Ronelle Burger

   

Office: Schumann 613a

Office phone: +27-21-808-3106

Twitter handle: @Ronelle_B

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Ronelle Burger is a professor in the Economics Department of Stellenbosch University. Her interest is in poverty and exclusion in African countries, with a focus on the role of health inequalities. Her research is closely aligned with policy processes because it aims to inform and support initiatives to fight inequity and address problems with health care delivery. She is a board member of the Journal of Development Studies and an associate editor of Health Economics. She is a research fellow of the Centre for Development and International Trade at Nottingham University and also the Partnership for Economic Policy at Laval University.   

She has consulted to National and Provincial government and also multilateral donors such as UNICEF and the World Bank. Her work has been published in high-ranked development journals such as Economic Development and Cultural Change and World Development and high-impact health journals such as Lancet Global Health and Journal for Hypertension. Recent sabbatical visits include the Centre for Health Policy at Imperial College London and the Institute for Policy Studies at Johns Hopkins University. She holds a PhD in Economics from Nottingham University and a Masters degree in Economics from Cambridge University. She has received funding from J-PAL, Gates Foundation and the World Bank.

 

Peer-reviewed journal publications 

 

   

Links to journal  

 

Preprints  

             

54. Gangaidzo, T., Von Fintel, M., Schutte, A., Burger, R. (In press.) Stressful life events, neighbourhood characteristics, and systolic blood pressure in South Africa. Journal of Human Hypertension.

           
             

53. Sayed, N., Burger, R., Harper, A., Swart, E.C. 2022. Lockdown-Associated Hunger May be Affecting Breastfeeding: Findings from a Larger SMS Survey in South Africa. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health,19(1).

      Link    
             

52. Burger, R., Kohler, T., Golos, A.M., Buttenheim, A.M., English, R., Tameris, M., Maughan-Brown, B. 2022. Longitudinal changes in COVID-19 vaccination intent among South African adults: evidence from the NIDS-CRAM panel survey, February to May 2021. BMC Public Health, 22(1).

      Link    
             

51. Burger, C., Burger, R., Van Doorslaer, E. 2022. The health impact of free access to antiretroviral therapy in South Africa. Social Science and Medicine, 299.

      Link    
             

50. Burger, R., Christian, C., English, R., Maughan-Brown, B., Rossouw, L. 2022. Predictors of mask-wearing during the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic: Evidence from South Africa. Translational Behavioural Medicine, 12(1). 

      Link    
             

49. Hompashe, D.M.D., Gerdtham, U-G., Christian, C.S., Smth, A., Burger, R., 2021. 'The nurse did not even greet me': how informed versus non-informed patients evaluate health system responsiveness in South Africa. BMJ Global Health 6(4), e004360. 

      Link   Preprint
             

48. Thomas, R., Probert, W.J.M., Sauter, R., Mwenge, L., Singh, S., Kanema, S., Vanga, N., Harper, A., Burger, R., Cori, A., Pickles, M., Bell-Mandla, N., Yang, B., Bwalya, J., Phiri, M., Shanuabe, K., Floyd, S., Donnell, D., Bock, P., Ayles, H., Fidler, S., Hayes, R.J., Fraser, C., Hauck, K. 2021. Cost and cost-effectiveness of a universal HIV testing and treatment intervention in Zambia and South Africa: evidence and projections from the HPTN 071 (PopART) trial. The Lancet Global Health 9(5), e668-e680.

      Link     
             

47. Burger, R., Caldwell, J., Claassens, M., Mama, K., Naidoo, P., Rieger, M., Rossouw, L., Van Doorslaer, E. & Wagstaff, A. 2021. Who is more likely to return for TB test resutls? A survey at three high-burden primary healthcare facilities in Cape Town, South Africa. International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 113, 259-267.

      Link    
             

46. Rossouw, L., Burger, R.P., Burger, R. 2021. Testing an Incentive-Based and Community Health Worker Package Intervention to Improve Maternal Health and Nutrition outcomes: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial, Maternal and Child Health Journal, 1-10.

