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There is scant literature available in South Africa that explores the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of student nursing trainees and other healthcare workers who deliver sexual health services to sexual and gender minority (SGM) communities with unique health needs. An online, mixed-method, questionnaire-based survey was employed to conveniently sample 39/78 (50%) final-year Bachelor of Nursing students from the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal to understand their knowledge, attitudes and perceptions. Descriptive statistics were applied for quantitative results and thematic analysis was used for free-text qualitative data. Results suggested that over 67% of the participants lack the skills and knowledge to obtain a comprehensive history salient to the health needs of SGM populations. Students reported that social upbringing and religious beliefs impact the care they render, with many showing favourable attitudes toward the SGM community. Overall, students reported no content related to SGMs in the current nursing curriculum, however, students were receptive, highlighting the need to be clinically competent to provide relevant healthcare for SGM to meet their sexual health needs. It thus require that students must be trained and have included the SGM content in their curriculum to meet the sexual health needs of SGM population to enable non discriminatory, equitable health provision. being informed and having the necessary skills and knowledge obtained during training in the health institutions of higher learning can address the issues of greatest concern related to the HIV health needs of SGM populations.

Talent development in the modern age needs to translate into self-employability. The study aims to investigate the relationship between Talent Development and Self Employability amongst Actors in the creative industry of South Africa and how Talent Development impacts Employability amongst this group. This study is important for Actors to have a framework to assist them with developing their talent for employability purposes. Underpinned by the post-positivism philosophy and using a deductive reasoning approach, the study chose a quantitative research design and Cagne’s Expanded Model of Talent Development as the theoretical framework of the study. The population of the study was the film and television Actors (N=325) as the study’s participants and accounting for the entire population. Simple random probability sampling was chosen (n=150) as it seeks to generalize the findings of the study to the entire population. The data collection tool was a 5-point self-administered structured questionnaire. The data collection instrument was pre-tested using a small sample and the data gathered was analyzed using quantitative data analysis methods which will be used for the main analysis, aided by Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27. The study found a clear association between Talent Development and Self-perceived Employability with both constructs having a positive medium correlation. The main elements making a significant contribution were the Actors' cognitive abilities as well as their motivation and they needed to work on their mentorship. The finding of the study seeks to improve the theoretical understanding of talent development and further recommendations for managers within the creative industry to create formal mentorship programmes to aid upcoming Actors.

COVID-19 was a pandemic that hit the global world in late 2019, and by 2020 the international sectors were grounded with lockdowns. The lockdowns restricted human movement and gatherings to control the fast-rising waves of the deadly virus across the globe. The education system was significantly impacted as schools were shut down. Thus, academic activities conventionally face-to-face in African learning institutions were suspended for months before teaching and learning was transited to online, amidst many challenges, prospects and opportunities. Hence, this systematic literature review investigates the multifaceted impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on educational transformation within African higher education, especially rural universities in the South African context. The review synthesises peer-reviewed articles, reports, and studies published from early 2020 to the present, analysing the challenges institutions face, innovative strategies employed, and potential long-term implications. The findings highlight the rapid shift to online learning, equity and inclusivity concerns, pedagogical innovations, assessment modifications, faculty development initiatives, and mental health considerations. The review underscores the pandemic's role in accelerating educational change and promoting the adoption of technology-enhanced learning in African higher education while also emphasising the importance of addressing digital disparities and ensuring educational equity.

The significance of professional development in the educational system cannot be overstated as it has a direct impact on the quality of teaching and learning. Furthermore, it has the potential to shape the classroom practices and performances of teachers. Teachers participate in diverse professional development endeavours to enhance their instructional methodologies. The efficacy of said activities is contingent upon their influence on pedagogical practices within the classroom. The process of selecting three department heads and five teachers from a pool of eight public high schools in the King Cetshwayo District of KwaZulu-Natal Province was conducted through purposive means. The present study employed a qualitative research methodology to gather data from a sample of economics teachers. Specifically, semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted with five teachers from each of the five schools. Additionally, a focus group interview was conducted with the three heads of departments (HoDs) from three high schools, which were selected based on convenience. The Andragogy theory served as a theoretical framework that formed the basis for the professional development activities of teachers. The data that was gathered has been presented thematically and through interpretation. Teachers expressed dissatisfaction with the insufficient and sporadic professional development opportunities they have participated in. The training sessions and workshops failed to cater to the specific requirements of the classroom and were conducted during hours that caused interference with their classroom engagements. The teachers expressed the belief that their professional requirements should be evaluated through consultation, assessment, or observation by senior teachers or Heads of Departments. It is recommended that teachers receive regular training and workshops on a termly basis, with sufficient support provided to ensure their attendance. Effective monitoring and follow-up procedures are imperative for the achievement of favourable outcomes in professional development.

