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The growing prevalence of mental health issues, particularly depression and suicidal thoughts, points to the need to develop automated tools capable of detecting such sentiments from online communication. This study addresses some critical challenges by introducing a novel sentiment analysis framework for Bangla text, aimed at classifying content into non-depressive, depressive, and suicidal categories. We propose a hybrid deep learning model leveraging the strengths of transformer-based architectures, designed to manage long textual sequences effectively, a critical aspect in the context of natural language processing. Our model integrates RoBERTa (Robustly Optimised BERT Pre-Training Approach) with a Self-Attention Network (SAN), creating a synergistic framework for nuanced sentiment detection in Bangla social media posts, comments, and articles. This method addresses the scarcity of Bangla specific datasets by utilising a dataset curated for the study. The results demonstrate the superiority of our model, achieving an accuracy of 82.58%, alongside precision, recall, and F1-scores of 82%. Subsequently, it emphasises the potential for the proposed model to support early identification of mental health concerns, thereby enabling timely interventions and contributing to mental health awareness and prevention efforts. In the future, deploying the model as a real-time chatbot or browser extension could scan Bangla social media for depressive, non-depressive, and suicidal content and alert professionals to the risk factors.

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) region possesses a variety of energy resources yet continues to face challenges in meeting its energy demands. The aim of the study was to examine the current status of renewable energy development and green finance systems in the SADC nations. The research employed panel autoregressive distributed lags (ARDL) on time series data from 16 SADC member nations spanning 2003 to 2022, utilising E-views 13. The study's results indicate no causal relationship between the variables in the near term. Conversely, over the long term, an alteration in the net installed capacity of electricity generating plants in SADC accounts for 55% of the GDP. A variation in renewable energy shares within total final energy consumption adversely affects GDP by 155%, whereas renewable energy producing capacity adds 6.2%. The comprehensive model is statistically significant and possesses a negative coefficient. Consequently, ceteris paribus, investment in renewable energy within the SADC region can be adjusted at a rate of 96%. Moreover, green finance can substantially enhance the region's energy infrastructure and diminish its reliance on fossil fuels over time. The results underscore the significance of private sector engagement and the advancement of green financing for both national and international development. According to the findings, regulatory authorities in the SADC area should augment investment in diverse new energy initiatives that may assist in alleviating climate change over the long term. The policy recommendation urges SADC to collaboratively engage with global climate financing mechanisms, develop regional green finance markets, and advance a low-carbon economy by fostering renewable energy expansion, encouraging private sector investment, and enhancing green finance initiatives

The study explores contributory factors that make a fundamental contribution within the built environment pertaining to the management of the cognitive perceptions and attitude of risk with its concomitant insights, contributions and expectations. The built environment infrastructure is a fundamental component of economic prosperity as the research focuses on the construction of national roads and the associated risks, both internal and external, to primary and secondary stakeholders. The research purpose is to illuminate those factors within the risk management discipline which are critical from the prism of the employees and other indirect contracting personnel who are the main contributors within the high-risk environment of the built environment. The study employed the interpretivist philosophy, which is synonymous with the inductive approach of the qualitative methodology. The purposive sampling technique was adopted to solicit the expertise, insights, and experiences of approximately twenty respondents who held management and supervisory portfolios in the organisation. The interview channel was the preferred research instrument used to collect and contribute towards the extrapolation of data from the study respondents. The findings in the study illuminate the significance of the prioritisation of the culture, behaviour and actionable tendencies that seek to eliminate and mitigate the risk permutations in these perilous and often life-threatening safety and hazardous construction sites. The study concluded by acknowledging the organization-wide responsibility and compliance with the manageable risk appetite and also illuminated the significance of monitoring and evaluating the perceptions and attitudes of personnel involved in these precarious and yet fundamental contributors of economic prosperity pertaining to infrastructure improvement, development and modernisation.

This paper examines the causal relationship between foreign divestment (FD), economic growth, and financial development in African countries between 2000 and 2020. The research addresses the inadequately studied influence of macroeconomic variables on FD, focusing on the African context, where scholarly investigations on FD remain scarce. The study seeks to provide policymakers with insights on strategies to mitigate FD outflows and promote sustainable development. The research employs the Dumitrescu-Hurlin Panel Causality test to investigate causal relationships between FD, economic growth, and financial development. The study uses panel data covering multiple African nations over two decades, offering a robust temporal and spatial analysis. The approach emphasises examining unidirectional and bidirectional causation within the macroeconomic framework, contributing to a nuanced understanding of the interplay between these variables. The main findings of the study reveal a unidirectional causation between FD and economic growth across African countries, although this relationship is not consistent in all instances. Additionally, a bidirectional causal relationship is identified between FD and financial development (FIN). These findings underscore the interconnectedness of FD with macroeconomic stability and highlight the importance of fostering economic growth and financial sector development to address FD outflows effectively. This study contributes to the underexplored area of FD in African nations by highlighting its causal relationships with economic growth and financial development. It offers valuable insights for policymakers, scholars, and multinational enterprises (MNEs). The findings further underscore the importance of sound governance practices, economic stability, and financial sector development in mitigating FD outflows and fostering sustainable development in Africa.