      Link    

 

           

45. Seabe, D., Burger, R. 2021. Examining the relationship beween resources and the likelihood to participate in formal volunteering in the post-apartheid South Africa. Voluntas: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations, 1-13.

       Link    
             

44. Bredenkamp, C., Burger, R.,Jourdan, A., Van Doorslaer, E. 2021. Changing Inequalities in Health-Adjusted Life Expectancy by Income and Race in South Africa. Health Systems and Reform, 7(2).

      Link    

 

           

43. Amarante, V., Burger, R., Chelwa, G., Cockburn, J., Kassouf, A., McKay, A., Zurbrigg, J. 2021. Underrepresentation of developing country researchers in development research. Applied Economics Letters

      Link   Preprint
             

42. Thieng, C., Burger, R., Owens, T. 2021. Better Performing NGOs Do Report More Accurately: Evidence from Investigating Ugandan NGO Financial Accounts. Economic Development and Cultural Change, 69(2). 

 

   

Link 

 

Preprint

 

 

   

 

 

 

41. Burger, R., Christian, C. S., Gerdtham, Ulf-G, Haal, K. Hompashe, D.M. Smith, A., Schutte, A.E. 2020. Use of simulated patients to assess hypertension case management at public healthcare facilities in South Africa. Journal of Hypertension, 38(2): 362-367.

 

   

Link

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

40. Heng, Q., Steinberg, R., Burger, R. 2019. Abiding by the Law? Using Benford’s Law to Examine the Accuracy of Nonprofit Financial Reports. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 49 (3): 548–570.

 

   

Link

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

39. Wagstaff, A., Van Doorslaer, E., Burger, R. 2019. SMS Nudges as a Tool to Reduce Tuberculosis Treatment Delay and Pretreatment Loss to Follow-Up. A Randomized Controlled Trial. PlosOne, 14(6): e0218527.

 

   

Link

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

38. Burger, R., Owens, T., Prakash, A. 2019. Global non-profit chains and the challenges of development aid contracting. Non-profit policy forum, 9:4.

 

   

Link

 

Preprint 

 

 

   

 

 

 

37. Mchenga, M., Burger, R. Von Fintel, D. 2019. Examining the impact of WHO’s Focused Antenatal Care policy on early access, underutilisation and quality of antenatal care services in Malawi: a retrospective study. BMC Health Services Research, 19:295.

 

   

Link

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

36. Christian, CS, Burger, C, Claassens. M, Bond, V, Burger, R. 2019. Patient predictors of health-seeking behaviour for persons coughing for more than two weeks in high-burden tuberculosis communities: the case of the Western Cape, South Africa. BMC Health Services Research, 19:160.

 

   

Link

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

35. Koomen, L., Burger, R., Van Doorslaer, E2019. Effects and determinants of tuberculosis drug stockouts in South AfricaBMC Health Services Research, 19: 213.

 

   

Link

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

34. Rossouw, L., Burger, RP, Burger, R. 2019. An Incentive-Based and Community Health Worker Package Intervention to Improve Early Utilization of Antenatal Care: Evidence from a Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 23:633 – 640.

 

   

Link

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

33. Smith, A., Burger, R., Black, V. 2019. Demand-Side Causes and Covariates of Late Antenatal Care Access in Cape Town, South Africa, Maternal and Child Health Journal, 23:512 – 521.

 

   

Link

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

32. Booysen, MJ, Visser, M. Burger, R. 2019. Temporal case study of household behavioural response to Cape Town's "Day Zero"' using smart meter data. Water research, 149: 414-420.

 

   

Link

 

Preprint

 

 

   

 

 

 

31. Thomas, R., Burger, R. & Hauck, K. 2018. Richer, wiser and in better health? The socioeconomic gradient in hypertension prevalence, unawareness and control in South Africa. Social Science & Medicine, 217: 18-30.

 

   

Link 

 

Preprint 

 

 

   

 

 

 

30. Burger, R., & Christian, C. 2018. Access to health care in post-apartheid South Africa: availability, affordability, acceptability. Health Economics Policy and Law, 1-13.

