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This study explores how assessment feedback influences the resilience of student teachers during their teaching practice. While assessment feedback is widely acknowledged as essential in teacher education, its specific contribution to building resilience has not been fully investigated. The research focuses on how constructive feedback helps student teachers cope with the challenges they face in real classroom environments. The study is guided by Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory, which highlights the importance of feedback in learning, and Resilience Theory, which explains how individuals adapt to adversity. A qualitative approach was used, employing a phenomenological design to understand student teachers’ lived experiences. Data were collected from 30 purposively selected student teachers from Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces in South Africa. Semi-structured interviews and reflective journals were used to gather detailed insights, and thematic analysis helped identify key themes related to feedback and resilience. The study was limited to one academic year and focused only on participants from the two provinces. To ensure trustworthiness, credibility was supported through member checking and triangulation, while audit trails enhanced dependability. Ethical standards such as informed consent, confidentiality, and voluntary participation were strictly followed. Findings reveal that clear, supportive, and development-focused feedback significantly enhances student teachers’ confidence and resilience. In contrast, feedback that is vague or overly critical tends to increase stress and reduce motivation. The study recommends that teacher education programs promote a culture of supportive, formative feedback. Training for mentors and supervisors is also advised to ensure feedback practices that foster resilience and support professional growth in future teachers.

This study  explored the use of traditional medicine in the treatment of fibroids by Indigenous people of Vhavenda in Khubvi village in Limpopo. Through an explanatory case study approach, the study  documented and describe the various traditional knowledge, remedies and plants used, as well as cultural significance attached to these practices. by conducting interviews with local healers and community members, the research gathered valuable insights into the historical context, preparation method, and perceived effectiveness of traditional treatment. This exploratory study contributed to the preservation of Vhavenda traditional knowledge and served as basic for future research and potential integration of traditional medicine into modern healthcare practices. The objective of the study was as follows, To explore the use of traditional medicine in the treatment of fibroids. The study anchored from the theoretical support of health belief model approach. This study used qualitative design. Data collection methods utilized was semi structured interview. The sampling methods include purposive sampling. The analysis indicated that most of people are not aware of the use of traditional medicine for fibroids treatment. This study recommended that the elderly people, the traditional healers as well as traditional birth attendant to educate our young generation on the use of traditional plants for medicinal purposes.

This study investigates wearable activity tracker (WAT) adoption intention among South African Generation Y university students by extending the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) to include brand name as a predictor. A cross-sectional survey of 462 Generation Y students from three South African institutions was analyzed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses and structural equation modeling to test relationships between attitude, subjective norm, brand name, and adoption intention. Results indicate that attitude, subjective norm, and brand name significantly influence WAT adoption intention, with attitude as the strongest predictor, followed by brand name. The extended TRA model demonstrated acceptable fit, reliability, and validity, highlighting brand reputation's critical role in reducing perceived risk in emerging markets. The study is limited by its non-probability sample from three campuses in one province, suggesting future research should employ longitudinal designs, expand geographic scope, and incorporate additional constructs. Findings provide practical guidance for WAT manufacturers to prioritize building trustworthy brands and emphasizing health benefits, while marketing strategies leveraging peer influence and affordable pricing can enhance adoption among cost-conscious students. Promoting WAT adoption among youth can advance health awareness and public health goals in developing countries where proactive health monitoring technologies remain underutilized. This study offers one of the first empirical examinations of WAT adoption intention among South African Generation Y students using an extended TRA model. Unlike prior research focused on medical settings or limited samples, this study incorporates brand name as a novel construct, demonstrating its pivotal role in wearable tech adoption. This research contributes original empirical evidence from a developing market context, advancing theoretical and practical understanding of wearable technology adoption.

This research explores the technological factors that influence the adoption of mobile commerce by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Polokwane Municipality. Using a quantitative approach, data were gathered from 146 SME owners, randomly selected from a total population of 261. The study applied descriptive statistics, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and regression techniques to examine the relationships between variables. ANOVA was used to evaluate the sub-hypotheses, while regression analysis tested the primary hypotheses. The instruments used in the study demonstrated strong internal consistency, with all Cronbach’s alpha values exceeding 0.7. Additionally, the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test confirmed that the data met the assumption of normality. The results showed that perceived cost, perceived benefit, and perceived compatibility each play a significant role in influencing m-commerce adoption. These findings offer valuable insights into the internal technological considerations that impact digital uptake in SMEs. The study provides both academic value by contributing to the theoretical understanding of technology adoption, and practical guidance for enhancing m-commerce use within the SME sector, particularly in similar socio-economic environments.

