Military bases can be important agents for local and regional economic development. This article examines the role of military spending in local economic development in South Africa, a country which, under apartheid, had high levels of military spending. The local economic impacts are analyzed of three operational military bases at Potchefstroom, Louis Trichardt' and Heidelberg. It is argued that the military assumes a significant role in local economies and should be used by localities as a basis for competitive advantage in planning for local economic development.
This research aimed to determine student and industry perceptions of industry engagement in tourism and hospitality studies in South Africa. The study applied a mixed methodology to ascertain these perceptions to determine how industry engagement can be enhanced in order to produce work-ready, employable and entrepreneurial graduates, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on 420 valid surveys conducted with students across six universities, the key findings suggest that students perceive that their universities sufficiently and effectively provide them with the necessary soft skills, practical skills, creativity skills, and personal responsibility tools through industry engagement activities. Respondents agreed that universities are actively preparing tourism and hospitality students for the world of work and assisting them with career development through industry engagement. The study concludes that the benefits of industry engagement for students include inter alia academic progress, personal development, career planning and workplace exposure, as well as the development of key skills and competencies.
Cutbacks in defence budgets have highlighted the importance of issues around the conversion of former military bases. The international experience shows that the process of closing military bases and converting them to alternative uses can open up possibilities for local economic development (LED). This article examines South African debates and experience of the reuse of military bases made redundant in the post-apartheid period. Implications for LED are discussed in two case studies of the Zwartkop Air Force base and the Bourke's Luck Military Base.
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