PROVINCIAL ASSESSMENT
GRADE 12
ECONOMICS P1
MARKING GUIDELINES
JUNE 2025
Marks: 150
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Economics Grade 12 Paper 1 NW June 2025 Memo (English)
Grade 12 Economics Paper 1 memorandum from the NW June Exam 2025 (English), 21 pages. Read online or download the free PDF.
Economics · Grade 12 · NW June Exam · 2025 · English. Memorandum. Read online or download the PDF.
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- 2025
- Exam period
- NW June Exam
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Economics/P1 2 NW/June 2025
Grade 12 – Marking Guidelines
SECTION A (COMPULSORY)
QUESTION 1
1.1 MULTIPLE CHOICE
1.1.1 B non-durable
1.1.2 C compensation
1.1.3 D money supply
1.1.4 A peak to peak
1.1.5 A Progressive tax system
1.1.6 C individuals.
1.1.7 B residual
1.1.8 D Terms of trade (8 x 2) (16)
1.2 MATCHING ITEMS
1.2.1 C Generalising their own experience as individuals when
explaining the operation of the economy as a whole
1.2.2 F Estimate the unknown data based on a pattern of known
data
1.2.3 E The value of a currency increases in terms of another
countries currency
1.2.4 A Income earned more than the minimum required to keep a
factor of production employed
1.2.5 H The amount of money spent by a consumer even when they
have no income
1.2.6 I The process of increased international co-operation and
communication leading to increased trade and international
business transactions
1.2.7 B Manages the country’s economic policy
1.2.8 G Government decrease spending and increase taxation
(8 x 1) (8)
1.3 GIVE THE TERM
1.3.1 Transfer payment
1.3.2 Repo rate
1.3.3 Deflation
1.3.4 Privatisation
1.3.5 Balance of Payments
1.3.6 Free floating exchange rate (6 x 1) (6)
TOTAL SECTION A: 30
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Economics/P1 3 NW/June 2025
Grade 12 – Marking Guidelines
SECTION B
Answer any TWO of the three questions in this section in the ANSWER BOOK.
QUESTION 2: MACROECONOMICS 40 MARKS – 30 MINUTES
2.1 Answer the following questions.
2.1.1 Name any TWO leakages found in the circular flow model.
Savings
Imports
Taxes. (2 x 1) (2)
2.1.2 Why should business cycles not exist in planned economies?
In a planned economy everything is controlled by state or
government.
Government control production, pricing and resource
allocation.
There are no forces of supply and demand that can affect
the economy
(Accept any other correct and relevant response) (1 x 2) (2)
2.2 DATA RESPONSE
2.2.1 Identify the curve used in the graph above.
Laffer Curve (1)
2.2.2 Name ONE source of income for the government.
Taxes
Government expenditure
Leasing of government properties
Income generated by parastatals
Donations
Administrative income (1)
2.2.3 Briefly describe the term Medium Term Expenditure
Framework (MTEF).
A three-year spending plan for a government. It helps
governments balance competing policy priorities and budget
constraints
(Accept any other correct and relevant response) (1 x 2) (2)
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Grade 12 – Marking Guidelines
2.2.4 Examine indirect taxes as a form of income for the government.
Indirect taxes are excise tax/sin tax on tobacco and alcohol,
VAT, sugar tax, and service tax.
These taxes are paid to government via a third party and can
be used to generate income for government nor discourage
the use of harmful products.
(Accept any other correct and relevant response) (1 x 2) (2)
2.2.5 How are socio-economic rights embedded in the budget of
the South African government?
Socio-economic issues in South Africa are embedded in the
national budget through dedicated funding allocations towards
programs aimed at addressing poverty, unemployment,
inequality, and access to basic services like healthcare,
education, and housing.
Significant portions of the budget are directed towards
social development programs, often including targeted
interventions for vulnerable populations.
Allocations to social grants including the child support grant,
old age pension, and disability grants. Aiming to alleviate
poverty and provide basic income support to vulnerable
citizens.
