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Job satisfaction is essential in hospitals for professional nurses to provide quality healthcare services. Job satisfaction of professional nurses contributes to their retention in public hospitals. This study assessed the job satisfaction of professional nurses in public hospitals in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. A qualitative case study approach was utilised, collecting data through a combination of in-depth interviews with management and shop stewards, and focus group discussions with professional nurses across three public hospitals in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The interviews and focus group discussions were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data was analysed thematically. The following three themes emerged from the focus group discussions and interviews: passion for their jobs or profession, professional development opportunities, and a sense of appreciation and satisfaction that influenced professional nurses to continue working in public hospitals. The study further revealed that professional nurses were dissatisfied due to inadequate resources and working conditions, which prevented them from providing high-quality, comprehensive patient care. Job satisfaction is detrimental to staff retention and the provision of quality healthcare services in the South African public healthcare system. It is therefore essential that appropriate mechanisms are put in place to improve professional nurses' job satisfaction in public hospitals, as failure to do so will have a detrimental effect. Authorities should listen to and address professional nurses’ concerns to improve the quality of care in public hospitals.

Financial pressures in South Africa’s public sector have increased efforts to control the wage bill, raising concerns about the long-term effects of stagnant remuneration on employee performance, retention, and service delivery. Although the link between pay and motivation is well known, less attention has been given to how prolonged salary stagnation, within a constrained fiscal environment, affects both employees and service delivery outcomes. This paper addresses this gap by examining the effects of stagnant remuneration in the South African public service. The paper used a qualitative narrative review of secondary data, including academic literature, government reports, and policy documents. Sources were selected based on their relevance to remuneration, employee performance, and service delivery, and were analysed thematically. The findings show that stagnant remuneration is not only a Human Resource issue but also a service delivery issue, as it directly affects employee motivation and institutional capacity. Guided by Equity Theory, Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, and the paper’s conceptual model, the results indicate that perceived unfairness and rising living costs reduce motivation, increase turnover, and weaken organisational capacity, especially in sectors such as health, education, and local government. This creates a tension between fiscal sustainability and workforce effectiveness, which ultimately affects service quality. The paper contributes by linking remuneration challenges to service delivery outcomes and indicates the need for a balanced approach to managing the public sector wage bill.

The global rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has positioned digital transformation as a key strategy for improving efficiency, transparency, and responsiveness in public service delivery. In South Africa, however, persistent service delivery protests, limited institutional capacity, and resource constraints continue to undermine effective governance, raising critical questions about the readiness and effectiveness of AI and ICT adoption in the public sector. This paper, therefore, examines the impact of AI and ICT on public service transformation in South Africa, with a focus on their potential to improve service delivery and the barriers limiting their effective implementation. Methodologically, the paper adopts a qualitative research approach based on secondary data, drawing on peer-reviewed literature, government reports, and relevant case studies on digital transformation in public administration. Through thematic synthesis, the paper analyses patterns of adoption, impact, and implementation challenges across key public service domains. The findings reveal that AI and ICT have contributed to improved e-government services, enhanced administrative efficiency, and greater transparency in selected areas of public service delivery. However, these benefits remain uneven and fragmented due to persistent challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, limited financial and human resources, resistance to change, regulatory constraints, low levels of digital literacy, and outdated legacy systems. These barriers collectively slow down system-wide digital transformation and limit the scalability of technological innovations. The paper contributes by providing a consolidated and updated synthesis of fragmented evidence on AI and ICT adoption in South Africa’s public sector, offering a clearer understanding of both progress and persistent structural constraints. It further indicates that digital transformation is not solely a technological issue but also an institutional and governance challenge. The paper recommends prioritised investment in modern ICT infrastructure, strengthened digital skills development for public servants, and the establishment of a coherent national digital transformation strategy. It further recommends simplifying procurement processes, fostering an innovation-oriented public sector culture, and strengthening regulatory and ethical governance frameworks to ensure accountability, inclusivity, and sustainable digital transformation in public service delivery.

