Master’s Study Investigates Minimum Wage Laws in South Africa
Ms Leshern Devnarain.Concerns about the high levels of unemployment in South Africa prompted Ms Leshern Devnarain to put the spotlight on laws regulating the minimum wage in the country for her masters thesis.
Devnarain believes the country’s growth and success depends largely on its labour and social policies.
Her dissertation titled: “Provincial Variation in the Effects of Minimum Wage Laws in South Africa, 2000-2007”, earned her a Master of Commerce in Economics degree.
The study focused on quantifying the effects of the minimum wage law with regards to the hours worked and the probability of employment in three sectors in the three most urban provinces in South Africa
The focus was on the domestic worker, security and retail/wholesale sectors in KwaZulu-Natal, the Western Cape and Gauteng. Compliance plays a large role in determining the effectiveness of the laws and was included in the analysis. The results showed that the security sector is still underpaid and overworked, yet the domestic worker sector benefited through higher wages in post-law periods.
The study was supervised by Dr Claire Vermaak from the School of Accounting, Economics and Finance.
‘I would like to thank my lecturers and supervisors who equipped me with the knowledge to achieve my degree,’ said Devnarain. ‘I would also like to say a special thank you to Dr Vermaak who went beyond her duties as a supervisor to guide me throughout the year. Her help has been invaluable.’
Devnarain’s parents were proud to see their daughter graduate after many sleepless nights.
Devnarain has her eyes set on a career on Wall Street. ‘It has always been a dream of mine to experience the world’s business hub, New York.
‘Thereafter I would like to return to SA and attain my PhD and become a lecturer.’
Hazel Langa
author : .author email : .Law PhD Graduate’s Research a Valuable Contribution to a Transformative Constitutional State
Dr Annie Singh. Law doctoral graduate, Dr Annie Singh, hopes to help contribute to the better understanding of how people interpret laws in a transformative constitutional state through her research titled: “The Impact of the Constitution on Transforming the Process of Interpretation in South Africa”.
‘Not only has the Constitution transformed the process of statutory interpretation, it has also resulted in the emergence of a new jurisprudence,’ said Singh.
For Singh, this transformation process created a knowledge gap which she, through her role as an academic, can bridge by doing research.
‘My study has therefore resulted in a “new” theory to interpret laws in a transformative constitutional state. The study is intended to benefit South African society as a whole. By proposing a “new” more encompassing theory based on moral and ethical considerations, the purpose of the new theory of interpretation is intended to achieve social justice and social transformation,’ said Singh.
This learning curve will not only distinguish Singh - the Academic Leader for Teaching and Learning at the School of Law - as an expert in her field but will also grow her research profile.
‘I have a flair for teaching and learning. I will present a paper at the Liberalisation and Globalisation Conference in Bangalore, India, this July. The paper interrogates the impact of globalisation on African women in the workplace,’ said Singh.
‘My perspective is from a South African context as I believe that as South Africans our experience is unique and my aim is to inform the world of how we can make a difference.
‘I am also working on a paper that I intend to present at the Annual Teaching and Learning Higher Education Conference later this year,’ she said.
Thandiwe Jumo
author : .author email : .Bright Future Ahead for Bachelor of Business Science Cum Laude Graduates
From left: Mr Chadley Allkins, Ms Sanaya Meherjina and Mr Thasvir Maharaj were in high spirits after graduating with their Bachelor of Business Science degrees cum laude.Academically talented Bachelor of Business Science cum laude graduates, Mr Chadley Allkins, Mr Thasvir Maharaj and Ms Sanaya Meherjina, are looking forward to using their qualification to unlock their potential.
For Allkins, getting involved in his family’s business from a young age nurtured his love for finance which led him to pursue an academic career in the field.
‘I was motivated to study finance by my upbringing in a home that ran a business that offers Mobile Hydraulic Repair Services to various companies. During semester breaks, I helped with administration and also got to practice the principles I learned later in my studies to improve the business’s systems,’ he said.
During his studies, Allkins got an opportunity to travel overseas as an exchange student attending Drake University in the United States which was a valuable learning experience.
