http://hdl.handle.net/10386/25 2026-04-07T07:18:08Z 2026-04-07T07:18:08Z Mugwabana, Thinawanga Joseph http://hdl.handle.net/10386/5404 2026-03-21T01:00:35Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Determinants market price of indigenous veld goats in Limpopo Province, South Africa Mugwabana, Thinawanga Joseph Market price is a key factor that determines revenue generation and the potential profitability of the enterprise. The aim of this study was to analyse determinants of market price in indigenous veld goats in Limpopo Province, South Africa. The study had three objectives: (1) to determine the socio-economic characteristics of indigenous veld goat farmers in Limpopo Province, (2) to analyse the determinants of market price of indigenous veld goats in Limpopo Province, and (3) to describe conditions that will lead to high market price for indigenous veld goats in Limpopo Province. The study was conducted in the five districts of Limpopo Province, namely: Vhembe, Mopani, Capricorn, Sekhukhune and Waterberg. The study used a quantitative approach that followed a cross-sectional design where the data was collected once from IVG farmers. The study targeted all the 86 active members of the Limpopo IVG farmers’ club, however, only 35 voluntarily participated in the study, representing a response rate of 41%. The data was analysed using SPSS (version 28) and the results presented using descriptive (frequencies) and inferential (t-test and regression) statistical techniques. The descriptive study results found that male farmers dominate (85.7%) in the goat farming sector in Limpopo Province. The majority (28.6%) are retirees that farm with goats on a part-time basis (54.3%). While most of the IVG farmers (65.7%) have tertiary education, only a quarter of them (25.7%) had formal training on goat production. Land ownership by IVG farmers is predominantly communal (62.9%) with private ownership being less common (37.1%). The main source of capital for acquiring goats is through savings (85.7%) and the most number of goats owned (34.2%) averages between 21-49 goats per herd. The inferential study results identified five key independent variables that significantly influence the market price of indigenous veld goats, namely: body condition score, female physiological state, herd size, distance to the market and iv | P a g e type of farming system. These independent variables significantly positively influence the market price with the exception of the female physiological state. However, for optimal market price in IVG it is important to consider all other factors despite their significant status, for as long as they have an influence in the market price of goats. This research contributes to the body of knowledge on determinants of market price in indigenous veld goats in Limpopo Province and to some extend throughout South Africa. Thesis (MBA.) -- University of Limpopo, 2025

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z Chuene, Natasha Tlhologelo http://hdl.handle.net/10386/5391 2026-03-17T01:00:16Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

The effect of electricity consumption, price and coal exports on economic growth in South Africa Chuene, Natasha Tlhologelo Coal, recognized as a significant energy source, is a mineral commodity that is traded among countries. As a developing nation, South Africa is among the wealthiest and most dependent on coal as an input for electricity generation. Electricity consumption is a crucial contributor to GDP, and conversely, GDP plays a pivotal role in driving electricity consumption. However, the country faces a critical issue with electricity rationing and escalating electricity prices, sparking growing concerns as tons of coal are being exported. The study analyzed the effect of electricity consumption, electricity price, and coal exports on South Africa’s economic growth using quarterly data from 2016 to 2023. Through the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL), the study examined the long-run along with the short-run relationships. Secondly, to further inform policy, the Granger causality test was incorporated to evaluate the variables' causal relationship. Lastly, upon detecting existing causality, the economy's future path was forecasted through the Impulse Response Function (IRF) and Variance decomposition. In the long run, electricity consumption and price positively correlate with GDP at a 1% significance level, while coal exports negatively correlate with GDP at a 5% significance level. Electricity consumption aids productivity enabling seamless operations in various sectors. High electricity prices can drive businesses and households to invest in energy-efficient technologies and practices. This can lead to innovations and advancements in energy-saving solutions, fostering new industries and job creation. The export of coal in South Africa contradicts the export-led growth hypothesis as it has not resulted in significant economic benefits which is questionable due to the dire state of the country of having loadshedding. And as seen, load shedding has been detrimental to the economy. Thus, the findings of this study will provide policymakers with useful insights for making strategic decisions to enhance long-term economic growth and strengthen South Africa's energy sector. Thesis (M. Com. (Economics)) -- University of Limpopo, 2025

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z Mahlare, Mayvel Kutlwana http://hdl.handle.net/10386/5235 2026-01-24T01:03:44Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

The effect of investment and economic growth on unemployment in South Africa Mahlare, Mayvel Kutlwana Unemployment is one of the triple challenges that South African economy is currently facing. The combination of foreign investment and domestic investment can be utilised to decrease the level of unemployment in a country. Therefore, this study examines the effect of investments (Foreign Investment and Domestic Investment) and economic growth on unemployment in South Africa. The autoregressive distribution lag model (ARDL), which can accommodate a variety of stationarity levels and distinct time series data variables, has been utilised in the study to investigate this effect. The model used annual data gathered from 1998 to 2020. The unit root tests of have showed that variables are stationary at level and 1st difference. The empirical findings indicated that the economic growth and unemployment are positively related in both short, and long run. This is because the economy is facing a jobless growth, where enough jobs are not created and the relationship between foreign direct investment and unemployment is insignificant in both short run and long run. The findings have also indicated that domestic investment affect unemployment negatively in both short and long run, while inflation affect unemployment positively. VAR Granger causality results indicated that there is no directional causality between foreign direct investment and unemployment, there is a bi-directional causality between domestic investment and unemployment, and unidirectional causality between economic growth and unemployment. The research opens to new policy perception that government policy should be directed to Agricultural sector and infrastructure because they are more labour intensive. Thesis (M. Com. (Economics)) -- University of Limpopo, 2025

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z Makgoba, Ouma Priscilla http://hdl.handle.net/10386/5234 2026-01-24T01:02:11Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

The implication of electricity shocks and selected governance indicators on growth prospects : a comparative analysis between South Africa and China Makgoba, Ouma Priscilla This study investigated comparatively the implications of electricity shocks and governance indicators on economic growth in South Africa and China for 1995 to 2021 period. The two economies have been facing a slow growth rate for over a decade now, and that is a major concern considering the importance of growth in any country. The key variables investigated were electricity supply, corruption, political instability and economic growth. Subsequently, inflation, debt and money supply were added as control variables in the study to strengthen the models. The study used Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) to test for the relationship among variables, and Granger causality to test for causality. The preceding techniques used were impulse response function and variance of decomposition to forecast economic growth in relation to the shock in electricity supply. The ARDL long-run results revealed a negative relationship between economic growth and all the key macroeconomic variables in South Africa and China. The results further showed that all the key variables have a dire effect on the economic growth of South Africa, whereas they have little impact on the economic growth of China. The short-run results revealed contradictory results across the two countries. The Granger causality test results found evidence of causality only in political instability and economic growth in South Africa and no causality in China. The impulse response function results exhibited that economic growth responds negatively to shocks from electricity supply in South Africa, whereas it responds positively in China. Due to that, the study consequently recommended that South Africa follow some of China’s policies to solve its electricity issues. The study further recommended that the policymakers of both countries focus more on policies that promote accountability and transparency. That will reduce corruption and political instability levels in both economies and ultimately improve economic growth. The study added that the policymakers of South Africa should implement policies to address these challenges urgently as their effects are more pronounced in the country. Thesis (M. Com. ( Economics)) -- University of Limpopo, 2025

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