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South Africa’s epidemic of school-based gang violence significantly impacts educators, affecting their psychosocial well-being and professional performance. This qualitative study examines these effects within Johannesburg public schools, guided by Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory, which emphasizes the influence of interconnected social and cultural environments. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with purposively sampled educators and analysed thematically using Creswell’s framework. Ethical standards, including confidentiality, informed consent, and privacy, were rigorously upheld. Findings reveal that educators experience emotional distress, professional burnout, and compromised well-being as a result of persistent exposure to school-based gang violence.

The thrust of this study seeks to investigate how principals in Tshwane West District primary schools use accountability and decision-making to drive pedagogy, particularly in the post-Covid-19-19 era. The key question explored is: "How do principals employ these leadership practices to enhance teaching and learning outcomes amid pandemic-related challenges?" A mixed-methods approach was used, incorporating a literature review and an empirical survey. The literature review examined instructional leadership, accountability frameworks, participative decision-making, and the pandemic’s impact on education. The empirical survey involved 98 principals, with 83 responses (84.7% response rate), who rated the importance of accountability and decision-making in instructional leadership using a four-point Likert scale. Findings show that principals view accountability and participative decision-making as essential, particularly in addressing Covid-19-19 disruptions. Key themes include the need for enhanced digital literacy, accountability in curriculum continuity, and collaborative decision-making for health and safety protocols. Despite the pandemic, fostering a positive school culture, promoting teacher collaboration, and improving student performance remained priorities. The study highlights the need for professional development to strengthen school leaders’ competencies in crisis management, digital transformation, and transparent decision-making. These findings emphasize the value of inclusive leadership in sustaining instructional excellence during crises.

Entrepreneurship is thriving amongst the immigrant population in South Africa. There is an explosion of successful immigrant SMMEs. Researchers acknowledge that immigrants are operating successful SMMEs. There is still a paucity in the body of knowledge about the operational strategies contributing to the thriving of immigrant enterprises. The objective of the study is to examine the operational strategies of African Immigrant SMMEs. The study sought to answer the main research question – “What are the operational strategies of African immigrant SMMEs in Thulamela Local Municipality? The study adopted a qualitative approach. The population was immigrant SMMEs in Thulamela Local Municipality. Purposive non-probability and snowball sampling techniques were used to select a sample of 20 participants who met the set qualifying criteria for the study. Semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted with participants in English. Data was analysed using Archive of Technology, Life world and Language for text interpretation (ATLAS.ti) Version 8.4. The study found that operational strategies adopted by African immigrant SMMEs include industry experience capitalisation; credit to regular customers; long operating hours; competitor consciousness; and fast customer service. A similar study may be conducted in other municipalities or provinces towards a broader understanding of the subject matter in different contexts.

Given the COVID-19 pandemic and the development of remote work, this conceptual study proposes integrating OHS leadership competences into responsible leadership education. This study teaches executives how to enhance employee well-being in distributed work contexts to help achieve UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). PRISMA was used to conduct a systematic literature review for transparency and rigour. The review used Web of Science, Scopus, and Sabinet scholarly sources. Qualitative thematic analysis with Atlas.ti identified key themes and research gaps in occupational health and safety, responsible leadership, and remote work. Leadership education and responsible leadership are linked to sustainable development and organisational sustainability. Leadership education still lacks occupational health and safety standards, especially for remote and hybrid work contexts exacerbated by the COVID-19 epidemic. Socio-economic vulnerabilities, violence, and climate change increase occupational risks and health inequities in Africa, highlighting this shortcoming. The suggested approach focusses adapting leadership education to remote work dynamics and including occupational health and safety competences. Online adult education is growing rapidly, offering a chance to adapt leadership development to Africa's socio-cultural and economic conditions. The framework helps train leaders who safeguard health, promote ethical governance, and boost worker resilience in emerging workplaces.This study introduces a new interdisciplinary paradigm that merges leadership education and occupational health, a neglected area of research. In the post-COVID-19 setting, OHS leadership is vital to responsible leadership education, filling a vacuum in scholarship and practice. The framework helps educators, legislators, and leaders create safer, fairer, and more sustainable workplaces.