‘I would describe the experience as eye opening because it exposed me to a mix of new ideas, experiences and people, meaning one is bound to grow as an individual,’ he said. ‘During that time I got to meet people from all over the world and study in a new environment and culture. I experienced a more practical education in the USA and this helped me understand the theory much better when I returned home. My plans for my future career is to become a sourcing and integration specialist and eventually earn some form of leadership role whether a director or possibly CEO,’ said Allkins.
Growing up in Pakistan and moving to South Africa led to Meherjina developing an interest in how the economy works and the pursuit of an academic career in finance.
‘I believe that my degree, Bachelor of Business Science, is a huge stepping stone in pursuing a career in the academic field. This four-year degree has built an excellent foundation by providing me with abundant knowledge in the field of Economics,’ said Meherjina.
Meherjina is currently pursuing her Masters in Economics and aims to expand this knowledge and contribute to the field through research in the labour market.
For Maharaj, his ultimate goal of becoming an entrepreneur meant he needed a solid financial grounding.
‘I didn’t always know what I wanted to do however I always had an affinity for business and felt that finance would be a good platform. During my years at university I realised I would like to be in the consulting industry and I have been lucky enough to do so now. However my ultimate goal is to one day make a name for myself in my own entrepreneurial venture,’ he said.
Thandiwe Jumo
author : .author email : .PhD Study Examines Peace Building by Communities
Dr Norman Chivasa celebrated his big moment with his wife and his supervisor, Dr S Kaye.Many African countries are plagued by conflict and wars and this prompted Dr Norman Chivasa to conduct research into conflict resolution and peace studies earning himself a PhD from UKZN’s College of Law and Management Studies.
“Peace Building Among Shona Communities in Transition in Zimbabwe: A Participatory Action Research”, was the title of Chivasa’s thesis, supervised by Dr S Kaye.
The study examined the contributions of informal peace committees to peace building in Zimbabwe.
An advocate for peace, Chivasa understands that achieving a peaceful state requires a concerted effort by communities at grass root level. He believes that all individuals have a responsibility to contribute toward piece building.
One of the major themes of the findings of his study was that informal peace committees give communities the opportunity to come together and share ideas and solutions on problems confronting them, resulting in improved relations which also have a positive impact on local economic development.
Chivasa and his family are pleased with his great achievement.
His doctorate has inspired him to start a community-based Peace Building Trust. ‘The main thrust is to inculcate the idea that people should create peace in their communities through the production of food and getting involved in income generating projects.’
Hazel Langa
author : .author email : .Research Explores Role of Law in Curbing Violation of Bystanders’ Rights During Violent Protests
Mr Khulekani Khumalo. Violence which usually accompanies protest action in South Africa and the consequent violation of the rights of non-protesters, motivated Masters of Laws cum laude graduate, Mr Khulekani Khumalo, to search for a remedy to the rampant violation of the rights of bystanders during violent protests.
Said Khumalo: ‘Violent protests were and continue to be a cutting-edge societal issue which is constantly in the news headlines and on everyone’s lips. Not long ago, we saw a series of protest action organised under the auspices of the #RhodesMustFall, #FeesMustFall and #OutsourcingMustFall campaigns, which gives me more opportunity to publish on this topic.’
Further developments around violent protests, particularly the recent attempts to charge protesters with serious crimes such as terrorism and treason, have prompted Khumalo to focus his doctoral studies on the constitutionality of South Africa’s internal security laws by examining whether these laws are consistent with the Rule of Law doctrine and whether they violate any of the rights in the Bill of Rights.
Khumalo’s keen research in this area has resulted in publication in last year’s Third Volume of the Obiter Law Journal of his article titled: “Developing the Crime of Public Violence as a Remedy to the Violation of the Rights of Non-Protesters During Violent Protests and Strikes”.
