Tag Archive for: Market & Consumer Insights

Gauteng Department of Health: Evaluation of the Outcomes of Ward-Based Door-to-Door AIDS Education Programme in Gauteng Province

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Gauteng Online

The Gauteng Department of Health commissioned an evaluation to determine and assess the outcomes of the Ward-based, Door to Door HIV and AIDS Education Programme. The Ward-based, Door to Door HIV and AIDS Education Programme has been implemented in informal settlements and high risk areas in Gauteng to (i) improve HIV prevention through combination prevention; (ii) address health care through testing, treatment and adherence; and finally, (iii) identify and refer orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) for poverty relief or referral (iv) and poor households. This holistic effort is aimed at mitigating the effect of HIV/AIDS on residents.

The objectives of the evaluation are to: measure the results and outcomes of the programme in the five municipalities where the programme was implemented; measure the effectiveness of the referral systems from the program to NGO and government services; document community responses to the programme; analyse the community responses; and recommend processes, systems and methods to strengthen the ward-based door-to-door HIV education programme in Gauteng. 104 households were successfully surveyed during the pilot study. The full survey will be implemented in mid 2016, where a total of 2,100 households will surveyed.

Biovac: Community Engagement Plan

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Mthente Research and Consulting Services was commissioned by Biovac to develop a detailed Stakeholder Engagement Plan in line with the World Bank Group’s International Finance Corporation (IFC) guidelines as part of a critical project funding agreement. The SEP was designed to ensure meaningful and ongoing community involvement, aligning with the World Bank Group’s IFC “Good Practice Handbook for Companies Doing Business in Emerging Markets.” The project primarily focused on Biovac’s state-of-the-art vaccine manufacturing facility in Cape Town, which aims to scale up vaccine production to meet global standards.

Mthente conducted a thorough stakeholder mapping exercise to identify and prioritise key groups, including local residents, community organisations, and other interest groups in the Pinelands area. Through preliminary interviews and public engagement sessions, Mthente developed an SEP that included a clear strategy for information sharing, external communication, and grievance mechanism to address stakeholder concerns promptly and effectively, with ongoing monitoring and reporting procedures to track progress and maintain open lines of communication.

Overall, Mthente’s work for Biovac laid the foundation for a sustainable and cooperative relationship between Biovac and the surrounding community, ensuring that the company’s expansion aligns with the needs and expectations of local stakeholders.

Research on Problem Gambling in the Western Cape

Mthente Research and Consulting Services was commissioned by the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board (WCGRB) to conduct a comprehensive study on gambling and problem gambling in the Western Cape, South Africa. The aim of the research was to inform evidence-based policy development and enhance the effectiveness of the WCGRB’s responsible gambling initiatives.

This study provided an in-depth analysis of the province’s gambling landscape, examining demographic patterns, modes of gambling, and the socio-economic implications of gambling behaviours. Mthente employed a rigorous mixed methods approach, integrating both quantitative and qualitative research techniques to offer a holistic understanding of the dynamics at play.

Quantitative data were collected through household and individual surveys to determine gambling prevalence, demographic profiles, and behavioural patterns. These insights were instrumental in identifying trends across age, income, education levels, and types of gambling activity. In parallel, qualitative data were gathered through interviews and focus groups with key stakeholders, including patrons, industry players, and community-based organisations. This allowed for the inclusion of lived experiences, community perspectives, and critical reflections on the impact of gambling in the region.

A comprehensive desktop review of national and international literature further strengthened the study by contextualising the findings within broader gambling trends and responsible gambling frameworks. In addition, Mthente developed an innovative model for analysing the drivers of problem gambling, incorporating economic, psychological, behavioural, and cognitive dimensions.

The study’s findings offer the WCGRB a robust, evidence-based foundation for crafting targeted interventions and responsive regulatory measures. By combining statistical data with rich qualitative insights, the research not only maps the extent of gambling in the province but also illuminates the complex factors contributing to problem gambling. This work enables the WCGRB to design more effective, locally relevant policies and programmes that address the realities of gambling in the Western Cape.