This study provides a comprehensive review of recent academic literature (from 2017 onwards) that investigates the essential connection between workforce management and strategic business objectives. The review integrates a diverse array of studies that emphasise the complex nature of human capital, which includes employee skills, knowledge, motivation, and engagement, and their influence on organisational performance. A key focus of the discussion is the importance of leadership in establishing a clear strategic vision, nurturing a culture of communication, and encouraging employee participation in decision-making processes. Additionally, the study examines the transformative potential of data-driven human resource practices, such as people analytics, in identifying skill deficiencies, enhancing talent management, and facilitating evidence-based workforce planning. Despite these advancements, challenges like organizational silos, misaligned incentives, and resistance to change continue to pose significant barriers. The findings indicate that effective alignment necessitates a holistic approach that merges strategic HR leadership, continuous professional development, cultural flexibility, and transparent performance management systems. Practical recommendations are provided to assist business leaders and HR professionals in crafting and executing strategies that ensure employees' efforts are intentionally aligned with organisational priorities. The study highlights deficiencies in existing research, especially regarding the variations in alignment strategies across different industries and geographical areas, and advocates for additional empirical investigations to enhance comprehension. In summary, this review underscores that strategically aligned human capital can act as a significant catalyst for innovation, competitiveness, and organisational resilience in today's business environment.

The Indigenous knowledge continues to play a vital role in the lives of Indigenous communities; however, much of the knowledge is at risk of becoming extinct. This is due to the oral nature of the knowledge.  With consideration for the safeguarding of the knowledge, digital content creation is a valuable tool for promoting indigenous knowledge. This raises the question: How can digital content creation be utilised as a tool to safeguard and promote indigenous knowledge? Thus, this paper explores the latter. The paper presents qualitative data generated from secondary sources between 2015 and 2025, utilising the Directory of Open Access Journals, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar as search engines. The generated data was analysed using key themes emerging from the Qualitative Document Analysis (QDA). The findings show that digital content creation enables Indigenous communities to sustainably safeguard Indigenous knowledge while allowing easier access to the knowledge in the upcoming generations. The findings further show that the use of the use of digital content creation has not been a smooth process; therefore, bias, misrepresentation, digital divide, and intellectual property rights have emerged as the key considerations for safeguarding and promoting IK. Therefore, this paper concludes that digital content creation plays a vital role in reviving, preserving, and promoting the IK; therefore, these contestations may need to be mitigated for sustainable safeguarding of the IK.

This article investigates the nature of the relationship and the effects of changes in oil prices on South Africa's exchange rate. It fills an essential gap in comprehending how oil price shocks influence emerging market economic dynamics. Through the use of a Bayesian Vector Auto-Regressive (BVAR) model, this study finds that the initial oil price shock to exchange rates is weakly positive in the short run, reflecting a 1% increase in oil prices, leading to a 0.08% exchange rate appreciation. The study also finds an asymmetrical relationship between oil prices and exchange rates. These effects become more pronounced when global uncertainty is at its peak. These findings have implications for shaping policies in South Africa. Exchange rate stability strategies could involve diversifying energy sources and introducing risk-hedging methods while striving for stability through flexible monetary and fiscal policies. This research also adds to the ongoing conversation about the susceptibility of emerging market currencies to external pressures, serving as a reference point for examining comparable economies. This research enriches the existing body of knowledge by addressing methodological gaps and providing a contemporary analysis of South Africa's exchange rate dynamics in a post-crisis global economy.

Climate change is increasingly recognised as a significant threat to economic development. As efforts to transition to a low-carbon economy continue to intensify, there is a growing realisation among proponents of sustainable development that public sector organisations need to disclose climate risks and opportunities associated with their operations.  Climate risk disclosures in the public sector offer countries unique insights and opportunities to pursue a sustainable path toward a low-carbon economy. Although there are many studies on climate-risk disclosures in the private sector, studies on the public sector are scarce. A systematic review of academic and grey literature was used to analyse the potential of adapting the TCFD framework to the public sector of South Africa. The study found that the TCFD recommendations provide a globally standardised approach to climate risk disclosure, allowing comprehensive reporting and comparison of climate-related information between sectors and entities to promote climate resilience and transition to a green economy. To effectively implement the recommendations of the TCFD in the public sector of South Africa, improved capacity building, strong legal and institutional frameworks, bold multi-stakeholder and multi-sectoral approaches, adequate budget support and strong advocacy and communication efforts are needed. The study will be important to the IPSASB and other stakeholders to develop sustainability reporting standards for the public sector, as well as promote climate risk disclosures by government entities. 