On the academic front, Khumalo is not only involved in the learning and research aspect but also plays an active role in teaching. After graduating with his LLB cum laude in 2013, Khumalo started his articles of clerkship with Norton Rose Fulbright South Africa. The initial idea was that he would pursue a career in the main stream legal sector, but the love for academia and research led to him joining the School of Law as a lecturer.
‘Working towards both my undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications was undoubtedly a daunting yet very fulfilling and worthy task. Studying towards these qualifications, and having practiced law for a while, made me observe and appreciate how each qualification in life bolsters the skills necessary for any employment. With the skills acquired thus far, I am confident that I have the potential to succeed in my academic career,’ he said.
Thandiwe Jumo
author : .author email : .Top Achievers Hope to Help Relieve Shortage of Chartered Accountants
Bachelor of Commerce cum laude graduates celebrating their achievements.A group of UKZN Bachelor of Commerce cum laude graduates aim to use the confidence of being top performers to help address the shortage of Chartered Accountants in South Africa.
Ms Gayathri Arnakirinathar, Mr Vaughn Naicker, Ms Romona Naidoo, Ms Kerissa Nair and Mr Nabil Patel say that although their undergraduate journey was difficult and challenging, completing it in the stipulated time and with honours has motivated them to aim higher.
‘I want to become a Chartered Accountant (CA) because of the versatility of the qualification and the wide range of career options it provides,’ said Arnakirinathar.
For Naicker the journey to Chartered Accountancy has already begun as he is currently studying towards a postgraduate Diploma in Accounting.
‘Studying towards an Accounting degree is worthwhile as there are many different types of jobs you can get, even though you have to study a little further. I was also motivated to pursue a qualification in accounting by the fact that Chartered Accountants are in demand and it is a well-paid profession. I start my job at KPMG next year and will continue to work towards becoming a CA,’ he said.
Nair is looking forward to all the opportunities the qualification offers.
‘I was motivated to pursue a career in accountancy by the vast amount of opportunities available, both locally and internationally in an array of industries. This qualification will allow me to travel, interact with a diverse range of people and broaden my horizons while pursuing my passion,’ she said.
In preparation for her future career goals, Naidoo’s short goal is to pass her honours and do her Initial Test of Competence (ITC) in 2017.
‘I have always loved accounting at school and for me it was my passion for that field that drove me to pursue my studies in accounting. The motivation was also strengthened by me wanting to be someone successful in society and the CA qualification will get me there,’ she said.
For Patel, seeing the contributions made by CA’s to the country is what motivated him to choose this career path. ‘My motivation for this course was encouraged by the contributions made by UKZN educated CA’s who are leaders in industry, including Stephen Saad, Mike Brown and Lwazi Bam. As well as the wide variety of career options available to CA’s in various industries.
Thandiwe Jumo
author : .author email : .Educating the Community about Consumer Rights a Priority for Law Graduate
Ms Abongile Swana celebrating her achievement with her father Mr Makhosandile Swana.Seeing the stress her father suffered after his salary was docked because of the actions of an unscrupulous debt collector and the impact it had on her family’s livelihood motivated Masters of Law graduate, Ms Abongile Swana, to concentrate her research on Emoluments Attachment Orders (EAOs) as a debt collection mechanism and the irregularities observed in them.
‘Seeing unscrupulous debt collectors acting contrary to the requirements of the Magistrate’s Court Act, watching as my father suffered prejudice and lectures on the Law of Sale, Lease and other Credit Agreements in the fourth year of my LLB, contributed to me developing a strong interest in Consumer law and related matters,’ said Swana.
Considering that her research topic was so close to home, Mr Lee Swales’ role as her supervisor was helpful in ensuring that she produced an impartial thesis.
‘It is common cause that a large percentage of South Africa’s population is heavily indebted and has EAOs against their salaries. My research was closely linked to the landmark case of The University of Stellenbosch Legal Aid Clinic and Others v The Minister of Justice and Correctional Services and Others. This judgment is still yet to be confirmed by the Constitutional Court and will have a significant impact on EAOs. In my thesis, I concluded that despite the irregularities observed in EAOs, they are still an effective debt collection mechanism that should exist and that various safeguards should be put in place to ensure that they operate effectively and fairly,’ she said.