Traditional herbal medicine remains a vital component of healthcare across Africa, deeply rooted in indigenous cultural beliefs and practices. This systematic review employs the PRISMA framework to analyse regulatory frameworks, cultural significance, and practical challenges related to herbal medicine use in multiple African countries. Findings reveal that nations such as Ghana, Kenya, and Uganda have made notable progress in establishing regulatory agencies and legislative oversight, while others, including Ethiopia, exhibit weaker governance structures. The study highlights the critical role of cultural embeddedness, with traditional medicine addressing holistic health dimensions often absent in biomedical approaches. Despite the accessibility and affordability of herbal remedies, concerns about dosage inconsistencies, contamination, and lack of standardisation persist. Furthermore, uneven institutionalisation and generational knowledge loss threaten sustainability. The review underscores the need for harmonised regulatory standards, preservation of indigenous knowledge, increased research investment, and strengthened collaboration between traditional healers and biomedical practitioners. These measures are essential to safely integrate traditional medicine into formal healthcare systems and support universal health coverage across Africa.

The current global headwinds of trade wars triggered by the imposition of tariffs have rattled the geopolitical landscape, with policymakers having to repurpose their leadership acumen in the context of innovation within the public sector.  The contemporary era of the 5th Industrial Revolution, characterised by fast-advancing innovative technologies, has spurred the leaders to take the public spaces to the forefront and centre of their decision-making. These uncertainties and predictabilities have exerted more pressure on policy-makers and authorities to prioritise their leadership and innovative prowess to embrace the new normal of e-commerce, big data and cloud computing pervasiveness in the organisational environment. The study examined the collaboration of the transformational leadership perspective within the demands and challenges of the innovation culture and corresponding permutations within the public sector for the optimisation and maximisation of public value and social good. The study adopted an interpretivist research philosophy predicated on the inductive solicitation of the participants' inputs based on theoretical insights, expertise and experiences within the challenges juxtaposing leadership and innovation assimilation. A rigorous analysis of the extraction of contributions within the study findings revealed unbalanced nuances of innovation as an integral organisational inevitable culture, processes and intervention which should be led by the decision-makers and practitioners.  The implications indicate the urgent priority for the public sector entities to invest in innovations in infrastructure, facilities and software coupled with capabilities to drive this integral deliverable. Furthermore, findings presented that the adopted innovations demonstrated to be beneficial in terms of advancing service delivery expectations.

This study explores the role and impact of school feeding scheme programmes on learner well-being and academic performance in Limpopo Province, South Africa, using a qualitative research approach. School feeding schemes are essential interventions aimed at alleviating food insecurity and supporting educational development among socio-economically disadvantaged learners. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with learners, educators, parents, and school administrators. This approach provided a rich understanding of lived experiences and perceptions regarding the feeding programmes. The findings reveal that regular school meals enhance learners’ concentration, motivation, and emotional well-being, which in turn positively influence their participation and engagement in the classroom. Participants also highlighted how the programme fosters a sense of stability and routine for vulnerable children. However, concerns were raised about irregular food deliveries, inadequate infrastructure, and limited variety in meal content, which often hinder the programme's overall effectiveness. The study concludes that school feeding initiatives play a crucial role in learner support, but their success depends on consistent implementation, community involvement, and improved management practices. These findings provide practical insights for policymakers and education authorities to improve the management, consistency, and nutritional quality of school feeding programmes in rural contexts.

The continued increase in food demand globally, has witnessed a corresponding growth in the fast-food restaurant business. The study of food and service quality as major drivers of customer satisfaction and behavioural intention has therefore become a strategic area of interest. This study explored how food and service quality affect customer satisfaction and behavioural intention in the context of quick-service restaurants in Tshwane City of South Africa. Guided by a positivist philosophy, the study employed a deductive approach to theory development. A cross-sectional descriptive research design was adopted and a structured survey instrument was used to collect data from 173 online participants. The results were analysed using IBM SPSS 26, and partial least squares structural equation modelling in Smart PLS 4 to test hypotheses. The findings showed that although food quality had a significant positive effect on behavioural intention, it was not a predictor of customer satisfaction. All the elements of service quality exhibited significant positive influence on satisfaction and behavioural intention. This study offers invaluable insights for managers to embrace customer-driven strategies such as offering high quality food and service because the success of culinary business revolves around achieving customer satisfaction, which is vital for creating positive behavioural intentions. Future studies can be done using relatively larger sample sizes for more generalisability in related studies or other service domains.

