Assessing the impact of transformation frameworks on economic participation in municipal fresh produce markets with a focus on the Joburg market

Abstract

This dissertation examines the effectiveness of the Joburg Market transformation strategy, assessing beneficiary economic outcomes, governance quality, structural barriers, and actionable levers for inclusive market restructuring. The study employs a qualitative case design using purposive sampling of market agents, SMMEs, smallholder farmers, and executives, with semi structured interviews analysed through thematic coding to generate empirically grounded insights. Findings indicate a positive yet uneven impact that entrenches a two-tier transformation, with gains clustered in value adding niches while new entrants struggle within core agency functions due to capital intensity, relationship specific incumbency, and thin margins. Governance arrangements demonstrate operational clarity but strategic opacity, with limited participation and weak accountability undermining trust, policy learning, and delivery credibility. The support model overemphasises premises and rental relief while neglecting working capital and capability bundling, which produces implementation gaps and constrained throughput for emerging firms. The analysis argues for a strategic reorientation from passive compliance to an intentional, interventionist approach that rebalances market power in favour of new entrants through transparent rules, co decision, and market making instruments. The dissertation proposes a public transformation framework, a formal beneficiary forum with co design mandates, a blended finance facility with development partners, a tiered and customised support system, guaranteed market access through offtake agreements, incentives for incumbent supplier development, and a participatory monitoring and evaluation architecture with a public annual impact report. Practical implications highlight coalition building, codified transparency, digital equity requirements, and finance plus capability bundles as essential execution pillars. Limitations include a small purposive sample and restricted access to administrative data, motivating a representative survey, comparative municipal market studies, and longitudinal beneficiary tracking. The dissertation concludes that credible transformation requires aligned governance, intentional market access, and capital backed capability development to shift visibility into durable value and voice.