Mthente was commissioned by the NCPC-SA to document and review three examples of eco-industrial parks in South Africa (for the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation – UNIDO).
This study formed a component of a global review of the good practice regarding the development of protocols/policies for resource efficient and cleaner production (RECP); their implementation and management; and continued expansion/promotion of eco-industrial parks (EIPs) in developing and emerging economies.
The Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) commissioned Mthente to undertake a situational analysis of the South African SMME sector. The output from this research process provided strategic input to support SEDA to deliver on its mandate and foster an entrepreneurial culture that brings previously disadvantaged individuals into mainstream economic activities in South Africa and creates sustainable employment through small business development.
The findings of this research informed SEDA’s strategy to deliver upon its mandate to foster an entrepreneurial culture that brings previously disadvantaged individuals into mainstream economic activities in South Africa and creates sustainable employment through small business development.
The National Cleaner Production Centre South Africa (NCPC-SA) is an Implementation Programme of the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti), hosted by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). The main objective of NCPC-SA is to enhance the competitiveness and productivity capacity of the South African Industry Sectors through Resource Efficiency Cleaner Production (RECP) methodologies and techniques. The purpose of the project was to recruit twenty companies on behalf of the NCPC-SA to undergo RECP-IEE assessments. The aim was to assist the NCPC-SA to strengthen market access by South African industry and business sectors through the Cleaner Production technologies and services that can contribute to the sustainability of value chains by delivering measurable economic, environment and social impacts that support the national priorities of growth, equity and employment.
The focus was on recruited companies within the industrial parks of Spartan and Isando located in Kempton Park, and with more than 20 employees, and be a mix of different sectors (at least four different sectors) such as Agro-Processing; Metals/Foundries; Chemicals; Logistics/Distribution; Clothing/Textiles; FoodBev manufacturing; etc. The primary objective of the project was the signing of MoU’s with twenty (20) companies to undertake RECP/IEE assessments with the NCPC-SA.
The University Science Humanities & Engineering Partnerships in Africa (USHEPiA) Programme was established in 1996 to build institutional and human capacity in African Universities. The programme has sought to build and promote collaboration between African researchers across the continent, with the ultimate goal being to develop a network of African researchers capable of addressing the developmental needs of the continent. USHEPiA is a partnership of eight South and East African Universities (including UCT) which offers post-graduate scholarships to staff members of the partner universities, in the form of split-site PhD (and a few Masters) degrees, with Fellows jointly supervised by academics at their home university and UCT.
On the 20th anniversary of the USHEPiA Programme, the International Academic Programmes Office (IAPO) commissioned Mthente to track the changes in the programme and profile the journeys and experiences of those who were involved in or benefited from the programme since its inception.
Every year South Africa hosts numerous world-class sporting events, such as the Cape Argus Cycle Race, the Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon and the 89 kilometre Comrades marathon – two of which are held in the Western Cape. In addition to large scale, international sport events, South African provinces also compete to host inter-provincial sports tournaments due to social and economic benefits that often result for hosting communities. Such tournaments include the Craven Week, Coca-Cola Schools T20
Challenge and the South African Under 18 Interprovincial Hockey Tournament.
The CWDM was interested in hosting sport tourism events as a means of capitalising on its unique environment and reputation as a destination for outdoor sports (cycling, canoeing, etc), and attracting greater numbers of visitors to the region – particularly during off-peak season. The proposal to host the Under 18 Academy Week in Worcester provided the CWDM with the opportunity to test the economic value of such events for the municipality, as well as to assess any related social impact. Mthente was, therefore, commissioned to assess the impact of the Under 18 Academy Week on the Cape Winelands economy, and develop recommendations on how to better improve the hosting of such events within the CWDM.
Mthente conducted research by FCB for the Road Accident Fund (RAF) to determine the effectiveness of the RAF’s marketing and communication campaign. The aim of this campaign was to achieve raised awareness of issues relating to road safety, RAF service offerings, and a positive change in behaviours amongst road users and predestines.
The RAF is undergoing a fundamental change in its operation and will be replaced by a new dispensation in the form of the Road Accident Benefit Scheme (RABS). Therefore, the insights and learning from this research was used to inform the new RABS brand, logo and Corporate Identity, as well as the development of its marketing and communications strategy, creative offering, and marketing & communication plans.
The research was informed by a desktop review, a desktop audit of the RAF brand and a behavioural and attitudinal snap survey to probe the public’s attitudes, beliefs, behaviours, perceptions and awareness along the new RABS customer journey.
Mthente was commissioned by the Cape Winelands District Municipality (CWDM) to conduct a Tourism Sector Study to investigate opportunities for growth, diversification and transformation in the tourism sector and identify ways in which the Municipality could support the development of the sector. From this Mthente developed a Tourism Niche Strategy (TNS) and Implementation Plan for the CWDM.
The focus of the TNS was in three key sub-segments of the tourism industry: sports and outdoor tourism; accessible tourism; and multigenerational tourism. The final report presented the results of desktop research to inform the development of the TNS and implementation plan.
The research was informed by stakeholder interviews and 150 interviews with tourism businesses based in the Cape Winelands District.
Commissioned by the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), Mthente undertook a qualitative and quantitative study that analysed the South African market to determine the feasibility of developing a budget travel destination chain targeted primarily at low- to middle-income earners travelling domestically.
Research methods included statistical analysis of existing tourism data, survey interviews with 450 respondents, qualitative focus groups and international case studies.
The Department of Arts and Culture (DAC) commissioned Mthente to undertake in-depth research in order to develop a National Fashion Strategy. The overall aim of the research was to undertake an in-depth analysis of the fashion industry to assess how to grow the sector and further assist designers with opportunities.
The practical recommendations emanating from the research informed the DAC’s five-year strategy and implementatio plan. The focus was to guide the activities and programmes of both government and other key industry stakeholders to support the growth and development of South Africa’s Fashion Industry.
The Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA), an agency under the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti), commissioned the development of guidelines for the establishment and staffing of Seda branches. SEDA provides business development and support services for small enterprises through its national network, in partnership with other role players in the small, medium and micro-enterprise (SMME) sector. It also implements programmes targeted at business development in areas prioritised by the Government.
The guidelines developed by Mthente focus on:
financial, political, societal and legal matters and practical arrangements such as geographical location;
The guidelines were informed by a review of relevant best practice literature and information obtained from focus groups, in-depth interviews, and a survey among 139 SEDA stakeholders.
