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This study investigates wearable activity tracker (WAT) adoption intention among South African Generation Y university students by extending the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) to include brand name as a predictor. A cross-sectional survey of 462 Generation Y students from three South African institutions was analyzed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses and structural equation modeling to test relationships between attitude, subjective norm, brand name, and adoption intention. Results indicate that attitude, subjective norm, and brand name significantly influence WAT adoption intention, with attitude as the strongest predictor, followed by brand name. The extended TRA model demonstrated acceptable fit, reliability, and validity, highlighting brand reputation's critical role in reducing perceived risk in emerging markets. The study is limited by its non-probability sample from three campuses in one province, suggesting future research should employ longitudinal designs, expand geographic scope, and incorporate additional constructs. Findings provide practical guidance for WAT manufacturers to prioritize building trustworthy brands and emphasizing health benefits, while marketing strategies leveraging peer influence and affordable pricing can enhance adoption among cost-conscious students. Promoting WAT adoption among youth can advance health awareness and public health goals in developing countries where proactive health monitoring technologies remain underutilized. This study offers one of the first empirical examinations of WAT adoption intention among South African Generation Y students using an extended TRA model. Unlike prior research focused on medical settings or limited samples, this study incorporates brand name as a novel construct, demonstrating its pivotal role in wearable tech adoption. This research contributes original empirical evidence from a developing market context, advancing theoretical and practical understanding of wearable technology adoption.

This research explores the technological factors that influence the adoption of mobile commerce by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Polokwane Municipality. Using a quantitative approach, data were gathered from 146 SME owners, randomly selected from a total population of 261. The study applied descriptive statistics, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and regression techniques to examine the relationships between variables. ANOVA was used to evaluate the sub-hypotheses, while regression analysis tested the primary hypotheses. The instruments used in the study demonstrated strong internal consistency, with all Cronbach’s alpha values exceeding 0.7. Additionally, the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test confirmed that the data met the assumption of normality. The results showed that perceived cost, perceived benefit, and perceived compatibility each play a significant role in influencing m-commerce adoption. These findings offer valuable insights into the internal technological considerations that impact digital uptake in SMEs. The study provides both academic value by contributing to the theoretical understanding of technology adoption, and practical guidance for enhancing m-commerce use within the SME sector, particularly in similar socio-economic environments.

This study evaluates the effects and challenges faced by South African state-owned insurance enterprises in adopting International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) 17, mainly the effects on financial reporting and contract transparency. Research purpose: The study analyses IFRS 17’s effect on the financial reporting practices and the transparency of insurance contracts within these enterprises. This is the first study to explore IFRS 17’s effects on South African state-owned non-life insurance enterprises from a finance management and executive perspective. It aims to identify key challenges and benefits of implementation while assessing its impact on accounting information quality. A qualitative approach was used, with semi-structured virtual interviews conducted among finance executives and management. Data was analysed using ATLAS.ti software to identify themes and patterns related to IFRS 17 adoption. The study found that IFRS 17 adoption has significantly improved transparency and comparability in financial statements, enhancing clarity in presenting insurance contracts. However, challenges such as the complexity of the standard, increased demand for technical expertise and resource allocation issues were identified. It is recommended that finance executives receive additional training and support to navigate IFRS 17 complexities. Strengthening regulatory frameworks will help maximise transparency and financial reporting improvements while mitigating implementation challenges. This study provides valuable insights into IFRS 17 adoption within state-owned insurers, highlighting its benefits and challenges to support informed decision-making in the adoption and implementation of the international accounting standard.

This study investigates the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to improve operational performance in Zimbabwean road haulage enterprises, with a focus on driver training as a moderator. As the logistics industry faces new difficulties, AI technologies have great promise for increasing efficiency and decision making. However, the usefulness of these technologies is determined by the skill levels of the drivers using them. This study demonstrated how extensive driver training improves the capacity to comprehend AI-generated insights, resulting in better route management, lower operating costs, and increased safety. This study examines how AI affects key performance variables such as cost savings, productivity, customer happiness, and environmental sustainability, using real data from road haulage companies. Key findings demonstrate how AI is transforming decision-making, improving operational effectiveness, and optimizing routes. The research highlights several noteworthy obstacles in addition to their obvious advantages, such as budgetary limitations, difficulty in obtaining pertinent data, and the need for more regionalized AI solutions. The findings, which are based on case studies and performance data from diverse enterprises, indicate that (i) organizations that invest in both AI and driver training benefit from a synergistic impact, resulting in higher operational outcomes, (ii) there is need to combine technical improvements with human experience to achieve maximum performance in Zimbabwe's competitive road-haulage market and finally (iii) this study offers helpful recommendations for successfully integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into haulage processes, along with insights into best practices and alternative approaches to overcome current obstacles. This study emphasizes the importance of context-specific solutions in emerging regions, enhancing the expanding corpus of knowledge on AI applications, particularly in logistics.

