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This paper evaluates how the perceptions of consumers from different demographic backgrounds influence their adoption and use of digital personal banking, and suggests marketing activities required to increase digital banking by these different demographic target groups. The method involved an online survey of a sample of 400 respondents with bank accounts in the iLembe district of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, focusing on the demographic dimensions of age, gender, education and income. The study found that high digital banking users were older (24+), with higher education and a higher income, while low digital banking users were younger (18-23), with a lower level of education and a lower income. No differences according to gender were found. The convenience of digital banking and a good online banking experience were the factors that most encouraged digital banking use by high users, while perceptions of high cost and having low control over their online banking activities were factors that discouraged low users from more digital banking use. These findings confirmed the previous research about the influence of age and education on digital banking use, but contributed new knowledge about the influence of income, and the lack of influence of gender, on digital banking adoption and use. Comprehensive recommendations for banks, policy makers and other stakeholders are provided.

Despite extensive research on foreign direct investment (FDI), the specific dynamics and determinants affecting FDI inflows to South-Eastern Asia remain largely unexplored.  This study using Dunning's OLI theory to identify the economic determinants of foreign direct investment (FDI) and examines the correlation between FDI inflows and the ease of doing business (EODB).  This study aims to examine the effect of ease of doing business indicators on foreign direct investment inflows and the degree to which they affect the volume of FDI inflows in South-Eastern Asia.  Interest in the determinants of foreign direct investment has surged, as it is regarded as essential for capital inflows to poor countries.   This research utilises a Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS) panel regression to analyse FDI flow variations among seven countries—Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam—during the period from 2006 to 2019.  The results indicated a substantial and enduring correlation between foreign direct investment (FDI) and the enforcement of contracts, investor protection, tax compliance, and GDP per capita.  The research underscores the significance of EODB variables in attracting FDI to South-East Asia.  Policymakers must prioritise enhancing the business environment by streamlining processes, including investor protection and tax system simplification.  By prioritising certain sectors, governments can cultivate a more conducive environment for foreign investors, leading to heightened FDI inflows.  The results suggest that targeted reforms in these critical sectors can significantly enhance South-East Asia's appeal as a foreign direct investment destination.

This paper aims to explore the transformative potential of replacing traditional dissertations with community-based projects for law students. It examines how these projects empower both communities and students by addressing key challenges, such as the need for work experience among new graduates and the development of essential skills for the next centuries such as project management, entrepreneurship, problem solving and critical thinking. These skills are crucial for diverse career paths, including roles in non-governmental organizations, academia, management, public service, and entrepreneurship. This study drew on an interdisciplinary approach within a Master's in Law Social Justice program offered by the University of Cape Town. The student utilized non-traditional research methods in law, including job shadowing, interviews, questionnaires, and workshops, to identify and implement impactful solutions for the realisation of the right to health within the Hawston Community in Cape Town. The chosen project which was aimed ensuring the enjoyment of the right to health by residence of the Hawston Community involved palliative care training and fundraising for personal protective equipment and bicycles for caregivers at the Overstrand Care Centre in Hawston, South Africa. The findings of the project demonstrated that law students if empowered with both qualitative and quantitative research methods can use their legal knowledge to conceive projects that result in transformative outcomes which are informed by legal principles and values advocated and advanced throughout their legal studies. The palliative care training which fostered the enjoyment of the right to health significantly improved caregivers' ability to support their communities, addressing gaps in access to healthcare and building a solid foundation for the enjoyment of the right to health provided for in section 27 of the South African Constitution. For the student, the initiative offered practical experience in project management, interdisciplinary research, and community engagement. It also highlighted the value of experiential learning as a pathway for developing entrepreneurship, leadership, and professional skills. The conclusion by the student was that, practical community-based projects as final assessments in legal education can create both theoretically grounded graduates who are socially responsive and can directly address community needs. Compared to writing a dissertation, this approach which will include a writing component of a literature review fosters a new generation of lawyers equipped with practical skills, a commitment to social justice, and the potential to drive entrepreneurship as well as sustainable initiatives. By integrating such projects into legal education, the author recommends institutions to offer an alternative of community projects as opposed to dissertation writing to cultivate future leaders who are both community-sensitive and practice-ready, bridging the gap between academia and societal impact.

