Explore publications.

This paper aims to explore perspective of South Africans on the effects of philoxenia on social cohesion between South Africans and African immigrants. The researchers employed exploratory research design, qualitative research methods and document analysis as well as in-depth interviews to solicit data. The work employed Philoxenia as a conceptual framework as well as positive and negative contact theories as tools of analysis. The findings indicate that South African perspectives on philoxenia is that, there exists “an ethic of hospitality toward foreign nationals”. This underscores the multifaceted nature of social cohesion within multicultural urban settings. While a number of South Africans in metropolitan areas, exhibit inclusive attitudes that facilitate positive intercultural relations, such experiences are not homogenous. They are not rooted in sustained emotional connection and fall short of fostering genuine. Compounding this challenge, the paper reveals that, manifestations of xenophobia, Afrophobia, and colour-blind xenophobia persist, often undermine the socio-cultural integration of African immigrants. The researchers recommend that, there is a need for a multi-level, collaborative approach to promoting a more deeply rooted form of philoxenia to address both the symbolic and material dimensions of social cohesion. Therefore, there are positive implications for African unity inspired by Philoxenia, while xenophobia, Afrophobia, and colour-blind xenophobia have negative spinoffs.

Programme evaluation is a critical management tool internationally, enabling the assessment of whether public sector policy objectives are effectively met. In South Africa, such evaluations are essential for refining governance strategies in response to persistent urban challenges. This paper arises from a programme evaluation of inner-city turnaround initiatives aimed at addressing urban decay and problem buildings. It seeks to develop a normative public management model, with a focus on the role of city governments and municipalities in leading regeneration efforts. A qualitative research design was adopted, employing thematic content analysis to examine governance and management practices across South African municipalities. Systems theory, conceptualised within public administration and management, served as the analytical framework for interrogating the interrelated factors driving urban decline. This lens informed the construction of a normative model designed to guide coordinated municipal responses, enhance institutional capacity, and improve strategic urban planning. Findings demonstrate that systems theory offers a robust foundation for understanding and managing the complexities of inner-city environments. The paper presents a visual normative model that emphasises the critical leadership role of city governments in reversing urban deterioration. By bridging theory and practice, the study contributes to academic and practical discourses on urban governance and offers a structured, adaptable model for inner-city regeneration both locally and globally.

This article analyses the Shambe Sonke Programme (SSP) in South Africa, a poverty alleviation initiative aimed at generating income and fostering economic independence through infrastructure maintenance and community engagement in rural regions. This paper employs qualitative research methodology to examine communication practices, challenges, and regional implementation disparities within the SSP, concentrating on three provinces: KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, and Eastern Cape. Data were collected via interviews with officials from the Department of Transport (DoT) and focus groups involving SSP contractors, predominantly African men and women, utilising content analysis based on Giddens’ Structuration Theory. The findings indicate substantial communication deficiencies between the Department of Transportation and SSP contractors, impeding the contractors' comprehension of program objectives, eligibility criteria, and accessible economic opportunities. The absence of communication hinders contractors' capacity to leverage SSP resources for income generation, thereby limiting the program's efficacy in poverty alleviation. The study identifies regional disparities in the impact of SSP, noting that KwaZulu-Natal’s Zibambele sub-program demonstrates superior outcomes attributed to proactive support systems and robust public-private partnerships (PPPs), which furnish contractors with resources for small-scale farming and business initiatives. Delayed payments and insufficient training in Mpumalanga and Eastern Cape hinder contractors' economic mobility. The study advocates for the enhancement of communication channels, the development of localised implementation strategies, and the improvement of public-private partnerships across provinces to achieve more consistent outcomes in the SSP. The findings highlight the necessity for flexible, community-focused strategies in public programs and collaborative partnerships as essential avenues for effective poverty alleviation.

