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This paper examines the financial and psychological impacts of the current grade system in South African universities, particularly on students funded by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). The system, designed to enhance the quality of education by ensuring students grasp core concepts before advancing, often extends the duration of study for student. This extension leads to significant financial burdens, including additional tuition fees, accommodation costs, and subsistence expenses. The rigid structure of grading can prevent students from progressing in their programs, as failing a core module often disqualifies them from taking multiple subsequent modules. The literature review highlights international practices and the unique socio-economic context of South Africa. Findings reveal that the system contributes to high dropout rates, increased student debt, and psychological distress. This paper argues for a reform in the grading system, suggesting a cap at 40% pass, instead of 50% pass for progression at undergraduate level, which would alleviate some of these pressures. Discussions focus on the potential benefits of such a reform, including reduced financial strain on NSFAS, improved student retention, and better mental health outcomes. The conclusion reiterates the necessity of policy changes to create a more equitable and sustainable higher education system. By addressing these challenges, South African universities can ensure that more students complete their degrees in a timely manner, benefiting both the students and the broader economy.

The implementation of language policies in South African universities faces significant barriers rooted in the country's socio-economic and historical context. Despite constitutional mandates and policy frameworks aimed at promoting multilingualism and equity, practical challenges persist. Developing indigenous African languages into fully-fledged academic mediums is a complex and resource-intensive process, requiring substantial financial investment, skilled language specialists, and institutional commitment. The historical privileging of English and Afrikaans during apartheid has created an entrenched system where these languages dominate academia, marginalizing indigenous languages. Efforts to elevate these languages to academic status are further complicated by the need for consistent scientific terminology and academic materials, which are currently lacking. Furthermore, the financial burden on universities to support multilingual education, including translation services and recruiting qualified staff, is considerable. This financial strain is compounded by broader economic challenges facing the higher education sector. While preserving Afrikaans as an academic language promotes diversity and inclusivity, it also highlights the disparities in language development and usage in academia. The reluctance of the government to invest heavily in transforming other local languages into academic mediums reflects practical considerations about marketability and global competitiveness, as English remains the predominant language for research dissemination and professional advancement. This paper explores these barriers in detail, drawing on policy guidelines and existing literature, and discusses their impact on higher education institutions and students. The findings reveal a need for a balanced approach that acknowledges both the practical constraints and the cultural significance of multilingualism in fostering a more inclusive and equitable academic environment.

Governance is still a contested concept in both theory and practice.  A proliferation of the concept has sprung up in literature.  One comes across variations where reference is made to co-production, public governance, good governance, hybridity governance, hybrid governance, to name but a few. The aim of this paper is to provide a conceptual overview of the evolution of the concept governance in general and hybrid governance particulary focused on selected African countries.  It is important to clarify what hybrid governance involves, and its implications for state capacity and service delivery.  Furthermore, it is imperative to discern whether hybrid governance could be a useful conceptual tool for facilitating more organised systems of service delivery in parts of Africa and South Africa, or whether it is just “new developmental jargon”. The paper employed a qualitative research approach where secondary sources of information, constituting document analysis, premised around forms of hybrid governance in selected African countries were explored. The paper makes a conceptual contribution to the collaborative international governance discourse.