With an observational research design, using only publicly available stock price data, this paper aims to demonstrate that momentum extends beyond the medium term (3 to 12 months) when generating momentum profiles using a preset term-structure. The optimal holding period is a function of the formation period – the longer the formation period, the shorter the holding period and vice versa. Convention has it that once a stock begins to gain momentum it usually maintains it for 15 months before faltering, reversing some gains after 18 months. A full momentum cycle (formation plus hold) should complete within 24 months, peaking at 18 months. A dataset of 370 stocks, listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) between 2007 and 2024, was used to generate momentum profiles from daily historical prices. Profiling shifts the focus onto the holding period to classify momentum cycles on the eventual outcome. Cycles are classified as mini, regular, ultra, super and hyper, depending on duration. Clusters of momentum appear when generating profiles for individual stocks, allowing one to identify optimal entry and exit points into active momentum cycles. Results show that major cycles comprise many minor cycles. Medium-term momentum or regular cycles, therefore, may consist of several mini cycles. The main finding of this paper is that there is potential to remain in active cycles for several years, thereby holding momentum. A custom momentum index, updated weekly with variable members, may give some indication of the state of momentum in a market at a particular point in time as an increase in index levels tend to correspond with an increase in active momentum cycles or momentum activity.

Education has transitioned from an informal, community-driven process rooted in family and tribal collectivism to a formalized system of structured learning within schools. This paper explores the historical evolution of education, beginning with its early roots in natural, informal interactions within communities and the pivotal role of parents and families in shaping foundational learning. It examines the shift to formal education, driven by the advent of written symbols and societal complexity, and highlights the critical functions of schools in socialization, skill acquisition, and cultural preservation. Foundational theories on education are discussed, emphasizing its social embeddedness and collective purpose. The paper further addresses contemporary challenges in formal education, including issues of accessibility, quality disparities, systemic discrimination, and the selective nature of assessments. These challenges are analyzed through the lens of international legal frameworks, such as the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and the Convention Against Discrimination in Education (CADE), which provide a normative basis for addressing inequities in education systems. The methodology taking a doctrinal approach involves a critical review of historical accounts, theoretical perspectives, and legal instruments, to uncover both cultural nuances and global legal standards relating to education. The findings underscore the transformative potential of education when it is inclusive, adaptable, and aligned with societal, cultural and legal contexts. Recommendations include improving accessibility and quality. By emphasizing the role of law in advancing these objectives, the study calls for systemic reforms to achieve universal access to quality education and highlights the necessity of aligning education with the broader goals of societal equity and development.

Educators in public schools deserve decent unions in negotiating for salary increases for educators in living salaries for their teaching services. The aim of this paper is to examine the role of trade public schools. A qualitative research approach was adopted to address the aim of the paper and fifteen educators affiliated to trade unions were interviewed. Content analysis method is used to analyse the primary data obtained during in-depth interviews. The findings of this study uncovered that trade unions negotiate for salaries increases for educators based on the mandate received from the members in branches. This paper offers recommendations to key stakeholders in public schools and future research directions on the topic.

Sex motivated by economic exchange is a major public health problem which predisposes individuals to HIV and other sexually-transmitted diseases. The current study explored the psychosocial challenges faced by young females dating sugar daddies. A qualitative approach using a case study design was employed. A purposive sampling method was used to select the participant, data was collected through semi-structured interviews using an interview guide and thematic content analysis was conducted. The results indicated that the contributory factors/ reasons for young females dating sugar daddies are the need for financial support, emotional maturity of the sugar daddies, materialistic gain, peer influence, stress reduction, an innate desire for a father figure and the young female’s poverty/impoverished conditions. Additionally, the results showed that young females face challenges when dating sugar daddies which include risk of contracting sexually-transmitted infections, lack of emotional attachment and poor academic performance. Awareness campaigns and educational programs were identified as strategies to aid reduce females’ trend of dating sugar daddies. The current study has contributed to the existing body of knowledge on a psychological understanding of the phenomenon and efforts should be made to work with the community to reduce the transactional sex pandemic. 

The capacity of authors to generate coherent articles largely relies on their proficient use of cohesive devices.  This chapter examines the utilisation of reiteration by Grade 12 English First Additional Language (EFAL) learners in the Malamulele South Circuit to attain cohesiveness in their written English essays.  Cohesion is an essential characteristic employed by educators when evaluating students' essays.  Thus, a deficiency in consistency in writing may result in diminished grades or outright failure.  The appropriate use of cohesive devices improves the logical progression and interrelation of phrases, paragraphs, and entire writings.  This study employed a qualitative research methodology, sampling fifteen essays from a designated school in the Malamulele South Circuit.  These essays have been assessed, reviewed, and finalised.  Document analysis functioned as the principal method for data collecting.  The results indicated that Grade 12 EFAL students in the Malamulele South Circuit employed many forms of reiteration, including repetition, synonyms, and antonyms, to construct cohesive writings.  Nevertheless, the study emphasised that these learners frequently generated repetitive and redundant sentences due to their propensity to excessively repeat words and phrases for emphasis.  Furthermore, they faced challenges in the proficient use of synonyms and antonyms.

