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The New Public Management (NPM) has brought a trend toward the government to administer the performance of government personnel to enhance government performance and the distribution of government services. In 1998, in accordance with the White Paper on Local Government, in South Africa Performance Management (PM) was brought in to improve the performance of government employees and ensure a successful distribution of public services. PM led to the establishment of the Municipal Performance Management Systems (MPMS). However, currently, there is little information on the effectiveness of the usage of MPMS to ameliorate the delivery of municipal services. The study evaluated the fruitfulness of MPMS through exploring the perceptions of municipal employees towards MPMS, and the ability of MPMS to foster positive change in South African municipalities through lessons gained from practices. To address the questions posed by the study, a qualitative method of research was employed drawing heavily on secondary data to expand knowledge of the usability of MPMS in the local government of South Africa. Subsequently, the findings of the study show that the effectiveness of MPMS is affected by various issues such as insufficient information and knowledge concerning MPMS, lack of monitoring and evaluation, poor financial administration, lack of participation from all municipal employees, data accuracy & the reliability of performance indicators, and shortage of skills. In short, the study concluded that the usage of MPMS in South Africa is not 100% effective and could be enhanced through establishing training workshops, monitoring, and evaluation, incorporating all municipal personnel to take part in the MPMS, and offering financial and non-financial incentives to motivate employees.

Since the conclusion of apartheid in 1994, South Africa has witnessed notable economic growth; however, poverty and income inequality continue to be widespread issues. Despite economic growth, poverty and income inequality remain prevalent, with millions of South Africans living below the poverty line and encountering substantial obstacles to economic opportunities. This research examines the connections among economic growth, poverty alleviation, and income inequality in South Africa, utilising data from 1993 to 2023. This study employs various econometric models, specifically Vector Error Correction (VECM), Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL), and Generalised Method of Moments (GMM), to examine the relationships among economic growth, poverty reduction, and income inequality in South Africa. The findings indicate that economic growth has a positive effect on poverty reduction, while simultaneously exerting a negative influence on income inequality. The research indicates that employment and access to electricity are essential determinants in alleviating poverty and income inequality. This study recommends that policymakers prioritise investments in education, job training, and infrastructure development, especially in rural areas, to foster inclusive economic growth and mitigate poverty and income inequality. Policymakers should enact measures to enhance electricity access and foster employment opportunities within the formal sector.

The research investigates the correlation between socioeconomic characteristics and HIV-related mortality in South Africa, a nation with one of the highest prevalence rates of HIV-AIDS globally.  This work employs a pooled mean group estimator and a viable generalised least squares approach to analyse provincial data from 1993 to 2023. The findings demonstrate that socio-economic determinants significantly influence HIV-related mortality in South Africa, although the connection differs by province and over the long term. The study identifies economic disparity, youth and adult unemployment, and household income as major predictors of HIV-related mortality in certain provinces, whereas the labour force correlates with decreased HIV-related deaths in others. The research indicates that an increase in household wealth may not inherently result in enhanced health outcomes and could potentially worsen the issue of HIV-related mortality in South Africa. The study's results have ramifications for policy and practice. Policymakers must evaluate the unforeseen repercussions of augmenting household income on HIV-associated mortality and implement a comprehensive strategy when developing policies connected to socio-economic determinants and HIV-related fatalities in South Africa. The report advocates for the mitigation of income disparity and unemployment, enhancement of labour force participation, formulation of province-specific policies and interventions, improvement of educational access, and the pursuit of further research as effective measures to reduce HIV-related mortality in South Africa.

Despite extensive research on foreign direct investment (FDI), the specific dynamics and determinants affecting FDI inflows to South-Eastern Asia remain largely unexplored.  This study using Dunning's OLI theory to identify the economic determinants of foreign direct investment (FDI) and examines the correlation between FDI inflows and the ease of doing business (EODB).  This study aims to examine the effect of ease of doing business indicators on foreign direct investment inflows and the degree to which they affect the volume of FDI inflows in South-Eastern Asia.  Interest in the determinants of foreign direct investment has surged, as it is regarded as essential for capital inflows to poor countries.   This research utilises a Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS) panel regression to analyse FDI flow variations among seven countries—Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam—during the period from 2006 to 2019.  The results indicated a substantial and enduring correlation between foreign direct investment (FDI) and the enforcement of contracts, investor protection, tax compliance, and GDP per capita.  The research underscores the significance of EODB variables in attracting FDI to South-East Asia.  Policymakers must prioritise enhancing the business environment by streamlining processes, including investor protection and tax system simplification.  By prioritising certain sectors, governments can cultivate a more conducive environment for foreign investors, leading to heightened FDI inflows.  The results suggest that targeted reforms in these critical sectors can significantly enhance South-East Asia's appeal as a foreign direct investment destination.