This article seeks to analyse the impact of systemic hurdles, organisational inertia, and technology limitations on the digital transformation initiatives of the State Information Technology Agency (SITA) in South Africa. The study aims to present a comprehensive framework to improve SITA's digital transformation strategy by tackling these obstacles. This article aims to identify key areas including policy restructuring, capacity building, and the adoption of modern technologies such as cloud computing, big data, and the Internet of Things (IoT). We utilised a mixed qualitative-analytical approach for data collecting and processing. Primary data were collected via semi-structured interviews with SITA personnel, while secondary data were sourced from official SITA papers, such as annual reports and strategy plans. Thematic analysis was employed to discern reoccurring patterns and themes. An analysis was conducted on a dataset of SITA's digital activities spanning from 2012 to 2021. The study's principal findings indicate that (i) systemic obstacles, including antiquated infrastructure and reluctance to change, substantially hinder digital transformation, (ii) effective security protocols and strategic alliances are crucial for surmounting these obstacles, and (iii) the establishment of a comprehensive framework encompassing capacity building and the integration of advanced technologies can significantly bolster SITA's digital transformation initiatives, thereby enhancing. Nonetheless, the study possesses drawbacks, notably its dependence on qualitative data, which may not encompass the entirety of challenges encountered by SITA. Subsequent study ought to adopt a mixed methodologies approach to facilitate a more thorough analysis. Notwithstanding these constraints, the report provides significant insights and pragmatic recommendations for policymakers and practitioners engaged in digital transformation programs at SITA.  

Language and communication play pivotal roles in the insurance industry, impacting claims processing, customer satisfaction, and operational efficiency. This study investigates the dynamics of errors within insurance claims across six distinct languages—African, Afrikaans, English, French, German, and Asian languages. The purpose is to identify language-specific error patterns and their implications for customer-centric methods. This study utilises a dataset of insurance claims spanning multiple languages. The analysis encompasses the probability theories approach to unravel error distributions and their associations. The study reveals that linguistic diversity significantly impacts the insurance industry, emphasising the need for language-centric approaches to error reduction This highlights the need for customised communication strategies and enlightening initiatives to address the unique challenges faced by this linguistic demographic especially the complex legal jargon that is not easily understood by all. In conclusion, this paper advises insurance companies to navigate the complex terrain of multilingual interactions. It enriches the existing body of knowledge surrounding insurance claim management, offering a roadmap to navigate the intricacies of language diversity within the industry. By addressing the linguistic-specific challenges identified in this study, insurance providers can enhance their services, reduce errors, and ultimately foster improved customer experiences.

This research investigates consumer perceptions of retail service quality at a particular supermarket chain located in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It expands upon the SERVQUAL paradigm to examine the determinants influencing consumer happiness and loyalty within the supermarket scenario. The study utilised a quantitative research design to gather data from 400 customers at four supermarket sites in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were employed to assess the dimensionality, reliability, and validity of variables evaluating retail service quality. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was utilised to examine the interrelations among these constructs. The study examined the impact of interpersonal interactions, loyalty, customer satisfaction, physical attributes, policies, and reliability on customer views. The results demonstrate that clients uphold favourable attitudes regarding all dimensions of service quality, with personal interaction, loyalty, and customer satisfaction being especially significant. The study establishes a substantial positive correlation among policy, physical attributes, interpersonal contacts, and customer happiness. Nonetheless, it fails to establish a substantial correlation between reliability and consumer pleasure. The study emphasises the significant impact of customer happiness on perceived loyalty. The study contributes by adapting and validating the SERVQUAL paradigm for the context of grocery chains. It provides pragmatic insights for service businesses seeking to improve customer experiences and cultivate loyalty.

This study intends to assess the impact of digital transformation on public sector service delivery, concentrating on the State Information Technology Agency (SITA) in South Africa. The report examines critical obstacles obstructing the effective execution of digital transformation programs, including as antiquated infrastructure, procurement inefficiencies, and opposition to change. It also analyses the advantages of agile approaches in improving flexibility, responsiveness, and collaboration in digital projects. We utilised a qualitative study methodology, conducting semi-structured interviews with SITA personnel and analysing pertinent organisational documents. The dataset comprised interviews with personnel from several departments, together with performance and service delivery reports spanning from 2015 to 2022. The study's principal findings indicate that (i) agile methodologies markedly enhance the adaptability and efficiency of digital transformation initiatives; (ii) robust data governance and sharing practices promote transparency and accountability, albeit encountering obstacles such as data silos and inconsistent quality; and (iii) addressing challenges such as digital hesitancy and leadership deficiencies is crucial for cultivating a culture that encourages innovation and continuous improvement. The study ultimately offers strategic recommendations for tackling these difficulties and improving digital transformation initiatives inside SITA.  

