Mthente was commissioned by Gauteng Enterprise Propeller (GEP) to undertake detailed research on mineral beneficiation. The core objective of the study was to gain sector specific knowledge and to identify opportunities for SMMEs and Co-Operatives within these sectors and the value chains within it.
The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) commissioned research exploring the services sector in South Africa to understand whether trade liberalisation within the sector has contributed to viable, sustainable employment over the past decade. The intention was then to publish the results of this research in one of UNCTAD’s annual publications. Employment and economic output data were employed to assess whether employment growth has kept up with GDP growth in the services sector. Desktop research was supplemented by data and econometric analysis, and reference was made to Lesotho as being the least developed country situated within the borders of South Africa.
Key findings from the analysis indicate that the services sector in South Africa has experienced higher average annual growth rates than those recorded in the agricultural and manufacturing sectors. This has created an expectation that this growth will spill over into employment in other sectors.
Mthente was commissioned by Inyathelo: The South African Institute for Advancement to conduct a study to determine the feasibility of establishing a new South African Foundation for Human Rights. The purpose of the study was to explore the establishment of a domestic human rights foundation that would be able to tap into domestic funding sources.
Employing both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, Mthente engaged with individuals and philanthropists in South Africa and the United Kingdom, gathering data by means of: baseline desktop research and documentation review; a self-administered quantitative survey questionnaire sent via email to participants; in-depth semi-structured qualitative interviews with key informants; and focus group workshops.
Wesgro commissioned an evaluation of the confidence levels of existing investors and their experiences of engaging with the Western Cape Agribusiness Investment Unit (AIU). As the first point of contact for import, export and investment in the Western Cape, Wesgro manages the AIU through its Investment Promotion Unit (IPU). The assessment was used to improve the AIU services offered to investors and addressed the following thematic areas: investment criteria and concerns influencing decisions to invest in agribusinesses in the Western Cape; positive and negative investment experiences and interactions with the AIU; and whether investor needs are being met by the AIU’s interventions and programmes.
Key research findings included that investment criteria are closely tied to the socio-economic and political environment of the region – the physical infrastructure and good governance in the province impress investors. Most have expanded their businesses internationally but have not yet expanded into Central Africa. The prevalence of red tape and lengthy application processes were found to be the main barriers to growth amongst investors. Overall confidence levels are good despite investor concerns about skilled labour shortages and rising commodity costs. Investors require more frequent and focused engagements with the AIU, favorably portrayed as an attractive vehicle for strong investment support.
Cape Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with the PGWC and the City of Cape Town, commissioned Mthente to undertake a study to identify regulatory practices that have the greatest negative effect on businesses’ competitiveness and resiliency in the Cape Town city-region. The results of this study provided policy makers with an insight into the regulatory processes and procedures that should be reformed in order to make it easier, simpler and faster to establish and grow a business in the Cape Town city-region. This study included a survey with 250 SMEs.
Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) commissioned Mthente conjunction with Imani Development Ltd, to undertake a rapid assessment of the impact of the global economic crisis on selected Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries.
This assessment was to be done through quantitative and qualitative research and analysis of the impact of the global economic crisis on the world of work, in particular on economic and business performance and working conditions. This was informed by business interviews in 10 SADC countries, as well as through focus groups amongst key regional stakeholders.
Mthente was commissioned by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) to investigate policy, regulatory and institutional weaknesses in Lesotho. Key recommendations resulting from this study focused on addressing policy, regulatory and institutional deficiencies in the sectors of tourism, financial and professional medical services.
Productivity SA (PSA) commissioned a study to develop productivity indicators for the fisheries sector in the Western Cape.
The objectives of the study were to:
This research on the change in the productivity of fisheries provided information on the level of fishing effort and fish catch. Information was gathered in order to assess the competitiveness of the fishing industry. The study provided PSA with a document that can inform relevant initiatives within the fisheries sector in order to promote a culture of productivity as per PSA mandates.
The Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) commissioned Mthente Research and Consulting (Pty) Ltd to conduct a Baseline Study on Black Filmmakers in South Africa. The overarching aim of the study was to comprehensively determine activities of black filmmakers, document their existence, profile, and provide information about their contribution to the South African economy.
The research approach includeded a comprehensive desktop research and stakeholder interviews, together with a survey, and focus group discussions. A telephonic survey was conducted with 53 black filmmakers in South Africa as well as 9 interviews with stakeholders. Four focus group discussions were also facilitated with black filmmakers in Western Cape, Gauteng, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal as part of the research.
As the official trade and investment agency for KwaZulu-Natal province, Trade & Investment KwaZulu-Natal (TIKZN) aims to: (i) promote KwaZulu-Natal as an investment destination, and (ii) assist KwaZulu-Natal based companies to export. To support the aim of assisting local companies to export, TIKZN commissioned Mthente to conduct a detailed study on KZN’s export product performance and identify export opportunities for KZN companies to expand their products into the global market, resulting in the development of a clearly defined Export Implementation Plan.
This study was informed by the identification and analysis of KwaZulu-Natal products that were being produced and exported, including the export destinations of KwaZulu-Natal’s economic sectors and export performance, a detailed analysis of KwaZulu-Natal companies exporting their products and the identification and comprehensive analysis of markets with potential demand (in terms of size and growth) for the products that KwaZulu-Natal can offer.