Public education, including funding for teacher salaries,
infrastructure development (building of schools), learning
and teaching support material (LTSM) and student support
programs to improve access to quality education, particularly
in disadvantaged areas.
(Accept any other correct and relevant response) (2 x 2) (4)
2.3 DATA RESPONSE
2.3.1 Identify the institution responsible for compiling the balance
of payments in the extract above.
South African Reserve Bank/SARB (1)
2.3.2 Name ONE product where South Africa have an absolute
advantage in international trade.
Platinum
Gold
Diamonds (1)
(Accept any other correct and relevant response)
2.3.3 Briefly describe the term foreign direct investments (FDI).
When foreign countries invest money in South Africa, resulting in an
inflow of capital into the country. (1 x 2) (2)
(Accept any other correct and relevant response)
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Economics/P1 5 NW/June 2025
Grade 12 – Marking Guidelines
2.3.4 Explain the concept of surpluses in the balance of payment
account.
When an account’s total credit (the total currency inflow) is
greater than the total debit entries (total currency outflow).
(Accept any other correct and relevant response) (1 x 2) (2)
2.3.5 Why are foreign direct investments recorded as a liability?
When foreign business invests in South Africa, there is
money flowing into the economy.
It will be recorded as a liability, as this investment will have to
be paid back.
(Accept any correct and relevant response) (2 x 2) (4)
2.4 Discuss the relationship between consumers and government.
Households sell their factors of production in the factors market,
government hires public sector servants, e.g. educators, nurses
and doctors, to provide services to consumers/households.
In return the households receive remuneration, salaries/wages
for labour, rent for natural resources, profit for entrepreneurship
and interest for capital.
Households/consumers pay taxes to government and in return
for this the government supply consumers/households with
infrastructure, e.g. roads, school and hospitals.
When the private sector can’t provide services, government can
ttep in and supply services, e.g. electricity via Eskom.
Government can regulate certain industries, e.g. fuel, protecting
consumers/households against huge increases in the price of fuel.
(Accept any other correct and relevant response) (2 x 4) (8)
(A maximum of 4 marks may be allocated for mere listing of
facts/examples)
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Economics/P1 6 NW/June 2025
Grade 12 – Marking Guidelines
2.5 Examine the relationship between inflation and unemployment.
Every country has a natural unemployment rate. One of the main
objectives of the government’s fiscal policy are to decrease
unemployment.
Labour (and the remuneration for labour) is a huge part of the input
cost in production.
There is an inverse relationship between unemployment and inflation,
if unemployment decrease, inflation will increase (and vice versa).
Government must thus decide on the amount of unemployment
they are willing to accept for less inflation.
Salaries and wages will increase, and this will lead to an increase
in inflation (the increase in the salaries and wages of people, mean
that they have more purchasing power).
(Accept any other correct and relevant response) (4 x 2) (8)
(A maximum of 2 marks may be allocated for mere listing of
facts/examples)
[40]
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Grade 12 – Marking Guidelines
QUESTION 3: MACROECONOMICS 40 MARKS – 30 MINUTES
3.1 Answer the following questions.
3.1.1 Name any TWO policies used to achieve the economic growth.
Fiscal policy
Monetary policy (2 x 1) (2)
3.1.2 Explain the impact of international trade on mass production.
The evolution of international trade has led to new global
markets and an increase in demand for goods and services
from these global markets, producers had to increase production
in order to supply these new markets.
Bigger international markets required more products to be
produced. Increased production together with economies of
scale led to products being produced in bulk and at lower prices
for the new markets.
International trade and new markets have led to the creation of
global supply chains, which have made it possible for countries
to increase their production capacity by specialization which led
to increased production and exporting the surplus goods
produced.
(Accept any other correct and relevant response) (1 x 2) (2)
3.2 DATA RESPONSE
3.2.1 Identify the line of equilibrium from the graph above.
Y=E (1)
3.2.2 Name any ONE of the participants in the graph above.
Business/Firms/Producers
Household/consumers (1)
3.2.3 Briefly describe the term multiplier effect.
The situation where a change in spending causes an
disproportionate change in aggregate demand and hence in
the level of aggregate income (the opposite can also happen
when there is a decrease in expenditure).