 

   

Link 

 

Preprint

 

 

   

 

 

 

29. Christian, C.S., Gerdtham, U.G., Hompashe, D., Smith, A. & Burger, R. 2018. Measuring Quality Gaps in TB Screening in South Africa Using Standardised Patient Analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15(4): 729.

 

   

Link 

 

Preprint 

 

 

   

 

 

 

28. Meehan, S-A, Sloot, R., Draper, H.R., Naidoo, P., Burger, R., Beyers, N. 2018. Factors associated with linkage to HIV care and TB treatment at community-based HIV testing services in Cape Town, South Africa. PlosOne, 13(4): e0195208.

 

   

Link 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

27. Burger, R., Van der Watt, C. & Von Fintel, M. 2018. Household Social Mobility for Paid Domestic Workers and Other Low-Skilled Women Employed in South Africa. Feminist Economics, 24(3): 29-55.

 

   

Link 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

26. Meehan, S-A, Draper, H.R., Burger, R, Beyers, N. 2017. What drives ‘first-time testers’ to test for HIV at community- based HIV testing services?  Public Health Action, 7(4): 304–6.

 

   

Link

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

25. Meehan, S-A, Burger, R, Beyers, N. 2017. Cost analysis of two community-based HIV testing service modalities led by a Non-Governmental Organization in Cape Town, South Africa. BMC Health Services Research, 17(1).

 

   

Link 

 

Preprint

 

 

   

 

 

 

24. Thomas, R., Burger, R., Harper, A., Kanema, S., Mwenge, L., Vanqa, N., Bell-Mandla, N., Smith, P., Floyd, S., Bock, P. Ayles, H., Beyers, N., Donnell, D., Fidler, S., Hayes, R., Hauck, K. 2017. Health-Related Quality-of-Life of people living with HIV in Zambia and South Africa: A comparison with HIV-negative people in the cross-sectional baseline survey of the HPTN 071 (PopART) Trial. Lancet Global Health, 5(11): e1133-e1141.

 

   

Link 

 

Preprint

 

 

   

 

 

 

23. Meehan, S., Roussouw, L., Sloot, R., Burger, R., Beyers, N., 2017. Access to HIV testing services in Cape Town, South Africa: A User perspective. Public Health Action, 7(4): 251-7.

 

   

Link

 

Preprint

 

 

   

 

 

 

22. Ranchod, S., Adams, C., Burger, R., Carvounes, A., Dreyer, K., Smith, A., Van Biljon, C. 2017. South Africa's hospital sector: old divisions and new developments. South African Health Review 2017: 101 – 110. 

 

   

Link

 

Preprint

 

 

   

 

 

 

21 Burger, R., Posel, D. & Von Fintel, M. 2017. The relationship between negative household events and depressive symptoms: Evidence from South African longitudinal data. Journal of Affective Disorders, 218: 170-5. 

 

   

Link

 

Preprint

 

 

   

 

 

 

20. Burger, R, McAvarey, C., Van der Berg, S. 2017. The Capability Threshold: Re-examining the definition of the middle class in an unequal developing country. Journal of Human Development and Capabilities, 18(1): 89-106. 

 

   

Link

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

19. Burger, R., Van der Berg, S., Van der Walt, S. & Yu, D. 2017. The Long Walk: Considering the Enduring Spatial and Racial Dimensions of Deprivation Two Decades After the Fall of Apartheid. Social Indicators Research, 130(3): 1101-23. 

 

   

Link

 

Preprint

 

 

   

 

 

 

18. Burger, R., Ranchod, S., Rossouw, L., Smith, A. 2016. Strengthening the measurement of quality of care. South African Health Review 2016: 191–9.

 

   

Link

 

Preprint

 

 

   

 

 

 

17. Smith, A., Burger, R., Claassens, M., Ayles, H., Godfrey-Faussett, P. and Beyers, N. 2016. Health care workers' gender bias in testing could contribute to missed tuberculosis among women in South Africa. International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, 20 (3): 350-356. 

 

   

Link

 

Preprint

 

 

   

 

 

 

16. Meehan, S., Leon, N., Naidoo, P., Jennings, K., Burger, R. and Beyers, N. 2015. Availability and acceptability of HIV counselling and testing services. A qualitative study comparing clients' experiences of accessing HIV testing at public sector primary health care facilities or non-governmental mobile services in Cape Town, South Africa. BMC Public Health, 15:845. 

