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The study provides a critical political analysis of South Africa’s 2024 election outcomes. It argues that the black electorate chose a political landscape that will continue to violate, dehumanize, and in some contexts, kill them. The article purposefully demonstrates that the election outcomes signify despair, coloniality as well as its power and a very dark future for the historically colonized people, even though some voters may have voted for political parties based on meritocracy. This study uses a qualitative research method and a secondary data collection method. This means that this article engages academic journals, books, newspaper articles, and research reports. Moreover, it finds that coloniality is evident because black voters were not able to outrightly put a black collective in power that jigsawed and declared its policies within the template of the Freedom Charter and objectives of the ANC Youth League of 1944. For this reason, the aim of this article is to expose that black voters chose a political landscape where they would continue to face the end of their own existence. The study concluded that the government must revisit the CODESA agreements that led to the compromise of the Freedom Charter to come up with a new social order that will create a new humanity that is detached from all forces of white oppression.  

This paper explores the intricate interplay of divine themes within Siswati poetry, emphasizing how religious motifs shape cultural identity and expression. Siswati, a language rich in oral traditions, serves as a vessel for spiritual narratives that reflect the beliefs and values of the Swazi people. Through a critical analysis of selected poems, this study examines the representation of divine figures, the use of metaphors drawn from religious texts, and the incorporation of indigenous spirituality. This paper explores the intricate interplay of divine themes within Siswati poetry, emphasizing how religious motifs shape cultural identity and expression. Siswati, a language rich in oral traditions, serves as a vessel for spiritual narratives that reflect the beliefs and values of the Swazi people. Through a critical analysis of selected poems, this study examines the representation of divine figures, the use of metaphors drawn from religious texts, and the incorporation of indigenous spirituality. The research seeks to understand how these elements convey both personal and communal experiences of the divine while addressing broader societal issues such as morality, justice, and resilience. Ultimately, this exploration reveals profound ways in which Siswati poetry articulates the spiritual landscape of Swazi culture, inviting readers to reconsider the relationship between literature and faith in a contemporary context. Additionally, the analysis of religious inspiration in Siswati's poetry touches on themes of uncertainty, religion, and God. These ideas often arise when considering the afterlife, supernatural powers, and the forces that govern our daily existence. The research aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of religious themes. Additionally, a text-oriented method allows for the literary work to be revealed through the placement and diction of the poem.

Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) are essential to the South African economy.  The corporations Act of South Africa (71 of 2008) mandates that corporations adhere to either complete International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) or IFRS for Small and Medium-sized Entities (SMEs).  The International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) established IFRS for SMEs in 2009 as an alternative framework for qualifying firms, providing an option in lieu of the comprehensive IFRS standards.  Notwithstanding its deployment, the impact of IFRS for SMEs on financial reporting quality (FRQ) in South Africa has not been extensively examined.  The research involved a sample of twenty accounting firms, with five businesses chosen from each municipality to manage Annual Financial Statements (AFS) for five SMEs each, culminating in a total of 100 SMEs.  Due to the absence of a universally accepted metric for evaluating FRQ, the study utilised three previously established measures together with an aggregate measure.  The research employed Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) Regression analysis to investigate trends in FRQ over two time periods: 2010-2014 and 2015-2019.  Findings demonstrate no substantial enhancement in FRQ among Vhembe SMEs over time.  Discretionary accruals exhibited stability, indicating consistent reporting quality.  The results underscore the significance of accrual accounting and standardised methodologies, enhancing the quality and dependability of financial data for stakeholders.  This research offers essential insights for accountants, business proprietors, investors, and regulatory entities, highlighting the beneficial effects of IFRS for SMEs on the quality of financial reporting among South African SMEs.

This study examines the obstacles to the adoption of Old Mutual Protect Covers in South Africa through a quantitative methodology.  The study seeks to ascertain critical variables—namely income level, education level, and faith in insurance companies—that affect the probability of acquiring certain insurance products.  Data was gathered via a structured survey of 500 South African people and analysed utilising SPSS version 29.0, focussing on Pearson correlation and regression analysis.  The results indicate substantial favourable correlations among income level, education level, and faith in insurance firms with the use of Old Mutual Protect Covers.  These findings indicate that socio-economic considerations and customer confidence are pivotal in the acquisition of insurance.  The report continues with recommendations for Old Mutual to improve awareness and trust among lower-income and less-educated demographics to boost the adoption of their Protect Covers.  The study's limitations and recommendations for future research are also addressed.