This study investigates the influence of board gender diversity on the shareholder value of South African-listed non-financial companies on the JSE from 2013 to 2022. The study used a quantitative quasi-experimental method to examine the influence of board gender diversity on shareholder value creation measures from a multi-theoretical perspective. The board gender diversity measures include the proportion of women directors on the board, the Blau index for board gender diversity, and dummy variables indicating the presence of one, two, three, or more women directors on the board, as well as skewed board, tilted board, and balanced board. Shareholder value creation is proxied using standardised market value added, market-to-book ratio, and Tobin’s Q. The study utilises fixed effects models based on linear and curvilinear models to test the hypotheses. According to linear models, all board gender diversity measures demonstrate a significant positive, negative, or no effect on shareholder value creation measures, aligning with the multi-theoretical perspective of corporate governance research. However, curvilinear quadratic models suggest that the Blau index for board gender diversity and the proportion of women directors on board positively and negatively affect shareholder value creation, highlighting an inverted U-shaped effect. The results recognise the "too much- of- a -good- thing” effect and a possible optimal(or worse) level of board gender diversity as crucial. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that the claim of the ‘‘one size fits all’’ board gender diversity mechanism in creating and maximising shareholder value, often implicitly stated by regulators and advisors, may be misleading.

SMMEs in the Vhembe district encounter distinct problems, such as restricted access to financing, inadequate infrastructure, and insufficient support services. This study examines the impact of entrepreneurial leadership traits, including innovation, risk-taking, and proactive decision-making, on corporate outcomes such as growth, competitiveness, and sustainability. The study examined the correlation between leadership types and business success to provide actionable recommendations for governments and business leaders in promoting entrepreneurial leadership. The research utilised a qualitative methodology to investigate the influence of entrepreneurial leadership on small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) in the Vhembe district. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews with 16 leaders of small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs), offering a varied perspective across multiple industries and business scales. The findings indicate that entrepreneurial leadership substantially influences SMMEs in the Vhembe District, with transformational and collaborative approaches improving financial and non-financial performance, innovation, and customer satisfaction. The study indicates that implementing transformational and collaborative leadership styles can markedly enhance financial performance, innovation, and customer happiness for SMMEs in the Vhembe District. This research provides novel perspectives on entrepreneurial leadership by examining the distinct setting of the Vhembe District. It contests prevailing ideas by emphasising the necessity for a leadership strategy adapted to local dynamics and market conditions. The study's novelty and significance stem from its distinctive emphasis on the Vhembe District, providing a novel viewpoint on entrepreneurial leadership.

Global research on local governance acknowledges the value of partnerships as strategic facilitators of urban change and regional economic growth. Local government-university interactions have emerged as a critical catalyst for transformation in Africa. The Mutare City Council (MCC), a distinguished local authority in Zimbabwe, has adopted collaborations between local government and universities as a novel strategy to enhance service delivery and overall efficacy. Nonetheless, despite a theoretical and practical paradigm shift towards cooperation between local governments and universities, there has been inadequate research focus on this subject, particularly in developing nations. This article elucidates the lived experiences of the MCC regarding cooperation between local government and universities to bridge this gap. The qualitative investigation of local government-university partnership was conducted through key informant interviews with MCC managers from various units and departments. This article outlines the MCC's collaboration with universities in urban change and the advantages of these partnerships. The paper examines the problems encountered in executing collaborations from the viewpoint of local government. Consequently, the study advises local governments to prioritise collaborations with universities, endorse joint projects and initiatives, and create research and investment units to promote partnerships as a contribution to public administration.

