The urban informal sector in South Africa : what options for development? : a case study of KwaMashu, Natal.
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Date
1985
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Abstract
In the past few years there has been a dramatic increase in research
on the informal sector in South Africa. Motivating this research,
besides academic curiosity, is growing concern over poverty and unemployment amongst South African blacks. The general belief that these factors have contributed significantly to the political unrest
now sweeping the country is another encouragement to research. What is
being increasingly suggested, not only by academics but also by
government officials, businessmen and others, is that the informal
sector could be developed in appropriate directions to provide jobs
raise living standards and (hence) promote political stability.
Attention is now being focused on the question of how best to achieve
this objective. In this thesis, proposals for 'developing ' the
informal sector in South Africa are examined by a careful analysis of
the relevant literature and an in-depth case study of the KwaZulu
township, KwaMashu.
The first question that needs to be addressed is how to conceptualise
the informal sector. There are many interpretations, depending in
part on the stage of development attained by the local economy, of
what comprises this sector. Does it only consist of the poor, the
unlicenced, the untaxed, the unprotected, the harassed? There are
many perspectives, too, on whether the informal sector is independent
and autonomous or whether it is integrated into the economy in ways
that might impede or facilitate its development. It has been argued,
for example, that the state and capital determine the parameters of the informal sector at a level most functional to their requirements.
These interpretations are critically examined in Chapters One and Two
with particular reference to South Africa.
Attention is then directed towards the particular case of KwaMashu.
The research methodology is discussed in Chapter Three. The approach
adopted here combined random-sample questionnaires and case study
methods. In order to locate the research in its geographical,
temporal and political setting the history of KwaMashu is also briefly
reviewed. The research results (which cover the extent, viability,
potential and difficulties of the informal sector), are examined in
Chapters Four to Six. Chapter Four gives the results of the survey -
including three detailed case studies and the findings of the
questionnaire survey. In Chapter Five garment makers and retailers
(two categories which together make up a large component of the
KwaMashu informal sector) are analysed more closely using information
obtained from case studies. The field work included interviews, not
only with informal sector participants, but also with the officials
whose decisions influence the development of the informal sector. The
latter is examined in Chapter Six. An important finding particularly relevant for policy decisions - concerned the division in
levels of informal sector operation and the policy decisions affecting
each level. The concluding chapter combines the findings of
literature surveys with the empirical results from KwaMashu in order
to assess the opportunities for and the limits to informal sector
'development' in South Africa. Practical and realistic means by which
those in this sector might be assisted are also discussed in some
detail.
Description
Thesis (M.Dev.Studies)-University of Natal, Durban, 1985.
Keywords
Informal sector (Economics)--Kwazulu Natal--Kwamashu., KwaMashu (KwaZulu-Natal)--Economic conditions., Theses--Development studies.