Education is widely acknowledged as a fundamental socio-economic right that can transform lives, alleviate poverty, and drive social mobility. This paper explores education’s dual role as a process with defined aims and benefits and as a mechanism for achieving broader human rights. It highlights how education equips individuals with skills and knowledge that enhance employability, increase earning potential, and improve overall quality of life. Education’s contribution to national development is underscored through its role in building a skilled workforce, fostering innovation, and driving economic growth. International law recognizes education as a cornerstone for realising other rights, emphasizing its interrelated, interconnected, and interdependent nature. The paper examines the critical relationship between education and other socio-economic rights, such as the rights to work, health, and adequate living standards, arguing that individuals struggle to fully enjoy these rights without education. It also discusses the unique categorization of education within socio-economic rights and the historical evolution of their recognition and justiciability across legal systems. The role of schools in shaping education is explored, emphasizing their importance in fostering critical thinking and preparing individuals to navigate and transform their social and economic realities. Special attention is given to marginalized groups, particularly women and children, highlighting how education empowers them to challenge systemic discrimination and inequality. By presenting education as an essential tool for achieving dignity, equality, and empowerment, this paper makes a compelling case for prioritizing education within national and international development agendas.

This qualitative study examines significant educational challenges encountered by HIV/AIDS-infected rural female learners with physical disabilities in Zimbabwe amidst the severe impacts of El Niño-induced droughts. To capture nuanced perspectives of this marginalised group, researchers selected 16 participants based on specific criteria, including gender. The data collection process comprised two separate focus group discussions: one involving learners with disabilities and the other involving adult participants. This strategic approach seeks to reduce power imbalances and facilitate the expression of individual narratives by learners. The thematic analysis of the data identified two significant findings. Initially, individuals with physical disabilities and HIV/AIDS faced significant obstacles in obtaining educational resources, exacerbated by the intersectional effects of their disabilities, health conditions, and environmental challenges. Female learners encountered additional gender-related challenges, such as social stigma, insufficient family support, and heightened caregiving responsibilities at home, which further impeded their educational achievement and overall well-being. This study recommends the development of inclusive and comprehensive support programs that address the needs of learners with physical disabilities and HIV/AIDS, ensuring access to healthcare, assistive technologies, and tailored educational accommodations. The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education should implement policies that offer flexible learning options and resource allocation for HIV/AIDS-affected rural female learners with disabilities during El Niño droughts, thereby ensuring their sustained access to education.

This study explores the transformation and challenges faced by traditional African marriage systems in the modern era, focusing on both internal cultural shifts and external influences such as globalization, westernisation, and legal reforms. Using secondary data from credible sources, including scholarly articles, books, and online platforms, a qualitative research design was employed, with thematic analysis as the primary method of data interpretation. The study identifies key themes undermining traditional marriage systems, such as socioeconomic pressures, shifting gender roles, the influence of Western ideals, and legal changes. The analysis reveals that while traditional marriage practices are being redefined, they continue to play a significant role in maintaining social cohesion and cultural values within African societies. The study highlights the evolving nature of marriage, particularly in response to the growing financial independence of women, the breakdown of traditional family structures, and the increasing influence of Western marriage models. Recommendations are provided to preserve the cultural integrity of African marriages while adapting them to modern realities, including promoting cultural education, economic adaptation of marriage practices, gender equality, and legal reforms to protect and acknowledge customary marriages. The findings underline the need for African societies to balance tradition and modernity, ensuring that marriage remains a vital institution that upholds communal values while accommodating contemporary aspirations.

