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This article reports on a study aimed at measuring and characterising consumer over-indebtedness in South Africa, despite the existence of financial regulatory measures and legislation. The study employed quantitative analysis to examine the impact of macroeconomic variables on consumer over-indebtedness. The primary conclusion of the study indicated that the debt-to-disposable-income ratio decreased following the enactment of the National Credit Act; nevertheless, the alterations in debt levels cannot be solely ascribed to the enforcement of regulations and legislation. The study findings indicate that over-indebtedness correlates positively with gross domestic product, consumer expenditure, unemployment, and the debt-to-income ratio, while exhibiting a negative correlation with the interest rate.

The market resilience of a stock is an integral component of financial market because it supports smooth trading and absorb market shocks. However, the contention has always been to effectively determine the level of resilience in stocks with the application of proper methodology to make informed decisions. Therefore, aim of this study was to examine the level of market resilience in selected stocks in the Johannesburg stock exchange. Using a fixed effect model, the findings of this study indicates that most securities trading on the exchange lack market resilience. This was evident in the significant relationship between the specific independent and dependent variables. A risk coefficient should therefore be assigned to bid and ask to spread to enhance market resilience. These risk coefficients will induce the bid and ask prices to be close to the fundamental price.

The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated significant adjustments across various sectors globally, and the education sector was no exception. To adhere to social distancing requirements and ensure continuity in education, E-learning emerged as a viable solution, offering a glimmer of hope in these challenging times. However, this strategy brought its own set of challenges. This study aimed to explore the experiences of students with E-learning, particularly focusing on the obstacles and benefits encountered. A qualitative approach was employed, utilizing an exploratory research design to gather comprehensive insights. Participants were selected through purposive sampling, focusing on five University of Venda students registered for the 2021 academic year. Data collection was conducted via one-to-one semi-structured interviews, which allowed for detailed and nuanced responses. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the collected data, identifying key themes and patterns in the students' experiences. The findings highlighted various challenges, such as limited access to reliable internet, lack of digital devices, and difficulties in maintaining motivation and engagement in a virtual learning environment. Despite these challenges, some students appreciated the flexibility and convenience offered by E-learning, highlighting its potential. The study underscores the need for improved infrastructure and support systems to enhance the E-learning experience. These insights can inform policymakers and educational institutions in developing more effective strategies to support students in a digital learning landscape, ensuring that the benefits of E-learning are maximized while minimizing its drawbacks. The findings contribute to the broader discourse on the adaptation of education systems in response to global crises, emphasizing the importance of resilience and adaptability in educational practices.

The study explored the experiences of unemployed graduates at Vleifontein Village Elim in Makhado Local Municipality in Limpopo Province, South Africa. To achieve the mandate of the study, the researcher adopted a unique qualitative research approach, which gathered in-depth data from the participants. This approach, distinct in its focus on understanding the experiences of unemployed graduates, aided in the elevated understanding of the research problem.  The study adopted an exploratory qualitative research design to gather or collect data from the participants, and the researcher used semi-structured interviews consisting of open-ended questions administered face-to-face to observe gestures, emotions, feelings, or even how they react to the questions. Furthermore, purposive sampling was used to select the sample that formed part of the interviews. Additionally, the study adopted the Conflict theory by Karl Marx to integrate with the study. Therefore, the findings of the study deduced that most of the participants understood the meaning of unemployment as their current socio-economic state, both from a financial and psychological perspective. Moreover, on the issue of the challenges, the findings deduced that they are not experienced and skilled enough for the jobs they are applying for. In that light, the study emphasizes the need for increased employment opportunities to minimize the negative impacts faced by unemployed graduates, which includes specialized training of graduates to render services that would make it easier for the graduates to find employment.