Having emotional ties to her research interest yielded positive results as it inspired Swana to get involved in community outreach. Apart from her spending three months volunteering her services at ProBono.Org’s Consumer Law Clinic working on a variety of cases that dealt with consumer’s rights, Swana also worked as a General Teaching Assistant, where she spent a lot of time at the UKZN Law Clinic which provides free legal assistance to indigent members of the community.
‘Working with the community coupled with my father’s situation and constant encouragement from my supervisor, kept me motivated and passionate about my topic.
‘I also got the opportunity to impart my knowledge and skills to first year students I tutored. I was also fortunate to interact with fourth year students who were studying Clinical Law, Candidate Attorneys and staff members at the Law Clinic. I value these experiences as they ensured that I remain passionate about both my studies and my job,’ said Swana.
Thandiwe Jumo
author : .author email : .Girl Power Abounds in Bachelor of Commerce Summa Cum Laude Graduates
Summa cum laude graduates Ms Iman Moosa and Ms Jyoti Maharaj.For Bachelor of Commerce summa cum laude graduates, Ms Iman Moosa and Ms Jyoti Maharaj, finishing top of their class is validation that hard work and dedication are the perfect recipe for success.
For Moosa being a daughter of an Occupational Therapist mother and a Specialist Radiologist father, and graduating at the same time as her brother, Khalid, who has completed his medicine degree cum laude, made a career in medicine the obvious choice.
However, she decided to carve her own path, a decision that has paid off.
‘It has been a double celebration for my family since we received the news. Everyone was very proud when I told them my results, although they liked to tease me and say they never expected anything less of me,’ said Moosa.
Coming to the end of a challenging undergraduate degree might mean straight to the working world for most graduates but for Moosa it is her first step towards a Chartered Accountancy qualification.
‘I am currently studying towards my postgraduate diploma in Accounting, which will enable me to write the first South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) board exam in January next year,’ said Moosa.
‘I am already signed with Deloitte, where I will complete three years of articles. Once I pass the second board exam, which is written during articles, I will be a Chartered Accountant. So although I have completed my degree, there is still a long way to go towards achieving my qualification, but with hard work and dedication, I will get there,’ she said.
Maharaj’s graduation journey has been paved with various academic excellence achievements. At the 2013 Scholarship Awards ceremony, she was awarded the Pius Langa Scholarship for being the top performing new undergraduate entrant at UKZN. Then last year, not only did she receive the College Deputy Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship, but was named the Top Overall second year student at the UKZN-SAICA Awards Ceremony.
For her, sticking with the family career choice of accounting has proved to be the right one as she has excelled throughout her undergraduate studies.
‘Graduating summa cum laude would not have been possible without my wonderful, supportive family and friends,’ she said.
Looking to the future, Maharaj plans to pursue a career in Chartered Accountancy starting next year with serving her three years of articles at Deloitte.
- Thandiwe Jumo
author : .author email : .National Treasury Official Motivates Business Graduates
Mr Konstantin Makrelov inspired students to strive for greatness during his address.The Head of the Economic Modelling and Forecasting Unit of the National Treasury, Mr Konstantin Makrelov, delivered an inspirational keynote address to graduates of the College of Law and Management Studies.
He congratulated the class on their achievements and reminded them that they represented less than five per cent of all the students who started Grade 1, a factor which was slowing down economic growth in the country plagued by a shortage of skills.
In order to transform this bleak picture he encouraged the graduates to set challenging goals in different areas of their lives and achieve them because a degree alone was not adequate.
‘Being successful requires a combination of skills such as passion, hard work, love for what you do, self-confidence, humility, integrity and various other factors.’
Makrelov shared a few principles which have contributed to his success including constant self-reflection, adaptability, and foresight.
On self-reflection, he encouraged the graduates to work on developing an ability to internalise constructive criticism by others and to question their view of themselves.
‘If you are adaptable, you should feel equally comfortable and equally effective in working for the provincial government of KZN or a large corporate law firm in Sandton. High levels of adaptability allow you to be effective across different groups of people, not only in South Africa but across the world.
