State-business partnership in poverty reduction : a case study of three public-private partnerships in Swaziland
Date
2009-03
Authors
Mutsigwa, Joseph Kudzanai
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
Abstract
The study asserts that Swaziland’s socio-economic development challenges cannot be
effectively tackled by the Government and civil society alone but requires the
participation of the private sector. The study explores the prospects for collaboration
between the state and business in the context of MDGs, PPPs and CSR. The study
highlights the importance of the participation of beneficiaries in the design and
implementation of development projects. The importance of beneficiary participation in
the design and implementation of development initiatives is discussed in the context of
“good governance” linked to the notion of sustainable human development.
The case studies are aimed at poverty reduction/alleviation. Linkages between the private
sector and SMEs in advancing broad economic growth are explored in the case studies. It
is argued that economic growth is a necessary condition for creating employment and
fighting poverty underpinned by the MDGs. The Moneni upgrading project (section 3.2)
explores the extent the initiative aims to improve the living standards of low-income and
poor communities in line with the MDGs. The STH case study (section 3.3) is a spin off
from government. The STH seeks to provide a market intermediary for the SME sector
particularly rural based cultural “handicraft” industries in Swaziland as way to mitigate
the effects of poverty for marginalised rural producers. The last case study (section 3.4)
discusses the entrepreneur of the year awards (EYA), an initiative aimed at reducing
poverty and promoting local economic empowerment and sustainable development in
Swaziland.
The study recommended further research in view of the major constraints highlighted by
the study. It was problematic to engage in critical and detailed discourse because the
concepts explored by the study are new in the Swazi development context. The other
dimension that compromised detailed analysis was posed by the unavailability of
research data related to both the Swazi private sector and SME sectors. The majority of
the SME sector operate at micro level and have insignificant economic turnover. Further
studies are important to explore ways to promote linkages for growth of these sectors in
the context of poverty reduction/alleviation.
Description
Thesis (MPhil (Sustainable Development Planning and Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009.
Keywords
Public-private sector cooperation -- Swaziland, Poverty -- Swaziland, Economic conditions in Swaziland, Dissertations -- Public management and planning, Theses -- Public management and planning