Despite anecdotal evidence indicating that a lack of management support towards internal audits (IAs) affects their efficacy, only a few studies have been conducted on the topic in a provincial government (PG) context. Besides, studies on the lack of management support towards IA efficacy lack theoretical grounding. This research aims to address this knowledge gap. The paper applied principal–agent theory to identify barriers to efficient management support towards the IA role within PGs, using the case of the Western Cape Government (WCG). Initially, questionnaires were sent to 260 WCG participants. The results revealed that management has a bad perception of IA as adding value to the organisation and does not take timely corrective actions based on audit findings and recommendations. The study adds to the limited knowledge about management and the IA relationship within PGs.

This aim of this paper is to present an understanding State-Owned Entities (SOE’s) responses to the energy crisis in Nigeria and South Africa. The energy crisis in both Nigeria and South Africa has posed significant challenges, with both countries experiencing severe power shortages that have impacted economic growth and the quality of life. State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) in the energy sector, such as Nigeria's NESCO and South Africa's Eskom, have traditionally been central to efforts of ensuring energy security. The paper therefore through a qualitative method of research, attempts to reveal the responses of the SOE’s in these states to address the energy crisis. Hence, it concludes that South Africa responded by unbundling Eskom and Nigeria privatising the energy sector. But these mechanisms are yet to solve the energy crisis.

This paper examines the critical role of youth participation in planning and implementation with the purpose of improving the Integrated Development Plan (IDP). Local governments in South Africa are legally mandated to foster participatory development through IDP, which aim to address imbalances from the predemocratic era and improve socioeconomic conditions. Despite the democratic foundation of these policies, youth participation in IDP formulation remains markedly low. This discrepancy is particularly troubling given the substantial role that youth played in achieving democracy and the proverb that today's youth are tomorrow's leaders. The paper argues that the absence of effective mechanisms for youth participation has led to significant social deficiencies. The paper is conceptual and is grounded in social capital theory. The study uses a qualitative desktop research method, relying on existing literature. The findings reveal that the lack of youth participation in IDP contributes to various problems, including inadequate service delivery, violent protests, substance abuse, and social delinquency. It recommends the establishment of practical and inclusive mechanisms to better engage young people in the IDP process, thus addressing the current gaps and promoting more equitable development outcomes.  Young people's ignorance and the lack of efficient and inclusive mechanisms to promote participation of youth have produced numerous social deficiencies. These problems hinder community development and social transformation. Therefore, this paper concludes that training programs, youth dialogues, and political education should be developed to improve youth understanding of local government processes.

Despite the stigma surrounding cannabis, discourse has evolved, and it is now recognised as a viable economic commodity, reflecting a substantial transformation in societal attitudes. Several African countries have been exploring the industrial possibilities of medicinal hemp as a facet of economic development. This study aimed to examine the potential advantages of cannabis commercialisation in Limpopo province, South Africa. The study utilised a descriptive design and qualitative technique, focussing on cannabis enterprises. Snowball sampling was utilised to acquire a sample of 20 individuals. The sample size was determined by data saturation. Data was gathered through semi-structured interviews and thematically analysed using ATLAS.ti 23 software. The results indicate that the creation of cannabis cultivation and processing businesses may produce job opportunities, stimulate economic expansion, and promote community development. Furthermore, the cannabis industry presents substantial income generation prospects, especially for rural agriculturists, and has the capacity to augment tax revenue for local authorities. The research indicates that cannabis commercialisation could yield advantageous socio-economic results, such as poverty reduction, provided that stringent regulations and extensive community engagement are established. The research emphasises the importance of addressing legal and social equity challenges to ensure the sustainability of these benefits.  