The present study aims to examine the relationship between exchange rate undervaluation and economic growth in South Africa, focusing on the various transmission mechanisms through which this relationship occurs. Through the adoption of secondary quarterly data spanning the period 1980 to 2018 and a two-step Generalised Method of Moments approach. The study estimated a Behavioural Equilibrium Exchange Rate of South Africa and used it to construct a measure of Exchange rate undervaluation. Further, the study examined the effects of Exchange rate undervaluation on the tradable sector, the savings/capital accumulation sector, and the total factor productivity sector. The study found evidence of the tradable sector and total factor productivity (TFP) channels in South Africa. Therefore, we conclude that there exist valuable lessons to be learnt through the analysis of this relationship on a micro level compared to a macro level. Macro-level studies overlook the individual effects, hence why results have been inconclusive. This, therefore, means that South Africa has an incentive to keep the Rand at a competitive level since the industrial and agricultural sectors benefit from a competitive Exchange rate.

Sustainability has become a key focus for many small manufacturing enterprises, especially as they face growing pressure to operate responsibly in economic, social, and environmental terms. This study explores how the three elements of the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) work together and influence each other in shaping sustainable practices. Rather than looking at these elements in isolation, the study focuses on how they interact within small manufacturing enterprises and how this interplay can create new opportunities for improving sustainability. Using both theory and practical insights, the study identifies ways in which organizations can better align their strategies to achieve long-term value and stability. The findings show that when the TBL elements are balanced and connected, organizations are more likely to succeed in building resilience and meeting broader sustainability goals. This study offers practical guidance for leaders and decision-makers who want to use the TBL framework not just as a reporting tool, but as a way to guide meaningful change. A scientific questionnaire was distributed to 450 small manufacturing enterprises who were chosen on a stratified probability sampling method. The research data were subject to correlation analysis.

The South African communities are being buffeted by illicit drug markets. While the dynamics of drug markets are shaped by a range of domestic political and socioeconomic factors, these states have been rendered vulnerable also by their proximity to major transnational drug trafficking routes that link illicit drug production origin points with regional and global marketplaces. Cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, cannabis and a wide array of synthetic substances flow through the region along various routes, exploiting vulnerabilities in port facilities and interdiction agencies, and connecting the substances, their markets and their organized criminal beneficiaries. The results show that illicit drug detection systems may be inadequate due to a lack of experience with online fraud. From a South African standpoint, the study found that there is a high risk due to a lack of legal regulation. Maritime Based Drug-Trafficking in South African Communities are encouraged to acquire and develop Maritime expertise because the South Africa communities lacks these specialists. To achieve the study's goals, a literature analysis was used, and secondary data was evaluated and deconstructed. This paper major goal was to look at the causes and motivations behind Maritime Based Drug-Trafficking. The inquiry concentrated on young people's excessive and unusual drugs and alcohol consumption. The study made recommendations for potential research topics that the South Africa communities could look into in order to create and improve Maritime models.

Mental health disorders remain a major public health concern, affecting individuals across diverse populations. Family caregivers play a critical role in the care and support of individuals diagnosed with mental health disorders, with their level of knowledge, attitudes, and help-seeking behaviours influencing the effectiveness and urgency to which care is provided. This study aimed to assess the level of knowledge, attitudes, and help-seeking behaviour among family members of people diagnosed with mental health disorders in the Tshwane District, Gauteng Province. A cross-sectional study design was used, and data were collected from a randomly selected sample of 377 family caregivers in district hospitals using a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire incorporated items adapted from the Mental Health Knowledge Schedule to assess knowledge, the Community Attitudes toward the Mentally Ill scale to evaluate attitudes, and the Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help scale to assess help-seeking behaviours. Data were analysed using Stata version 17. The findings revealed that 63.23% of participants demonstrated good knowledge of mental health care, while 65.61% expressed positive attitudes toward individuals living with mental health disorders. Despite this, 60.05% of family caregivers showed reluctance in seeking professional psychological help and often resorted to a combination of medical and traditional treatment approaches. Although most caregivers were knowledgeable about mental health conditions, some lacked awareness of available mental health services and relied heavily on traditional healing practices, delaying access to professional care. Cultural beliefs and stigma were found to significantly influence caregivers’ help-seeking behaviours, highlighting the need for interventions that focus on mental health education, stigma reduction, and increased awareness of professional support services.