The effects of idealised influence as one of the four components of transformational leadership serve as a critical dimension of leadership style. Others include inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, and gaining the admiration, trust, and respect of the followers. However, this study focuses on the context of employee resistance to change and its varying dimensions about the role idealised influence plays as a mediator in mitigating resistance to change and facilitating a successful change implementation at selected automobile dealerships in eThekwini Region of KwaZulu-Natal. Idealised influence refers to the leader’s ability to act as role model and gain the admiration of employees and by so doing, positively influence employee’s resistance to change. The study examines the effects of idealised influence on employee resistance to change at the automobile dealership organisations in the eThekwini Region of KwaZulu-Natal. The study investigates the mediating role of idealised influence on employee resistance to change at the automobile dealership organisations in the eThekwini Region of KwaZulu-Natal. Assessment was based on the effect of this leadership style component and its impact on employees’ willingness to accept or resist changes introduced at the selected organisations. Of the 270 staff members identified for participation, 196 questionnaires were returned and analysed using the convergent data analysis as well as the Structural Equation Model (SEM). The study revealed that the idealised influence is positively associated with the staff quick acceptance of change. The study improves the existing framework with regards to understanding how leaders with idealised influence can facilitate change management acceptance of employees by embracing and inculcating the essence of idealised influence. The results can help managers and change management interventionists formulate human resource development to improve change management planning programmmes.

The study looked at the role and contribution of entrepreneurship industry to foster social and economic development through small, micro, and medium-sized businesses in South Africa. The conceptual research looked at the influence of small, micro, and medium-sized businesses (SMMEs) on South African development. The study's objective was to evaluate how small, medium-sized businesses (SMMEs) are now driving economic growth and solving social issues in a setting where big businesses and governments appear to be doing very little. As a result, the study examines how SMMEs might help the nation solve persistent societal evils including poverty, inequality, and social isolation. A desktop literature review research design was adopted to collect data on the role of entrepreneurship in South Africa, policies and practices of big business and government that exacerbate social issues in communities and impede socioeconomic development, as well as the specific roles that SMMEs play in achieving socioeconomic development goals. Findings from research indicate that, among other development outcomes, SMMEs are at the vanguard of creating jobs and fostering social and political justice in the nation. Future empirical studies that account for and evaluate the importance of SMME contributions to the construction of economic, social, and political justice in the nation are advised because this work lacks the empirical support necessary to substantiate its conclusions and observations.  

The present study undertakes an analysis of monitoring and evaluation as a pragmatic methodology for enhancing the efficacy of municipalities in the context of South Africa. Research findings indicate that a significant obstacle faced by South African municipalities is the issue of substandard performance. These aspects can be linked to several reasons, such as inadequate allocation of resources, limitations in capacity, and deficiencies in monitoring and assessment processes. This article posits that the use of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) is crucial in addressing instances of suboptimal performance within municipalities. There exists a necessity to enhance the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) systems in order to attain efficient performance management and ensure the provision of high-quality service delivery. The research was conducted among three distinct municipalities, namely Amajuba, uThukela, and uMgungundlovu, located in the province of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). The sample population comprised of municipal officials belonging to the Performance Management System (PMS) and Corporate Services units. The study employed a qualitative methodology and deliberately selected important participants who possessed knowledge and a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter under investigation. Furthermore, it is worth noting that the sample size consisted of 20 people. The researchers organized focus group conversations in order to gather data, which was subsequently controlled through the utilization of the NVivo software application. The findings of the study indicate that monitoring and evaluation (M&E) is a crucial component in enhancing the performance of local government. Its primary purpose is to establish the essential circumstances for achieving greater levels of performance that are sustainable over an extended period. Municipalities are required to demonstrate a firm dedication to the prioritization and adoption of municipal monitoring and evaluation (M&E) as an essential tool for facilitating progressive local governance. This commitment involves the institutionalization of M&E practices, the enforcement of mandatory adherence to established systems and procedures, the integration of information technology systems to enhance and fortify the implementation of M&E, and the utilization of participatory M&E approaches to assess the effectiveness of municipal functions and development endeavors.