The prevalence of mental health illness is on the rise throughout the world. Mental health is increasingly one of the most overwhelming conditions that has an effect on the social functioning of individuals and families within communities. Mental Health Care Act, No 17 of 2002 of the South African government provides for the protection of individuals and communities against mental health. Still, people continue to experience mental health problems at a high rate. Social workers have a fundamental role to play in improving mental health services and outcomes for communities. Social work services have the potential to improve the lives of people with mental health conditions and build resilience in individuals and families. Resilience is a critical technique that assists individuals to function properly despite the challenges they may have experienced.  Research has shown that people with mental health problems struggle to return back to normality. This article aims to explore the roles of social work intervention in promoting mental health and resilience in communities. The study was conducted by analyzing research or studies related to mental health and resilience. The study carried out comprehensive desktop electronic research to gather data and themes from previous studies. The analysis showed that mental health is still a major concern, and social workers have an important role to play in building resilience for individuals and families.

Management's primary responsibilities encompass cultivating a more satisfying work environment for employees and synchronising employee motivation with organisational goals. These interconnected responsibilities are essential for organisational performance and employee welfare. This study utilised Pick n Pay Pine Crest Mall in Pinetown as a case study to investigate the impact of employee motivation on productivity and efficiency, as well as to discover the existing techniques employed by Pick n Pay to enhance employee motivation for enhanced productivity and efficiency. The study employed a qualitative methodology with an exploratory research design, utilising a non-probability quota sampling strategy to pick eleven respondents from a population of 144 employees. Open-ended interview questions were employed, and the data were analysed utilising NVivo 11 software. The results indicated that Pick n Pay management incentivises employees by providing efficient tools, fostering a conducive work environment, and offering monetary rewards or awards. The survey also identified shortcomings, including insufficient team-building activities, inadequate communication among staff, and discontent with existing compensation. To improve performance and cultivate a productive staff, it was advised that management revamp motivational strategies, prioritising respect, acknowledgement, and enhanced information distribution. Suggestions for improving staff enthusiasm, productivity, and efficiency at Pick n Pay Pine Crest Mall encompass improved feedback and communication, a clear career progression, extensive training programs, investment in team development, and the provision of competitive remuneration.

The purpose of the study was to explore challenges experienced by school mangers in their role to implement the national school nutrition programme in schools of the Harry Gwala District, in KwaZulu-Natal. This article is extracted from a Ph.D. thesis in which a qualitative research design was used with sample of school managers who participate in the school nutrition programme. Data was gathered through individual interviews and document analysis. The findings indicated that school managers experienced challenges in the implementation of the programme such as compliance of Service Providers with delivery regulation, delayed payments of Service Providers, insufficient and poor food stuff supplied by Service Providers. However, on the other hand, nutrition programme benefited learners from poor background, reduced learner absenteeism and increased school enrolment. This posed a challenge to school managers as indicated in Maslow’s theory in the hierarchy of needs that provision should be made for meals at schools if they do not receive an adequate nutrition at home. On the basis of the findings, the following challenges were faced by school management: poor infrastructural development, insufficient time allocated to feeding, communication breakdown between NSNP educators and Service Providers, none payment of Service Providers on time.

The war between Russia and Ukraine pitted two major agricultural countries and threatened the African continent with food insecurity and hunger. The war came at a time when the world was emerging from another global challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic and its attendant effects of distorted food prices and disruptions of the food supply chain. Informed by the analysis of the literature available on the Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar databases and grey literature from United Nations (UN) agencies, this study explores the challenges that emanated from the global problem of conflict and its implications on food security and the fight against hunger in Africa. The study found that the Russo-Ukrainian war exposed the lack of progress in Africa towards the fight to eliminate hunger. The consequences of the war have been aggravated by this lack of progress towards achieving zero hunger in many African countries. The war disrupted the global supply chain and threatened Africa with hunger as the continent experienced food shortages, food inflation and general commodity price volatility.

