Annual Research Report 2020

22 out any fiscal buffers they had left, thereby making the ability of low-income countries to maintain spending in the face of a slow recovery very unclear. With a focus on Southern African countries (Zambia and South Africa), this work (done collaboratively with Eddie Rakabe from South Africa’s Financial and Fiscal Commission) demonstrates empirically the case that African countries need innovative sources of financing, moving beyond dependence on “old” forms of overseas development aid to new and innovative sources of finance such as sovereign wealth funds, pension funds, central bank reserves, climate finance as well as environmental taxes and property taxes (exploiting advances in digitisation). This and similar research, as elaborated below, led to Prof. Mabugu being invited to brief the Presidential Economic Advisory Council, his appointment on a doctoral board at the University of Pretoria in 2020 and subsequently in early 2021, being invited to co-author a policy brief with colleagues from the United Nations University for the G20 Summit on Covid-19 responses. The domestic resource mobilisation work was subsequently presented to African Ministers of Finance by the GDN and is forthcoming as a book chapter in a Handbook on Fiscal Federalism with publisher Palgrave Macmillan. Methodologically, Prof. Mabugu, together with Rashid Hassan (Emeritus Professor, University of Pretoria and Secretary General, The Higher Council for Environment and Natural Resources, Government of Sudan), co-authored a peer-reviewed forthcoming working paper for the African Economic Research Consortium – Hassan and Mabugu “Implications of Climate Mitigation Measures for Poverty and Inequality in Sub-Saharan Africa: Framework for Multiple Country Research Study” – which developed a framework for studying the implications of climate mitigation measures for poverty and inequality (P&I) in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The framework paper undertook a comprehensive survey of relevant literature to examine how much attention has been given in climate mitigation science and policy analysis to aspects of P&I. The paper then proposed an analytical framework and empirical methodology for conducting multi-country investigations of the P&I implications of the various climate mitigation policy measures introduced or proposed on national and global scales. The paper mapped the main channels through which climate mitigation measures are transmitted or mediated to P&I impacts. Mediation analysis enables the identification of appropriate methods to measure and evaluate the merits of alternative mitigation policy measures. Approaches that can be used to model and quantify the impacts of climate mit- igation on P&I were presented. The paper concluded by proposing datasets to use and suggesting a pilot case study approach that can be followed. To guide the selection of countries to conduct studies that will be implementing the analytical framework and empiri- cal methods proposed, the paper examined the extent to which SSA countries have participated in global and regional climate mitigation initiatives. The results obtained from implementing the framework for the selected countries are expected to inform the design of climate mitigation measures that aim to maximise co-benefits and avoid negative P&I outcomes, which was deemed to be vital input for the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow on 31 October – 13 November 2021. With regard to data development, Prof. Mabugu partnered with an international team based at ACADEMYA 2063 (led by Dr Ismael Fofana) which updated the Social Accounting Matrices database for Eastern, Central and Southern African countries on the Covid-19 work stream on “Macro Effects of Trade Disruption”. This data and the accompanying modelling tools developed are now being widely used by researchers and governments in Southern Africa as part of early warning systems (EWS) planning and policy frameworks, enhancing better communication, effective coordination and response mechanisms to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, as well as providing vital information for trade policy and private sector participation with smart tactical response. Despite his research focus on publishing predominantly in academ- ic journals, chapters in reputable books and technical working papers, Prof. Mabugu’s research journey in 2020 also involved developing various postgraduate students through postgraduate supervision, as well as externally examining doctoral and masters theses/dissertations from other universities. In terms of supervi- sion, he was (and still is!) supervising eight honours students at Sol Plaatje University and he has externally examined two masters theses and one PhD thesis. He also presented two seminars hosted by the School of Economic and Management Sciences which were open to postgraduate students, academics and policy analysts from outside the University. In 2020, Prof. Mabugu also distin- guished himself in research-oriented academic citizenship. He represented the School of Economic and Management Sciences on the Senate Research Committee and the Senate Research Ethics Committee and is a valued chairperson of the School of Economic and Management Sciences Research Committee 2 . Not only did Prof. Mabugu serve the University to an extraordinary level during the year, but he also served his profession using pre- dominantly insights based on his applied research skills. Among others, five related instances for 2020 illustrate this. First, Prof. Mabugu acted as a reviewer of five papers for ISI-accredited jour- nals. Second, in the same year, he was appointed a research fellow at the Partnership for Economic Policy of the University of Laval (Canada) and re-appointed as a research fellow at Stellenbosch University. These fellowships not only demonstrate that Prof. Mabugu has an international identity with extensive international networks, but that he continued to nurture them in 2020, opening new areas. Third, Prof. Mabugu was appointed and continues to serve as a member of the Northern Cape AgriBEE Charter Council Provincial Structure, helping the structure find its feet, adopt terms of reference and attract buy-in from the private sector. Fourth, Prof. Mabugu was invited by the Northern Cape Premier’s Office to peer review and mentor the revision process of the Action Plan to give effect to the Northern Cape Vision 2040 Provincial Growth and Development Plan (NPGD). Prof. Mabugu produced a review report designed to inform the Northern Cape Provincial Government on refining and implementing the institutional, pol- icy, and investment actions required to enhance the chances of 2 In 2020, Prof. Mabugu was and currently is a valued member of the School Board, the University’s Senior Promotions Committee and University Senate.