Challenges, business opportunities, and support required by MSMEs and Co-operatives in the national priority sectors 

Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and Co-operatives play a crucial role in economic and sustainable development through their significant contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employment in the country. In 2022, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) projected that MSMEs and Co-operatives account for more than 90% of all formal businesses in South Africa, employ 50% to 60% of the labour force, and contribute 34% to the country’s GDP. There is a clear level of participation by MSMEs and Co-operatives in the national priority sectors and there are challenges and opportunities for them to competitively participate. Though there is some information on the challenges and opportunities which MSMEs and Co-operatives face, the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) has specific data needs for support interventions and programmes for MSMEs and Co-operatives in the country’s economic priority sectors. The Department is responsible for ensuring increased contribution by MSMEs in priority sectors to meaningfully input to the economy.

Mthente Research was appointed to conduct a research study on the challenges, business opportunities, and support required by MSMEs and Co-operatives in the national priority sectors focusing on the short, medium and long-term, on behalf of the DSBD. Through a mix of quantitative and qualitative research, coupled with key literature available in the public domain, Mthente produced an insightful report that assessed and interrogated challenges faced by MSMEs and Co-operatives, assessed and prioritised relevant and applicable opportunities for MSMEs and Co-operatives, evaluated the support (financial and non-financial) provided for MSMEs and Co-operatives and proposed interventions for improvement of financial and non-financial support in four national priority sectors, which included the mining sector, agricultural sector, manufacturing sector and tourism sector.

Assessing the Landscape of Small Businesses and Cooperatives in South Africa: A Three-Year Longitudinal Study (2021-2023)

Mthente was commissioned by the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) to conduct a three-year (2021-2023) longitudinal study with a cohort of small businesses and cooperatives across South Africa. The study aimed to assess the impact of government support programs, uncover growth inhibitors and opportunities, assess the performance of these entities, and obtain a longitudinal profile of them.

The methodology included a yearly review of literature, a quantitative survey, and in-depth interviews with experts. The study found that the small business landscape in South Africa was trying to stabilize to a new, post-COVID normal, but the 2023 survey results indicated a changing picture, revealing the sector’s resilience and vulnerability amid harsh socio-economic conditions.

Financing remained a challenge for small businesses and cooperatives throughout the study period. The study highlighted various challenges faced by these entities, including high costs of doing business, limited access to government support, a lack of clarity regarding support criteria, and a perceived lack of understanding of their needs by the government.

The study also identified the need for networks, mentors, diversification, and digitization to promote long-term success. The informal sector was recognized as requiring pre-formalization support to improve business survival rates.

South African Tourism Conducts Annual Stakeholder Engagement Survey: 2024 Corporate Reputation Index

South African Tourism (SA Tourism) is committed to understanding the needs and priorities of its stakeholders. To achieve this, SA Tourism has been conducting an annual stakeholder engagement survey since 2017.

The focus of the surveys has evolved over time:

  • 2017 and 2019: gauged stakeholder awareness of SA Tourism’s objectives, satisfaction with engagement initiatives at the time, and identified platforms preferred by stakeholders.
  • 2021 and 2022: Assessed stakeholder satisfaction with SA Tourism’s COVID-19 response.
  • 2023: Shifted focus back to stakeholder engagement and product awareness.

To ensure consistency in data collection, SA Tourism partnered with Mthente to conduct the surveys for 2022–23 FY and 2023–24 FY, allowing for comparability with previous studies. The primary goal of these surveys remains the same: to assess stakeholder satisfaction with SA Tourism’s initiatives.

This commitment to stakeholder engagement allows SA Tourism to tailor its efforts to better meet the needs of the tourism industry in South Africa.