Geophagic practise amongst women of reproductive age remains a major public health concern that is associated with perinatal and postpartum mortalities and morbidities that requires critical interventions to mitigate the practise. Despite the available interventions such as administration of oral iron and folic acid supplementation and intravenous iron therapy, geophagic women of reproductive age do not adhere to the prescribed treatment. Geophagic practise is mostly common and prevalent amongst women of reproductive age worldwide, irrespective of their socio-economic status, ethnicity, age, and social status. An exploratory qualitative research method was used to conduct the study to explore the perceived barriers to accessing treatment for geophagy among women of reproductive age in Tshwane District, Gauteng Province, using the Health Belief Model as a theoretical framework. The study was conducted in the antenatal care and family planning units in the public healthcare facilities of Tshwane District, Gauteng Province. The findings indicate that absence of geophagy health education and screening of iron deficiency in the antenatal care units, as part of the antenatal care. addiction, dependency syndrome, influence from peers, fear of judgement and shame to disclose to healthcare providers about their geophagic practise status, lack of awareness regarding the benefits of taking oral and intravenous iron therapies were stressed as the main barriers influencing the uptake of treatment for geophagy amongst women of reproductive age. The implementation of iron and folic acid supplementation and intravenous iron therapy for geophagic women of reproductive age is not adequately yielding positive results if this initiative is not coupled with geophagy health education particularly in the antenatal care units to enhance treatment uptake and adherence.

This study evaluates the effects and challenges faced by South African state-owned insurance enterprises in adopting International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) 17, mainly the effects on financial reporting and contract transparency. Research purpose: The study analyses IFRS 17’s effect on the financial reporting practices and the transparency of insurance contracts within these enterprises. This is the first study to explore IFRS 17’s effects on South African state-owned non-life insurance enterprises from a finance management and executive perspective. It aims to identify key challenges and benefits of implementation while assessing its impact on accounting information quality. A qualitative approach was used, with semi-structured virtual interviews conducted among finance executives and management. Data was analysed using ATLAS.ti software to identify themes and patterns related to IFRS 17 adoption. The study found that IFRS 17 adoption has significantly improved transparency and comparability in financial statements, enhancing clarity in presenting insurance contracts. However, challenges such as the complexity of the standard, increased demand for technical expertise and resource allocation issues were identified. It is recommended that finance executives receive additional training and support to navigate IFRS 17 complexities. Strengthening regulatory frameworks will help maximise transparency and financial reporting improvements while mitigating implementation challenges. This study provides valuable insights into IFRS 17 adoption within state-owned insurers, highlighting its benefits and challenges to support informed decision-making in the adoption and implementation of the international accounting standard.

Evaluation systems are slowly making inroads in South African municipalities, particularly in the metros, yet their effective utilisation remains uneven across service delivery programmes. This study investigates the barriers affecting the uptake of evaluation in implementing the Indigent Programme Exit Strategy within the City of Tshwane (CoT) Metropolitan Municipality. Despite the strategic intent of the exit strategy to reduce long-term dependency and promote self-sufficiency among beneficiaries, the study finds that evaluation evidence is rarely used to inform decisions related to the strategy's design, implementation, or review. Instead, reliance is placed on administrative reporting and compliance-driven monitoring data, which limits learning, adaptation, and accountability. Using a qualitative case study approach grounded in institutional and systems theory, the study draws on semi-structured interviews and document analysis to identify key barriers, including weak political incentives for evaluation use, limited integration of evaluation processes into decision-making cycles, and inadequate feedback loops between evaluators, implementers, and policymakers. The findings underscore that the challenge is not the absence of M&E systems but rather the underutilisation of evaluation evidence to inform programmatic change. The article concludes by offering context-sensitive recommendations for enhancing evaluation uptake within municipal exit strategies and related interventions, contributing broader lessons for strengthening evidence use in local governance.

In the modern dynamic higher education landscape, the efficiency and effectiveness of frontline services have a significant impact on the student experience. Understanding first-time entry students' perspectives is critical in South African universities, where diverse challenges and opportunities intersect. These students begin their academic journey with a mixture of anticipation, expectations, and uncertainties, making their insights invaluable in assessing the efficiency of frontline services. By comprehending the perspectives of FTENs this paper seeks to uncover opportunities for improving frontline service delivery, enhancing student satisfaction, and fostering a supportive environment conducive to academic success. By addressing this research question: what insights and implications can be deduced regarding frontline service efficiency in the context of a South African university through an examination of FTENs experiences? Through a pluralistic research approach incorporating both qualitative and quantitative inquiry, employment of questionnaires and thematic content analysis, the study illuminates the nuanced challenges experienced by FTENs. The findings underscore a mixture of positive and negative implications, highlighting both strengths and areas for improvement within the institution's service delivery framework. On one hand, a majority of participants reported positive service experiences, emphasizing the helpfulness, patience, and professionalism of the front-line administrative staff. The study also uncovered significant challenges faced by some students, including delayed responses, perceived staff frustration, and concerns regarding fairness and inclusivity. This research contributes to advancing a deeper understanding of the intricate interplay between FTENs’ experiences and the institution’s effectiveness.

