LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Thematic Area: 
The legacy of colonialism and apartheid in South Africa has resulted in unsustainable localities that are characterized by poverty, unemployment, marginalization, lack of skills and opportunities, and lack of local assets that can be used as a basis for sustainable local economic development. Consequently, these marginalized communities have remained on the periphery of the national economy and social activity. Furthermore, critical observations highlight that conventional approaches to local development have not been successful in solving the problems of poverty, unemployment, and development of human capabilities. Therefore, this research theme recognizes the need to generate alternative approaches of local economic development that are grounded on the geography of particular localities. Such approaches should also contribute by inter alia:
  • Enhance the role of local government in local development
  • Help accelerate integration of isolated localities
  • Enhance democracy and democratic participation
  • Build human capabilities
Sustainable local economic development depends to a great extent on how knowledge is successfully generated and applied. Indeed, the changing contexts for local development points to a strong need to understand and adopt the innovation systems approach as an analytical framework. The innovation systems approach pays particular attention to the developmental outcomes of the practical application of creative activities recognizing the unique geography of the locality. Thus it facilitates the generation of relevant knowledge, provides access to knowledge, enables knowledge sharing, and emphasizes learning. At a sectoral level, this research theme pays particular attention to agriculture and agricultural innovations systems.

Presentations and Other

2013
Lindile L. Ndabeni

19 years into democracy and we still have huge challenges of development:

  • Poverty
  • Unemployment
  • Inequality

Rural development

Keywords: Lindile L Ndabeni, PhD | Local economic development | Presentations and Other
2012
Erika Kraemer‐Mbula
  1. Exchanging experiences: similarities and differences between Brazil and South Africa
  2. Important lessons from the LIPS
    2.1. Methodological lessons
    2.2. Policy lessons
  3. Ongoing questions
Keywords: Erika Kraemer-Mbula | International Seminar | LIPS | Local economic development | Presentations and Other
2012

In no country in the world is social and economic development and potential evenly distributed & it is not possible for social and economic development & potential to be distributed evenly across geographic space.

Diverse and disparate spatial contexts suggests that policy design must be informed by the specific conditions in particular areas ‐ a policy approach which itself...

Keywords: International Seminar | LIPS | Local economic development | Presentations and Other
2011
Lindile L. Ndabeni

Conclusions

  • Africa’s inclusive development and growth depends on agriculture especially in rural areas
  • Productivity and economic opportunity are highly variable across sub-national regions
  • But, the reliance on access to capital and globalized markets means that these opportunities are likely to be captured by large-scale private enterprises
  • Africa’s...
Keywords: Lindile L Ndabeni, PhD | Local economic development | Presentations and Other
2011
Lindile L. Ndabeni

Outline

  • Profession and professional
  • Rise of information age and professionals
  • Indigenization
    • South Korea, Japan, Germany, Afrikaners in South Africa
  • Thought leadership
  • Local as sub-national
  • Concluding remarks
Keywords: Lindile L Ndabeni, PhD | Local economic development | Presentations and Other
2011
  • To assess the current level of efficiency in the collection and disposal of solid waste produced by the 7 categories of waste in the CBD of Pretoria.
  • To identify factors that are responsible for the inefficient management and disposal of solid waste produced by the 7 categories of waste in the CBD of Pretoria.
  • Construct a model that could be used for improving efficiency...
Keywords: doctoral workshop | Local economic development | Presentations and Other | SARChI Research Seminar

Selected Books, Chapters and Reports

2009
Erika Kraemer-Mbula

The prospects of the aerospace industry in South Africa: the skills gap

Aerospace is a very diverse industry, with a multitude of commercial, industrial and military applications. In South Africa, aerospace activities include those surrounding defence, civilian aviation, aeronautics and space.

Keywords: Erika Kraemer-Mbula | Local economic development | Selected Books, Chapters and Reports
2009
Lindile Ndabeni

The objective in this paper is to review the technology stations program at Tshwane University of Technology. The technology stations are a product of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) policy objectives. The DST's policy is aimed at strengthening and expanding mutually beneficial links between universities of technology and small, medium-sized and micro enterprises (SMMEs). The...

Keywords: Lindile L Ndabeni, PhD | Local economic development | Selected Books, Chapters and Reports | South Africa | teaching
2008
Mario Scerri

The re-drawing of the provincial map in South Africa after the collapse of apartheid had to address the spatial economics that had emerged within the peculiar frame of reference of apartheid. The main parameters of this planning context had been the creation of homelands, or bantustans, as independent political economies and the containment of black labour within townships close to, but...

Keywords: Local economic development | Mario Scerri | Selected Books, Chapters and Reports
2008
Lindile Ndabeni

In the knowledge economy, knowledge and technological innovations are increasingly becoming the driving forces behind economic and social development. Within this framework, the critical challenge lies in the identification of sources for further growth; particularly within the small enterprise economy. The aim of this article is to examine the links between knowledge, innovation and small...

Keywords: Lindile L Ndabeni, PhD | Local economic development | Selected Books, Chapters and Reports
2008
Lindile Ndabeni

This paper examines the contribution of small business incubators to the development and promotion of small medium and micro enterprises. The International Labour Organization argues that small business incubators are innovative instruments that are increasingly considered to be of prime importance in developing and promoting competitive small firms. The location of technology stations at...

Keywords: Lindile L Ndabeni, PhD | Local economic development | Selected Books, Chapters and Reports
2006
Rasigan Maharajh and Thomas Pogue

Technology and innovation are commonly viewed as integral to sustained industrial development. This chapter draws on literature on the relationship between technology and economic development and discusses contemporary science, technology and innovation policy in South Africa.

Keywords: Local economic development | Rasigan Maharajh | Selected Books, Chapters and Reports
Lindile Ndabeni

Universities are expected to produce graduates that are globally competitive while remaining locally relevant. The third mission in South Africa is an important instrument through which the Tshwane University of Technology attempts to remain locally relevant. In particular, the technology stations programme is aimed at strengthening and expanding the mutually beneficial links between...

Keywords: Lindile L Ndabeni, PhD | Local economic development | Selected Books, Chapters and Reports

IERI Working Papers

2008
Lindile Ndabeni

The problem of rural poverty, unemployment, lack of incomes, and marginalization has become an important area of policy in practice in South Africa. More specifically, employment is seen as an important policy instrument through which the marginalized rural inhabitants can enter and participate in the broader national economy. It is not surprising, therefore, that this area of policy concern...

Keywords: IERI Working Papers | Lindile L Ndabeni, PhD | Local economic development