Currently, numerous institutions, organisations, and governments globally have issues associated with rising technological crimes and misinformation within cyber systems, which jeopardise societal faith in these entities. A cyber-system is a framework that employs cyberspace and encompasses information infrastructures, along with individuals and other entities engaged in the system's business operations and activities. Social media platforms facilitate communication, commercial transactions, and various lucrative endeavours. Nonetheless, these sites have been utilised by cybercriminals and fraudsters for nefarious activities, including executing assaults on their targets and disseminating misinformation. This article examines the assessment of developing technological crimes on social media platforms and techniques for mitigating disinformation in cyber networks. A mixed-method approach was employed for data collecting, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative techniques, with unstructured interviews and surveys. The findings indicated that disinformation has adversely affected multiple sectors, including health, social, security, and education. Conspiracy theorists have utilised cyber systems and social media platforms to propagate misinformation, while fraudsters and cybercriminals have exploited these mediums to victimise individuals. Recommendations encompass the necessity for governmental regulation of online activities, the education of cyber system and social media users to exercise caution regarding their online conduct, the implementation of robust cyber policies and legislation, the verification and authentication of information prior to dissemination, the training and retraining of criminal justice officials, and the engagement of cyber law enforcement to scrutinise messages and information traversing cyber systems and social media platforms. tem. Social media platforms are used for communication, business transactions, and other profitable initiatives. However, these platforms have also been exploited by cyber criminals and fraudsters for malicious activities, such as launching attacks on their targets and spreading false information. This paper focuses on evaluating emerging technology crimes on social media platforms and strategies for reducing misinformation on cyber systems. A mixed method was used for data collection, including qualitative and quantitative methods, as well as unstructured interviews and questionnaires. The findings revealed that misinformation has had negative impacts on various sectors including health, social, security, and education. Cyber systems and social media platforms have been used by conspiracy theorists to disseminate false information, while fraudsters and cybercriminals have victimized their targets using social media and other cyber systems. Recommendations include the need for government regulation of online activities, educating cyber system and social media users to be cautious about their online activities, implementing effective cyber policies and legislation, verifying and authenticating information before sharing, training and retraining criminal justice officials, and engaging cyber cops to filter messages and information passing through cyber systems and social media platforms.

The article seeks to examine the phenomenon of corruption within the specific context of South Africa. The primary inquiry posed in the study is, 'What are the instances and underlying factors contributing to corruption in South Africa?' Corruption arises from a multitude of factors, including avarice, the pursuit of authority, and the dynamics of elite networking, among others. The presence of these factors within the nation fosters an atmosphere of impropriety at both the political and bureaucratic tiers of governance. The nation has instituted a range of anti-corruption bodies and strategies; however, the existing gaps in implementation pose significant obstacles to the effective realisation of these initiatives, thereby hindering efforts to combat or mitigate the prevalence of corruption. The research adopts a qualitative methodology and employs desktop analysis to gather information. The information was obtained through a thorough examination of existing literature and document analyses. The information underwent evaluation through conceptual and documentary content analysis. The findings indicate that cultural and normative frameworks that undermine democracy and the Bill of Rights are perpetuated by corruption. The ethical frameworks that dictate institutional ethics stand in contrast to the principles of public administration. The populace may experience a decline in trust towards governmental institutions and their operations due to the capacity to question the integrity of their elected officials. The article culminates in a proposal for the establishment of codes, strategies, and a culture governed by ethical principles, aimed at fostering ethical values among both employees and employers. It is of paramount significance that individuals embrace personal responsibility and accountability to engage ethically within the workplace, thereby contributing to the overarching organisational culture and values. This research enhances the understanding of public governance, human resource management, organisational development, and leadership studies.