Gender-based violence (GBV) is a widespread issue that impacts individuals across diverse demographics. Gender-based violence against the LGBTQ+ student community represents a significant issue encompassing various forms of abuse, discrimination, and harassment. The inadequate inclusive support systems designed to effectively address the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals hinder the resolution of gender-based violence in educational institutions. Students from the LGBTQ+ community experience physical violence, cyberbullying, and both verbal and psychological abuse in educational environments. Individuals may experience unstable mental health, diminished academic performance, and social isolation. This study investigates the distinct challenges encountered by LGBTQ+ students in educational environments, focussing on issues related to reporting, the inaccessibility of support services, and discrimination within legal and social frameworks. The study employed a qualitative research approach to gain an in-depth understanding of the phenomenon. Subsequently, comprehensive desktop research was conducted, consulting scholarly articles to gather information on the phenomena. The study employed thematic data analysis to develop themes that enhanced the discussion. This study utilised resilience theory to examine the positive coping mechanisms employed by students confronting gender-based violence in educational environments. This study contributes to the literature by offering evidence-based recommendations for developing inclusive policies and support systems, while also identifying gaps in current research to guide future interventions.

In South Africa, early marriage continues to pose a serious obstacle to girls' education and gender equality, especially in rural and underprivileged areas. The purpose of the study was to explore the impact of Early Marriage on Girl child’s Education in South Africa. The study highlighted the main causes, effects, and legal frameworks of early marriage in South Africa by combining data from international organizations like UNICEF with government reports and current literature. Early marriage also limits females' prospects for career and personal growth, resulting in long-term socioeconomic disadvantages. Moreover, to lower the rate of early marriage and lessen its detrimental impacts on girls' education, this study emphasized the necessity of more robust regulatory enforcement, focused educational interventions, and community-based activities. The study employed the qualitative approach with the use of the comprehensive desktop approach to investigate the effects of early marriage on girls' educational performance. The findings, a multifaceted strategy is required to address the underlying issues and give girls the tools and chances they need to finish their school and succeed in society. This study used extensive desktop research to investigate the effects of early marriage on girls' educational performance.

Knowledge-sharing is essential for organizations that seek to maximize collective intelligence, foster collaboration, and enhance employee relations. Effective communication accelerates the exchange of ideas, ensuring that knowledge is shared accurately within groups. Knowledge sharing and organizational communication are essential characteristics of any organization, and employees must support each other to survive internal organizational dynamics. The study aims to understand the relationship between knowledge sharing, organizational communication, and artificial intelligence (AI). The study examined how organizational communication strengthens knowledge sharing and how AI technologies enhance the connection. A systematic literature review analysis was conducted using the PRISMA flow diagram to explore the effect of communication strategies on knowledge sharing and identify how AI tools can streamline these processes. Data from databases such as Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Science Direct were accessed. The analysis indicated that incorporating AI technologies to improve knowledge sharing and organizational communication minimizes costs, increases employee productivity, streamlines workflows, provides faster information retrieval, and enhances decision-making. However, despite its possible benefits, incorporating AI in organizational communication strategies does not come without challenges. The study recommends how organizations can encourage employee knowledge sharing through communications and AI to improve employee relations and organizational performance. It is additionally essential to reflect on how AI can be brought in strategically to break the barriers around effective knowledge sharing and organizational communication. Sharing knowledge and communicating effectively across an organization is more critical than ever in today’s fast-paced business environment.

First-year students confront various difficulties when they move to higher education, especially in South African universities, which have a heterogeneous socio-economic environment. This study examined the "registration conundrum" students encounter while investigating the sociological factors affecting their experiences during this crucial beginning stage. A mixed-methods approach was used to record the depth and breadth of first-year students' experiences, integrating qualitative interviews with quantitative questionnaires. Ten first-year University of Venda students participated in the study, which provided detailed information about the participants' emotional and personal experiences during the registration procedure. Purposive sampling was used to choose the participants. Findings indicated that inadequate access to resources, bureaucratic inefficiencies, and socio-economic inequality significantly heightened stress and anxiety levels among students, leading to delayed academic engagement. The study also emphasized how race, gender, and class intersect to influence students' registration experiences and how those experiences affect their academic achievement and social integration. According to the research, to improve educational equity and accessibility, higher education institutions must implement inclusive and flexible registration procedures that consider the particular difficulties faced by first-year students. In addition to illuminating the subtleties of student experiences, this sociological viewpoint advocates for legislative changes meant to enhance South Africa's higher education system. The study complied with ethical standards for privacy, anonymity, informed consent, confidentiality, and harm avoidance.

Perceived organizational support is a crucial factor in encouraging employees to stay in their organizations for a longer time. Public hospitals in South Africa face major challenges in attracting and retaining nurses, leading to high nurse turnover rates in the public health sector. This study investigates the effects of perceived organizational support on nurse retention in the South African Public Health Sector. While the relationship between perceived organizational support and employee retention has been extensively studied in various sectors, limited research exists within the South African’s public health sector context. This research paper addresses that gap by examining how perceived organizational support influences the retention of nurses in public hospitals. A quantitative, cross-sectional research design was employed. Data were collected from 230 nurses and analyzed using item analysis, factor analysis, and Pearson correlations. The findings revealed a moderate positive correlation between POS and nurse retention (r = 0.389, p < 0.01), indicating that higher levels of organizational support are associated with increased nurse retention. Public health administrators should therefore prioritize supportive organizational practices to attract and retain skilled nurses. Implementing supportive measures can mitigate high turnover and promote workforce stability in public hospitals. This study contributes to existing literature by providing sector-specific insights and highlights the value of organizational support in retaining nurses. This provides practical evidence to guide policies and management practices aimed at improving the nursing workforce in South African’s public health sector.