This study is aims to assess the extent to which small enterprises engage in service dominant logic practices. In this study, data was quantitatively collected from 144 service providers of the game and nature reserves in Mpumalanga. The findings revealed a strong positive relationship between the effectiveness of using ICT and the extent to which small enterprises engage in service dominant logic practices. These findings suggest that the use of ICT technologies has a positive effect on the extent to which small businesses engage in service dominant logic practices. The limitation is that this current study is only limited to the tourism industry, in that sense it cannot be generalized to other industries.This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by assessing the extent to which small enterprises engage in service dominant logic practices. Through the co-creation of value, these small businesses can be sustained. Collaborative relationships between small businesses and dominant firms can enhance the small part that black entrepreneurs now play in the country's tourism industry.  By means of value co-creation, major corporations have the ability to offer small and medium-sized companies (SMMEs) both entrepreneurial experience and skill training

Transport infrastructure is an integral part of economic and social development in many countries, including South Africa. Economic growth theories state that a sound transport system enhances accessibility and output. Despite this, rural areas in South Africa face widespread poverty, poor infrastructure and limited access to essential services. This paper aims to examine the impact of transportation infrastructure investment on the output growth of rural nodal district municipalities in South Africa. This study focuses on two main objectives 1) investigating the relationship between transport infrastructure investment and output growth in rural nodal district municipalities and 2) understanding the causal relationship between transportation infrastructure investment and output growth in rural nodal district municipalities—this analysis uses panel data from 2012 to 2019. We used Fisher type (ADF and PP) panel unit root tests (Maddala & Wu,1999) to determine if the variables were stationary. Additionally, we employed Pedroni tests (1999) to ascertain the presence of cointegration among the variables. Once cointegration was confirmed, our study utilised the Panel VECM. A Panel Granger was then conducted to analyse the direction of causality between transportation infrastructure investment and output growth. This study recommends that the government should improve investments in transportation to improve the output of rural nodal district municipalities.

As extreme weather events continue to impact every continent and the world moves towards establishing a lower-carbon economy, the banking industry is expected to incorporate climate risk into their risk management practices. Climate change poses significant risks to bank loan portfolios through increased physical and transition risks. This study systematically analysed the literature to identify effective strategies for managing these risks. Our findings reveal that climate-related events can lead to substantial loan defaults and credit losses. To mitigate these impacts, banks can integrate climate risk into their risk management frameworks, adopt sustainable lending practices, and diversify their portfolios. Some banks have already implemented measures to mitigate climate risk through insurance policies, while others are incorporating sustainability criteria into their lending practices, such as financing green projects. By proactively addressing climate risks, banks can protect their portfolios, enhance financial resilience and contribute to a low-carbon economy.

Cancer remains a significant public health concern worldwide, necessitating ongoing efforts to understand its epidemiology and im- prove patient care. This cross-sectional epidemiological study, based on third-party statistics collected over a period of one and a half years (from October 2021 to March 2023), aimed to examine the sociodemographic characteristics and clinical profiles of cancer patients in the Littoral Region of Cameroon. Data were gathered through structured questionnaires, with strict adherence to ethical considerations. The study included 307 cancer patients.Key findings indicate a predominance of breast cancer, a significant proportion of patients aged 41-50 years, and a majority diagnosed at stage 4 of the disease. These results highlight the urgent need for early detection and targeted interventions in cancer care. Furthermore, the research explores factors contributing to the high rate of late-stage cancer diagnoses, such as lack of awareness, insufficient diagnostic facilities, and economic barriers that prevent many patients from seeking timely medical help. Based on these findings, the study recommends the development of comprehensive cancer management strategies, including enhancing public health education, improving diagnostic and treatment capacities, and implementing policy reforms aimed at making healthcare more accessible and affordable. Such measures are essential for reducing the burden of cancer in Cameroon and improving the overall health outcomes for its population.

