ENG1503 Assignment 1 Semester 2 2026 - Due 21 August 2026

ENG1503 Assignment 1 Semester 2 2026 - Due 21 August 2026 GROUP ASSIGNMENT: 1 – Short paragraph questions Unique number: 185373 Compulsory: Yes Due date: 17 August 2026 Purpose: The purpose of this assignment is to teach you how to critically read an article, engage with it, and reflect on it in an academic manner by responding to the assigned questions in short, well-structured paragraphs. In addition, the assignment is designed to assess your ability to think critically, analyse content, and express your ideas clearly in writing. When marking the assignment, we will penalise poor language and faulty expression. Examples of poor language expression include errors in sentence structure, incomprehensible and barely literate vocabulary, spelling, punctuation, and so on. Instructions Read the text below and answer the following questions in short, coherent paragraphs of 150 words. Your answers should be written in full sentences and in continuous prose format. Do not use bullet points. Unless explicitly instructed, avoid quoting directly from the text and paraphrase ideas in your own words to demonstrate understanding. Please note: The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools to produce responses is strictly prohibited. Any student found to have used such tools will face penalties in accordance with the institution’s academic integrity policy. Group requirements - The group should have five (5) members. - Each member is responsible for completing one (1) question. - Each member should review and edit another member’s section. - Discuss your answers as a group to ensure consistency, accuracy, and quality. - Compile all five answers into one PDF document in the correct order (Questions 1 – 5). - Review the whole document as a group and ensure there are no errors. - Only one member should upload the assignment on behalf of the group. Read the following text carefully and answer the questions that follow. Skills shortages are holding back businesses in South Africa Running a business in South Africa has become increasingly difficult. The challenges range from the economic after-effects of the COVID-19 pandemic to limited access to finance, increased global competition, shifting trade relations, technological change and governance issues. As researchers with an interest in urban economies, we set out to understand the biggest challenges facing businesses wanting to grow in South Africa’s Western Cape province. The study involved surveying 426 businesses to draw on the views of employers directly. Our findings show that their biggest constraints were shortages in digital, soft, and environmental sustainability skills. The gaps were the result of weaknesses in education and vocational training. These findings align with problems in the broader South African labour market, like poor schooling, limited practical skills and a mismatch between what people learn and what employers actually need. Skills shortages affect not only job seekers but also business productivity, growth and competitiveness. Yet most firms in our study reported spending only 1%-4% of their wage bill on staff training. We argue that educational and training institutions play a key role in developing skills, but businesses also have a responsibility to train and develop their employees. Business challenged by lack of skills This study gathered the views of 426 business owners and senior managers based on how various factors affected their operations. Those factors included institutions, infrastructure, labour markets, skills, product markets and the natural environment.