The Adaptive Market Hypothesis (AMH) allows for a re-evaluation of the relationship between macroeconomic variables and stock market returns, acknowledging that this relationship is time-varying and asymmetrical. This study investigates the impact of macroeconomic factors on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) sector returns under varying market conditions from January 2008 to December 2024. Using a Markov regime-switching model, the findings show that macroeconomic effects on sectoral returns are regime-dependent and time-sensitive. In bullish markets, inflation growth has a significant negative impact on Industrial sector returns, but no significant effect during bearish regimes. For the Financial sector, inflation and money supply growth negatively affect returns, while the real effective exchange rate growth has a positive impact. In the Resource sector, all macroeconomic variables significantly influence returns during bearish conditions, with inflation growth showing a notable negative effect. Overall, JSE sector returns exhibit bull and bear market dynamics, and the influence of macroeconomic variables is neither uniform nor static aligning with the AMH framework.

The efficient integration of young people into the global job market is fundamental to sustainable development, significantly impacting economic stability, social unity, and demographic benefits. This study examines the determinants of youth labour absorption across key economic sectors in South Africa. The study uses the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model to analyse sector-specific time-series data. The empirical findings show that youth labour market outcomes are influenced by both macroeconomic and microeconomic factors, with varying effects across economic sectors. The identified key determinants of youth labour absorption include economic growth, skills levels, labour costs, capital- or labour-intensity, profitability, and investment. In the manufacturing sector, for example, a rising capital-to-labour ratio was identified as one of the key constraints on youth labour absorption, while relatively low labour costs supported youth labour absorption in the community and social services sector. These sector-specific insights highlight the necessity of differentiated policy responses. Accordingly, the study recommends targeted strategies to promote inclusive economic growth, bridge skills mismatches, and encourage investment in labour-intensive industries.

This study aims to provide compelling evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of local economic development (LED) in advancing economic and social development. The research undertook a systematic review of existing literature to assess whether LED strategies have effectively addressed the racially and gender-based socio-economic disparities between affluent and impoverished communities. The analysis revealed that municipal LED efforts have predominantly concentrated on community economic development projects, many of which have turned out to be economically unfeasible with minimal enduring impact on poverty alleviation. Moreover, the collaboration among government entities, local businesses, and the voluntary sector was frequently found to be weak or altogether absent. For significant socio-economic transformation in South Africa, LED policies must emphasize not only an increase in the number of job opportunities but also a diversification of economic activities. Local governments are called upon to play a proactive role in this transformative process. Furthermore, the LED strategy should be comprehensive and not reliant on a limited number of projects. This study This research is characterised by originality and great scientific value, as it underscores the necessity for the national government to take on a leadership position and devise LED guidelines that empower local authorities with the capacity to effectively foster LED activities.

This study investigates the dynamic relationship between credit supply and demand shocks and household consumption in South Africa using a quantile autoregressive distributed lag (QARDL) model. Motivated by the increasing reliance of South African households on debt amid stagnant income growth, rising living costs, and persistent unemployment, the research aims to understand how credit market conditions influence consumption across different segments of the income distribution. Drawing on data spanning from 1970 to 2024, the study incorporates key macroeconomic variables including real GDP per capita, household income per capita, household debt as a percentage of GDP, the credit-to-GDP ratio, inflation, interest rates, and the unemployment rate. The QARDL framework allows for the estimation of both short-run and long-run relationships while accounting for heterogeneity across consumption quantiles. The results indicate that household consumption is more responsive to income shocks and credit availability in the lower and middle quantiles, suggesting heightened sensitivity among poorer households. Credit supply, proxied by the credit-to-GDP ratio, exhibits weak but positive short-run effects, while household debt consistently exerts a negative influence on consumption across all quantiles and time horizons, with stronger effects in lower quantiles. These findings highlight the consumption-depressing effects of excessive debt, especially for financially vulnerable households. Moreover, macroeconomic stability indicators such as inflation and interest rates are found to negatively affect consumption, particularly in lower quantiles, underscoring the uneven transmission of monetary policy. The empirical results support the hypothesis that household debt contributes to financial fragility and undermines consumption over time, while credit supply shocks play a more modest role. The study concludes that policies aimed at improving income stability, managing household debt levels, and enhancing financial inclusion—particularly for low-income groups—are essential for sustaining household consumption and promoting inclusive economic growth in South Africa.