One individual’s expenditure becomes the next individual’s
income.
(Accept any other correct and relevant response) (1 x 2) (2)
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Grade 12 – Marking Guidelines
3.2.4 Examine the concept of autonomous consumption.
The expenditures that consumers must make even when
they have no disposable income.
Certain goods need to be purchased, regardless of how
much income or money consumer has in their possession at
any given time.
When a consumer is low on resources, paying for these
necessities can force them to borrow money or access money
that they had previously been saving.
(Accept any correct and relevant response) (1 x 2) (2)
3.2.5 Calculate the multiplier, use the formula k = 1 / (1-MPC).
k = 1 / (1 – MPC)
k = 1 / (1 – 0.75)
k = 1 / 0.25
k = 4 (4)
3.3 DATA RESPONSE
3.3.1 Identify the monetary policy instrument implemented in the cartoon
above.
Interest rate cuts/Rate cut (1)
3.3.2 Name the institution responsible for monetary policy.
South African Reserve Bank/SARB (1)
3.3.3 Briefly describe the term business cycle.
A cyclical pattern of consecutive periods (time) of increasing
and decreasing economic activity/GDP and trends in a country.
(1 x 2) (2)
3.3.4 What fiscal policy instruments are available for government to
control the business cycle?
Government can increase or decrease taxes and government
expenditure.
(Accept any other correct and relevant response) (1 x 2) (2)
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Grade 12 – Marking Guidelines
3.3.5 Explain how monetary policy instruments should be
implemented when the business cycle is entering a boom
phase.
To achieve this SARB can implement one or more of the
following policy instruments:
Increase interest (repo) rates, making borrowing money
(credit) more expensive and less attractive for consumers and
there will be a decreasing in the demand for goods/services.
Make use of open market transactions, the SARB will sell
securities (e.g. bonds) to the commercial banks, decreasing
the available money in circulation at the commercial banks.
Increase cash reserve requirements, increase the on demand
deposits from commercial banks (commercial banks has on
demand deposits at the SARB), removing money from the
economy.
Moral suasion/persuasion, refers to the use of persuasion
and rhetorical appeals by the SARB bank to influence the
behaviour of commercial banks and other financial
institutions, rather than relying on strict regulations or
mandates. It's a non-quantitative approach to credit control,
meaning it doesn't involve direct changes in interest rates or
reserve requirements.
The SARB can buy US dollars on the open market. South
Africa operates under a free-floating exchange rate policy,
allowing the rand's value to be determined by market forces,
but the SARB can intervene to manage volatility and ensure
an orderly foreign exchange market, by increasing the
demand for US dollars the value of the rand will depreciate,
making imports unattractive and slow down the economy.
The SARB make money “scares or expensive”, which
will lead to a decrease in the demand for goods and
services the economy will “cool down” and we will
experience a simultaneous decline in inflation.
(Accept any other correct and relevant response) (2 x 2) (4)
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Grade 12 – Marking Guidelines
3.4 Discuss the relationship between economic growth and economic
development as public sector objectives.
Economic growth refers to an increase in the production of goods and
services in a country.
Economic growth is measured in terms of Real GDP.
For economic growth to occur, the economic growth rate must be
higher than population growth.
Economic Development is programs, policies or activities that seek to
improve the economic well-being and quality of life for a community.
Economic development is measured by GDP per capita or standard
of living.
Economic Development is programs, policies or activities that seek to
improve the economic well-being and quality of life for a community.
Growth and development, benefit its citizens and often leads to
higher standard of living. Without economic growth there can be no
economic development.
(Accept any other correct and relevant response) (4 x 2) (8)
(A maximum of 4 marks may be allocated for mere listing of
facts/examples)
3.5 Examine the measures available to correct a balance of payment
deficit.
Interest rates.
Domestic demand can be changed by increasing interest rates.
If interest rates are increased, spending, including spending on
imports will decrease (decrease in disposable income).