Conventional intrusion detection systems encounter difficulties in addressing advanced cyber threats and handling the increasing volume of network data.  This research presents a modernisation strategy by integrating swarm intelligence algorithms to enhance the efficiency and efficacy of intrusion detection.  This research employs qualitative observational and content analysis methodologies to investigate the utilisation of swarm intelligence in improving intrusion detection systems.  Findings demonstrate substantial enhancements in detection rates and system efficacy, with swarm intelligence algorithms attaining a true positive detection rate of over 99% and minimising false positives to as low as 2%.  These findings highlight the impending substitution of conventional intrusion detection systems with swarm intelligence-based alternatives, offering significant enhancement in cybersecurity capabilities.

Recent trends on local government points to a growing public discontent concerning the performance and the capability of municipalities as the service delivery agents and contact points between citizens and government. Greater-Taung Municipality, which is contextual setting in the current study, is one municipality in the North West province that has a demonstrable record of service delivery failures. Despite record service provision falures, Greater-Taung Municipality has previously returned grants allocations, reasons to which remain unknown. To find out, this study employed qualitative methods to investigate the impediments to effective service provision, with the purpose being to suggest workable and practical solutions to improve service provision. Data collection was chieved through key informants purposively selected from the municipality and documentary analysis. Although the study confirmed some of the findings from literature, especially on skills shortages and political inference in administrative work, other key findings pointed to the constant misalignments between service delivery plans and budget allocations. This problem is affecting organisational performance and service provision. Meanwhile political interference ought to be discouraged, a strong performance management system is needed as this will give effect to service provision and improved accountability culture in the municipality. More recommendations are provided towards the end of the article.

Foster care is a fundamental alternative care service available for children in need of care and protection. It is aimed at nurturing the development and welfare of children who are declared to be in need of care and protection in South Africa. Over the years, foster care services in South Africa have experienced a significant amount of backlog, disadvantaging the potential or prospective beneficiaries. Children are considered part of the vulnerable groups in South Africa as considered by global organizations/institutions such as the United Nations and the African Union. Globally, foster care is one of the mechanisms considered alternative care for children who have been declared to be in need of care and protection. The paper aimed to explore the effects of the foster care backlog on the prospective beneficiaries in the Vhembe region of Limpopo Province, South Africa. The paper further seeks to provide an understanding of the foster care backlog on the prospective foster children and the prospective foster parents. The study employed the qualitative research approach to achieve the aims of the study and have an understanding of the perceptions of the participants. An exploratory research design was adopted for the paper to understand better the phenomenon from the perspectives of the participants. The objective of this study was to describe the effects of foster care backlog and how it affects the beneficiaries. The study used semi-structured and unstructured interviews to collect data with a sample of 11 participants used for the study. The study used purposive sampling because of the understanding and knowledge of the participants. Thematic content analysis using Creswell’s methods of data analysis was used in this study. Considerations were made for the use of systems theory to provide a foundation and background for the study and to understand the effects of the foster care backlog on the prospective beneficiaries.  The study found that peer group pressure, poor school attendance and drop in academic performance, lack of satisfaction with basic needs, and high levels of burnout and stress are some of the effects of this phenomenon.

This study investigates the intricate dynamics of migration in Africa, emphasising its implications for sustainable development. The background highlights that Africa faces significant migration pressures driven by socio-economic challenges, political instability, and environmental changes, particularly high unemployment rates among youth and the adverse effects of climate change. Despite the continent's potential to harness migration for development, a notable gap exists in comprehensive migration policies that adequately protect migrants' rights and leverage their contributions to economic growth. The aim of this study is to explore the complex dynamics of migration in Africa, focusing on identifying both the challenges and opportunities that migration presents for sustainable development. A desktop study approach was employed, synthesising existing literature, policy reports, and secondary data to identify critical themes. Findings reveal that economic motivations are the predominant drivers of migration, while remittances play a crucial role in stabilising local economies and alleviating poverty. The research underscores the importance of regional cooperation in managing migration effectively and addressing shared challenges. The study recommends the development of rights-based migration policies that foster safe migration pathways, investment in local economies to create job opportunities, and initiatives to promote the productive use of remittances. Enhanced collaboration among African nations is essential for optimising the benefits of migration and addressing common challenges. Furthermore, ongoing research is necessary to adapt to the evolving landscape of migration trends in the region.