This study employs a qualitative systematic literature review to examine the barriers and opportunities for women’s leadership in academia, with a particular focus on South African higher education. Secondary data were sourced from peer-reviewed journal articles, books, dissertations, and opinion pieces, ensuring a comprehensive analysis of existing research. A total of 130 studies were reviewed, with data collected and analysed using qualitative content and thematic analysis methods. The findings highlight persistent structural, cultural, and institutional barriers that hinder women's advancement in academic leadership. These include gender bias in recruitment and promotion, the absence of mentorship and support networks, challenges in achieving work-life balance, and the intersectionality of race and gender, which disproportionately affects Black women. Despite the progress made through gender equity policies, the slow pace of transformation within male-dominated academic institutions remains a significant obstacle. However, the study also identifies key opportunities for women in leadership, such as the implementation of gender equity initiatives, the strengthening of mentorship programmes, and the increasing recognition of diverse and inclusive leadership styles within universities. Institutional commitment to gender transformation, alongside global frameworks such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), presents a pathway for women to attain leadership positions. The study stresses the need for continued institutional reforms that challenge traditional gender norms, foster mentorship, and promote work-life balance policies to achieve sustainable gender equity in academic leadership.

Sustainable food systems are essential for achieving numerous Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in securing food availability, enhancing nutrition, and fostering sustainable agriculture, while also aiding in other SDGs such as poverty alleviation, promoting health and well-being, encouraging responsible consumption, and addressing climate change. Discussions about both Sustainable Development Goals and the sustainability of food systems are ongoing. This article engages with these discussions by investigating the link between the Sustainable Development Goals and food systems, and analysing how food systems might be prioritised as essential for attaining the SDGs. Supported by a secondary literature assessment, the article demonstrated that food security is essential for sustainable development, influencing many Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Numerous Sustainable Development Goals will be realised when individuals have access to sufficient nutritious food. The conclusion is that recognising the intersections and interrelations between the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and food systems, along with implementing transformative measures that empower stakeholders along the food supply chain, will enhance governments' prospects of achieving the SDGs.

This research examines the ongoing under-representation of women in leadership positions within South African higher education institutions (HEIs). Despite a considerable increase in the number of women entering academia, their advancement to top leadership roles remained markedly constrained. This study analysed secondary data from forty scholarly articles published between 2010 and 2023 to investigate the intricate impediments obstructing women's advancement, the wider consequences of these challenges, and viable measures for enhancing gender parity in academic leadership. The results indicated that deep-rooted systemic and cultural obstacles, along with an absence of supportive legislation, sustained gender disparities within institutional hierarchies. Proposals for modification encompassed the establishment of explicit trajectories for women's professional advancement, gender-sensitive leadership training initiatives, mentorship programs to assist aspiring female leaders, and revisions to institutional regulations to foster diversity. The study emphasised the necessity for ongoing evaluation of gender equality policies and enhanced accountability mechanisms to guarantee continued advancement towards equitable representation in leadership.

In the contemporary, rapidly merging globe, education has become a pivotal force in bridging divides towards togetherness, particularly within the African digital landscape. The concept posits education as the new currency for unification across Africa, highlighting its capacity to significantly reshape the continent's socio-economic landscape in the digital era. It reevaluates the inherited education system, which consistently serves foreign interests, into one ideologically reformed to be more Afrocentric and innovation-oriented. Integrating education with digital transformation enables the youth to become catalysts for change, capable of guiding the continent towards a progressive and inclusive future. The paper advocates for educational solidarity, asserting that coordinated efforts and public-private partnerships are essential to address the educational inadequacies in Africa. This article posits that Africa may realise its full potential as a global leader in the 21st century by adopting digital education specifically designed to address its distinct requirements

This study examined the determinants affecting women's empowerment in political involvement within the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) in the Eastern Cape Province.  A qualitative inductive technique was utilised to obtain insights from female ward and proportional representation councillors, involving 10 key informant interviews to examine their experiences in local governance.  The research was based on feminist theories that underscore the necessity for social equality and the deconstruction of patriarchal frameworks within political situations.  The results indicated that social support, knowledge, and accessible forums for women to articulate their perspectives were crucial in enabling women's active participation in local politics.  The study emphasised the significance of executing existing policies and cultivating personal drive as essential factors for increasing women's political participation.  The results highlighted the importance of establishing a supportive atmosphere that prioritises women for political roles and the need for chances for them to express their views.  The research demonstrated that women's political drive and legacy are crucial in encouraging future generations of female leaders.  This study offers a thorough analysis of the elements that can enhance women's empowerment in municipal politics, hence fostering greater female representation and involvement in decision-making processes.