Simultaneously, foreign savers try to take advantage by increasing
their investment in the country with the higher interest rate.
The opposite happens when interest rates are decreased.
Import controls.
This includes import tariffs, other duties and quotas.
The WTO is trying to lower tariffs and other trade barriers for the sake
of trade liberalization.
Borrowing and lending.
Countries with surpluses often lend money to countries with deficits.
Countries with deficits often borrow.
In the event of a fundamental disequilibrium, member countries may
borrow from the IMF.
Change in demand.
Changes in demand is either domestic or foreign. An increase in domestic
demand cause imports to increase and this has a negative effect on the
balance of the balance of payments.
A decrease in demand has the opposite effect.
Export promotion.
Export promotion (such as government incentives), is applied to
encourage the production of goods that can be exported, e.g. certain
European countries pay subsidies to farmers.
This will bring the prices of locally produced goods down and make exports
more attractive.
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Grade 12 – Marking Guidelines
Import substitution.
Government pays incentives to produce goods domestically rather
than to import them. The South African government favours export
promotion.
Change in exchange rates.
Exchange control allows central banks to ration foreign exchange.
Thus, making it difficult to import.
Free-floating exchange rates.
South Africa uses the free-floating exchange rate system; our currency
is traded in the open market. If imports increase, the demand for foreign
exchange increase.
The currency depreciates because of the working of market
forces. Depreciation makes imports more expensive in the
depreciating country and exports cheaper in the foreign country.
Imports decrease, exports increase, and the currency appreciates.
Managed floating exchange rate.
Central banks use their reserves to effect depreciations and
appreciations.
Over the long term, currencies must find their equilibrium levels.
Fixed exchange rate.
Currencies are devalued and revalued by the Central bank.
Increase in tax.
Reduces disposable income which decreases demand in imports.
Reduction of reserves by SARB.
Correct deficits if we adopted a Managed floating exchange rate.
(Accept any other correct and relevant response) (2 x 4) (8)
(A maximum of 2 marks may be allocated for mere listing of
facts/examples)
[40]
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Grade 12 – Marking Guidelines
QUESTION 4: MACROECONOMICS 40 MARKS – 30 MINUTES
4.1 Answer the following questions.
4.1.1 Name any TWO factors that affects the exchange rate.
Supply
Demand.
Increased demand for a country’s currency by inbound tourists.
(Accept any other correct and relevant response) (2 x 1) (2)
4.1.2 Explain the nature of business cycles.
The business cycle is the natural expansion and contraction of
the production and output of goods and services that happens
over a period of time. It can be said to be the economic rise and
fall of a firm in the economy.
(Accept any other correct and relevant response) (1 x 2) (2)
4.2 DATA RESPONSE
4.2.1 Identify ONE state operated enterprise in the cartoon above.
Post Office
SAA
SABC
Eskom (1)
4.2.2 Name ONE necessity of the public sector.
Economic rights
Social rights
Basic human rights (1)
(Accept any other correct and relevant response)
4.2.3 Briefly describe the term parastatals.
Institutions/organizations, which are wholly or partially owned
and managed by the government (either autonomous or quasi-
governmental).
(Accept any other correct and relevant response) (1 x 2) (2)
4.2.4 Explain the advantages of privatizing a state owned
enterprise.
Advantages, including increased efficiency, competition, and
government revenue, reduction in fiscal burden, improved
service delivery and less government interference.
(Accept any other correct and relevant response) (1 x 2) (2)
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4.2.5 Discuss reasons for public sector provisioning.
To supply public goods/services, using policies such as
taxation and government spending.
Supply public goods: community goods, collective goods,
merit goods and control non-merit goods.
Conserve resources and protect the environment.
Manage the economy: manage the collective interest of its
people, create the social legislative environment in which
businesses and individuals peruse their own interests, apply
suitable and credible economic and other policies in order
to achieve internationally respected objectives.