MQA MMS RESEARCH

The Mining Qualification Authority (MQA) is regarded as a Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) operating in the Mining and Minerals Sector (MMS) in South Africa. In terms of the National Skills Development Plan, SETA’s remain an authoritative voice in the labour market and are experts in their respective sectors. Thus, SETAs are required to undertake sector and nationally commissioned research and data analysis to inform skills planning and interventions. The MQA partnered with Mthente to undertake research to understand the relationship between scarce and critical skills and the training interventions that are implemented in the MMS. The objectives of this research were to:

Understand the nature of skills that are reported to be in demand in the MMS
Understand the nature of supply of skills reported in the MMS
Understand the relationship between the demand and supply of skills in the MMS
Provide actionable recommendations that can improve the current skills training and development landscape within the MMS

A mixed-methodology approach in the form of an in-depth literature review, secondary data analysis of WSP data, expert interviews and the development of 8 sub-sector case studies were used to answer the key research questions. Thereafter, Mthente provided a report that provided a contextual overview of skills and education in the MMS, an overview of the current skills gaps and skills development in the sector, case studies which can be used to guide skills development initiatives in the future followed by a recommendation section.

LEVY-EXEMPT ORGANISATIONS AND SMALL AND EMERGING BUSINESSES RELEVANCE AND SUSTAINABILITY EVALUATION STUDY 2021/22

At the start of 2023, Mthente Research and Consulting Services was commissioned by the Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority (HWSETA) to provide professional services in an evaluation project. The project was concerned with evaluating the interventions provided to levy-exempt organisations (LEOs) and Small and Emerging Businesses (SMEs) across the years of 2021 to 2022. Mthente utilized an empirical research design, with a mixed-methods research approach to evaluate the relevance and sustainability of the interventions received by the LEOs and SMEs. During the project, Mthente reviewed and amended pre-existing instruments before commencing the data collection phase. Overall, a total of 206 surveys were conducted with directors of LEOs and SME owners. Furthermore, 4 participants from each of these categories participated in in-depth interviews. Quantitative data underwent statistical analysis via SPSS, and qualitative data was analysed thematically. The results and findings indicated that the HWSETA’s funding interventions have successfully achieved their intended objectives. As such, the HWSETA’s interventions were deemed to be relevant and sustainable. The process of the evaluation project was executed in a professional and ethical manner. In July 2023, the project concluded with Mthente’s submission of a thorough and graphic research report.

AN ANALYSIS OF THE PERFORMANCE OF THE KZNFilm FUNDED PROJECTS BETWEEN 2014 AND 2021.

This report presents the key findings of a study conducted to analyse the performance of the KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission (KZNFilm) funded projects between 2014 and 2021. The transformation imperative to promote an economic structure that redresses the unjust practices of the past is recommended as key for better performance of KZNFilm and KZN-based productions. Future transformation programmes should work towards providing quality assurance processes, where there is a questionnaire to evaluate the programmes and to have graduates provide details of how the process has sharpened their skills. Secondly, skills labour to support potential/ prospective film studios with a prepared workforce from the province should be expanded to focus on the art department, set construction, set dressing, sound technology, and lighting technology. Training and development for the KZNFilm business on negotiating the purchase of film rights for intellectual property to increase ancillary rights for KZN-based films should be key for development. KZNFilm should increase monitoring and evaluation processes to understand the different phases of production and the revenue plans submitted for funding applications, and lastly, Festivals and Markets should be open to measuring their tangible impact, for example, new distribution partnerships for films, access to further international and national funding, and commission agreements.

EMERGING THREATS TO THE ONLINE PLATFORMS: AN ANALYSIS OF THE EXTENT AND PREVALENCE OF PIRACY AND OTHER ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES RELATED TO THE SELLING OF ONLINE CONTENT [IN KZN]

This study provided an overview of piracy as a global phenomenon and a possible threat to South Africa and KwaZulu-Natal online platforms. An analysis of the extent and prevalence of piracy and other illegal activities related to selling online content in KwaZulu-Natal is discussed from a broad overview of online piracy. The study recommends that copyright laws in South Africa should be clearer and should extend to education and training platforms. Cultivation of digital environment and access to affordable internet access. Lastly, better law enforcement structures, including a specific police unit that deals with copyright infringement of creative industry outputs like film, should be implemented. This recommendation is extended to include specific punishable actions that policy and law enforcement should implement to curb piracy.