This study explored whether centralising human resource management (HRM) for SMS appointments can improve recruitment efficiency, enhance transparency, and curtail patronage, while examining the broader implications for public sector governance and service provision. A qualitative, secondary data-driven systematic review was conducted following an adapted PRISMA protocol, with 16 peer-reviewed and governmental documents (2014 – 2024) retained. Thematic analysis proceeded through open, axial and thematic coding, generating four overarching themes: (1) Control vs autonomy, (2) Equity vs effectiveness, (3) Political legitimacy vs technocratic efficiency, and (4) Hybrid governance potential. The findings revealed that three interrelated challenges dominate the current centralised model: (i) Bureaucratic delays and capacity constraints; (ii) Loss of departmental autonomy; (iii) Contextual insensitivity. Conversely, centralisation delivers standardisation, fairness, and merit-based safeguards, providing a transparent platform for oversight and reducing overt patronage. The study proposes a calibrated hybrid architecture. Implementing the hybrid model aligns with constitutional mandates for merit, equity and accountability, while preserving departmental flexibility essential for effective service delivery. It offers a pragmatic pathway to break the "politicised hiring" cycle, improve vacancy-to-fill rates, and restore public trust in senior appointments across the health, education, water, and fiscal management sectors. By synthesising institutional theoretical perspectives with empirical evidence from South Africa and comparative BRICS cases, this research advances understanding of how centralised HRM can be re-engineered to balance technocratic efficiency with contextual responsiveness. The proposed governance framework provides a replicable blueprint for public-sector reform in resource-constrained, highly politicised environments.

This study examines the impact of COVID-19 on a historically disadvantaged university in South Africa’s Eastern Cape, focusing on challenges faced by staff and students during the transition to online learning. Using a qualitative case study approach within an interpretivist paradigm, data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with 20 purposively selected participants. Thematic analysis was applied. The shift to online learning amplified existing inequalities, with limited infrastructure, low digital literacy, and poor connectivity hindering access, especially in rural areas. The study calls for inclusive quality assurance frameworks that address technological and socio-emotional needs. The study offers empirical insight into digital learning challenges at disadvantaged institutions and informs policy on building equitable, student-centred post-pandemic higher education systems rooted in social justice. The study recommends improved digital infrastructure, equitable access to devices and connectivity, and enhanced support for staff and students. It urges institutions to adopt flexible, inclusive teaching models to ensure resilience and equity in digital education.

Despite the pervasiveness of Food Insecurity (FI) in Higher Education Institutions (HEI), its effects on student success are still not well understood. It is evidenced from studies conducted in HEIs that students report FI as negatively impacting their ability to learn; however, limited studies have objectively explored the nexus between FI and student academic success, and worse still, the scant literature lacks consensus. The extent of FI in HEIs is unknown, which makes this study important, and this will help policymakers set plans to better support students in all areas of their well-being. Using systematic literature review methods, the study assesses research conducted on the relationship between FI and academic success to consolidate the knowledge, demarcate the research gap, and make recommendations for further inquiry and/or policy. The study found that FI is in different forms and is rampant among higher education students, disproportionately affecting those from lower-income households even when receiving financial aid. The results have implications on practice, in that they indicate the need to complement financial aid with advisement and training on financial literacy, as well as food and nutrition workshops, to enhance student purchasing choices and food preparation skills.

This paper examines the intersection of political activism and transgender advocacy within Lee Mokobe's poetry, utilising a multidisciplinary methodology that combines thematic literary analysis, socio-political critique, and biographical context. Mokobe, a Cape Town-born transgender poet now based in the United States, employs vivid imagery, narrative voice, and poetic devices to explore themes of identity, societal expectations, resilience, religious conflict, and the quest for acceptance. His poem "What It’s Like to Be Transgender" serves as a case study to demonstrate how personal experience becomes a powerful vehicle for activism and education, highlighting the ongoing struggles faced by transgender individuals both in South Africa and globally. The analysis situates Mokobe’s work within broader socio-political environments, contrasting South Africa’s progressive legal frameworks with persistent societal stigma, violence, and discrimination. The main contribution of this research is to underscore the transformative potential of poetry as a tool for advocacy, emphasising its role in fostering empathy, raising awareness, and influencing educational curricula and public discourse. Through detailed thematic and stylistic analysis, the paper reveals how Mokobe’s poetry not only articulates personal narratives but also challenges systemic injustices, making a compelling case for art as a catalyst for social change and a platform for marginalised voices