(Accept any other correct and relevant response) (2 x 2) (4)
4.3 DATA RESPONSE
4.3.1 Name ONE currency used in the graph above.
Rand’s
Dollars (1)
4.3.2 Identify the original exchange rate equilibrium.
E (R16.00 for $10). (1)
4.3.3 Briefly describe the term devaluation.
An official lowering of the value of a country's currency within
a fixed exchange-rate system. (1 x 2) (2)
4.3.4 Why did the demand for dollars per day decrease?
The Rand depreciated, due to lower demand and payments
of imports.
Decrease in payments for services from the USA.
South Africa paid less interest and dividends on US capital
invested in South Africa.
A decrease in capital transferred to the USA by South African
investors.
A decrease in the number of South African tourists spending
money in the USA.
(Accept any other correct and relevant response) (1 x 2) (2)
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4.3.5 What type of interventions can be implemented to influence an
free floating exchange rate?
The value of the currency is determined purely by the forces
of the market, demand for rand and supply of rand.
SARB can buy or inject dollars into the market.
The monetary authority (Central Bank of a country) intervenes
to affect the level of the exchange rate only on rare occasions
if market conditions are disorderly .
(Accept any correct and relevant response) (2 x 2) (4)
4.4 Discuss supply side reasons for international trade.
Natural resources.
Natural resources are not evenly distributed across all countries of
the world. They vary from country to country and can only be
exploited in places where there are such resources.
Each country has its own unique mix of natural resources that
makes it possible for them to produce certain goods/services
more efficiently and at a relatively lower price.
South Africa’s gold and diamond resources has given us an advantage
in producing and exporting gold and diamonds.
Climatic conditions.
Differences in climatic conditions between countries make it possible
for some countries to produce certain goods at a lower price than
other countries.
Many crops can only be cultivated in certain climatic conditions and
areas, or in certain kinds of soil. Topography, e.g. Brazil is the biggest
producer of coffee in the world.
Labour resources.
The quality, quantity and cost of labour also differ between
countries.
Some countries have highly skilled labour with high productivity rates.
This enables them to produce goods/services at a lower price than
they are produced in other countries.
Certain individuals have greater ability and aptitude for certain tasks.
It’s a worldwide phenomenon that some countries have developed
a skill and aptitude for the production of certain commodities, (e.g.
the Swiss and watch making).
Technological resources.
Some countries have access to technological resources that
enable them to produce certain goods/services at lower unit costs.
Improved production processes, the availability of equipment and
machinery, and other technological factors, all influence the supply
of goods/services and thereby contribute to cost differences between
countries, e.g. Japan.
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Specialisation.
Some countries specialize in the production of certain goods and
services.
By specializing in the production of certain goods/services, a country
is able to take advantage of economies of scale and therefore produce
the goods at a comparatively cheaper unit cost e.g. Japan has
specialized in the production of certain electronic goods and they
sell them at a much lower price than they can be produced in other
countries.
This often results in mass production because of division of labour
automation and mechanization.
Capital.
Can’t be obtained as easily in some countries as in others.
Developed countries usually enjoy an advantage over developing
countries.
Due to a lack of capital some countries can’t produce all the goods they
require themselves, or they may not have the favourable conditions of
other countries.
In many countries there is a lack of physical infrastructure and this
hampers local production of goods/services.
(Accept any other correct and relevant response) (4 x 2) (8)
(A maximum of 4 marks may be allocated for mere listing of
facts/examples)
4.5 Interpret leading and composite indicators as features underpinning
forecasting in business cycles.
Leading economic indicators.
Indicators that change before the economy changes.
Give consumers, business leaders and policy makers a glimpse of
where the economy might be heading.
When these indicators rise, the level of economic activities will also rise
in a few months’ time.
E.g. job advertising space/inventory/sales ratio.
Composite indicators.
It is a grouping of various indicators of the same type into a single
value.
The single figure forms the norm for a country’s economic
performance.
(Accept any other correct and relevant response) (4 x 2) (8)
(A maximum of 2 marks may be allocated for mere listing of
facts/examples)
TOTAL SECTION B: 80
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SECTION C
Answer any ONE of the two questions in this section in the ANSWER BOOK.