 

   

Link

 

Preprint

 

 

   

 

 

 

15. Burger, R., Dasgupta, I. & Owens, T. 2015. A Model of NGO Regulation with an Application to Uganda. Economic Development and Cultural Change, 64 (1): 71 – 111. 

 

   

Link

 

Preprint

 

 

   

 

 

 

14. Burger, R., Steenekamp, C.L., Van der Berg, S. & Zoch, A. 2015. The emergent middle class in contemporary South Africa: Examining and comparing rival approaches. Development Southern Africa, 32(1): 25-40. 

 

   

Link

 

Preprint

 

 

   

 

 

 

13. Burger, R., Louw, M., Pegado, B.B.I.O & Van der Berg, S. 2015. Understanding consumption patterns of the established and emerging South African black middle class. Development Southern Africa, 32(1): 41-56. 

 

   

Link

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

12. Burger, R., Dasgupta, I. & Owens, T. 2015. Why Pay NGOs to involve the community? Annals of Public and Cooperative Economics, 86(1): 7 – 31.

 

   

Link

 

Preprint

 

 

   

 

 

 

11. Burger, R. & Owens, T. 2013. Receive Grants or Perish? The Survival Prospects of Ugandan Nongovernmental Organizations. Journal of Development Studies, 49(9): 1284 -1298. 

 

   

Link

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

10. Burger, R. 2012. Introduction to special issue: Reforming South Africa’s Public Health System. Development Southern Africa, 29 (5): 615. 

 

   

Link

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

9. Burger, R., Bredenkamp, C., Grobler, C. & Van der Berg, S.2012. Have public health spending and access in South Africa become more equitable since the end of apartheid?  Development Southern Africa, 29 (5): 681 – 703. 

 

   

Link

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

8. Burger, R.P., Burger, R. & Rossouw, L. 2012. The fertility transition in South Africa: A retrospective panel data analysis. Development Southern Africa, 29(5): 738-755. 

 

   

Link

 

 

             

7. Burger, R. 2012. Reconsidering the case for enhancing NGO accountability via regulation. Voluntas, 23(1):85-108.

 

   

Link

 

Preprint

 

 

   

 

 

 

6. Burger, R. & Du Plessis, S. 2011.Examining the Robustness of Competing Explanations of Slow Growth in African Countries. Studies in Economics and Econometrics, 35(3): 21-48. 

 

   

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5. Burger, R. 2011. School effectiveness in Zambia: examining the origins of differences between rural and urban school outcome. Development Southern Africa, 28(2): 157–176. 

 

   

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Preprint

 

 

   

 

 

 

4. Burger, R. & Owens, T. 2010. Promoting transparency in the NGO sector: Examining the availability and reliability of self-reported data. World Development, 38(9):1263-1277. 

 

   

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Preprint

 

 

   

 

 

 

3. Booysen, F., Van der Berg, S., Burger, R., Du Rand, G. & Von Maltitz, M. 2008.Using an asset index to assess trends in poverty in seven Sub-Saharan African countries. World Development, 36(6): 1113 – 1130. 

 

   

Link

 

Preprint

 

 

   

 

 

 

2. Burger, R. 2005. What have we learnt from post-1994 innovations in pro-poor service delivery in South Africa: A case study-based analysis. Development Southern Africa, 22(4): 483-500. 

 

   

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Preprint

 

 

   

 

 

 

1. Van der Berg, S. & Burger, R. 2003. Education and socio-economic differentials: A study of school performance in the Western Cape. The South African Journal of Economics, 71(3): 496-522.

 

 

   

Link

 

Preprint

Books and book chapters

 

   

 

 

 

             

Burger, R., Ngwenya, M. 2021. The Economics of Health in South Africa. In The Oxford Handbook of the South African Economy. Oqubay, A., Tregenna, F & Valodia, I. (eds.). Oxford: Oxford University Press, November 2021.