In South Africa, education has been strengthened by granting access to everyone. Yet there are significant differences between the apartheid era and the present. However, during apartheid times the curriculum was different. For example, access was limited, instruction was taught in a language other than English, and political power was all exercised over four distinct groups in the school system during apartheid: Whites, Black people, Indians, and Coloured people. While the current South African education system has been instrumental in enhancing the quality of instruction and learning, technological integration, and government, stakeholder, and non-governmental organization intervention, (NGO). Based on writings published within the context of South Africa, we provide a first critique of the country's educational system. Our main goal is to evaluate the shift in concentration to critique the educational system. This study recommends using quantitative research to investigate the outlook of the South African Education System. The South African Education System is critically outlooked in terms of enhancing in its education system, this is due to the lack of Government and Department of Education (DOE) to take initiative.

South Africa is a developing country characterised by a high rate of unemployment. Unemployment is more prevalent among women and the youth, as they comprise a larger population in South Africa. This has created a higher demand for public services, burdening the government’s ability to provide services. Promotion and funding of community entrepreneurship can ensure that local communities are given the required skills and support to start their businesses to support their families while creating an impact in society. South Africa has many informal businesses in which community members operate, and street vendors are the noted portion that constitutes this informal trading in South Africa. This paper seeks to analyse how the government can implement local economic development (LED) initiatives in a way that promotes and encourages community entrepreneurship. The local government is a sphere closer to the people and is entrusted with implementing LED initiatives in South Africa. The local government has a vital role to play, but it has not done enough to enhance community entrepreneurship in local communities. Based on this premise, this paper will also analyse the key challenges the local government faces in ensuring that community entrepreneurship is encouraged and promoted. This paper is timely. Therefore, the country is currently faced with a higher unemployment rate, which is mostly prevalent among women and the youth, and effective LED initiatives can promote community entrepreneurship in local communities for the betterment of citizens’ lives.

This exploratory analysis investigated the use of cloud accounting within the SME sector in Zimbabwe. This study addresses a significant gap in the existing literature, as no prior research has specifically explored the utilization of cloud accounting within the SME sector in Zimbabwe. The study employed a qualitative research approach using purposive sampling. Data was collected from semi-structured interviews and was thematically analyzed. The study revealed a low utilization of cloud accounting among SMEs in Zimbabwe. The lack of awareness is particularly pronounced, hindering SMEs from recognizing the benefits and functionalities of cloud accounting systems. The study found that SMEs implementing cloud accounting experience many benefits that significantly enhance their financial management processes, operational efficiency, and overall business performance. The study emphasized the need for targeted awareness campaigns, comprehensive training programs, and robust policy support to bridge the knowledge gap and facilitate the widespread adoption of cloud accounting. The findings offer valuable insights for policymakers, educators, and technology vendors aiming to promote the digital transformation of the SME sector in Zimbabwe. Value This study provides valuable insights into the barriers and opportunities for adopting cloud accounting in Zimbabwe's SME sector, highlighting the need for awareness, training, and policy support to drive digital transformation and improve financial management, operational efficiency, and overall business performance.

The global rise in life expectancy has spurred interest in healthy ageing and preventing age-related chronic diseases. Indigenous diets and recreational activities are recognised for promoting longevity and mitigating conditions like cardiovascular disease and dementia. This scoping review, guided by PRISMA-Scr, examined the impact of indigenous dietary practices and recreational activities on healthy ageing and managing age-related diseases. We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and CINAHL Central for peer-reviewed English-language articles (2015–2025), identifying 36,984 records and including 34 studies. Findings show that indigenous diets, rich in plant-based foods, lean proteins, and minimal processed foods, are associated with lower chronic disease prevalence. Recreational activities, such as farming, hunting, and communal dancing, enhance physical fitness, social cohesion, and mental well-being, which are crucial for healthy ageing. Integrating diet and activity in indigenous communities fosters a lifestyle that supports long-term health. These practices offer valuable insights for global ageing strategies. Public health initiatives should adopt culturally sensitive approaches, incorporating traditional diets and activities to improve outcomes. Future research should explore adapting these practices for diverse populations, particularly in urban settings, to enhance their scalability and impact. 