QUESTION 5: MACROECONOMICS 40 MARKS – 40 MINUTES
Discuss in detail the markets within the FOUR-SECTOR model. (26 marks)
Interpret the purpose of the System of National Accounts as outlined
by the United Nations. (10 marks)
INTRODUCTION
The circular flow model is a simplified representation of the interaction
between the participants of the economy. Markets coordinate economic
activities and determine prices for goods and services. (Max. 2)
(Accept any other correct and relevant response)
BODY
MAIN PART
THE FOUR MARKETS IN THE CIRCULAR FLOW
Goods, products market.
These markets are mainly for consumer goods and services, but also supply
goods and services to the other participants in the circular flow (government,
firms and foreign markets).
In economics a distinction is made between goods and services:
Goods are defined as any tangible items such as food, clothing and cars
that satisfy some human wants or need.
Buying and selling of goods that are produced in markets e.g.:
Capital goods market for trading of buildings and machinery.
Consumer goods market for trading of durable consumer goods, semi-
durable consumer goods and non-durable consumer goods.
Services are defined as non-tangible actions and includes wholesale and
retail, transport and financial markets.
Factors market/Resources market/Input markets.
The factor market includes the labour, property and financial markets.
Households sell their factors of production on the factors market; natural
resources are sold for rent, labour are sold for wages and salaries, capital
are sold for interest and entrepreneurship are sold for profit.
Financial markets.
They are not directly involved in production of goods and services, but act
as a link between households, the business sector and other participants with
surplus funds.
E.g. banks, insurance companies & pension funds.
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Money markets.
In the money market, short term loans and very short-term funds are
saved and borrowed by consumers and business enterprises.
Products sold in this market are bank debentures, treasury bills and
government bonds.
The SARB is the key institution in the money market.
Capital markets.
In the capital market long term funds are borrowed and saved by
consumers and business enterprises.
Products sold in this market are mortgage bonds and shares.
The Johannesburg Security Exchange is a key institution in the capital
market.
Foreign exchange markets.
On the foreign exchange market businesses buy and sell foreign
currencies to pay for imported goods and services.
These transactions occur in banks and consist of an electronic money
transfer from one account to another.
The most important foreign exchange markets are in London, New York
and Tokyo.
The South African rand is traded freely in these markets (we trade our
currency on a free-floating exchange market).
E.g. when a person buys travellers cheques to travel abroad. (Max. 26)
(Accept any other correct and relevant responses)
ADDITIONAL PART
The System of National Accounts (SNA) is a set of international
guidelines for the development of economic accounts and for reporting
such statistics to international organisations in a manner comparable
across countries.
The SNA outlined by the United Nations serves several purposes: It
provides a comprehensive framework for organizing economic data,
allowing for the systematic analysis of national economies.
It provides a comprehensive framework for organizing economic data,
allowing for the systematic analysis of national economies.
SNA facilitates the comparison of economic performance across different
countries by establishing common concepts, definitions, classifications,
and accounting rules.
It offers a tool for policymakers to assess the impact of their decisions on
the economy, enabling the formulation and evaluation of economic
policies.
SNA helps in understanding the structure of an economy, including the
production, income, consumption, and accumulation of wealth, which is
crucial for informed decision-making.
SNA helps in understanding the structure of an economy, including the
production, income, consumption, and accumulation of wealth, which is
crucial for informed decision-making.
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It supports the monitoring of economic trends, such as GDP growth,
inflation, and employment, providing essential information for economic
forecasting and planning.
In summary, the SNA serves as a fundamental tool for understanding,
analysing, and comparing the economic performance of nations,
aiding policymakers, researchers, and analysts in making informed
decisions. (Max. 10)
(Accept any other correct and relevant response)
(Allocate a maximum of 2 marks for mere listing of facts)
CONCLUSION
Markets are important indicators in a mixed market economy, it
indicates how many units will be produced and demanded at a certain
price.
Competition drives down prices and increases quantity and quality, thus
improving the standard of living.