The installation and maintenance of water infrastructure in South African cities poses a challenge to communities, municipalities, and installation contractors, who face problems such as inadequate access to homes, traffic jams, inadequately barricaded trenches, leaking water pipes, water supply cut-offs, vandalism, and theft of water. The research problem, therefore, involves an inadequate understanding of what drives these problems and how to mitigate them through better management. The aim of this study was to investigate the challenges of managing water infrastructure as perceived by the citizens of a South African municipality. The study was a descriptive and cross-sectional survey, with data collected, via a literature derived, emailed questionnaire, from a self-selected non-probability sample of 402 City of Tshwane residents. Analysis, via SPSS Version 27, used descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings revealed that both the municipality and the contractors contributed to the challenges experienced by citizens, with maintenance challenges being more serious than installation challenges. Municipal and political challenges were the main drivers, with political ownership of construction companies and political interference being the biggest problems. The findings contributed to a better understanding of the challenges inhibiting effective installation and maintenance of water infrastructure, and are important to the municipality, and the community at large, because they contribute to a better understanding of service delivery from the citizens’ perspectives.

Business intelligence (BI) can assist businesses with the analysis of information to make better decisions to improve business performance; however, a lack of research with respect to the adoption of BI tools specifically in the SMME apparel sector has been observed. Developments in information technology (IT) have led to an increase in competitiveness among providers, resulting in a plethora of offerings for customers to choose from. As such, businesses are operating in evolving and complex environments where business intelligence systems (BIS) have become essential. The aim of this study was to establish the factors that influence the adoption of BI by micro-small apparel retailers in KwaZulu-Natal. The study was a cross-sectional survey that sampled 132 apparel business owners who were selected using purposive sampling. A survey questionnaire was used to collect the data. The data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 13.0. This study found that the main inhibitors to the adoption of BI systems among small apparel retailers are cost-related. However, an interesting finding was that although cost had a negative relationship to adoption in the results, most of the respondents still indicated that they were able to make financial plans to adopt BI. The study recommends that small apparel business owners prioritize the adoption of BI as a tool for business operations. The adoption of such tools would have a net positive effect on the operations of such businesses.

This study investigates the total rewards (TR) and employee retention (ER) to understand whether better remuneration leads to retention among the employees of First Aluminum of Nigeria. It further emphasizes and reviews the findings of previous articles and journals conducted by various researchers to establish rewards' efficacy in attracting and retaining employees in any given organisation. The study aimed to explore the total reward instruments to attract and retain employees in an organisation. A quantitative design using a sample of 270 employees working in the First Aluminum of Nigeria is adopted. Self-administered questionnaires were administered to employees as respondents for data collection. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and tables and figures were used to present data. Arising from the empirical findings and comparison with the concept of this study, a discussion on the differences and similarities is made. This study reveals weight and ascertains various kinds of rewards, such as extrinsic, intrinsic, and total rewards, to attract and retain employees at the organization. Thus, this study summarised the results of existing literature on the factors influencing ER at FAN, such as salary; benefits package; compensation; developmental opportunities and quality supervision; compensation and appreciation of work done; promotion, and development opportunities.   It is, therefore, contextualized that growth and advancement opportunities do not influence the ER as a monetary reward does.

Loyalty Programs (LPs) aim to increase profit by rewarding, with various benefits, customers who patronize the retailer. This study investigated the benefits LPs provide in the South African Fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) marketplace and how these influence relationship quality and loyalty between retailer and customer. How the perceived benefits of LPs contribute to relationship quality (satisfaction, trust and commitment), and how they lead to loyalty are examined. To illustrate these relationships, a model showing three independent (perceived benefits, namely altruistic, consumeristic, and egoistic) and three dependent variables (relationship quality, namely trust, satisfaction, and commitment), plus customer loyalty, was developed. A quantitative survey was administered electronically over 11 days to a randomly selected sample of 5000 consumers per day from a commercial database, resulting in 1944 responses. After the deletion of incomplete or inappropriate responses, 479 usable replies remained. Since this sample was self-selected, it should be considered a convenience sample. Structural equation modelling (SEM) with confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was applied to test the hypotheses and develop the model. SEM indicated that respondents consider egoistic and consumeristic benefits as the same. Furthermore, trust and satisfaction manifest as a single construct. Both consumeristic and altruistic benefits had a significant positive relationship with this unified construct of trust/satisfaction, and the relationship between altruistic benefits and commitment was also positive and significant. Finally, although neither altruistic nor consumeristic benefits appeared to contribute directly to loyalty, a positive relationship existed between the new construct of trust/satisfaction and those of commitment and loyalty. The pathway to loyalty is indirect, and to reach this sought-after goal, relationship quality constructs must first be achieved.