As South Africa enters its fourth decades of democratic governance there is growing debate about the way intergovernmental support and intervention is understood from operational perspectives, particularly as pertains to the management of local government. It is not clear how national and provincial governments apply intergovernmental support, control and checking mechanisms before the mandatory interventions through Section 139 of the Constitution of South Africa (1996) becomes a necessity. This article aims to contribute to this contemporary discourse by providing a critical account of the role of intergovernmental support and intervention to local government in provincial contexts. The article follows qualitative approach. It argues that a capable local government is possible if there is enough intergovernmental support from provincial and national governments. It further argues mandatory interventions are not helpful, and that their parameters should be revisited and certainly, limit those to cases of ‘absolute’ impossibilities. In the end, the article recommended key ‘intergovernmental support’ channels and measures that provinces can use to aid municipalities facing crisis situations.   

South Africa’s journey toward universal health coverage through the proposed National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme reflects a deeply contested terrain of political, economic, and institutional interests. At the heart of the debate lies the struggle to transform an inequitable, dual-tiered healthcare system into a unified platform for equitable access. This article examines the political economy underpinning the NHI discourse by critically unpacking the roles, incentives, and power dynamics of key stakeholder groups, including government institutions, private healthcare providers, civil society, trade unions, political parties, and international actors. Using a political economy analysis framework, the study explores how stakeholder preferences and alignments shape the pace, design, and legitimacy of NHI reforms. It interrogates the conflicting narratives of equity and efficiency, state capacity versus market reliance, and centralized control versus decentralized delivery. Drawing on diverse reports, policy analyses, public submissions, and academic critiques, the research highlights how divergent ideological, financial, and institutional positions influence both policy content and public perception. Evidence from the research indicates that health reform in South Africa is not merely a technical endeavor but a deeply political process. Stakeholders engage in strategic behavior to either support, contest, or reshape the NHI, with implications for policy coherence, implementation feasibility, and constitutional alignment. The article concludes that sustainable health reform depends not only on sound policy design but also on transparent negotiation, inclusive dialogue, and adaptive political strategy. A nuanced understanding of stakeholder dynamics is therefore essential to realizing South Africa’s vision of health equity and universal coverage.

The establishment of South Africa’s 2024 Government of National Unity (GNU) marks a significant departure from post-apartheid electoral norms, raising critical questions about the constitutional viability of coalition governance amid political fragmentation. This paper interrogates whether the existing constitutional framework adequately supports a GNU model under contemporary conditions of socio-economic strain and institutional fragility. Through a qualitative legal analysis of constitutional texts, key policy documents, political declarations, and jurisprudential trends, the study assesses how mechanisms such as separation of powers, executive authority, and intergovernmental cooperation are interpreted and deployed within unity arrangements. It traces the historical emergence of power-sharing in South Africa, comparing the 1994 transitional GNU to the current iteration, and identifies core challenges such as executive ambiguity, accountability erosion, and legal uncertainty. The paper further evaluates the role of civil society, the judiciary, and political culture in safeguarding constitutional order. By synthesizing insights from state performance, party behavior, and legal analysis, it identifies both limitations and reform opportunities within South Africa’s constitutional architecture. The study concludes with recommendations for strengthening democratic resilience through clearer legal design, institutional clarity, and enhanced civic engagement, contributing to global discourse on constitutional adaptability in emerging democracies.

This article critically examines the constitutional tension between the right to freedom of expression and the rights to equality and dignity in adjudicating racially charged political speech in South Africa. It focuses on the controversial chant "Kill the Boer" and interrogates how courts navigate the competing imperatives of protecting political expression while upholding non-racialism, equality, and human dignity. Through doctrinal and comparative analysis, including cases from Kenya and Rwanda, the article identifies inconsistencies in South African jurisprudence, particularly regarding symbolic speech and its real-world impact on minority communities. It highlights the judiciary's tendency to underplay psychological and symbolic harm, which undermines public trust and the transformative vision of the Constitution. The article further addresses the study's limitations, such as the limited engagement with primary data and potential judicial biases. It proposes reforms that prioritise restorative constitutionalism and a more context-sensitive approach to adjudicating hate speech, considering the feasibility of such measures within South Africa’s resource-constrained legal framework. The study contributes to broader debates on how transitional democracies can address historical injustice without enabling new forms of exclusion or harm.

