Department of Economics

Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences

Economic and Development Problems in Africa 2012Semester 2

Nicholas Spaull & Nico Katzke

A little bit about me…• Nicholas Spaull

• I’m a Christian

• I love to Travel

• Studied at UKZN / SUN / UCT

• Economics by profession (PhD...)

• Education by passion

• Office: Schumann 202

• NicholasSpaull@gmail.com • NicSpaull• nicspaull.wordpress.com______________________________Second half of the course: (proper intro in week 8) nicokatzke@sun.ac.za

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Admin

Course information3 American credits; 6 ECTS credits

Venue: Van der Sterr 1052(There will be a different venue on the following dates: 3 Sept, 8 Oct, 15 Oct - TBA)

Monday 14:00 – 17:00___________________________Evaluation3x MCQ tests 45%Group assignment 10%Essay: 40%Class participation: 5%

There will be no exam.**The above is subject to change

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The aim of this course is to get you to think critically about some of the major developmental issues facing Sub-Saharan Africa today.

Some caveats:• This is not a typical course• Multiple lecturers (incl. guest

lecturers)

But…• It will be interesting!• You will learn how to think and

you will learn about Africa (esp SA).

• More specifically…

What we want to accomplish in this course

Department of Economics

Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences

Week 2 & 3 – Why is Africa poor?Economic and Development Problems in Africa

Johann Fourie

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Case study – Session 4 (still TBD)

Department of Economics

Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences

Economic and Development Problems in South Africa and Africa

Session 5 – Understanding Foreign Aid

Department of Economics

Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences

Economic and Development Problems in South Africa and Africa

Session 6 – Poverty and Inequality in SA

Department of Economics

Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences

Economic and Development Problems in South Africa and Africa

Session 7 – Education in SA

?

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Topics to be addressed

• Session 8: • Development of financial markets in South

Africa• Lecturer: Nico Katzke (Financial Economics

lecturer, SU)

• Session 9: • The role of Social Media in the

development of the state and the economy, through the availability of information and ease of mass-communication• Lecturer: Dirk Bosman (Social media

researcher at Kalahari.com)

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Topics to be addressed

• Session 10: • Impact of the European Debt crisis on

Southern African economies• Lecturer: Prof. Rudolf Gous (Chief Economist at

Rand Merchant Bank, Director at RMB Holdings)

• Session11: • China’s role in the development of markets

in Southern Africa• Lecturer: Dr Daouda Cisse (accomplished

Research Fellowat the Centre for Chinese Studies-

Stellenbosch University)

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Topics to be addressed

• Session 12: • Developing and managing the public sector

in Southern Africa• Lecturer: Prof. Estian Calitz (Former Director-

General of Finance to the South African Government)

• Session 13: • Mining in South Africa: would the people

benefit from a nationalized mining sector?• Lecturer: Nico Katzke (Financial Economics

lecturer, SU)

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Summary of topics discussed:

• Development of financial sectors• Social media• China / Africa relations• Euro Debt crisis impact on Africa• Public economics (the state’s role

in development)• Mining and the on-going

Nationalization debate

Although certain finance / public economics topics

will be addressed in this section, you will in no way be disadvantaged if you do not possess a thorough background in these topics!

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• To think!!!!• To learn!

More specifically… Attendance! One essay One group assignment {no exam}My marking philosophy…

(9-10) inspired, (7-8) clever and interesting, (5-6) meets expectations, (3-4) below expectations, and (0-2) needs serious improvement.

What do I expect from you??

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You will be required to write one essay of approximately 6 pages which will be one of the following topics:

1. “Weighing the case of aid in Africa: Do the positives outweigh the negatives?”

2. “The state of education in South Africa – reason for hope or despair?”

3. “China’s emerging influence in Africa. Poison or Panacea?4. “Should South Africa adopt a strategy of investment

targeting?”

• Research Draft Discuss/consult Final

Essay?

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• Lectures

• Readings

• Podcasts (interviews and

videos)

• Case studies

• Class discussion (!)

Instructional method?

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Lowest GDP per head ($, 2008)

1. Burundi 1402. Congo-Kinshasa 1803. Liberia 2204. Guinea-Bisau 2705. Malawi 2906. Somalia 3007. Zimbabwe 3108. Ethiopia 3209. Eritrea 34010. Sierra Leone 350

Fastest growing cities (Total growth, 2010-15, %)

1. Yamoussoukro, Cote d’Ivoire 43.8

2. Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso38.5

3. Lilongwe, Malawi28.9

4. Blantyre, Malawi28.8

5. Abuja, Nigeria28.4

6. Huambo, Angola26.1

7. Luanda, Angola26.0

Trivia• Longest river?• Biggest desert?• Top 8 countries most

economically dependent on agriculture (all African)

• Least literate, most AIDS deaths

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Questions to consider...

• Course resources – DVD + website

• Current affairs in SA – stay up to date by reading a local newspaper and watching the news

• Academic writing – Referencing is compulsory.

• Email addresses…

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Questions ???