Oral interpreting in the setting of diverse languages and multicultural congregants is often understood as integrating the message's content to the receiver. Like any communication or campaign, preaching or sermon takes people's multiple contexts seriously. The one who provides the best insight into understanding "the other," traditionally speaking, could be an interpreter in a multilingual context. Nonetheless, there are reflections, replications, and the loss of spiritual communication with sermonic translation and interpretive dialogue. Sometimes, the sermon the preacher delivers is only the one the congregation hears through the interpreter. In other occurrences, however, interpreting can lead not only to distorted messages but also to dissatisfied audiences and preachers being overshadowed by the pranks of the interpreter. Understanding the context of litotes and hyperbolism embedded in rhetoric and the features of the language, no matter how eloquent the preacher is, an understatement, overemphasis, or repetition of words by the interpreter can make or mar the sermon (speech). Using a qualitative methodology, this paper explores the divergences and conventional assumptions about preachers' interpreters as influenced by spirituality, culture, and language from an empirical and theoretical perspective. Biased translation and the basis of reality suppressing or devaluing spiritual/sacred communication are examined. The results indicate that the interpretation of the declaration of guilt, the history of the congregation, spirituality, attitudes, morals, customs, specific practices, the education of the interpreter, and the environment form intertwined interpreting and misinterpretation. The paper concludes by re-examining these qualities and rearticulating them into a preliminary theory for practice, distinguished from theory, which could enhance the development of more sustainable multilingual interpretation in South African Pentecostal churches.

Prior to China’s reform, the poverty count surpassed that of the whole African continent. However, within five years, the Chinese could reverse this narrative. Between 1980 and 2020, China lifted a staggering 800 million citizens out of poverty. By February 2021, the Chinese declared that the war on ‘absolute poverty’ had been won when measured using the standard equivalence of $2.30 a day per person. In consonance with the Chinese feat on poverty, the study examines the strategy adopted in defeating poverty and highlights fundamental lessons that rural developmental stakeholders in South Africa may embrace in achieving a similar feat. To achieve this aim, the study adopted a literature review alongside a desktop analysis in deducing critical lessons from the Chinese war on poverty that may apply to rural developmental stakeholders in South Africa. Hence, an extensive assemblage of earlier studies on Chinese poverty alleviation strategies was looked into systematically. The study highlights potential challenges the South African rural developmental stakeholders may face in an attempt to replicate the Chinese stratagem. The study thus concludes with practical steps rural developmental stakeholders in South Africa may adopt to create viable rural spaces devoid of egregious forms of poverty.

Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) are the key players in the township tourism sector, which contributes substantially to the growth of the economy in South Africa. Township tourism SMMEs are critical to uplifting the rural and township economies. However, they remain marginalized and continue to struggle to be sustainable. The following paper explains how much township tourism SMMEs use to stay sustainable. The paper aims to identify SMMEs involved in township tourism. The paper also aims to establish factors influencing the sustainability of township tourism SMMEs. In addition, the paper also aims to determine the competitive strategy for the sustainability of township tourism SMMEs. The study adopted a positivist research paradigm through a quantitative approach and a survey research design. As a result of having no reliable available sampling frame, a non-probability sampling strategy was adopted, and relevant data was generated through questionnaires. The data was gathered from 61 owners or managers of township tourism SMMEs, in uMlazi, Durban. This paper’s findings revealed that the most influential factors affecting the sustainability of township tourism SMMEs were a lack of funding, strong business competition, and poor business location. The study's findings revealed that only a few entrepreneurs applied a competitive strategy to their businesses. From the data analyzed, relevant recommendations and conclusions were also drawn

Leadership is a core component of organizational management, but its functions are getting more complex with the increasing involvement of changes taking place in the world. As such, the complicated operation of managing cognitive rigidity as a form of resistance to change amongst employees is very critical. On the other hand, resistance to change is described as one of the impediments to organizational expansion due to its negative consequences. To cope with change, there is a need for an effective leadership style. This study focuses on the association between change leadership styles, i.e., transformational and transactional leadership styles with cognitive rigidity as a form of resistance to change. The study further seeks to investigate the impact of these leadership styles on employees’ resistance to cognitive rigidity at the selected automobile dealerships in the Durban Metropolitan Region of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. Theories on change and leadership styles have been considered in this paper. A descriptive survey design was adopted to collect information from a stratified sample size using self-administered questionnaires to 170 staff at automotive dealerships in the metropolitan of Durban in South Africa. Pearson correlational and regression analysis were employed to analyze data. Results indicated significant correlations between these change leadership styles and cognitive rigidity as a form of resistance to change. However, the transactional leadership style revealed a more substantial possibility of increasing resistance to change. The study recommends that management practice the transformational leadership style to encourage employee participation in the decision, build confidence, accept constructive criticisms, effective communication and transparency, thereby reducing rigidity.