The rapid shift to Emergency Remote Teaching (ERT) during the COVID-19 pandemic exposed significant challenges within higher education (HE), particularly in rural and under-resourced institutions. While ERT enabled academic continuity, it highlighted critical gaps in digital infrastructure, staff preparedness, and institutional support. This study explores senior academics' strategies to enhance ERT at a rural University of Technology (UoT) in South Africa, emphasising the need for sustainable solutions beyond temporary crisis responses. Employing a qualitative, phenomenological research design, the study collected data through individual semi-structured interviews with twelve senior academic personnel who experienced the transition to ERT first-hand. Thematic analysis using NVivo software identified key strategic themes, including addressing issues of technological capacity, inadequate professional development, and compromised academic integrity during remote assessments. Findings revealed the need for continuous staff training, improved online learning platforms with enhanced security features, and collaborative partnerships to support resource-constrained institutions. The study’s significance lies in addressing the overlooked experiences of rural senior academic personnel, often neglected in ERT literature focused on well-resourced institutions and a diverse population that lacks seniority. The research recommends implementing structured, ongoing professional development, investment in digital infrastructure, and establishing national policies ensuring equitable access to online learning resources. This study provides critical insights for policymakers, educators, and institutional leaders seeking to bridge the digital divide and ensure equitable access to quality education during future disruptions.

Human resource management (HRM) is a crucial component of an organization’s management and aims to enhance employee efficiency and an organization’s competitiveness. As organizations advance and grow, recruitment and selection decisions become more critical. The thinking of human resources practitioners and experts must be transformed to accommodate the current workplace. Practitioners and experts must ensure that qualified candidates are attracted to the organization at the right time to fill open positions. Traditional HRM methods are insufficient for the progressively more complicated HRM challenges. Recruitment and selection, as one HRM component, is a process with numerous challenges. This study examines how the use of AI technologies can assist in mitigating recruitment and selection challenges. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and soliciting data from databases such as Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Science Direct, a systematic literature review analysis was conducted to investigate the human resources challenges in recruitment and selection and explore how AI can moderate these challenges. The analysis indicated several challenges, including high costs, bribery and corruption, political interference, inadequate job descriptions, nepotism and favoritism, and lengthy recruitment and selection processes. Recommendations of the study suggest that the accuracy and efficiency of recruitment and selection can be enhanced by involving AI technologies, which can assist in lowering the risks and expenses associated with recruitment and selection.

The purpose of the study was to explore the challenges and strategies of cultivating and promoting inclusivity and diversity in the energy sector. Grounded in the interpretivist research paradigm, a qualitative approach was adopted specifically using descriptive multiple case study design. In-depth interviews were conducted from sixteen purposively selected participants from the energy industry in Chipinge district, Zimbabwe. Data was analyzed using the thematic data analysis technique.  The study found out that the work environment in the energy industry was partially inclusive. There is evidence of both success stories and challenges with regards to inclusivity in the energy sector. The main challenges faced by the energy sector in promoting inclusivity include resource inadequacies, unconscious biases, resistance to change, communication barriers, tokenism, lack of knowledge and commitment from managers, strategic misalignment, policy deficiency and gender disparities in leadership roles. The strategies that can be employed to cultivate an inclusive work environment are the development of comprehensive policies, cultural transformation through management training, deliberate inclusion in procurement and infrastructure design, regular employee surveys, inclusive leadership programs, and mentorship initiatives. The findings contribute to the broader discourse on fostering inclusivity in the workplace by equipping all stakeholders with full knowledge and understanding of inclusive workplace dynamics. The study also contributes to the body of knowledge by shedding light on the challenges faced by the energy sector and strategies for accelerating the embracing of inclusivity in the energy sector. Furthermore, the study adds to the underexplored discourse of diversity management in Southern Africa and brings a grounded qualitative voice to the broader literature.

