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Small-scale farmers in South Africa, particularly in Indigenous communities, continue to heavily rely on artificial farming, overlooking Indigenous agricultural knowledge. The key influence behind this is that the artificial farming practices have become more accessible than the Indigenous agricultural knowledge. This paper is aimed at understanding the economic viability of the Indigenous liquified manure for small-scale farmers while promoting the sustainable Indigenous agriculture within Indigenous communities. The paper is centred on addressing poor agricultural practice of the Indigenous liquified manure in establishing indigenous agriculture knowledge culture in rural communities in Vuwani. A sample of 18 participants consisting of 13 small-scale indigenous farmers, 3 traditional leaders, and 2 agricultural experts were drawn using purposive sampling from Vuwani rural communities. The qualitative semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions were employed for data collection and analysed using thematic analysis. The study unveiled that the Indigenous liquified manure contributes to the high produce of the indigenous crops that enables the Indigenous communities to economically sustain themselves. The findings further show that the practice of the Indigenous liquified manure is understood as an entrepreneurial opportunity to create job opportunities in the Vuwani.

Cyberbullying is the most common form of violence and aggression that affects the wellbeing of learners during their schooling days. Globally, cyberbullying is increasingly gaining recognition among the social scientists. It is locally becoming a phenomenon that is problematic threatening the mental health of learners. The phenomenon of cyberbullying violates the human rights of learners as outlined in the Constitution of South Africa. Bullying is a phenomenon that is destructive in nature and brings out the culture of violence in learning environment. Cyberbullying is a complex social issue and has close association with mental health illness/problems. It has consequence which includes, trauma, drop in school performance, school dropout and suicide. Cyberbullying is not a new concept among social workers because of their involvement with the phenomenon daily. Cyberbullying involves the use of social media, technology and texts to inflict harm on the victims. The study adopted the qualitative research approach, and this approach was used to provide the knowledge about the destructive nature of cyberbullying on learners in schools. The primary goal of this study was to develop an in-depth knowledge on the destruction or learners in schools. Face-to-face, semi-structured interviews was used in the study with the adoption of purposive technique of sampling. The Interview guide was utilized as a data collection instrument exploratory research designs was employed. The researcher obtained permission from the participants prior to data collection and sought permission for the audio-recording of the participants. The study applied the thematic content as a method of data analysis. The study employed two theoretical framework which were ecological approach and the strength-based approach. The study found that emotional, psychological and educational effects are some of the destructive effects of bullying which puts too much pressure on learners.

Agricultural production in semi-arid regions such as Opsoek, Ladismith Karoo faces numerous challenges, including water scarcity, low soil fertility and unpredictable weather patterns. Digital innovations, particularly precision farming and mobile extension systems have proven to be important tools in overcoming these challenges and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. This case study examines the adoption and impact of precision farming technologies and mobile support services among farmers in Opsoek. The research combines field observations, interviews with local farmers and analysis of data on the use of mobile extension services. The results show that precision agriculture tools, such as soil moisture sensors, GPS-based field mapping and automatic irrigation systems, have significantly improved resource management and crop yields. In addition, mobile extension services improved farmers’ access to timely information on weather forecasts, pest control and best farming practices, thereby strengthening decision-making processes and reducing production risks. Despite the obvious benefits, the study notes that barriers remain, such as limited digital literacy, high costs of technological inputs and inadequate mobile network coverage, which hinder wider adoption among smallholder farmers. The study concludes that targeted digital literacy training, government support for affordable technology access and improved rural network infrastructure are essential to fully realize the potential of digital innovation in semi-arid agriculture. This study contributes to the growing body of literature highlighting the transformative role of digital technologies in improving agricultural productivity and resilience in water-scarce areas and provides practical insights for policy makers, development practitioners and agricultural technology innovators.

Digital transformation is significantly reshaping the global agribusiness sector, with South Africa actively participating in this technological shift. This paper investigates the influence of digital technologies on enhancing productivity, sustainability, and competitiveness within South African agriculture. The adoption of innovations such as precision agriculture, artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and blockchain is increasingly viewed as essential for addressing challenges related to climate change, food insecurity, and economic instability. The study highlights the potential of digital transformation to improve supply chain transparency, expand market access, and strengthen risk management. However, it also acknowledges persistent obstacles to adoption. These include poor digital infrastructure in rural regions, high technology implementation costs, limited technical skills, and gaps in digital literacy, particularly among smallholder farmers. By drawing on literature reviews, policy analysis, and empirical case studies, the paper provides a balanced assessment of both opportunities and limitations associated with digital agriculture in the South African context. Findings reveal that while large commercial farms are increasingly utilizing digital tools, small-scale farmers face systemic barriers that limit their participation in the digital economy. As a result, the paper advocates for inclusive digital strategies and capacity-building programs aimed at closing the digital divide. It emphasizes that the success of digital transformation in South African agri-business depends heavily on coordinated efforts among government, industry players, and local farming communities to ensure broad-based access and equitable outcomes.

