Young Researchers Present LED Research in Spain

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Regional and Local Economic Development (LED) researchers, Ms Nolwazi Mthembu and Ms Bakhetsile Dlamini, recently explored and shared their research on South Africa’s local economic development with academics and students at the EOI Business School in Spain.

The pair is currently studying towards a masters degree with the Graduate School of Business and Leadership (GSB&L) under the Regional and Local Economic Development Initiative (RLEDi) - a partnership between UKZN and the Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDT). 

The two week trip was sponsored by Dr Stanley Hardman’s research fund as he believes that the link with the EOI Business School is particularly useful as it creates opportunities for substantial reciprocal learning. Hardman, a former senior lecturer at the GSB&L retired from the University last year and recently assumed the role of Policy and Advocacy Manager at the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Mthembu and Dlamini explored the similarities and differences between South Africa and Spain and got an opportunity to engage with students from  countries such as Ghana, Peru, Cost Rica and Colombia, to mention a few.

‘This diverse collaboration created powerful discussions around the similarities - both politically and socially - of our countries. Our programme is one of a kind and with more support and a little more financial push, we as change makers can make a difference and develop an entire continent’s reach,’ said Mthembu.

Dlamini added that the experience has also opened opportunities for collaborative research: ‘I believe that with Spain’s link we will be able to broaden our research thinking and explore other possibilities which will assist us as a nation and our local municipalities in getting experts to assist us with innovation and best practice.

‘We had the privilege of being in a class with people from all over the world which made things more interesting in understanding that what we see in the media is not what is happening on the ground. Issues of unemployment are evident everywhere, youth engagement in business is also growing, corruption is there, lack of employment for graduates is there.’

Mthembu and Dlamini delivered a presentation on their masters dissertations which are based around LED, Social Entrepreneurship and Policy, in particular the National Framework for LED.

‘I based my thesis on a case study in Ballito which I presented as an example to the group. This created a lot of interest in post conversations and questions that were being presented to me after I had presented my cases. This interested me a lot as it proved that South African cases are worth presenting to the world for best practice,’ said Mthembu.

The pair say the learning experience has served as inspiration for a research topic for their doctoral studies which they plan to pursue after completing their masters degree.

To view the presentation visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtsCcCxPxTI&feature=c4-overview&list=UUQ-cLpwRZtQlkwMMmJC6uqw

- Thandiwe Jumo