This study examines the impact of customer, supplier, and competitor pressures on the adoption of mobile commerce (m-commerce) by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Polokwane, South Africa. The research follows a quantitative approach, with data collected from 146 randomly selected SMEs out of a total population of 261. A structured questionnaire was used to measure the pressures from customers, suppliers, and competitors, all assessed using a five-point Likert scale. Reliability of the constructs was confirmed with Cronbach's alpha coefficients exceeding 0.7, and the normality of the data was verified through the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. To analyse the data, ANOVA and regression analysis were applied. The findings reveal that customer, supplier, and competitor pressures significantly influence SMEs’ decisions to adopt m-commerce solutions. These results contribute to the understanding of external factors that shape technology adoption in SMEs, offering both theoretical insights and practical implications. SMEs that respond to these pressures may improve their competitive position by integrating mobile technologies into their operations, leading to better market responsiveness and enhanced business processes. This research provides a foundation for future studies on mobile commerce adoption, focusing on underexplored external influences.

The advent of digital technologies and their subsequent integration in the agricultural sector has had mixed implications for various stakeholders. However, while studies on the benefits and challenges of digital transformation abound, there is limited scholarly attention on the impact of digital transformation in the agricultural labour market. This article closes this gap in the literature by exploring how digitalisation impacts the agricultural labour market. It also highlights the future trajectory of labour in agriculture under digitalisation transformation. The article a semi-systematic literature review approach and draws from existing literature in both academic and grey formats. The article shows that digital transformation has mixed outcomes for the agricultural labour market. While it smoothens operations, improve production, and accountability, it is also disrupting agricultural labour relations, compromising workers' collective bargaining power, altering income and working conditions, distorting working time and work intensity, generating discrimination in digital work, and worsening worker surveillance and control. It concludes that while highly digitally skilled workers could benefit from integrating digital tools in their operations, non-skilled, independent, and contracted workers, who are the majority in the sector, are on the losing end. It recommends that the welfare of employees be prioritised as enterprises move into digital transformation.

The purpose of the study was to examine small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and tax practitioners’ perspectives on the effect of the cost of tax compliance on the functioning of SMEs.The study uses both the opinions of SMEs and tax practitioners to extend information on the tax compliance burden and its effect on the functioning of SMEs.The study adopted a quantitative approach using a self-administered questionnaire which was e-mailed to a sample of SMEs and tax practitioners by using a link to QuestionPro. Tax compliance was viewed as a burden by SMEs, with the majority opting to outsource their tax matters to tax practitioners. SMEs and tax practitioners supported the recommendation that if SMEs attend frequent tax training, this may assist in reducing the tax compliance burden of SMEs. The study recommends that SARS conducts frequent tax training aimed at SMEs. The study contributes to the body of knowledge by using both the opinions of SMEs and tax practitioners to extend information on the tax compliance burden and its effect on the functioning of SMEs.

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing services (HTS) are as important as any other healthcare service; hence clients should be encouraged to use them. The Universal Testing and Treatment (UTT) initiative is one of the ways for improving HIV outcomes by commencing rapid antiretroviral medication (ART). An explorative-descriptive qualitative study was followed to understand the motivation for accepting and utilization of HTS through the UTT strategy. The study was conducted in three selected PHC facilities around North-West province, Bojanala district, Kgetleng sub-district. Data was analysed using thematic content with the support of NVivo 12 software. Four main themes with supporting sub-themes emerged. The study findings showed that the majority of participants were not knowledgeable about or aware of the strategy until they tested positive in their clinics. HTS are still underused as participants presented to the facilities only when seriously ill, had symptoms or were pregnant. Some participants accepted their status and treatment because they were already sick and had no choice but to take treatment. Despite the different emotions, others were able to accept their treatment and status. Some disclosed and received support from family, partners and friends, while others had not. Fear of stigmatisation when seen frequently at the clinic was also noted. This article's findings can influence policymakers involved in HIV testing and UTT methods.

High-frequency data offers unparalleled insights into market dynamics, facilitating the analysis of statistical properties, dynamic correlations, and scaling behaviours with a precision previously unattainable. These Statistical Properties are essential framework for understanding and modelling the interactions between global financial markets over time. The aim of this study was to investigate the dynamic conditional correlations and scaling behaviour of high-frequency data from January,1 2010 to December 31, 2020. Using the S&P 500, FTSE 100, Nikkei 225, HKEX and DAX as sampled financial markets, the results revealed significant differences in correlation patterns across the markets, as well as fractal-like scaling behaviour. The relationship between the S&P 500-FTSE 100 and S&P 500-DAX supports trend-following strategies, while the Nikkei 225-HKEX and Nikkei 225-FTSE 100 may be closer to random-walk behaviour. This study advances the frontier of knowledge on high-frequency data and offers insights into the temporal relationships and scaling properties between financial markets.