This study aimed to explore the effects of uninhabitable off-campus residences on students’ health at the University of Venda. A qualitative approach was used for an in-depth subject approach. The phenomenological research design was used to understand the meanings of human experience regarding the research problem. Non-probability sampling methods and convenience sampling techniques were used to solicit participants. One-to-one semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. Thematic analysis was then used to analyse the data. The study discovered that some students who live in off-campus accommodation are subjected to unhealthy conditions, unsafe environments, and non-study conducive surroundings. The findings also revealed that these students end up being affected by both physical and mental illness. The unpleasant conditions in these facilities are perpetuated by the landlords’ ignorance and unwillingness to invest. Recommended means to deal with the uninhabitable residences include sufficient investment and regular monitoring of the facilities by the facilities’ owners, as well as ensuring cooperation between students, their representatives, and the landlords. Lastly, there is a need to orchestrate policy and interventions to ensure continuous consideration of students’ health, safety, and comfort of off-campus residing students.

Renewable energy technologies to power health facilities have become very important in the 21st century due to the lack of power from conventional power supplies especially in the case of Global South and specifically in Zimbabwe. The study's objective was to examine the role of renewable energy technology in powering medical laboratories and other health care facilities in the Global South- Sustainable Development Goals washing each other’s hands with evidence from Zimbabwe. The study used qualitative methods and secondary data was collected from various sources such as United Nations Development Programme, Reach Alliance, World Health Organisation and Green Platform Policy documents. The main results of the study showed that renewable energy technology has provided relief to patients and rural communities who have not been failing to get services due to a lack of conventional electricity. Additionally, the study indicated that over 1044 health facilities in Zimbabwe are now under solar support hence these facilities now have electricity 24 hours a day and key services are being provided, hence, improving health outcomes and SDG 3 objectives. Additionally, sustainable energy is also more sustainable in the long run as compared to conventional electricity generation which has negative effects on the environment. The policy shift by the government of Zimbabwe to work with partners to provide solar energy to health institutions is applauded. The government can shift its policy towards further empowering the locals to get contracts to implement and install solar energy in the remaining facilities considering that already there was knowledge transfer done when the local engineers were trained by the primary contractors of UNDP. The study recommended that the government may provide policies that support more of the solar grids and move away from relying on conventional electricity generation which has been giving the country problems of load-shedding since year 2008.

This paper addresses the critical issue of eroding service delivery by the South African public and local government. One of the primary arguments presented is that a significant contributory factor is the theory-practice gap endemic to public servants. Drawing on a vivid analogy used by the Indian Supreme Court's outrage at the appointment of judicial officers without on-the-job experience, this paper contends that theoretical proficiency alone is not adequate for complex, high-stakes professional work. Through a qualitative, descriptive, and analytical literature review, the study is grounded on conceptual analysis highlighting the inadequacies of academic training devoid of real-world practice. A theoretical framework is then developed by bringing together Kolb's Experiential Learning Theory (ELT) and Competency-Based Education (CBE), demonstrating how these pedagogical frameworks can bridge the knowledge-practice divide. Contextual critique assesses the South African public sector setting based on secondary data sources including government reports, academic studies, and public policy briefs. Failures in governance, financial mismanagement, political meddling, and a systematic lack of practical competencies are revealed by the analysis to be underlying factors of the defects in service delivery in the country. The article proposes an integrated "Competency-Driven Public Service" model on such a basis that integrates experiential learning and skills development within public administration. This conceptualisation model aims to foster ethical leadership, induce a culture of continuous organisational learning, and enhance practical competency at all levels of public administration. The article concludes with practical suggestions made particularly for policymakers and leaders in public administration. These aim to reboot public service provision through education reform and organizational capacity building. Overall, the article contributes to the debate around public sector reform through the provision of theoretically informed, practically useful analysis of a significant issue of governance.

