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THE DEVELOPMENT OF A SOCIO-ECONOMIC MODEL TO PROMOTE WOMEN EMPOWERMENT INITIATIVES IN THE RENEWABLE ENERGY SECTOR OF SOUTH AFRICA Harvey Keown Student number: S217122604 Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Philosophiae Doctor in the Faculty of Developmental Studies to be awarded at the Nelson Mandela University Port Elizabeth, South Africa April 2019 Supervisor: Prof. C.M. Adendorff Co-Supervisor: Dr. R. Amansure ABSTRACT The South African Constitution is lauded as one of the most progressive in the world, and in some respects considered better than the Constitution of the United States of America with regards to Human and Socio-Economic Rights. Yet, South Africa exhibits the highest incidence of recorded rape in the world, with an increase in femicides, violence against women and children, and even more barbaric acts of burning their victims, and cannibalism in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. This research argues that if women were economically empowered, they would be able to extricate themselves from these perilous situations. The paradox between the South African Constitution and the reality, is indicative of deep structural challenges that will require exceptional solutions that will address the systemic issues that this study will discuss. The renewable energy sector, which is one of the fastest growing business sectors in South Africa, could be that catalyst for this change, and, more importantly, change the stereotypical paradigm of women entrepreneurs as owners of ‘chicken coops’ and ‘veggie patches’, to become owner-operators of their own power generation facilities, thereby making a meaningful contribution to women-led Independent Power Producers. However, it would be a lost opportunity if the renewable energy sector were to follow a similar trajectory to the mining sector in failing to mainstream gender, or if the renewable energy sector were to repeat the errors of the mining sector in attempting to empower women. Based on the literature review, guidance from subject matter experts, survey data, and personal field experience, I examine the primary research question: What are the main contributors and variables which can positively influence the socio- economic empowerment of women initiatives in the renewable energy sector in the Republic of South Africa? In order to respond to this primary research question, a theoretical model was developed, which was informed by the academic literature, reports and studies from the public and private sectors, data garnered through a questionnaire, as well as face-to-face dialogue sessions. In order to address the primary objective of developing the theoretical model, several secondary goals were established by developing a conceptual model that comprised of variables determined through a detailed review of the related gender and renewable energy literature. ii The objective of this research was, therefore, to evaluate and recommend new approaches to mainstream gender in the renewable energy sector. This objective would be achieved by introducing a model of the factors that contribute to the perceived success of the socio-economic empowerment of women within the renewable energy sector of the RSA. This study is equally beneficial to any Country that might be embarking on a Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Program. Also, the research findings and recommendations are equally relevant to the mining, manufacturing, and agricultural sectors who wish to mainstream gender in their sectors. From the empirical evidence, Executive Leadership (ethical leadership) positively influences Good Governance and Successful Women’s Empowerment. Therefore, the inference can be made that the respondents deemed Executive Leadership to be a primary contributing factor to both Good Governance and Successful Women’s Empowerment. According to the empirical results, Social Investment (funding) and Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (policy) positively influence Successful Women’s Empowerment. Finally, the empirical results indicate that Sustainable Programmes are a positive contributing factor to Good Governance. The respondents did not consider Stakeholder Engagement statistically significant in relation to Good Governance or Successful Women’s Empowerment. This could be a case of misinterpretation, or lack of experience regarding the importance of Stakeholder Engagement. However, the literature indicates the criticality of Stakeholder Engagement, as well as Change Management. Further research should be conducted to establish the lack of appreciation by respondents for the importance of Stakeholder Engagement and Change Management. These findings shed light on the opportunities for the socio-economic empowerment of women in the renewable energy sector of the RSA, by developing women-led Independent Power Producers. Keywords: socio-economic empowerment, empowerment of women, mainstream gender, renewable energy, local economic development, ethical leadership, good governance, gender equality, radical economic transformation, structural challenges, systemic solutions. iii DECLARATION Student: Harvey Keown Student number: 217122604 Qualification: Doctor of Philosophy Title: A theoretical model to promote women’s empowerment initiatives in the renewable energy sector. In accordance with Rule G 5.6.3 and G 5.6.3, I, Harvey Keown, student number 21 712 2604, hereby declare that the dissertation for Philosophiae Doctor in the Faculty of Developmental Studies at Nelson Mandela University, to be awarded is my own work and that it has not previously been submitted for assessment or completion of any postgraduate qualification to another University or for another qualification. …………………………. Harvey Keown April 2018 iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Firstly, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my supervisor Prof. Chris Adendorff from Nelson Mandela University for his continued support of my Ph.D research and related analysis, as well as for his inspiration, patience, and understanding. Prof. Adendorff’s unwavering support assisted me on a regular basis during the course of this research and writing of this thesis. Dr. Ricardo Amansure, as co-supervisor, was equally instrumental in the attainment of this study, and who always made himself available. In addition to my supervisor and co-supervisor, I would like to thank Prof. Christo Boshoff from Stellenbosch University, Prof. Yvonne Reed from the University of the Witwatersrand, Dr. Deon Els, and Dr. Alex Nice for their feedback and encouragement. I would also like to thank Ms. Annemi Smith for her superb administrative support provided. I would also like to thank the BankSETA for awarding me a bursary. Furthermore, I would like to thank all the respondents who invested their time to contribute their expertise by completing the online survey, the individuals that took time to proof-read this study and provided feedback, and the colleagues that had to endure several years of debate about the structural challenges in South Africa, socio- economic development, mainstreaming gender and the renewable energy sector. Chapter Seven, Summary, Recommendations and Conclusion, is the culmination of several decades of experiences, dialogues, and influences from many different sources, and this is to acknowledge further their contribution in shaping the perspectives represented in this study. I would, therefore, like to thank Prof. Shirley Zinn, Mr. Stephen Dietrich, Mr. David Noko, Mr. Nkosinathi Maphanga, Ms. Lorena Aguilar, Mr. Magatho Mello, and Mr. Ian Curry, for all the stimulating discussions and tough debates. Also, I would like to acknowledge those individuals that were instrumental in shaping my career, namely, Mr. Jeff Gerard, Mr. Martijn Höfelt, Mr. Suliman Harnekar, and Mr. Stanley Davids. Finally, I would like to thank my parents: Eric and Patricia Keown, my immediate family: Borjana, Lisa-Robyn and Alexander Keown, my extended family, and friends: Grace and Donald Johnston, Desmond Keown, Jeremy Taylor, Thabiso Masigo, and Kevin Zinn. v TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................... ii DECLARATION ........................................................................................................ iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .......................................................................................... v TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................ vi LIST OF TABLES .................................................................................................. xvii LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................... xx ABBREVIATIONS................................................................................................. xxiii CHAPTER ONE ....................................................................................................... 29 OVERVIEW OF THIS STUDY .................................................................................. 29 1.1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................... 29 1.2. A COMMON UNDERSTANDING OF GENDER ................................................ 33 1.2.1. Gender-Neutral Language ........................................................................ 34 1.2.2. Key Gender Definitions ............................................................................ 36 1.2.3.

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