Mthente conducted market analysis study for the CCDI in order to understand the value of the design industry in the Western Cape, and to identify key strengths and weaknesses within the industry. This was informed by 153 design businesses in the Western Cape. The results of this research informed the development of the CCDI’s Design Strategy for the Western Cape.
Inyathelo: The South African Institute for Advancement commissioned a research study to better understand the size and scope of institutionalised private philanthropy in South Africa.
The objectives of the research project were to:
This research provided influential insights and information to better understand formal, institutionalised philanthropy in South Africa and will be of value not only to civil society, but also to private wealth management professionals, the South African Treasury and individuals interested in philanthropic endeavours. Research included an analysis of existing literature and definitions of philanthropy, and a consideration of the origins of, motivations for and trends in philanthropy (or giving) both in South Africa and internationally. Case studies on Ireland, Singapore and Egypt as well as case studies of South African Foundations and Trusts were developed to present an analysis of emerging innovative funding models such as donor-advised funds (DAFs); social impact bonds (SIBs) and social enterprises.
The Funding Practice Alliance (FPA), under the auspices of Inyathelo: The South African Institute for Advancement, commissioned a Research Study on Civil Society in South Africa to understand how the civil society sector is resourced and to legitimate the sector as a crucial agent in the South African economy. The research objectives were to: determine where funding to civil society comes from (i.e. funding source); determine where this funding goes to in terms of issue/sector and geography; quantify how much the civil society sector contributes to employment (remunerated employment) as well as to training new graduates (non-remunerated employment/voluntary work); and quantify how much the civil society sector contributes to the South African economy.
A sector scoping exercise and desktop review was conducted to provide an in-depth analysis of the civil society sector and also included the development of three country case studies (Brazil; India; and Kenya) highlighting the impact of vibrant civil society. These countries were selected on the grounds that: each has a large and well-established civil society sector; and, each shares some economic, social and political similarities with South Africa. A list of key stakeholders was drawn from across the various sectors within civil society, covering CEO’s and COO’s of philanthropic organisations, academics, sector experts and government donors and departments working on civil society issues. Key variables employed for the selection and stratification of the research sample were: organisational type; geographic location; and sector focus. The sample frame was based on the Department of Social Development’s (DSD) database of 133,879 registered Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs). This resulted in 500 CSOs being interviewed and 9 focus groups being conducted across the nine provinces.
Mthente undertook a review for the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) of development funding available to Black-Owned Manufacturing Enterprises in order to make recommendations appropriate interventions to develop and grow Black manufacturers in South Africa.
The research includes an in-depth analysis of the accessibility, adequacy and availability of funds to support black manufacturers; a benchmark assessment that provided insightes into the type of support that is provided to emerging manufacturers in other countries; and interviews and focus group discussion with 300 black manufacturers. The rearch findings informed our recommendations on the development of alternative support intervention and funding solution, which were suppored with a Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA).
The Export Credit Insurance Corporation of South Africa SOC Ltd (ECIC) commissioned a study on the market for the provision of short-term trade and finance insurance products for South African exporters and buyers of South African goods and services.
The objectives of the research were to:
The methodology included:
This research provided input and insights to assist the ECIC in streamlining its role in the short-term credit insurance market so as to ensure optimal utilisation of limited resources.
The Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) commissioned Mthente to undertake a research analysis of the needs, state and performance of SMEs in the agriculture, manufacturing and services sectors, with the latter focused on the information and communication technology (ICT) and tourism sectors. The research was designed to provide guidance to SEDA as to how these enterprises can be better served and supported to create jobs and contribute to the national government’s objectives of sustained economic development and employment creation.
Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDT) of the Provincial Government of the Western Cape (PGWC) commissioned Mthente to conduct a baseline research study exploring Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) in the Western Cape. The objectives of the research study were to: determine the extent to which B-BBEE serves as a catalyst for growth in the Western Cape economy, to identify factors which encourage and/or hinder B-BBEE and entrepreneurial activity in the Province, to offer possible guidelines for the formulation of effective and targeted policies aimed at stimulating BBBEE in the Western Cape and to recommend a model which clearly defines what B-BBEE should look like in the Western Cape.
The research was informed by a comprehensive desktop research phase; a baseline survey of 180 companies in the Western Cape; and a series of in-depth, one-on-one interviews with both company owners/ managers in the Western Cape (11) and B-BBEE specialists and stakeholders (3 interviews). In addition to these interviews, a selection of companies representing examples of best practice in terms of BBBEE implementation were interviewed.
The Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDT) in the Western Cape commissioned Mthente to explore immigration regulatory frameworks of selected Sub-Saharan African and Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries with the aim of drawing out lessons for South Africa. The countries selected for this study are Australia, Botswana, Canada and Mauritius.
By undertaking this research at a provincial level, the DEDT was well-positioned to participate in the national debate and to lobby for immigration processes and procedures that would facilitate the Western Cape’s ability to attract foreign investment and scarce skills.
Mthente conducted a research study for the Provincial Government of KwaZulu Natal in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme focused on the State of the Province. The focus of this research was to highlight issues relevant to the development and implementation of KZNs NPAs (Decent Work creation, Education, Health, Crime & Rural development) and KZNs PGDP pillars (Job creation, Human resource development, Human and community development, Strategic infrastructure, Environmental sustainability and spatial equity & Governance and policy)
The report gave context to these prioritised interventions and offered an up-to-date assessment of the province’s progress towards achieving the targets set by the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and attaining the longer-term goals of the province.
The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) commissioned Mthente to undertake an analyse the economic and socio-economic impact of the recreational West Coast Rock Lobster (WCRL) fishery on the Western Cape economy. The scope of the study included the geographical area between the Orange River and Cape Agulhas, and focused on all types of recreational WCRL fishers.
The research was informed by an extensive secondary review of information and data, stakeholder interviews, a fisher survey with 171 fishers and interviews with 21 businesses.