           
             

Burger, R., Smith, A., Spaull, N. & Van der Berg, S. 2015. Poverty, fiscal incidence and service delivery in South Africa. In Black, P., Calitz, E., Steenekamp, T. and Siebrits, K. (eds.)  Public economics. Oxford University Press: Cape Town, pp. 138 -168. 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Burger, R. & Seabe, D. 2013. NGO accountability. In Obadare, E. (Ed.) Handbook of Civil Society in Africa, 2013. Springer International: New York, pp. 77 - 91. 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Burger, R., Louw, M. & Van der Watt, C. 2010.Contextualising the Challenge of Social Development in Post-Apartheid South Africa: Poverty, Exclusion and the Potential Role of Religious Groups.  In Swart, I., Rocher, H., Green, S. & Erasmus, J. (eds.) Religion and Social Development in Post-Apartheid South Africa. Sun Press: Stellenbosch, pp. 61-73. 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Burger, R. & Van der Watt, C. 2010. Bridging South Africa’s deep divides: Religious networks as a resource to overcome social and economic exclusion. 2010. In Swart, I., Rocher, H., Green, S. & Erasmus, J. (eds.) Religion and Social Development in Post-Apartheid South Africa. Sun Press: Stellenbosch, pp. 393-402. 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Van der Berg, S., Burger, R. & Louw, M. 2010. Post-Apartheid South Africa: Poverty and Distribution.  In Nissanke, M. and Thorbecke, E. (eds.) Trends in an Era of Globalization: The Poor under Globalization in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Oxford University Press: New York, pp. 431-458.

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Burger, R. & Owens, T.2009. Socio-economic development and NGOs. In Anheier, H., Toepler, S. and List, R. (eds.) International Encyclopedia of Civil Society. Springer: New York, pp 1044-1049. 

 

   

Link

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Burger, R., Van der Berg, S., Booysen, F. & Vol Maltitz, M. 2008. Wealth in a poor African country: Using an index of consumer durables to investigate wealth accumulation of poor households in Ghana. In Davies, J. (ed.) Personal Wealth in a Global Perspective. University Press: Oxford, pp. 248-270. 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Burger, R. & Van der Berg. S. 2008. How well is the South African public health care system serving its people? In Hofmeyr, J. (ed) Transformation Audit. Institute for Justice and Reconciliation: Cape Town, pp. 84 – 92. 

 

   

Link

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Burger, R., Burger, R.P. & Du Plessis, S. 2007. Assessing NEPAD as a Growth Strategy. In Boko, S. H. & Seck, D. (eds.) NEPAD and the future of economic policy in Africa. Africa World Press: Trenton, NJ, pp. 75 – 100. 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Burger, R., Burger, R.P., Credé, P. & Jordaan, E. 2006. Enabling Financial Sector Development in African Countries: Case Studies in Four SADC Countries. Southern African Development Bank: Midrand. [entire book] 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Burger, R. & Van der Berg, S. 2005. Social delivery in South Africa. In Bernstein, A & Johnston, S. 2005. The Next Decade: Perspectives on South Africa’s Growth and Development.  Centre for Development and Enterprise: Johannesburg, pp. 209 – 227. 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Burger, R., Jahed, M. Naidoo, S. & Terreblanche, S. 2003. Contextualising African Development. In Development Bank of Southern Africa. In Financing Africa’s Development: Enhancing the role of private finance. Southern African Development Bank: Midrand, pp. 1 – 15. 

 

   

 

 

 

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BER Weekly

26 January 2024
Domestically, the theme of the week centred around monetary policy and inflation, with the SA Reserve Bank (SARB) making its first repo rate decision of the year on Thursday. Furthermore, Stats SA released both consumer and producer price inflation data for December. Globally, monetary policy was also important, with the European Central Bank (ECB),...

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Upcoming Seminars

No seminars are currently listed. Please check back soon.
 
More...

BER Weekly

26 January 2024
Domestically, the theme of the week centred around monetary policy and inflation, with the SA Reserve Bank (SARB) making its first repo rate decision of the year on Thursday. Furthermore, Stats SA released both consumer and producer price inflation data for December. Globally, monetary policy was also important, with the European Central Bank (ECB),...

Read the full issue