The issue of land continues to be pivotal in Southern Africa, reflecting the lasting effects of historical land dispossession from the colonial and apartheid periods. This study analyses the effects of sustainable land reform on agricultural productivity and rural development in South Africa, emphasising the connections among land redistribution, economic empowerment, and environmental sustainability. The study utilises a systematic literature review alongside grey literature, incorporating government reports and publications from international organisations. Thematic analysis was employed to identify, analyse, and report patterns. The findings underscore the necessity of enhancing land tenure systems, increasing resource accessibility, and delivering sufficient support for agricultural development. Recommendations focus on improving small-scale agriculture via climate-smart practices and promoting financial inclusion. This paper advances the land reform discourse by presenting a policy framework that combines sustainable agricultural practices with land redistribution, thereby securing enduring economic and environmental advantages. The primary contribution is the provision of actionable recommendations that incorporate sustainability into land reform, thereby promoting inclusive rural development.

Women migrant informal traders face numerous vulnerabilities worldwide. In developing countries, women engaged in informal trading constitute a significant portion of the workforce within the informal economy. Many of these women originate from African countries and initially seek employment opportunities within South Africa's informal sector. This study aims to examine the participation of Congolese refugee women in the informal economy within local markets in Durban. Employing a qualitative research methodology, data was collected from ten Congolese women who confront various challenges, including family responsibilities, police harassment, documentation obstacles, and limited access to financial services. Participants were selected using snowball sampling between 2008 and 2009. The findings indicate that approximately 90% of the women engage in entrepreneurial activities to compensate for the lack of formal employment opportunities, thereby improving their livelihoods and contributing positively to the wider community. The study highlights the important role played by Congolese women in Durban’s informal economy and underscores the need for gender-responsive policies. Implementing such policies can empower women informal traders and support the socio-economic development of Durban.

This integrative review explores the relationship between leadership styles, employee resilience, and well-being within modern organizational settings. Based on empirical and theoretical research published between 2015 and 2025, the study consolidates multidisciplinary insights to examine how different leadership approaches impact employee adaptability and psychological health. Leadership styles such as transformational, authentic, and servant leadership are increasingly acknowledged for their effectiveness in fostering resilience and supporting employee well-being, whereas transactional, authoritarian, and laissez-faire leadership tend to be associated with less favorable outcomes. The review integrates perspectives from Leader–Member Exchange (LMX) theory, Conservation of Resources (COR) theory, and the Job Demands–Resources (JD–R) model to provide a comprehensive understanding of how leadership behaviours function as organizational and psychological resources. Through thematic analysis of selected studies, resilience is identified as both a mediator and a moderator in the relationship between leadership and well-being, indicating that resilient employees are better equipped to manage workplace stressors and maintain engagement. Findings suggest that supportive leadership behaviours facilitate resource accumulation, enhance positive employee outcomes, and help mitigate the adverse effects of job demands. Conversely, ineffective leadership styles are linked to diminished trust, increased burnout, and lower organizational commitment. The review emphasizes the importance of developing resilience-focused leadership practices to support sustainable employee well-being and organizational success. It also recommends that organizations incorporate leadership development programs alongside resilience-building initiatives to strengthen psychological resources and adaptive capacities across all levels of the workforce. Future research should focus on longitudinal and cross-cultural studies to enhance understanding of these complex dynamics.

This paper aims to explore how servant leadership practices influence the leadership of faith-based schools in South Africa. It also aims to assess how these leadership practices promote holistic development, ethical behavior, and community involvement within school settings. The study involved six purposively selected principals from faith-based schools across three provinces, all linked to the National Alliance of Independent Schools Associations, who have firsthand experience implementing servant leadership principles in their institutions. The researcher employed a qualitative case study design to explore the lived experiences of these school leaders. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews, allowing participants to share detailed insights into their leadership practices, and analysed using emergent thematic coding to identify patterns and key themes directly from the narratives. The main findings of this study demonstrate that (i) servant leadership is seen as a genuine calling to serve, intertwining faith, mission, and personal values to focus on the development and well-being of students, staff, and the broader school community; (ii) it acts as a healing method, meeting emotional, spiritual, and relational needs while nurturing a supportive and caring school atmosphere; and (iii) it strikes a balance between task-oriented and people-focused responsibilities, along with (iv) encouraging collaborative decision-making, building community, and enhancing leadership skills among both staff and students. The study concludes that servant leadership in faith-based schools plays a crucial role in promoting holistic development, building a sense of community, and nurturing ethical, empathetic, and effective educational leadership. By blending spiritual values with practical management techniques, servant leaders not only boost academic performance but also enhance the overall well-being of school communities. These insights emphasise the significance of servant leadership as a foundational model for faith-based education and suggest its potential relevance in wider educational settings.