This study explores the complex dynamics of succession planning and conflict in family businesses in South Africa, with the objective of developing a theoretical framework to guide future research and practical interventions. A qualitative methodology was employed, using an interpretive research paradigm to gain in-depth insights into the lived experiences of family businesses. The study draws on a comprehensive review of literature to identify key themes, including governance structures, generational dynamics, cultural influences, and the role of communication in succession processes. Findings reveal that succession in South African family businesses is often hindered by a lack of formal planning, entrenched familial expectations, and unresolved interpersonal tensions. Cultural values and patriarchal norms also emerged as significant influences on how succession is perceived and enacted. The study concludes that effective succession planning in South African family businesses requires a context-sensitive approach that balances tradition with professionalization. It recommends the adoption of structured governance mechanisms, open communication strategies, and succession training for both incumbent and successor generations. This research present theoretical framework that integrates socio-cultural, organizational, and individual dimensions of succession planning and conflict management in family businesses.  

This paper aims to explore how Traditional Healers (THs) and Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) support women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period in Soweto, Johannesburg. Traditional healing remains a central part of maternal healthcare in South Africa, where cultural beliefs and accessibility influence women’s health-seeking behaviours. Using a qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive design, data were collected through key informant interviews with eight participants (five THs and three TBAs) selected through purposive sampling. Thematic analysis was employed to identify patterns in traditional knowledge, practices, and beliefs related to maternal healthcare. Findings revealed that THs and TBAs play an essential role across the maternal care continuum. In the diagnostic phase, they identify fertility challenges, breech pregnancies, and spiritual causes of illness through ancestral guidance, bone divination, and dreams. During the antenatal period, they provide herbal remedies such as isihlambezo to cleanse and strengthen the womb and perform protective rituals against witchcraft and evil spirits. In the perinatal stage, TBAs assist with labour management, delivery, and placental expulsion using culturally informed methods. Their postnatal care includes uterine cleansing, breastfeeding support, newborn care, and follow-up home visits. These practices, grounded in indigenous knowledge systems, coexist with biomedical care and remain vital due to their cultural resonance and accessibility. The study concludes that strengthening collaboration between traditional and biomedical health systems could enhance culturally sensitive, community-based approaches to maternal healthcare in South Africa.

This study investigates the contradictory role of missionary educators in the preservation of Tshivenda and other Indigenous languages in South Africa's Vhembe District from 1870 to 1950. This research utilises a decolonial theoretical framework, employing archival document analysis, historical textual analysis, and an examination of contemporary stakeholder perspectives to explore how missionary educators, operating within colonial systems for evangelical objectives, inadvertently established foundational resources for the preservation of Indigenous languages. The findings indicate that missionary educators functioned within a dual paradigm: advancing colonial linguistic dominance via assimilationist education while concurrently documenting, standardising, and safeguarding local languages through translation efforts, grammar formulation, and bilingual instructional methods. This preservation was inherently selective, emphasising religious material while sidelining traditional spiritual knowledge and dialectical diversity. The research illustrates that comprehending this intricate legacy is essential for modern language revitalisation efforts in post-apartheid South Africa, providing insights on leveraging historical linguistic foundations while mitigating their shortcomings through community-driven preservation initiatives that prioritise Indigenous cultural objectives over external interests.

This study investigates the extent of local government involvement in crime prevention within the MDM district. A total of 338 questionnaires were distributed to community members, and 10 semi-structured interviews were conducted with municipal officials, SAPS social crime prevention personnel, and the District Coordinator from the Department of Transport and Community Safety. A mixed-method research design was adopted to integrate both qualitative and quantitative approaches, thereby addressing the limitations of each and enhancing the overall depth and reliability of the findings. Purposive and simple random sampling techniques were employed to ensure a representative and targeted participant selection. The research explores existing crime prevention strategies, the challenges faced, and the nature of collaboration between the SAPS and local government. Ethical principles, including informed consent, confidentiality, and anonymity, were strictly observed. In addition to its empirical contributions, this study serves as a practical reference for students seeking to understand the application of mixed-method research in local government and crime prevention.