This qualitative study explores the barriers to quality nursing documentation at a mental health institution in South Africa.  Nursing documentation forms a fundamental part of care as it ensures continuity of care and collaboration amongst mental health care providers on the mental health of the persons being treated. Thus, the need to obtain an in-depth understanding of the hindrances mental health nurses face in producing high-quality nursing documents arose. Using in-depth interviews and reflexive thematic analysis, the researchers identified that mental health nurses face challenges such as workforce constrains, resource limitation, leadership and supervision deficits as well as lack of quality assurance mechanisms. Subsequently, suggestions to enhance documentation excellence through capacitation, strategic oversight and standardization of documentation practices were made. The study highlights the importance of ensuring high quality of nursing documentation. Therefore, the findings offer valuable insights applicable to mental health globally, where there are concerns related to the quality of nursing documentation

As access to healthcare has come under increasing scrutiny, patient waiting times have become crucial. Qualitative research provides an in-depth understanding and reflections of the nurses at Nthabiseng Clinic in Capricorn region, Limpopo Province, South Africa.This article is based on an investigation of patient waiting, which used in-depth semi-structured interviews with five strategically selected healthcare professionals to disentangle the web of different elements that can affect the length of time a patient might wait at the hospital. We identified two superordinate themes that emerged from our thematic analysis. The data analysis identified two key themes that influenced how patient waiting time was related to patients and operational matters during clinic visits: 1) Determinants of patient waiting time at a clinic visit: (i.e. a lack of definitions of patient waiting time; patient waiting time contributing factors; patient waiting time seen through patients; operational challenges regarding patient waiting time); as well as 2) Patient waiting time policy position (i.e. South Africa’s patient waiting time specific policy/ies and/or legislative framework; A clinic’s specific development plan; DOH’s assistance to a clinic). As healthcare systems strive to enhance accessibility and patient experience, this study offers invaluable insights into the multifaceted nature of patient waiting times, paving the way for evidence-based strategies to address this critical issue.

This study employed a conceptual framework to elucidate the issue of incivility. The researcher created a cohesive conceptual framework to facilitate the construction of knowledge and to offer a rational elucidation of the knowledge acquired during this study. This will provide a framework for a deeper comprehension of incivility in professional nursing education in South Africa. A qualitative exploratory descriptive methodology was employed. The research was conducted in a nursing college in partnership with a university of technology and a university-affiliated nursing school. A selected sample of fifteen (15) students and ten (10) nurse educators was utilised for data collection. Semi-structured, in-person interviews were used to gather data until saturation was achieved with 23 participants. Participation was voluntary, and discussions were kept confidential. Distinct themes arose from the data analysis and were interpreted through interpersonal relations theory. The related notions were delineated as Part 1 – the leaves of the tree: manifestations of incivility, Part 2 – the trunk of the tree: incivility itself, and Part 3 – the roots of the tree: the origins of incivility within the framework of incivility.

Backyard gardening holds immense promise as a viable solution to combat the escalating rates of hunger and poverty in South Africa. This study examines the dynamics of backyard gardening, its significance, potential contributions to food security and the myriad challenges it faces. The literature review explores the diverse dimensions of backyard gardening drawing insights from scholarly research and policy documents. The study underscores the pivotal role of backyard gardening in addressing food security, enhancing nutrition and promoting socio-economic resilience within communities. However, significant barriers such as limited access to land, water scarcity and inadequate support structures pose formidable challenges to its widespread adoption and effectiveness. Analysing the legislative frameworks, policy landscape and organisational initiatives surrounding backyard gardening illuminates’ pathways for overcoming barriers and harnessing its transformative potential. Moreover, it underscores the importance of reimagining backyard gardening as a dynamic strategy for inclusive development, grounded in principles of equity, sustainability and community empowerment. Through strategic interventions aimed at promoting equitable land tenure, enhancing water resource management and fostering community capacity building, South Africa can leverage backyard gardening as a powerful tool in its quest for a more resilient and food-secure future.