This study aims to evaluate the representation of entrepreneurship in business studies syllabus in South African Schools. A qualitative research methodology was used to evaluate the entrepreneurship in South African secondary schools.  Furthermore, little representation of entrepreneurship in the syllabus and business studies have direct link with entrepreneurship. Currently, the Grade 10-12 curriculum for Business Studies focus on the development of knowledge, skills and values. This study calls for Self- Directed Learning in Business Studies Grades 10 -12 to promote entrepreneurship in South African Schools.  A purposive sample of ten Grade 12 teachers were selected from five secondary schools, to cater for all quintile 1 to 5 in Edendale circuit. A case study research design was employed. Data collection was prepared using face-to-face, semi-structured interviews. Generate data was analysed through thematic analysis.  The study adopted the Achievement Goal Theory. The findings indicated that challenges facing students is the lack of practical demonstration because business studies is a practical topics.  Moreover, the findings revealed obstacles in successful teaching and learning of business studies in secondary schools, due to lack of competent teachers, insufficient instructional resources and bad teaching methods. The study recommends for the implementation of self-direct learning program on entrepreneurship were learners for grade 8 to 12 can learn on their pace. In addition, incorporating entrepreneurship courses into the curriculum, fostering an entrepreneurial mind-set, and providing mentorship can equip learners with the skills and knowledge necessary to start their own businesses. Furthermore, collaboration with local entrepreneurial ecosystems, and funding organizations is important.

The educational institutions in South Africa face challenges in integrating crucial 21st-century skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovation into their academic programs. Project-based learning (PBL) has emerged as a valuable approach to enhancing entrepreneurial education by developing these essential competencies through real-world applications. PBL effectively bridges the gap between theoretical concepts and practical problem-solving in real-life situations by involving students in practical, hands-on learning. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of Project-Based Learning (PBL) in fostering entrepreneurial skills among first-year science students at a rural university. Using a mixed-methods approach, participants created and presented organic soaps, simulating authentic business processes. The study used purposive sampling, and student performance was evaluated by a panel based on specific criteria. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and One-Way ANOVA, with data visualisation using Python's Matplotlib. The paper investigated whether the implementation of PBL significantly enhances students' entrepreneurial skills compared to traditional teaching methods. The study revealed that 210 students, mainly from schools with limited resources, faced challenges in practical chemistry despite prior instruction in Physical Sciences. The implementation of project-based learning proved to be an effective method for nurturing entrepreneurial skills, highlighting the importance of experiential learning. It is essential for higher education institutions to integrate entrepreneurship into their curricula, collaborate with industry, improve group dynamics, and prioritise quality control. These strategies have the potential to foster innovation and better prepare students for self-employment opportunities.

In this concept paper, the researcher argues that socio-economic and technological changes in the world today have severe implications for the type of lecturer who should be found in the lecture halls in the 21st Century and 4th Industrial Revolution. The 'ideal 4th Industrial Revolution lecturer' is not just a vision but a necessity for a technologically adept, adaptable, and innovative lecturer who can effectively navigate the rapidly changing educational landscape. This 'ideal 21st-Century modern-day lecturer' is a term used to describe a lecturer who is not only well-versed in their subject matter but also proficient in the use of technology, adaptable to change, and innovative in their teaching methods. Exposing students to lecturers who have not been trained to deal with changes in the outside world is tantamount to having the wrong men and women in charge of students in the ever-changing world. In the paper, the researcher interrogates the ideal 21st-century modern-day lecturer. The paper examines content, teaching approaches, the changes in the 21st-Century socio-political, economic, and technological environment and how they demand a responsive lecturer. The lecturer's role in responding to these changes is to adapt their teaching methods, incorporate new technologies, and foster innovation in their students. In the light of the issues raised in the discussions, recommendations are made. The researcher used desktop research. Desktop research is another name for secondary research. The researcher used two types of research activity: primary research (where the researcher goes out and discovers stuff) and secondary research (where the researcher reviews what other people have done). Desktop research is not about collecting data. Instead, the researcher’s role is to conduct desktop research to review previous research findings to gain a broad understanding of the field. The 21st Century is marked by rapid social, economic, political and technological changes. In order to ensure relevance, lecturers have to respond to these changes and possibly spearhead further changes.