‘Many of you will choose to work for companies based on the salary they offer you now, rather than the growth opportunities and training they provide,’ he said, encouraging graduates to think ahead.
He encouraged them to strive to become loyal citizens of the country by becoming incorruptible business leaders which translated into economic prosperity.
Hazel Langa
author : .author email : .Law Graduate uses Research to Contribute in the Fight Against Human Trafficking
Ms Andrea Mellon.Ms Andrea Mellon’s passion to contribute to the fight against human trafficking led her to pursue a Masters in Law degree with the aim of broadening her understanding of the human trafficking industry and the roles and responsibilities of both the State and Non-Government Organisations in human rights protection.
‘Human trafficking has been something I’ve often thought deeply about,’ said Mellon. ‘I’ve also often thought of how people are so quick to blame government, and find every reason to oppose any kind of unity between role players. This degree allowed me to explore what the law says about the relationship between these role players. Is it one of rivalry or can they see each other as true partners in tackling social issues, and whether there are any shortfalls that need addressing that I could raise in contribution to the fight against human trafficking,’ said Mellon.
The title of Mellon’s thesis was: “Legislation Regarding the Role of the State and NGOs in Addressing Trafficking in Persons: A focus on Sexual Exploitation in South Africa and Brazil”.
Her studies were not without incident. ‘Having lost all my research and backed up information in a car theft, it was a struggle to have to start from scratch. But with the help of my supervisors, friends and family, as well as the motivation that I still had a voice that I needed to use for the enslaved voiceless, I was able to reconstruct the backbone of research and face the rest of it with a renewed energy,’ said Mellon.
As part of her research interest, Mellon presented a paper titled: “The Obligations of the State and NGOs in addressing Trafficking in Persons: An Analysis of the Legal Frameworks of South Africa, Brazil and Canada”, at the Fifth International Human Rights Education Conference in 2014.
In her position as a candidate attorney at the law firm Livingston Leandy, Mellon will continue to use her legal expertise to promote and bring about social justice.
Thandiwe Jumo
author : .author email : .Postgraduate Diploma for Aspiring Maritime Economist
Ms Sikhulile Gama.Ms Sikhulile Gama’s dream of becoming a maritime economist may soon become a reality after being awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Maritime Studies.
Gama is employed as a Junior Entry Operator in the Clearing and Forwarding division at Sturrock Grindrod Maritime’s Richards Bay Branch where she is responsible for passing entries, cargo dues and documentation for cargo being imported and exported.
‘This qualification means that I have a more indepth understanding of how the Maritime Industry operates, how certain matters are dealt with, approaches to resolving disputes and the commercial aspect of it,’ said Gama. ‘It touches base on a few aspects of the Maritime industry such as Customs, Admiralty Jurisdiction, Port Economics and International Business Transactions.’
Gama yearns for more knowledge in the maritime sector and her mind is set on pursuing a master’s degree in the near future. This passion is fuelled by her admiration of the British scholar and maritime economist Mr Martin Stopford who has worked in the diverse Maritime Industry and has published extensively.
‘The learning journey is a never ending one and you learn more by sharing your knowledge. I intend giving back to our youth by sharing and assisting anyone in need within the Maritime Industry, motivating them to always work hard and give it your all. Hard work and persistency always pay off,’ said Gama.
Gama sees this newly acquired qualification as a key to many opportunities that exist in the maritime sector. ‘South Africa is rich in so many ways. Our geographical positioning enables us to assist Eastern and Western trades which is phenomenal for our economy. There are so many sources that motivate me to further my studies and being a future South African maritime economist is the foundation of my motivation,’ she said.
She thanked her employer for the financial support she received during her studies. She also thanked her family, friends and colleagues who were pillars of strength, especially when she had a baby during her studies.
During her spare time Gama enjoys going to the beach and relaxing at a spot where she can see vessels at anchorage, vessels receiving pilots and being brought in or taken out of the Richards Bay Port.
