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Item An analysis of the participation of women entrepreneurs in the mainstream economy of South Africa.(Tshwane University of Technology, 2023-12-13) Lekganyane, Ramadimetja Granny; Dr E. MakhethaThe primary concern of this study is that although the mainstream economy is where real economic power and intrinsic empowerment value lie, new evidence show that the majority of women entrepreneurs in South Africa (SA) lack the right mix of skills, resource leverage and fiscal support to penetrate it. The mainstream economy referred to high value sectors such as manufacturing, agro-processing, commercial agriculture, tech enterprises, financial services, organised retailing, mining etc. To better understand the underlying factors hindering women entrepreneurs from making a notable mark in the mainstream economy, a qualitative inquiry that utilised the desktop study was conducted. Subsequently, the data was subjected to thematic analysis to gain a wide-eyed understanding of women empowerment trends in SA’s mainstream economy. The study found that the low participation parity of women entrepreneurs into the mainstream economy of South Africa is triggered by a composite of factors. These factors were sub-divided into two main parts, .i.e. internal factors such as (a) high levels of illiteracy, (b) lack of funding, (c) lack of skills, (d) lack of courage and (e) a culture of inferiority complex, external factors such as (a) lack of gendered incentives to level the playing field; (b) lack of a strong political will to elevate women entrepreneurs; (c) lack of a gendered fiscal framework; and (d) the patriarchal nature of the mainstream economy. The study advocates for a multipronged strategy not only to equip women entrepreneurs with the right mix of requisite skills, entrepreneurial acumen and mental strength but also to eliminate structural and cultural barriers that continue to discourage women entrepreneurs from penetrating the mainstream economy.Item The socio-economic impact of COVID-19 measures of government on relieving inequality.(Tshwane University of Technology, 2022-01-02) Mazibuko, Noluthando Precious; Professor Rasigan MaharajhThe societal gaps in South Africa have been the focus of a great deal of scholarly research. This research showed that the wealth gap had grown because of the COVID- 19 pandemic. The study considered how COVID-19 had affected South Africa’s economy and society at large, especially the poor and marginalised, and how government efforts to curb the virus's spread impacted both the formal and informal sectors. The research examined whether or not the social stimulus packages and lockdown measures implemented by the South African government in 2020 and 2021 were successful in bringing about the intended changes. Contemporary data were analysed, and practices were compared to those of other developing nations. The research used the Gini coefficient as a global standard measure of income inequality and the findings showed that South Africa and its population would be better prepared for future pandemics and floods if there were early intervention and socioeconomic stimuli and policies that took these into account.