Different products/goods are traded in the different markets and the
prices of these products/goods are dependent on the forces of supply
and demand. (Max. 2) [40]
(Accept any correct and relevant response)
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QUESTION 6: MACROECONOMICS 40 MARKS – 40 MINUTES
Discuss in detail the reason(s) for public sector failure. (26 marks)
Critically evaluate the impact of an increase in the basket of food
items exempted from VAT on the economy. (10 marks)
INTRODUTION
Public sector failure occurs when the state/government fails to provide
goods and services to the people.
Public sector failure occurs when government intervention in the
economy leads to an inefficient allocation of resources and leads to an
overall decline in economic welfare.
Targets are missed (e.g. GDP, Inflation, Economic development).
Incompetence in the use of monetary and fiscal policy and the
implementation thereof. (Max. 2)
(Accept any other correct and relevant response)
BODY
MAIN PART
Management Failures
Politicians tend to promote policies and continue to spend money on
projects as long as they can get votes in return.
These policies might involve the inefficient allocation of resources.
Many Public sector entities has a lack capacity due of a lack of skills.
This means that funds are often not spent and must be returned to the
treasury.
Ignorance, e.g. lack of leadership, experience and training, might result
In the improvement of the welfare of someone at the expense of someone
else.
Apathy
Government officials show little or no interest in delivering an efficient
service to the public.
Successful public production relies on long-term accountability.
If not addressed properly, then it could lead to inefficiency, corruption,
violence and poor service delivery.
Lack of Motivation
Frontline workers rarely receive incentives for successful service
delivery.
There is little or no stipulations for quality and quantity, effective and
productive service delivery and this leads to limited service delivery, low
quality goods at high costs.
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Grade 12 – Marking Guidelines
Bureaucracy
Bureaucrats tend to obey rules and regulations without judgement.
They tend to be more interested in obeying the rules than the efficient
delivery of goods and services to the people.
This leads to limited service delivery at a high cost & poor quality.
Politicians
Those who aim is to be re-elected and who pursue vote-maximising
strategies to secure or retain their political offices.
Such politicians have a short-term horizon which is limited to the date of
the next election.
Serious structural weaknesses in the economy/Privatisation
Some objectives may work against each other, e.g. government
redistributes income and wealth too aggressively, or the implementation
of rules to combat covid-19 effects the functioning and growth of the
economy.
This can result in social goals not been attained.
Special interest groups
Attempts by interest groups such as farmers or organised labour to
influence government to their own advantage. (Max. 26)
(Accept any other correct and relevant response)
ADDITIONAL PART
The main aim is to provide relief to poor South Africans and potentially
add protein to the list to address malnutrition.
VAT is an inherently regressive tax without any zero-rated items, as the
amount paid by lower-income households as a share of disposable
income is higher than that of richer households.
Zero-rating is a poor tool for supporting poor households. At best, rich
households receive as much benefit as poor households, but they mostly
tend to benefit much more than their lower-income counterparts.
The benefit to rich households is so large that the reduced VAT rate
actually has a regressive effect in benefiting the rich much more in
absolute terms.
However, it also said that the benefit to the rich is far larger as they
consume larger quantities of zero-rated goods.
South Africa’s VAT-exempt list currently includes 19 basic foods such as
brown bread, maize meal, milk, rice, vegetables, and eggs.
Other concerns raised were the cost of foregone revenue, that zero-rating
could encourage imports, and that the benefits would not be passed on
to consumers. (Max. 10)
(Accept any other correct and relevant response)
(Allocate a maximum of 2 marks for mere listing of facts)
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Grade 12 – Marking Guidelines
CONCLUSION
The government has a responsibility to supply goods, services and
infrastructure, to the country as whole. Misallocation of tax payer’s money
can impact on the five main objectives of government, mainly limiting
economic growth and job creation, this will lead to a lack of, or no
economic development. (Max. 2) [40]
(Accept any other correct and relevant response)
TOTAL SECTION C: 40
GRAND TOTAL: 150
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