The aim of this article was to explore the role of Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC) in promoting good governance, with the contextual setting being Blouberg Local Municipality. There is general consensus among academics, practitioners and policy makers alike in South Africa that the allocation of functions and responsibilities of municipal council and that of executives are often not clear, thus creating confusion in the officialdom and weakening oversight structures including MPAC. Hence the qualified audit reports in four consecutive years in Blouberg Municipality (see Auditor General, 2016-2021), signals internal failure not only to improve the municipal financial health status but to promote good governance generally. Methodologically, the study adopted qualitative designs and used interviews as instrument to collect data from key members of the committee. Consequently, the study revealed many underlying weaknesses, but the critical one was the demonstrable poor capacity within the committee which is twofold; (1) lack of expertise to facilitate oversight and (2) insufficient budget to enable performance of the Committee. Essentially, these challenges affect the proper functioning of MPAC which is constitutionally bestowed the responsibility of holding the executive accountable and guard against any misappropriation of municipal funds. The study recommended a number of solutions to improve the state of MPAC in the municipality, amongst them were that, council should develop an integrated reporting mechanism framework to conduct an oversight role which can be done with the assistance from experts in governance. The committee’s programme of action must also be funded, sufficiently. 

The market tightness of equity securities is an integral component of financial market because it supports smooth trading and absorb market shocks. However, the contention has always been to effectively determine the level of tightness in equity securities with the application of proper methodology in order to make informed decisions. Therefore, aim of this study was to examine the level of market tightness in selected stocks in the Johannesburg stock exchange. Using a variance ratio model, the findings of this study indicates that most securities trading on the exchange lack market tightness. This was evident in the difference between the one, two and three months variances that were not equal to 1 . Therefore, a specialist system should be introduced in order to facilitate the execution of trades without significantly moving the prices of equity securities. This study improves the frontier of knowledge regarding liquidity management, by empirically investigating the market tightness of equity securities.

The phenomenon of 'massification in higher education ', which refers to the significant increase in the number of students enrolling in universities, has made it difficult for inclusive education to be attainable owing to unknown reasons that are encumbering the students living with disability from having a sense of belonging. Hence, this study aims to evaluate the relationship between students living with disability and social justice through inclusivity in higher education with the aid of Assistive Technology (AT) to conceptualise a framework. The researchers employed a mixed methods approach to collect and analyse data statistically and descriptively. The requirements for integrating the model to ease the lack of consideration of students living with disability in the digital age were evaluated and critically reviewed regarding its impact on students’ sense of belonging in the digital age. The major findings from this study elucidate the factors perceived as the central requirements for mitigating the lack of inclusivity and social justice in higher education. The procurement of ATs was topical as most respondents (83%) categorically opined the need to improve this process by making timely purchases of the proper ATs from reliable service providers.  The successful implementation of this framework could significantly enhance the educational experience of students with disabilities at the University of Venda, making it a more inclusive and supportive learning environment. The findings on the appropriateness of ATs for students overwhelmingly indicated that many of the available devices and technologies meant to assist learners were not fit for the tasks they were intended for. The university should establish a procurement committee and a high-level action plan outlining the requirements for delivering assistive products & services.

The South African English language curriculum states that by the time students reach Grade 7, they should have mastered certain English language skills that enable them to communicate effectively at both personal and educational levels. Therefore, a study was conducted to investigate the potential benefits of code-switching in improving students' oral participation in English classes. The study took place in a primary school in the Malamulele East circuit and involved all fifty Grade 7 students. The students' oral presentations were part of their formative assessment. Researchers used a rigorous methodology, including convenience sampling, to select participants, with the first ten girls and the first ten boys considered for the study. Data was collected during presentations, where each student had an opportunity to present. The qualitative method was used, with audio recordings and observations as data collection tools. Content analysis was employed to analyse the data collected from the Grade 7 students. Based on the students' performance in their oral presentations, code-switching seemed to help them to effectively communicate complex concepts in their primary language when there were no equivalent English words. The findings of this study showed that code-switching enhances students' oral communication skills and makes learning more enjoyable. students achieve their communication goals through code-switching, offering the audience a hopeful outlook on the potential benefits of this approach.