This article reports on literature review and the reflective practice of teachers and school principals on the use of action research in identifying teachers’ professional development (TPD) needs required for a successful implementation of blended and virtual learning. This article sought to contribute to the body of knowledge of teachers’ needs analysis and development; teachers’ digital competencies; and action research to the field of education. School principals and teachers who participated in this study confirmed that action research is an effective strategy that can be used in TPD. They further stressed that action research can be used to replace the existing ‘one size fits all strategy’ that is currently used blatantly across highly adequately and under-resourced schools. Using action research helped them expose realities entrenched within teaching and learning in less privileged schools. This study recommends the use of action research as strategy for identification of teachers’ and learners’ needs that should inform the contents and nature of teachers’ professional development programs.

This study examines the effects of poverty and crime in Sub-Saharan Africa in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) context. Specifically, it seeks to explore how technological advancements influence the dynamics between poverty and crime in the region. We employed a qualitative research approach, utilising data from comprehensive academic literature reviews, policy documents, and relevant statistics. Additionally, we gathered insights from 20 participants chosen to represent diverse perspectives, including policymakers, academics, community leaders, technology experts, and individuals from impoverished communities. Through in-depth interviews and focus groups, the study provided a holistic view of the nuanced impacts of the 4IR on poverty and crime. The main findings of the study demonstrate that (i) the 4IR offers considerable opportunities for poverty alleviation through job creation and economic empowerment, (ii) there are significant risks, such as digital exclusion and the emergence of new, technology-driven forms of crime, and finally, (iii) structural factors, including governance and access to education influence the effects of 4IR. The study recommends targeted policies to harness the benefits of the 4IR, focusing on strengthening education, promoting inclusive governance, and fostering social inclusion to mitigate adverse consequences.

Improving the well-being of learners with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Lesotho public regular classrooms can be challenging. It may require different teaching strategies or additional support from self-efficacious teachers. This paper aimed to dissect the teaching strategy concept concerning supporting the well-being of learners with autism spectrum disorder in mainstream primary schools in Maseru District within the context of Lesotho. Fourteen participants, including two principals, six teachers and six parents of learners with ASD from two mainstream primary schools in Lesotho, were purposively chosen. Semi-structured individual interviews and observations were employed to generate in-depth data. The data were then analysed thematically. The paper adopted Bandura’s (1986) Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) as the framework for the research design. Overall, participants consider teaching strategies necessary for promoting learners’ holistic well-being, developing intrapersonal strength, promoting learner self-regulation, and increasing learner motivation. Conclusions are made that teachers in mainstream classrooms understand that teaching strategy is a crucial element for bringing desirable changes in the behaviour of learners with ASD. However, they are not well-capacitated to implement these strategies for supporting learners with ASD. It was further recommended that the teachers enhance more differentiated teaching and/or learning strategies and approaches to promote the teaching to keep learners with ASD engaged and learning different skill sets, as these would yield positive results.

Based on three cases drawn from the consultation with Zimbabwean migrants whose Business Exemption Permits were terminated by the South African Government without following due process, this paper disallows the economic reasons advanced for such a decision. To this effect, this paper argues that ZEP business permit holders cannot be said to be taking jobs away from nationals.  On the contrary, this paper argues that ZEP business permit holders, while contributing to economic growth, also employ South Africans, thereby reducing the unemployment rate. It is on this basis that this paper argues that the termination of the ZEP dispensation is a populist measure to fit the anti-migrant sentiment in the country. It is an electoral engineering mechanism fuelled by xenophobic sentiments to tap into the electoral base of some political parties and a device to demonstrate that the government is tackling the migration issue. If that was not the case, ZEP business permit holders’ waiver application should be readily granted. On this note, this paper recommends that ZEP business permit holders should be exempted from the requirements of a business visa application because they are non-negligible contributors to the economic growth of the country.