This paper focuses on autobiographical memory. The focus of this paper is to encourage African learners to use autobiographical memory in a classroom setting to write stories and short autobiographies that contribute to their own development, the development of IsiXhosa writing, and revival of the stories of Xhosa learners. This paper also depicts that creative work of African learners could emerge from one’s autobiographical memory work. Encouraging ‘autobiographical memory’ enable remembering the histories of African people in South Africa. This study uses the qualitative research design to explore the potential of autobiographical memory in enhancing teaching and learning in African contexts. The sample is made up of three Xhosa literature books from renowned authors such as Peter Tshobiso Mtuze, Sindiwe Magona, Archibald Campbell Mzolisa Jordan. Key findings from the study show that autobiographical memory helps in preserving culture, challenges colonial histories, and enhances education. The research confirms that the integration of memory-based storytelling into African classrooms will strengthen learning, self-awareness, and cultural knowledge.

This study provides an empirical assessment of financial prudence among South African individuals, focusing on savings and investment behaviour. Prior research highlights a positive correlation between national savings rates and economic growth, with countries exhibiting high saving rates often experiencing stronger economic prosperity. However, as of 2023, South Africa's gross saving rate remains around 17%, ranking the lowest among BRICS nations. In contrast, countries like China and India boast saving rates above 40% and 30% respectively, underscoring South Africa's persistent challenge in fostering a robust savings culture. Despite various initiatives aimed at increasing the national savings rate, these efforts have yet to yield significant improvements. This research explores whether financial prudence characterised by conservative spending and careful planning in the face of future income uncertainty—could contribute to higher personal savings rates. To investigate this, an experimental design was employed where participants were presented with a hypothetical lottery payout scenario to gauge their prudence and its effect on saving behaviour. Analysis of the data indicated that while individuals generally displayed a lack of prudence, prudence itself has a notable influence on savings. Based on these findings, the study recommends that financial products and services in South Africa be designed to be affordable, accessible, and suited to the needs of the population. Additionally, it advocates for government investment in small businesses, job creation, and efforts to attract foreign investment to support a more robust savings culture.

The overarching aim of this study is to shed light on the effects of the competitive dynamics between local and international enterprises in townships and rural regions of the Chris Hani District Municipality (CHDM), Eastern Cape province, South Africa. To achieve this aim, our study compares the effects of these selected strategies between local and foreign businesses owned by local and foreign traders in townships and rural areas in the CHDM. We employed a quantitative research approach using questionnaires to gather data. In the complete model, the indirect effect of product diversification (PD) on competition dynamics (CD) through pricing strategy (PS) is minimal and non-significant. Similarly, for foreign businesses and local businesses, the mediation effect remains negligible. These findings suggest that while PD influences CD directly in some contexts, PS does not play a significant intermediary role. Overall, the results highlight the direct impact of PD on CD, particularly for foreign businesses. The mediating role of PS is negligible, and the importance of diversification for competition differs significantly between foreign and local businesses. These findings suggest the need for tailored diversification strategies based on the business context to enhance competitive positioning

The increased digital acumen among students has necessitated institutions to adopt digital marketing platforms such as websites to enhance brand awareness for competitive advantage purposes. The study therefore investigated the influence of website use on brand awareness and its sub-factors in the Zimbabwean polytechnic context. The study adopted the positivist paradigm, a descriptive research design and is quantitative in nature. A self-administered online questionnaire was used to collect primary data and through convenience sampling, 492 valid and reliable responses were collected. The collected data was analysed using descriptive analysis and inferential statistics. The empirical results indicated a statistically significant relationship between website use and brand awareness, specifically when looking at the brand awareness sub-factors of top-of-mind and brand recall in the context of Zimbabwean polytechnics. However, a statistically insignificant relationship was noted between website use and brand recognition. The study proposed contributions to polytechnic marketers on website use to enhance brand awareness for their institutions to ensure competitive advantage. The empirically tested model provides a basis for future research in the marketing of polytechnics.

