behind the fall in demand and, on that basis, a range of strategic responses. It concludes…
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- Responses to the electricity oversupply (2346 Downloads)
06 June 2017
The role of trade restrictions in promoting local manufacturing in South Africa’s motorcycle industry
- Year 2017
- Author(s) Sithembiso Mtanga, TIPS Senior Researcher
South Africa’s motorcycle industry is waning while other emerging markets are expanding their production activity, usage and trade performance, and are developing integrated value chains for motorcycles. South Africa is a net importer of motorcycles and imports have been declining for the past five years. No local manufacturing is taking…
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- Year 2017
- Author(s) Sandy Lowitt, TIPS Research Fellow
This brief presents three pragmatic industrial policy implementation ideas based on recent heterodox thinking. The examples were identified during the research for a theoretical think piece on current heterodox industrial policy literature. The ideas are presented without the context of supporting theory, but simply as ideas that incumbent industrial policy…
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23 March 2017
Making the Industrial Parks Revitalisation Programme work for employment and firm growth
- Year 2017
- Author(s) Mbofholowo Tsedu, TIPS Senior Researcher
This policy brief provides an overview of South Africa’s Department of Trade and Industry’s industrial park revitalisation programme (IPRP). It then highlights some key success factors for implementing successful spatially-targeted industrial development interventions such as industrial parks. Although infrastructure provision is a crucial (and necessary) investment facilitator, other key factors…
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