From the 1930s, the South African minibus-taxi industry has been playing a fundamental role in supporting the growth and development of minibus-taxi entrepreneurs. The minibus-taxi industry in South Africa is often misunderstood due to its informal nature. However, it is worth noting that the South African minibus-taxi industry has created economic opportunities for taxi entrepreneurs, and today it has an annual turnover of R38-billion to R50-billion. This study investigated the role of the South African minibus-taxi industry in promoting the development of taxi entrepreneurship in Mankweng taxi ranks, within the Limpopo Province and its limited within this area. The mixed-method research approach was used with a stratified-random sampling using a semi-structured questionnaire administered to 110 taxi entrepreneurs. In addition, the study conducted group focus interviews purposively with 12 minibus-taxi bosses. Qualitative data was analysed using descriptive analysis and quantitative data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software and then transported to the Microsoft Excel for further analysis where necessary. The findings reveals poor business planning; weak support from both the Mankweng Taxi Association and government; and high fuel prices affects the day-to-day business activities and causing majority of minibus-taxi entrepreneurs running their businesses at loss without realisation. The study recommend an urgency for the Mankweng minibus-taxi group and their key stakeholders to design an entrepreneurship model suitable for the industry’s development to boost the local economy. This study sought to demonstrate the importance of unlocking the full potential of minibus-taxi entrepreneurship through sufficient support from both the government and minibus-taxi associations to address structural challenges, limited access to resources and finance, and regulatory complexities to lessen the burden of running the minibus-taxi business. The study challenges policy-makers intentionally to design programs aimed at incorporating the minibus-taxi business into boosting the overall economy in a formal manner.

The role of academic mentoring has now become a crucial educational practice not only for student’s academic success and achievement, but also, faculties development and institutional growth. However, the effectiveness of mentoring process is difficult to measure due to a lack of conceptual clarity about the mentoring practices and programs in higher education institutions. In South African universities, mentoring practices face unique challenges and opportunities due to the country’s historical background. Therefore, this literature review conceptualizes academic mentoring by looking at the programs, methods and outcomes associated with academic mentoring in South African universities. An Integrative Qualitative Analysis was employed to review a total of 13 studies that was conducted between 2016 and 2024, and identify three themes namely; Impacts of academic mentoring on student’s performance, Roles of cultural and linguistic diversity on enhancing academic mentoring, and Significance for Integrating mentoring practices into institutional policies. Findings provide a foundation for future research and offer practical recommendations for enhancing academic mentoring practices in South African universities.  

The study covers AD practitioners' definitions of trust, levels of trust, and responsibilities in developing trust with university academics. It also studies how culture affects trust and how AD practitioners might build trust amongst university lecturers and institutions. Thematic and content analysis were performed on six AD practitioners selected for sampling. The findings show that trust can mean self-confidence, being respected, and doing professional work. AD professionals express self-confidence in their competence and trust in their colleagues. Having one's contributions recognised and appreciated fosters trust and belonging. Professional obligations require trust in the system and the conviction that everyone is contributing to similar aims. The survey also finds scepticism, with some practitioners perceiving academic progress as a burden. The report emphasises the repercussions of broken trust in collaborative efforts and recommends university workshops to establish trust, meaningful participation, and community among AD practitioners and university academics. To boost student learning, AD practitioners must create trust, according to the report. It suggests studying trust-building tactics to create collaborative connections and overcome faculty resistance to academic advancement.

Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) requires not only national budgetary revenues but also the private sector and other funding sources. A significant number of development actors consider the private sector to be an essential partner and advocate for development cooperation. International development places a special emphasis on formalised private philanthropic organizations. This study examines how the Sustainable Development Goals affect the flow of private philanthropic aid to developing countries. The study also wants to know if private development funding is utilised for development alone or other purposes. Secondary sources of information from credible books, journals, and official reports from various development organizations were used in the study. Thus, a desktop qualitative analysis was used to examine the data. The paper bases its argument on the dual interest model, which contends that recipient needs and donor interests influence private-sector giving. The study finds that corporate philanthropists have made SDG targets a major theme in their programmatic and financial work. The results show that corporate philanthropists' involvement in SDG initiatives is often driven by a variety of factors, including both the business and development aspects of the SDGs. The study also shows that although private philanthropy is crucial to achieving the SDGs, it struggles to maintain its transparency and impact. To achieve the SDG targets, the study suggests that the private sector increase its involvement and improve cooperation with other stakeholders. The study also concludes that to improve policymaking and create a more effective development finance spectrum, more research on the relationship between business and development financing is needed.  This paper contributes to the larger conversation concerning the function and effects of private sector support for the SDGs in developing nations.