This study explored talent management and employee retention in South Africa's higher education sector, focusing on Institution X. Post-apartheid, South African higher education has faced numerous challenges, including attracting, managing, and retaining new academics essential for societal transformation. The study aimed to assess the relationship between talent management practices (recruitment, career management, rewards, management style, and talent development) and employee retention in this sector.The study's objectives were to examine the strategic orientation of talent management at Institution X, determine its contribution to employee retention, investigate challenges faced in talent management, and propose strategies to enhance retention. A quantitative research design was used, employing a self-administered structured questionnaire. The sample included 65 academic staff members, such as professors, lecturers, and junior lecturers, with data analyzed using SPSS. Findings indicated that talent management is neither a strategic element nor fully implemented within the higher education sector. This highlights a significant challenge in managing and retaining qualified academics, an issue prevalent since the end of apartheid. The study underscores the importance of understanding and improving talent management strategies to ensure the sustainability and quality of higher education institutions. Recommendations were made for reviewing and enhancing talent management practices for academic staff in the sector.

The sociotechnical challenges primarily faced by students with disabilities are significantly hindering their active participation in academic programs. This study, therefore, holds immense importance as it aims to examine these challenges and evaluate the factors influencing the introduction of Assistive Technology in response to these issues. The researchers have used a to delve deep into these challenges and establish potential mitigation strategies for fostering inclusive education and a supportive learning environment. This study uses quantitative and qualitative data to understand factors influencing the integration of ATs in inclusive education. As a result, the study's findings, particularly the absence of a framework in the university disability unit, which is responsible for guiding the use and integration of AT, are crucial for understanding the current state of affairs. The delays in acquiring and delivering ATs result in students missing out on learning how to use the technologies. The use of ATs in the university was affected by the lack of training of lecturers who taught the students living with disabilities. Although there are ATs in the disability unit, they seem to be used by students who need urgent support and who need it in a limited time. Due to these factors, the study concluded that several factors influenced the integration of ATs in inclusive education at the university, and these need to be addressed urgently. This paper recommends that training should be conducted with lecturers and students to use ATs for learning and teaching purposes.

In an incisive analysis of the marketing mix's impact on small retail businesses in Durban's Central Business District (CBD), this study scrutinizes the extended 7Ps framework: product, price, place, promotion, process, people and physical evidence. Utilizing a quantitative methodology, data from 217 owner-managers, captured via a 5-point Likert scale, were analysed through ANOVA and Tukey's HSD tests, unearthing deep insights. The findings disrupt conventional marketing paradigms, revealing that an intense focus on product attributes does not correlate with enhanced performance. Small businesses that maintained competitive, yet balanced pricing mechanisms outstripped are those that engages in fierce price wars, underscoring the dangers of excessive price reductions. Strategic promotional activities and well-considered choice locations were pivotal, whereas overemphasis on physical evidence and internal processes proved detrimental. The study results advocate for a balanced, strategic approach to the marketing mix, urging small businesses to rethink traditional priorities. This study offers crucial guidance for business owners seeking to optimize performance and calls for targeted policy measures to support the retail sector’s growth and sustainability.

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) remains a critical human rights issue affecting millions of girls and women. FGM is deeply rooted in cultural and religious traditions, posing significant challenges to its elimination. The trauma inflicted by FGM extends beyond physical pain, leading to severe psychological and emotional consequences. Addressing this complex issue requires a comprehensive approach that integrates legal, educational, medical, and community-based interventions. The paper examines the dynamics of FGM across multiple countries, utilizing third-party data from the United Nations Population Fund. By presenting a comprehensive analysis of these strategies, this paper aims to contribute to the fight against FGM, offering insights and recommendations for policymakers, activists, and practitioners dedicated to ending this practice. The eradication of FGM requires sustained, multi-dimensional efforts to ensure the protection and empowerment of girls and women.