I, Rethabile Nokulunga Nhlapho, declare that: (i) The research reported in this dissertation/thesis, except where otherwise indicated, is my original research.(ii) This dissertation/thesis has not been submitted for any degree or examination at any other university.(iii) This dissertation/thesis does not contain other persons' data, pictures, graphs or other information, unless specifically acknowledged as being sourced from other persons.(iv) This dissertation/thesis does not contain other persons' writing, unless specifically acknowledged as being sourced from other researchers. Where other written sources have been quoted, then: a) their words have been re-written but the general information attributed to them has been referenced; b) where their exact words have been used, their writing has been placed inside quotation marks, and referenced.(v) Where I have reproduced a publication of which I am author, co-author or editor, I have indicated in detail which part of the publication was actually written by myself alone and have fully referenced such publications.(vi) This dissertation/thesis does not contain text, graphics or tables copied and pasted from the Internet, unless specifically acknowledged, and the source being detailed in the dissertation/thesis and in the References sections.Signed: ____________________ iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank and praise God for sustaining me, and for giving me the courage and faith throughout this academic journey. My sincerest gratitude to my supervisors, Prof Muzindutsi and Dr Obalade, for their invaluable support and comments. Your patience and expert guidance played a critical role in the completion of this dissertation. Thank you for your continuous commitment to my growth and your guidance, that helped to mold this dissertation into a significant contribution to the field. I am also thankful to the School of Accounting, Economics and Finance, and the Macroeconomics Research Unit (MRU) for their assistance in providing resources and facilitating the research process. I am deeply grateful to the Finance team for a encouraging words and motivating me to push through. A special thank you to Prof MCullough, for her insights and consistent encouragement. Thank you for taking the time to read through my work and providing guidance. Thank you to Dr R Partab for her valuable input and the motivational quotes that lifted my spirits. I extend my deepest appreciate to my family for their support throughout my academic journey. Thank you for your prayers, sacrifices and guidance over the years. I would like to express my gratitude to my mom -Mrs Nelisiwe Nhlapho, my sister -Ms Dimakatso Nhlapho, my aunts -Ms Phindi Zungu and Mrs Phumzile Zibisi, uncle -Mr Zibisi, and my cousins -Thula Zungu and Sthe Zungu. A special note of thanks to my extended family for their support; uncles, aunts, sisters, brothers and cousins. I sincerely hope I have made each of you proud! I wish to convey my sincerest gratitude to all those who have supported and guided me throughout this journ...