Educational Institutions as Catalysts for Economic Growth in South Africa
Xolile Nokulunga Mashwama 
& Didibhuku Wellington Thwala
Issue: Vol.6 No.4 Issue SASE Special Issue Article 3 pp. 22 – 35
DOI: https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.2025643 | Published online 4th April, 2025
© 2025 The Author(s). This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
This study examines the role of South African educational institutions in driving economic growth and fostering leadership. Quality education, skills development, and leadership training are essential for empowering citizens, enhancing productivity, and promoting an inclusive society. A qualitative approach was adopted using a systematic review aligned with PRISMA guidelines. A comprehensive search of databases—including Scopus, Google Scholar, and Elsevier (ScienceDirect)—yielded 35 peer-reviewed articles, which were analyzed to assess higher education’s contributions to economic growth and leadership. Keywords included “higher education,” “innovation,” “leadership,” “economic growth,” and “policies.” Two reviewers evaluated the eligibility of the article, resolving disagreements by consensus. The findings highlight that South African higher education institutions are crucial in workforce development, innovation, and entrepreneurship of the workforce. These institutions equip students with critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, preparing them for industry demands. Additionally, research initiatives, incubation centres, and technology transfer programs enhance economic expansion. This study contributes to scholarship by linking educational attainment with workforce productivity, innovation, and leadership development. It assesses existing policies, identifies key challenges, and recommends strategies for strengthening higher education’s role in economic growth. The research also explores the implications of positioning higher education as a driver of economic progress while addressing leadership challenges within academic institutions. South Africa can harness its human capital potential by fostering a robust education system, ensuring long-term economic sustainability and leadership excellence.
Keywords: Economy, Education, Growth, Leadership, Institutions.
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Prof. Xolile N. Mashwama is an associate Professor in the Department of Built Environment and also an HoD for the Department of Built Environment; she has graduated more than 20 master’s students and more than 100 honours students, she has published more than 50 articles, and she has been cited 339 times according to Google Scholar. Her research interests are Circular economy, entrepreneurship in education, infusion of technology in education, construction material, engineering education, building performance evaluation, climate change, recycling, community engagement in higher education, career guidance, health and safety, student success in higher education, green building and smart cities.
Prof. Didibhuku W. Thwala is an executive Dean for the faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology. He has published more 500 articles, supervised more than 50 PhD’s, more than 100 master students and has a citation of more than 8168 according to Google Scholar and his research interests is digitalisation, housing, education, Built environment.
Mashwama, Xolile Nokulunga, and Didibhuku Wellington Thwala. “Educational Institutions as Catalysts for Economic Growth in South Africa,” E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences 6, no.4 (2025): 22-35. https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.2025643
© 2025 The Author(s). Published and Maintained by Noyam Journals. This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