Financial markets areconstantly fluctuating in response to a range of factors. These fluctuations connote volatility which are unpredictable behaviour that deviates significantly from the patterns observed in stable conditions. It is therefore important to use standard stochastic volatility models to capture the time-varying nature of volatility during periods of financial distress in other to make informed decisions. The aim of this study was to explore stochastic volatility in financial markets during periods of financial distress using a Heston model. The sample financial markets were, the CAC 40, the DAX, the JSE, the Nasdaq Index and the Nikkei-225. The 2007/2008 financial crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic were used as sample time frames. The findings of this study revealed extortionate stochastic volatility during the Covid-19 pandemic compared to the 2007/2008 financial crisis. Since the 2007/ 2008 crisis stemmed from a collapse in the financial system, the nature of the event was more localized within the financial sector and had a somewhat more predictable unfolding than the Covid-19 pandemic. By Implication, it may be suggested that it was more difficult to price assets during the Covid-19 pandemic due to extreme uncertainty which resulted in inflated option premiums as investors sought hedging strategies.

The study aimed to investigate factors influencing the intention to adopt e-health tools for accessing digital mental health services among university staff at a selected South African higher education institution. A quantitative case study was conducted at a single university in Cape Town, South Africa. Data was collected from 348 respondents using online questionnaires and analysed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression. The results revealed that stable internet access at home did not significantly influence the intention to adopt e-health tools (p =0.698, ? = -0.020), but concerns about internet costs were a barrier (p = 0.011, ? = 0.131). University staff who used multiple devices (p = 0.014, ? = 0.136) and preferred e-health tools over traditional face-to-face services were more likely to adopt them (p < 0.001, ? = 0.319). Moreover, social media usage (p < 0.766, ? = 0.016), searching for digital mental health services (p <0.107, ? = 0.085), and awareness of free university services (p < 0.307, ? = -0.058), DMHS providers (p < 0.529, ? = 0.038), and fourth industrial revolution technologies (p < 0.106, ? = -0.091) did not significantly influence adoption intentions. The study contributes to sustainable digital mental health support for university staff in South Africa. The results could potentially be applicable to similar contexts globally. Thus, helping to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal 3 of the United Nations of ensuring good health and wellbeing.

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

Teenagers' ignorance and reckless decision-making lead to poor consequences for their sexual and reproductive health. This could be exacerbated by teenagers looking for information from unreliable sources such as the internet and social media. This emphasizes the importance of communication between parents and teenagers about sexual health practices. There is an increasing number of sexually transmitted infections such as HIV among teenagers in South Africa. This study aimed to explore the measures to improve parent-teen sexual health communication in rural Mpumalanga province, South Africa. This qualitative, exploratory and descriptive research was conducted using individual in-depth interviews. Purposive sampling was used to select parents who had teenagers aged 12 to 19 years. Content analysis by Tesch’s approach was used for data analysis. The research process was guided by ethical principles which were applied throughout the study. The study findings revealed four themes such as setting up a forum for parent-teen engagement at health centres, open family communication, community sexual health support structures and sexual and reproductive health education. There is a need to improve sexual reproductive health communication between parents to teenagers. The study findings revealed suggestions to improve communication for the future and this will encourage parents to communicate with their teenagers in future such as concerning sexual health. Ensuring that teenagers have access to sexual and reproductive health services contributes to fulfilling their sexual and reproductive rights, providing them with more choices to best suit their needs and empowering them.

This paper aims to examine the challenges faced by uMsunduzi local municipality in supporting SMMEs and identify programmes offered by the municipality to stimulate the SMME sector. The study adopted a qualitative research method to collect data. A sample of 7 municipal workers was selected using the purposive sampling technique. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data, and thematic content analysis was used to analyse the data. The results revealed that the business support programmes that the municipality offers to support SMMEs are insufficient to meet the demands of these enterprises in the region. The results further revealed that the lack of suitable business infrastructure, mainly due to deteriorating buildings in the city centre serving as the main business hub, poses a significant challenge for the municipality. Lastly, the insufficient allocation of resources and the lack of communication to raise awareness about business support programmes aimed at SMMEs also emerged as one of the challenges for the municipality. The study recommended that better policy reformations and better resource allocation be made by the municipality. Improvement in communication efforts to raise awareness of readily available business support programmes offered to SMMEs was also recommended. Lastly, municipal engagement with the upper government spheres was also recommended so that the municipality could obtain funding to refurbish the decaying infrastructure with the potential to house SMMEs for business use and improve business incubation and training centres that support SMMEs.