This research investigates the prevalence, experiences, and impacts of stress among Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel, focussing on trauma within the South African context, occupational stress, and the breadth of emergency practice. Recent research emphasises the trauma faced by victims and the stress endured by carers. This qualitative phenomenological study utilised trauma theory as a framework, incorporating purposive sampling, in-depth interviews, and thematic analysis. The findings indicate that elevated demands and insufficient support adversely affect the biopsychosocial well-being of EMS personnel. The study posits that social workers and pastoral workers are essential in fostering supportive, growth-oriented work environments via interventions like Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) and labour relations policies aimed at alleviating occupational stress.

The increase in the use of energy drinks among school learners has raised significant public health concerns. There is a lack of South African literature on the consumption of energy drinks among school learners, hence the need for the current study which aimed to investigate the prevalence of energy drinks usage among secondary school learners in Mahikeng sub-district of Northwest Province. A quantitative cross-sectional survey conducted was conducted among 505 secondary school learners using self-administered questionnaires. The study utilised a multistage sampling technique and data were analysed using STATA software version 18. The study findings indicate that the prevalence of current energy drinks usage was (82.11%). Pearson chi-square test of association identified seven factors that showed a significant relation with the frequency of energy drinks consumption. It is concluded that the prevalence of energy drinks usage among secondary school learners in Mahikeng was excessive. This underscores the need for heightened public health awareness campaigns and necessary policy regulations considering the risks associated with the use of these beverages.

Maternal health outcomes in rural communities continue to be a significant global health challenge, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa where maternal mortality rates remain markedly high. This study investigates childbirth practices and their influence on maternal health outcomes within the Gutu Rural District Council in Zimbabwe. Guided by the Social Determinants of Health framework and the Health Belief Model, a qualitative, phenomenological approach was employed to explore the lived experiences of 12 pregnant women and 5 village health workers. Data collection consisted of semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions, with analysis conducted through thematic methods. The findings indicate a predominant reliance on traditional childbirth practices, limited use of skilled healthcare services, and cultural preferences such as traditional methods of placenta disposal, all of which significantly impact maternal health outcomes. These practices are shaped by socio-economic factors, cultural beliefs, and limited health literacy, contributing to increased risks of preventable complications and maternal mortality. The study recommends improving maternal health outcomes in rural Zimbabwe through enhanced healthcare infrastructure, culturally sensitive health education, and increased community engagement. Specific suggestions include increased government investment in rural health facilities, awareness initiatives by non-governmental organizations, and the involvement of traditional leaders in promoting safe childbirth practices.

This study examines the critical success factors (CSFs) that contribute to the effectiveness of ideation programs for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with a focus on the Durban University of Technology’s Centre for Social Entrepreneurship Rapid Incubator. Employing a quantitative methodology, data were collected from 52 participants through a structured questionnaire and analysed using SPSS. The demographic profile indicated that most participants were young entrepreneurs operating in early-stage, resource-limited businesses. Reliability testing confirmed the robustness of the measurement scale (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.831; KMO = 0.709). Results from mean score analysis and one-sample t-tests demonstrated that clearly defined program objectives, customized content, mentoring, collaboration, practical learning experiences, a supportive environment, and access to market insights were consistently highly valued. Additionally, mechanisms such as feedback processes, follow-up support, and partnerships with industry stakeholders were identified as essential for maintaining the long-term impact of ideation initiatives. The study concludes that the success of ideation programs depends on a systems-based approach that effectively integrates resources, processes, the environment, and ongoing feedback, thereby promoting innovation, competitiveness, and resilience among SMEs.

Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) is recognised as a fundamental human right in South Africa.  The study explores the underlying reasons and motivations for service hesitancy among youth in Mutale Village, even when they are aware that those services are available.  This study analyses the knowledge, perceptions and experiences of young people in Mutale Village, Thulamela Municipality. Utilising a mixed-method approach, the study employed both snowball and purposive sampling to gather data from 126 participants via semi-structured interviews and questionnaires. Qualitative data underwent thematic analysis while quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statics via SPSS version 19.0. key findings reveal young people encounter numerous challenges accessing SRH services due to minimal awareness of available options. Service use is significantly hampered by prevailing social norms, religious beliefs that view SRG as improper for youth, and misconceptions regarding contraceptives side effects (e.g. fear of infertility). Furthermore, the negative attitude of local healthcare workers was found to discourage young people from using the facilities. The concludes that social barriers and healthcare worker attitudes are major impediments to the utilisation of essential SRH services. The study recommends that clinics in rural areas should expand youth-friendly corners with trained staff who respect confidentiality and provide non-judgmental services. Regular refresher training for healthcare providers on adolescent SRH needs is essential

The pandemic has presented unprecedented challenges to healthcare and nursing education. Clinical exposure provides students the opportunity to acquire knowledge and prepare for their professional responsibilities. A high-quality, safe clinical learning environment is essential for fostering students' professional and academic development, which has been adversely affected by the global pandemic. To investigate the educational challenges and psycho-emotional impacts of the pandemic on the clinical teaching of undergraduate nursing students at a university in Gauteng, South Africa. A qualitative exploratory and descriptive technique was employed, utilising semi-structured face-to-face interviews that were audio recorded. Purposive sampling was utilised, and 25 persons expressed interest in participating; however, data saturation was achieved with 15 participants. Participation was voluntary, and participants' information was maintained in a confidential and private manner.  Thematic data analysis was conducted, revealing themes related to educational setbacks necessitating adjustments, including hybrid learning as an alternative clinical teaching and learning method, simulation as an alternative clinical teaching and learning method, extension of training, absenteeism from clinical areas, and NEI unpreparedness for the pandemic. The categories of Reluctance at clinical settings, Anxiety and Fear, Stress, Regret, and Loss of Hope constituted the theme of Psycho-emotional consequences. This research indicated that undergraduate nursing students encountered considerable educational challenges and psychological distress during clinical instruction amid the epidemic. Consequently, it is essential to raise awareness that NEIs should be better equipped for pandemics of this sort. It required all stakeholders to evaluate and formulate strategies for professional nursing education during pandemics in conjunction with students.

Technology, innovation, and economic shocks have transformed global financial markets. The latest global health pandemic has been compared to the 2008 global financial crisis, as investors, lawmakers, and regulators worldwide worried about economic collapse. Johannesburg Stock Exchange is Africa's largest. The JSE names SIFIs, whose failure would threaten SA's economy. Uncertainty increases failure risk, as seen in the GFC and COVID-19. This study examined how economic shocks affected investor confidence in South Africa's growing financial market, the JSE 15 Index. Analysis of data from January 1999 to December 2023 examined short- and long-term stock market impacts, the role of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) in stability, and investor conduct during crises. The two economic shocks' effects on JSE 15 index stock prices were examined using Autoregressive Distributed Lags (ARDL) and correlation analysis. ARDL determines short- and long-term macroeconomic cointegration. Three macroeconomic variables—interest rates (T-Bills), inflation (CPI), and real effective exchange rate (REER)—are used to track their fluctuation during crises. The analysis shows a shift in investor confidence reflected in a considerable decline in financial performance throughout the crisis. As investors' risk tolerance differs, diversification benefits made abnormal returns unimportant. SARB's monetary and fiscal policies mitigated the pandemic. South African investors were also wary due to internal issues. The study shows that global commodity prices and currency rate volatility affect investor confidence more than domestic policy in emerging economies, adding to behavioural finance.

This study’s objectives were to assess the extent the AEO programme contributed to improved customs tax compliance among participating businesses and how the AEO programme has affected trade facilitation in South Africa. A mixed-method research approach was used, combining qualitative and quantitative data from a survey. The sample size was 22, selected through purposive stratified sampling, including 1 tax lecturer from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and 21 middle management employees from the South African tax administrator’s AEO department. Key informants reported that the AEO programme has enhanced compliance rates through the implementation of improvement initiatives, the establishment of partnerships, and support for non-compliant applicants. The AEO programme is a voluntary initiative created by the World Customs Organisation in order to ensure compliance and facilitate trade. The programme enhances trade by offering dedicated support through CRM teams, streamlining business operations, and ensuring the swift release of goods.