The movement to decolonize education in Africa has gained significant momentum as scholars, policymakers, and communities critically assess the legacy of colonial education systems. This research explores the imperative for curriculum reform, the re-evaluation of language policy, and the integration of indigenous knowledge systems as key strategies for advancing decolonization. The paper investigates how colonial epistemologies persist within educational structures, hindering efforts to cultivate culturally relevant and locally grounded pedagogies. By analyzing the implications of current policies and practices in various African countries, the study sheds light on the tensions and opportunities in transforming educational content and delivery. The research draws on qualitative data from case studies, policy documents, and academic literature to assess the readiness of African institutions to embrace a decolonized framework. Emphasis is placed on the significance of language as a vehicle of cultural identity and the crucial role of community knowledge holders in shaping curricula. Furthermore, the study considers how early childhood, primary, and higher education systems can benefit from inclusive and pluralistic approaches that validate African worldviews. The findings illustrate that while there are ongoing challenges, such as institutional resistance and resource limitations, there are also promising initiatives that reflect a commitment to epistemic justice. Ultimately, this paper proposes a strategic, context-sensitive approach to decolonizing education that acknowledges historical injustices while laying the foundation for a more equitable and empowering learning environment across the continent.

This study examines the impact of customer, supplier, and competitor pressures on the adoption of mobile commerce (m-commerce) by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Polokwane, South Africa. The research follows a quantitative approach, with data collected from 146 randomly selected SMEs out of a total population of 261. A structured questionnaire was used to measure the pressures from customers, suppliers, and competitors, all assessed using a five-point Likert scale. Reliability of the constructs was confirmed with Cronbach's alpha coefficients exceeding 0.7, and the normality of the data was verified through the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. To analyse the data, ANOVA and regression analysis were applied. The findings reveal that customer, supplier, and competitor pressures significantly influence SMEs’ decisions to adopt m-commerce solutions. These results contribute to the understanding of external factors that shape technology adoption in SMEs, offering both theoretical insights and practical implications. SMEs that respond to these pressures may improve their competitive position by integrating mobile technologies into their operations, leading to better market responsiveness and enhanced business processes. This research provides a foundation for future studies on mobile commerce adoption, focusing on underexplored external influences.

The adoption of Western-style judicial attire, particularly wigs, by black judges in Africa has long been a contentious issue. Originating from colonial history, this practice raises significant questions about cultural identity, autonomy, and the symbolic meanings of such attire. Judicial wigs, designed for the cultural and climatic context of 17th-century England, were transplanted to Africa during colonial rule, where their relevance has been increasingly challenged. This paper explores the historical roots of judicial wigs, their symbolic role, and their implications in post-colonial African judicial systems. Using decolonization theories and cultural identity frameworks, the paper argues that retaining this tradition perpetuates symbolic degradation and alienation from African heritage. Judicial reform efforts across Africa are examined to identify culturally meaningful alternatives that uphold judicial decorum while embracing local traditions. By advocating for attire reflective of African heritage and dignity, the paper contributes to broader discussions on decolonization and institutional reform in post-colonial societies.

Education remains a cornerstone of sustainable development and social equity, particularly in post-apartheid South Africa, where historical disparities in access and quality persist. The Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill introduces wide-ranging reforms, including the compulsory introduction of Grade R, regulation of school admissions and language policies, formalisation of homeschooling, and a complete prohibition of corporal punishment. These reforms aim to enhance fairness and inclusivity but raise critical questions regarding constitutional rights, cultural diversity, and the socio-political feasibility of implementation. This article critically analyses the BELA Bill within an international context, drawing on comparative insights from multilingual and education-forward countries such as Canada, Finland, Norway, and New Zealand. Through a qualitative review of policy documents, academic literature, and case studies, the study identifies opportunities and challenges in implementing the bill’s provisions. The analysis highlights the importance of stakeholder engagement, capacity building, and robust monitoring frameworks to ensure successful reform. Aligning with global trends in education transformation, the BELA Bill presents an opportunity to redefine South Africa’s education system as more inclusive, equitable, and responsive to societal needs. However, the realisation of these goals will depend on pragmatic, context-sensitive implementation that accounts for South Africa’s diverse linguistic and cultural landscape.