Financial knowledge and behaviour in millennials and Gen Z's turbulent and volatile environment are fundamental behavioural traits for a desirable work-life balance. They could contribute to work motivation and a comfortable social life. However, the financial knowledge, financial literacy and financial behaviour viewed from an organizational context are still far from homogeneity and linearity as Gen Y and Z have to navigate through challenging settings while thriving to enjoy financial and investment-balanced decision-making and problem-solving albeit limited disposable income against a plethora of spending pressures. This study explores the synergy between financial knowledge contribution and financial behaviour that culminates in sound investment prioritisation amongst Gen Y and Z professionals in the employment of public entities. The study used the qualitative research approach to unpack the challenges facing Gen Y and Z from fifteen professionals in navigating a prosperous financial future. The findings revealed that the existential restrictive nature of the economic climate and the sluggish economic growth, characterised by the heightened cost of living and inflationary pressure, have not exempted Gen Y and Z, while the broader society is experiencing the worst unemployment. The findings also revealed that even though the participants are in relatively well-remunerating positions from their respective positions, their financial knowledge and commensurate financial literacy could be superseded by actual financial behaviour, which is symptomatic with the current era of rampant price increases on almost every product, assets and purchases which are meant to improve their standard of living and stable quality of life.  

The absence of a digital platform that facilitates customised and personalised, accurately fitted apparel has created a vacuum for those looking for tailored apparel as a form of individualism that mirrors their perceived personality, attitudes, and behaviour. This research study investigated the need to purchase customised and personalised apparel online in South Africa against the backdrop of evolving disruptive technologies driving a growing global economy and marketplace. This has dramatically influenced the textile and fashion industry to integrate with the digital world. A sample of 100 participants was divided into 4 age categories. A total of 27 responses were collected utilising an online survey questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics on Microsoft Excel. The demand for customised, personalised apparel online has been investigated by analysing who purchases apparel from a dressmaker. The results, while indicating that less than half of the respondents purchase customised, personalised apparel, also highlight a significantly high percentage that does, substantiating the potential of this market. Furthermore, the findings reveal a strong willingness among respondents to use 3D mobile scanning, purchase more if it is more accessible, and participate in the design process online. The study is essential to understanding motivations for purchasing customised and personalised apparel, market demand and consumer preferences to boost local economic growth, and customising and personalising clothing as an individual expression within a unique social context. The outcome will enable customers to partake in online design and add their body measurements to purchase apparel tailored to their specific needs.

Youth unemployment is an ongoing issue that affects individuals domestically and globally, and such a problem has been an issue for a number of years. As a survival approach for economic improvement in most countries, entrepreneurship has been the driving force. There is some evidence that entrepreneurship programs can increase employability. In addition, it can increase motivation for starting a business, particularly among youth who typically have lower levels of self-confidence. To identify how entrepreneurial training interventions can enhance entrepreneurship elf-efficacy among unemployed youth, as systematic review of past study was conducted. Human capital theory was used to explain how human development idea, which encourages economic production through the foundation for skill development and training programs. The theory assists in exploring the intervention programs that enhance self-efficacy in entrepreneurship. The review revealed that there is a direct relationship between training interventions and youth unemployment. It is concluded that training interventions assist the youth to be more informed and skilled, exposing them to venture creation. Therefore, training interventions are the soundest approach to addressing youth unemployment and other socioeconomic issues.

The amalgamation of traditional and modern governance systems represents a transformative advancement in contemporary African government. This study examines the concept of "hybridity governance" within the African context, providing a comprehensive theoretical framework that integrates modern institutional procedures with traditional governance systems. The paper examines the evolution of African governance from pre-colonial to post-colonial eras, illustrating the emergence of hybrid governance as a response to internal dynamics and external influences. It accomplishes this by utilising historical studies. The philosophical underpinnings are investigated, highlighting organisational and social concepts that elucidate the acceptance of hybrid models. The paper elucidates the applications, accomplishments, and challenges of hybrid government in several African nations through various empirical case studies. A critical examination examines the consequences of these governance paradigms for public administration in Africa. It underscores opportunities for innovation and enhanced flexibility, while also emphasising intrinsic challenges such as job ambiguity and conflict. The report concludes with forecasts regarding the future trajectory of hybrid governance in Africa, considering the interplay of local socio-political dynamics, global interconnectedness, and technological advancements. This article serves as a vital resource for policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders interested in the evolving governance paradigm in Africa, providing valuable applications and recommendations.