Hazel Langa
author : .author email : .Masters Study Explores HIV Counselling and Testing Preferences
Mr Michael Strauss.Health Economics and HIV/AIDS Research Centre (HEARD) Research Fellow Mr Michael Strauss has been awarded a Master of Commerce in Economics degree.
“Increasing the Uptake of HIV Counselling and Testing Among High School Learners in KwaZulu-Natal: A Discrete Choice Experiment”, was the title of his dissertation which was supervised by Dr Bruce Rhodes of the School of Accounting and Finance and Dr Gavin George of HEARD.
According to Strauss, the focus of his research was on the preferences of high school learners in rural areas in KwaZulu-Natal for HIV counselling and testing (HCT) service delivery models.
He said it was a collaborative study between HEARD and the Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), looking at behaviour change following medical male circumcision among high school learners.
Strauss said: ‘The findings of the study showed that the main drivers of choice regarding HCT for young people relate to confidentiality and costs, which have strong implications for the design of HCT services, and how they are offered to adolescents.’
Strauss said the results of the study contribute to the body of knowledge that could inform the integration of HCT into the newly developed South African Integrated Schools Health Policy. It was also in line with the work carried out at HEARD, which is involved in a number of projects looking at delivery of health services and health systems strengthening, and this work could help formulate strategies for reaching South African HIV targets by increasing uptake of services among the youth.
Even though juggling work, studies and family life was a challenge Strauss has had an opportunity to present his research at a number of conferences, most recently in Amsterdam last year at the AIDSImpact conference. He has plans to pursue a PhD in the near future.
‘I have had a number of other papers published with some outstanding academics. I am grateful for the support I have received, especially from my supervisors, Dr Bruce Rhodes and Dr Gavin George.’
Besides working on complex HIV and AIDS related research, Strauss is also a member of a band known as 24Skies. ‘I have recently finished recording an album with my band, which is currently available on iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/za/album/endless-anthem/id1042841845). We will be travelling to Hong Kong and Shanghai later this year to play a number of events there, as well as at several venues around South Africa.’
Hazel Langa
author : .author email : .Maritime Studies Transforms Lives of Young Women
Ms Mbhalenhle Mbhele and Ms Zesuliwe Zondo raising the bar for women in the maritime sector.Two young Black women who graduated with Postgraduate Diplomas in Maritime Studies from UKZN were unanimous in their praise of the field of study.
Ms Mbalenhle Mbhele (23) said choosing to do Maritime Studies was the best decision she had ever made. Mbhele said had been unemployed despite having a BCom Economics & Applied Economics degree but now opportunities in the maritime sector had opened up for her.
‘Whilst I was studying part-time, I applied for an internship at the eThekwini Maritime Cluster and secured the position. The qualification was a great fit as it had already taught me a lot about the how the industry works from a legal/regulatory perspective and as well as commercial perspective, the important stakeholders, and amongst other great things, the “distinct terms” used by industry people.’
Mbhele is currently participating in a graduate programme as a Young-Professional-in-Training at Transnet National Ports Authority (Port of Durban) within their Business Strategy Department where she works with economic indicator analysis, and research and reporting for decision making and strategy development purpose as well as business performance monitoring and reporting.
BCom Economics and Finance graduate Ms Zesuliwe Zondo found herself working in the retail industry which exposed her to the fascinating world of supply chain management and she felt the need to gain an in-depth knowledge of the sector and began studying toward a Postgraduate Diploma in Maritime Studies.
‘Maritime studies gave me a wider view of how the international supply chain works as well as the inner workings of international business transactions,’ said Zondo.
‘It had been one of my regrets not having a postgraduate qualification so I was overjoyed when I completed this course,’ she added.
Zondo is an Assistant Supply Planner at Vector Logistics. ‘This qualification really grooms you to have a broader prospective of the logistics environment which I feel will give me an added advantage.’
Mbhele and Zondo said it was a pity that so many young people were not aware of the interesting career opportunities offered by the maritime industry, both locally and abroad.
Hazel Langa
author : .author email : .