Employee turnover poses a significant challenge for South African municipalities, particularly for retaining tacit organisational knowledge. Therefore, this study assessed how employee turnover impacts organisational tacit knowledge retention in South African municipalities. The study uses secondary data analysis to examine employee turnover in critical positions in various municipalities in South Africa, such as senior management and those earmarked as scarce skills. The findings of this study show that employee turnover significantly negatively impacts tacit organisational knowledge. The findings further revealed that turnover exacerbates the retention of the organisational knowledge gap within municipalities, often leading to diminished service quality and increased operational costs such as recruitment and use of service consultants. Furthermore, the study highlights the gap between rhetoric (policies) and actual practice (implementation) in addressing the issues of service quality and operational costs, noting that existing retention strategies and knowledge management approaches often need to be revised. Questioning the effectiveness of retention strategies, the paper suggests that municipalities require more proactive and innovative approaches to manage turnover and organisational tactical knowledge retention to enhance public service delivery continuity and organisational sustainability. Furthermore, municipalities should integrate retention strategies such as succession planning, continuous training, leadership, and mentorship programmes into a broader municipal governance framework.

The article seeks to provide innovative measures aimed at addressing the delivery of affordable housing market in South Africa in view of diminishing fiscus and rising interest rates. It defines the mortgage finance trends in South Africa through analysis of primary data from financial institutions to establish the level of activity and contrarians. Upon understanding the market challenges, the author recommends sound proposition with respect to engineering responsive interventions diversify with respect to demand and supply side blockages in the Affordable Housing Market in South Africa. Based on the findings, the author has found that interest rate increases have hurt the property market activity greatly and lenders in turn also apply very stringent underwriting standards at the height of high interest rate cycles. Furthermore, it has been established the mortgage credit impairments have increased resulting in significant credit loss as the majority of low- and middle-income households are overindebted and mortgage debtors are on the verge of being foreclosed on due to the risk of default. The article concludes by providing recommendations as interventions and measures aimed at upscaling the delivery of affordable housing in South Africa. 

The formulation of student leadership development has been a focal point and a product of shaping student leaders who occupy positions of leadership in the higher education sector. The persisting challenges of the society find a discomfort in wasted opportunity for any leadership initiative which is not aligned with the policy narrative of African development and nation building. This notion led to a situational response in student leadership development that missed an opportunity to fashion student leadership development that addresses the complex challenges of society. This study intends to pen down the experience of transitioning student leadership towards activating agency for social transformation. It also intends to address how student development must be perceived as an integral part of social innovation and a catalyst for reimagining the future of South Africa for the attainment of a sustainable future. One of the key shortfalls of the transactional approach to student leadership development is how the notion of leadership development in higher education is mismatched from the quadruple helix framework model which demonstrates failure for being futuristic in nature tends to be problematic. In this instance, the study used a quadruple helix framework to justify the transition that map the intention of Nelson Mandela University’s establishment of Madibaz YouthLab. The study is a qualitative conceptual framework using a literature review to argue this important transition. The study conclusion and recommendation are postured to add to the discourse on the reformulation of student leadership development in higher education shifting towards adding value to sustainable development.

The South African municipalities have continued to demonstrate weaknesses or inadequacies in monitoring and evaluation (M&E). A possible barrier in South African municipalities is a lack of M&E expertise. While M&E can provide valuable insights into the effectiveness and efficiency of a programme, some potential pitfalls and gaps were discovered during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). A case study design was employed to conduct in-depth and detailed examination within two metropolitan municipalities in the Eastern Cape. A mixed methods approach was adopted in a convergent manner for data collection and analysis. In-depth interviews were utilised to collect data from 13 senior municipal managers at the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) and the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM). A total of 191 questionnaires were despatched to municipal employees and 186 were returned, giving a 97% response rate. The findings reflect the weaknesses of M&E policies in the municipalities and paints a picture of M&E not being prioritised in the municipality.  The findings also reflect the current situation at the municipalities concerned, which is that there are pitfalls and gaps when it comes to evaluation measures. Thus, the study concludes that accountability for financial and performance management is non-existent. This study attempts to make a valuable contribution by providing technical assistance, capacity building to ensure that municipalities have effective M&E systems in place to monitor and evaluate service delivery and improve the lives of communities.