This study explores how administrative culture shapes institutional resilience and adaptive governance in South Africa’s volatile policy environment. Confronted with service delivery failures, governance instability, and public trust deficits, the public sector requires adaptive capacity to withstand systemic shocks. Using a comparative case study of selected national and provincial departments, the research integrates interviews with senior officials, policy document analysis, and survey data. Findings show that collaborative ethos, openness to innovation, and internal accountability strengthen resilience, while rigid hierarchies and siloed decision-making impede responsiveness. Departments with inclusive, learning-oriented cultures adapt more effectively to disruption. By positioning administrative culture as a pivotal enabler of adaptive governance, the study contributes to public administration theory from a Global South perspective and offers actionable guidance for reform. Practically, it underscores that cultivating resilience-oriented cultures can enhance service delivery, rebuild trust, and stabilize governance systems in South Africa’s ongoing institutional reform efforts.

Sustainable procurement has become a crucial strategy for attaining the objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Despite the growing emphasis on the concept, understanding the development of sustainable procurement over the last two decades remains limited. This paper offers a comprehensive examination of sustainable procurement, outlining significant research topics, leading authors, relevant countries, and notable publications in the discipline. Nineteen (199) publications from 2004 to 2024 were retrieved from Scopus following the PRISMA protocol. Bibliometric analysis is utilised, followed by the construction of clusters through co-citation analysis. The clusters are analysed to identify emerging themes and potential areas for further research. The co-citation analysis identifies five distinct clusters of research themes: sustainable procurement practices and drivers, environmental management and performance in procurement, sustainable public procurement and implementation challenges, green procurement strategies and supplier management, and sustainable procurement adoption and influencing factors. Publications have been sourced exclusively from one database. Only publications from relevant academic journals have been utilised for the bibliometric analysis. Only articles with high citation counts were selected for co-citation analysis and cluster formation. The analysis of the identified clusters delineates study domains for further exploration aimed at improving the understanding of sustainable procurement and implementing its practices to achieve sustainability..

The purpose of this study was to identify the internal implementation strategy issues encountered by a bank in South Africa. Challenges are phased in by South African banks during the fourth stage of the strategic planning process. Banks must be aware of the internal issues affecting the implementation stage. The banking industry in South Africa plays a significant role in the regional economy and market. The article's underlying contingency theory highlights how crucial it is for South African banks to use a range of approaches to address problems that can prevent them from implementing their strategies. Data were mostly gathered through semi-structured interviews with 25 workers of a bank in South Africa. Atlas.ti version 23 software was used to analyse the participant data gathering. The findings show that the South African bank is facing internal issues as a result of senior managers' decision to exclude junior and middle management's participation from the overall plan. This will demotivate those involved and result in a lack of support for the plan. Inadequate support from the change management team and communication from the management team regarding the new plan.

This study was undertaken with the purpose of investigating the impact of corporate social responsibility of small and medium enterprise owners on community upliftment in the eThekwini Municipality. The study sought to reinforce understanding of CSR and its economic, social and environment impact on communities by small and medium enterprises. This study`s target population was 5000 registered SMEs, with a sample of 250 determined through random sampling method and the questionnaire used to collect data. Data collected was analysed through the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) and cross-tabulation analyses as well as several multivariate statistical techniques to assist in answering key research questions of this study.  Validity for this study was ensured through face and content techniques to ensure that items being presented in the questionnaire were clear and that measures included a representative set of items that measure concepts being addressed. The findings revealed the SMs were aware of the impact of corporate social responsibility on community upliftment and that the relationship between community involvement and community upliftment exist to some extent. This study recommended that SMEs be empowered with issues relating to CSR and these issues be implemented in other municipalities in Kwazulu-Natal. The findings of this study are envisaged to assist SMEs to better understand CSR activities and to successfully implement them in communities.

The adoption of plausible strategic marketing deliverables within the sustainable agricultural ecosystem remains a challenge for small-scale growers due to scarce resources and constraint capabilities.  The prospects of expediting access to markets and points of sale, which properly established and capacitated enterprises dominate, contain the ability for small-scale growers to commercialise their hard-earned crops and produce. This study unpacks the strategic marketing techniques and tools that small-scale growers could utilize to mitigate their active participation in the complex agricultural business ecosystem. The body of literature explicated various considerations that could be integrated into an attempt to demystify the common challenges and constraints that conform the small growers from the marking mix context and perspective. A positivism-oriented philosophy of the quantitative methodology was utilized in the study to solicit the description of the variables that constitute the elucidation of the strategic phenomenon in the study. The findings revealed that various marketing tools could provide constructive and beneficial advantages for small growers if applied efficaciously and correctly. The findings further indicated that packaging the marketing mixes intervention such as channels, segmenting positioning, channel, target market, and promotion could accelerate the small growers' attainment of sustainable competitive advantage within the broader scope of commercializing their enterprises.