Supply Chain Management (SCM) plays a vital role in any organization, facilitating trade both globally and locally. An organization with a robust SCM can easily meet demands, ensuring that goods or services are readily available and delivered promptly. However, poor structuring and management of SCM can lead to significant challenges, including service delivery failures. This study aims to analyze supply chain practices in the public sector in Limpopo Province, specifically focusing on public entities. The study seeks to identify weaknesses within the supply chain practices of public entities in Limpopo, highlighting issues such as lack of strategic alignment, inadequate policy implementation, and poor enforcement of SCM rules and regulations. A qualitative research approach was employed, collecting data through interviews with various experts from different public sectors to address the identified flaws in SCM practices. The findings reveal that there is a significant misalignment between supply chain and organizational strategies, which has led to service delivery backlogs, high levels of corruption, and continuous strikes across the province for better services. The study also finds that top-level management, including provincial leaders, do not perceive SCM as vital enough to warrant their attention, resulting in limited support for SCM practitioners. The lack of strategic focus and governance failures in SCM contribute to financial inefficiencies and poor service delivery, underscoring the need for provincial leaders to adopt a more strategic approach to SCM as a tool for improving public service delivery. This study provides insights into the critical role of SCM in the public sector, highlighting the urgent need for effective strategies, policy enforcement, and managerial support to mitigate governance and compliance failures. The research underscores the necessity for public entities in Limpopo to realign SCM strategies with organizational goals to enhance service delivery and combat corruption.

Agricultural farms play a crucial role in providing food security in South Africa and other parts of the world. These agricultural farms are faced with challenges such as stock theft, equipment theft and armed robberies. This paper aimed to explore the use of technological innovations on agricultural farms to detect and prevent crime. Complexity theory was adopted to achieve the aim of the paper. Qualitative research was adopted to achieve the research objective and in-depth interviews were conducted with farm managers in South Africa. Content analysis was used with the aid of Atlas.ti version 8 to analyse the primary data. The findings uncovered that technological innovation devices such as motion sensors, monitoring surveillance camera devices and drones are used on agricultural farms. Despite these devices' use, agricultural farms face security budget constraints. This paper makes a significant contribution by offering recommendations to key stakeholders and directions for future research on the topic.

This study offers a thorough examination of South Africa's National Development Plan (NDP), emphasising its dedication to advancing gender equality in higher education. Notwithstanding constitutional assurances of equality, considerable gender discrepancies endure in South African higher education institutions (HEIs), with women encountering institutional obstacles that impede their entry and achievement. The research utilises a systematic review approach, consolidating current academic literature to discern the problems and opportunities related to the NDP's gender equality objectives. Critical findings indicate that structural obstacles, including socio-cultural views and financial limitations, substantially hinder women's engagement in higher education. The under-representation of women in leadership positions within higher education institutions fosters a cycle of inequity, as cultural beliefs and institutional regulations frequently neglect the distinct problems encountered by female students. The investigation underscores the necessity of employing an intersectional approach to comprehend the intricacies of gender inequality in higher education. This study emphasises the importance of executing targeted interventions and unified national policies to cultivate an inclusive educational environment that empowers women and corresponds with the overarching objectives of sustainable development. By resolving these difficulties, South Africa can advance towards genuine gender equality in its higher education system, thereby fostering national development and social progress.

The smooth transition of students into higher education is crucial for laying a strong foundation for success at the university level. This paper investigated students’ perceptions and responses to enrolling in an Extended Curriculum Programme (ECP) and lecturers’ efforts to motivate students and understand the factors that may hinder student success. To achieve this, the research utilised a mixed methods approach, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative dimensions. The researchers purposefully selected 150 ECP students enrolled in the 2024 academic year. Data collection involved the use of free listing techniques and semi-structured interviews, which allowed for a comprehensive understanding of the students' experiences. The collected research data was organised, transcribed, and analysed using thematic analysis, ensuring a systematic and in-depth exploration of the data. Additionally, the findings were statistically analysed using Microsoft Excel to compare the challenges faced based on gender and age, providing a nuanced understanding of the factors influencing student transition. The students, while enthusiastic about their university experience, also expressed feelings of being lost and overwhelmed during their transition. Many students, particularly those who linked their early academic performance to future opportunities, felt unprepared for independent study at the university, which was distressing. Ignoring such experiences and the lack of a sense of belonging can hinder students' academic success. Therefore, it is crucial for lecturers to identify students’ emotions early and implement supportive strategies, such as a well-planned orientation program, recognition, and rewards for high-achieving students. The paper recommends strategies and techniques that should be implemented to facilitate a smoother transition for students into higher education.