This desk research journal article explores the relationship between entrepreneurship and the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) in the context of South Africa. The study examines the challenges and opportunities faced by entrepreneurs in harnessing the potential of 4IR technologies and their impact on economic growth, job creation, and social development. Research shows that people are being laid off as a result of other industries collapsing since their services are no longer needed. The article highlights the government's initiatives and policies to support entrepreneurial activities in the 4IR era. Through the analysis of existing literature and case studies, this article examines the challenges and opportunities faced by entrepreneurs in South Africa. Qualitatively, the study utilized secondary sources for data collection. The study concludes that Industry 4.0 can affect entrepreneurship in South Africa in the era of 4IR. The implications of entrepreneurs in the 4IR include concentrating on the characteristics of the techno-economic opportunities, creating entrepreneurship that reacts to intelligence, and creating a system that adapts to the knowledge of rapid change and manufacturing advancements.

This paper seeks to explore the realities of gender-based violence (GBV) within the African context with a special focus on how traditions, cultural norms, and values are perceived at the dawn of the recognition of human rights. Culture, human rights, and GBV are deeply interconnected and have significant implications for individuals, communities, and societies at large. It must be noted that the paper does not seek to condone patriarchy or harmful practices that promote gender-based violence; rather, it aims to create a balance between these cultural practices and responses to gender-based violence. The dawn of human rights and legislative frameworks, which to some extent challenge the existence of some practices as not being in line with human rights, has led to some power struggles and imbalances within the relationships. The introduction of human rights and equality, which resulted in most programs focusing on empowering women, such as the 50/50 principle, without necessarily preparing men to live with empowered women, may be perceived by men as challenging their authority. These developments may create frustrated men who see empowered women as a challenge to their leadership, culture, and tradition, and in defense, most men resort to violence as a way of trying to maintain their authority within the family structure. This paper will expand on how patriarchal social structures, cultural norms and traditional practices, colonialism, economic marginalization, resistance, and resilience impact efforts to address GBV. The author conducted desktop research and realized that efforts to prevent GBV should recognize the psychological realities and frustrations of culturally inclined men.

This paper delves into structural and affective determinants of women's persistence in violent relationships within the overarching theme of "Invisible Chains." The research, informed by a qualitative research design based on phenomenology, aimed to discover the lived experiences of women exposed to intimate partner violence (abusive relationships). Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with self-identified female abuse victims. Thematic analysis was applied to analyze the data and derive repetitive patterns and meanings. The significant findings indicate that economic reliance was a common factor, as the majority of participants did not have the economic means or the means to obtain resources to escape violent relationships. Fears as emotional constraints, like fear of new beginnings, loss of self-worth, and worry about children's lives, also trap them. Social norms regarding marriage and gendered roles worked to render abuse normal. Institutional failure, including the inaction of social workers, the police, and other professionals, isolated and disempowered women. These results highlight the need for multifaceted interventions incorporating individual empowerment, systemic change, and cultural change. The research identifies economic support, trauma-informed care, and institutional responsibility in eradicating the invisible forces that keep women locked in abusive relationships.

Immigrant entrepreneurship has been credited for its contribution to economic development globally. The importance placed on immigrant entrepreneurship has put it at the centre of debate in South Africa. The debate emanates from whether immigrant entrepreneurs bring value to the economy of South Africa or not. However, studies have revealed that immigrant entrepreneurship, if properly regulated, plays a pivotal role in the economy. The study aimed to investigate the role of cultural and disruptive innovation on immigrant entrepreneurs' competitive advantage. The study used a qualitative research methodology, which allowed the study to have a deeper insight into the experiences of immigrant entrepreneurs regarding the aspects of cultural and disruptive innovation, which play a role in their business performance. Data was collected from 20 immigrant entrepreneurs operating in the Eastern Cape. The study findings reveal that cultural and disruptive innovation aspects that have aided immigrant entrepreneurs in having a competitive advantage have more to do with adopting unique business models and strategies, which include networking, adaptability, and market creation or differentiation. The study also highlighted policy and practitioner implications, especially for South African township entrepreneurs.

Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) are the foundation of South Africa's economy, driving job creation, innovation, and local economic growth. However, these businesses frequently face challenges in critical areas such as bookkeeping and financial literacy, which have a direct impact on operational performance and sustainability. Limited financial knowledge and inadequate record-keeping practices have long been issues for Alice's SMMEs, posing significant challenges to effective financial management. These gaps in financial literacy and bookkeeping make it difficult for SMMEs to manage cash flow, make informed decisions, and plan for growth, limiting their ability to fully contribute to the local economy. Addressing these challenges has become critical for SMMEs, as improved financial management practices are required for success and resilience in a competitive market. The study's exploring the impact of bookkeeping and financial literacy on the performance of SMMEs in the context of Alice. Data was collected qualitatively through in-depth interviews with 15 SMME operators and analysed thematically to gain a thorough understanding of their experiences and practices. The findings show that both accurate bookkeeping and financial literacy improve business performance, allowing owners to make data-driven decisions, avoid cash flow issues, and lay the groundwork for future growth. Those who fall short in these areas suffer from financial mismanagement, which harms their businesses. Despite the challenges, the study identified strategies implemented by SMMEs owners to improve both bookkeeping and financial literacy such as digital bookkeeping tools, external financial advisory support, and collaborative financial management across teams. Finding from this study are crucial for enhancing SMMEs’ operational performance and fostering economic resilience within South Africa's competitive market.

This study explores Artificial Intelligence’s potential in promoting social inclusion in South African tertiary institutions. Despite advancements in expanding access to higher education, historical disparities continue to exclude marginalised groups from accessing equal opportunities in education and human capital development. Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers a promising avenue to bridge this gap by enhancing accessibility, promoting personalised learning, and streamlining administrative processes. The study adopts a desktop literature review to explore how AI-powered tools can leverage intelligent assistive technologies, personalised learning experiences and automated administrative tasks that reduce bureaucratic barriers to enhance physically challenged students’ accessibility and address their diverse learning styles and needs. Despite the potential benefits of AI tools, challenges such as the digital divide, infrastructure constraints, AI bias, cultural sensitivity, and institutional capacity persist to hinder massive adoption. The study recommends infrastructure development, digital literacy programs, culturally sensitive AI design, and capacity-building initiatives for educators to fully harness AI's potential for social inclusion in higher education institutions. The study contributes new knowledge to the ongoing discourse on AI-driven social inclusion in higher education. It emphasises opportunities and challenges prevalent in South Africa. Hence, the study demonstrates how leveraging AI can foster a more inclusive and equitable learning environment

The conception of corporate governance practices remains a challenge across state entities in developing countries including South Africa. Corporate governance principles such as accountability, responsibility, reliability, ethical standards are core elements of effective and quality performance that spurs quality delivery of primary services. Positivism strategy aided by quantitative primary data was applied. Empirical data was collected through the administration of questionnaires to geographically dispersed 106 participants who were randomly and purposively selected. The authors used a structured questionnaires aided by quantitatively analyses through the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0. Key findings on this paper revealed that all the corporate governance principles contribute to entity’s performance. However, “fairness” largely contributes more to the level of performance. The study recommends policy makers and consultants need to embark on awareness campaigns through educational programmes.   

During the COVID-19 pandemic countries all over the world underwent hard lockdowns that limited face-to-face contact in everyday aspects of our lives. Higher Education Providers responded to ensure that education was accessible via online platforms to allow students to continue their studies during the pandemic. Due to this Learning Management Systems (LMSs) were no longer merely used for uploading or downloading content and instead was used for completing online courses including submitting assignments, conducting examinations and lectures. Thus, using an LMS became the only means of survival for many educational intuitions during the pandemic. The study used the qualitative method for collecting and analyzing data by conducting one on one interviews via MS Teams. The objective of the study was to explore which functionalities of Moodle were used for e-learning in a learning journey at a Private Distance Higher Education Institution in a COVID-19 environment and why. Based on this objective, the following research question was posed: Which functionalities of Moodle do lecturers and students use when using Moodle for e-learning in a learning journey and what are the reasons for their choice? The results revealed that despite having multiple functionalities available only limited functionalities were used by both lecturers and students. It was identified that usage on Moodle was motivated by UTAUT-3 constructs such as Performance Expectancy, Effort Expectancy, Hedonic Motivation and Facilitating Conditions. The research further revealed that students and lecturers may not have understood how to use all the functionalities available hence usage was limited.