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The integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in education has the potential to enhance teaching and learning; however, several barriers hinder its effective adoption in South African schools. The paper reports on the study that examined the barrier to sustainable integration of ICT in Pietermaritzburg public secondary schools. The study used qualitative interview technique to collect data from 20 teachers. The Technology Organisation Environment (TOE) framework was used as a theoretical framework. The findings reveal that a lack of technological pedagogical content knowledge among teachers, high ICT infrastructure support costs, resource constraints, resistance to change, and theft and vandalization of ICT equipment significantly impact ICT adoption. Many teachers lack essential ICT skills, which affects their confidence in integrating technology into their teaching practices. Financial constraints further limit schools from maintaining ICT infrastructure, and resistance from experienced educators impedes change. Additionally, frequent theft and vandalization of ICT resources pose a serious risk, further hampering implementation. To address these challenges, the study recommends capacity-building initiatives to enhance teacher training, increased financial and technical support for schools, leadership-driven encouragement of ICT adoption, targeted awareness campaigns to mitigate resistance, strengthened security measures to protect ICT infrastructure, and equitable distribution of ICT resources to bridge the digital divide. A strategic and collaborative approach is essential to overcoming these barriers and ensuring effective ICT integration in South African schools.

Management appointments do not represent gender equality, even though men and women are given equal opportunity. Social conventions and laws have supported male-dominated workplaces. This qualitative, exploratory, descriptive, and contextual study used a phenomenological technique to examine women's management experiences in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng, South Africa. The intended audience was managerial women. Purposive sampling, unstructured individual interviews, and inductive topic analysis were used. Trustworthiness was determined by credibility, transferability, reliability, and confirmability. Promoting autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice was ethical. This study found workplace gender bias, male resistance to female leadership, gender intimidation, and a non-supportive work atmosphere. These data may help create workplace recommendations for women in managerial roles.

This paper aims to explore how Traditional Healers (THs) and Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) support women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period in Soweto, Johannesburg. Traditional healing remains a central part of maternal healthcare in South Africa, where cultural beliefs and accessibility influence women’s health-seeking behaviours. Using a qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive design, data were collected through key informant interviews with eight participants (five THs and three TBAs) selected through purposive sampling. Thematic analysis was employed to identify patterns in traditional knowledge, practices, and beliefs related to maternal healthcare. Findings revealed that THs and TBAs play an essential role across the maternal care continuum. In the diagnostic phase, they identify fertility challenges, breech pregnancies, and spiritual causes of illness through ancestral guidance, bone divination, and dreams. During the antenatal period, they provide herbal remedies such as isihlambezo to cleanse and strengthen the womb and perform protective rituals against witchcraft and evil spirits. In the perinatal stage, TBAs assist with labour management, delivery, and placental expulsion using culturally informed methods. Their postnatal care includes uterine cleansing, breastfeeding support, newborn care, and follow-up home visits. These practices, grounded in indigenous knowledge systems, coexist with biomedical care and remain vital due to their cultural resonance and accessibility. The study concludes that strengthening collaboration between traditional and biomedical health systems could enhance culturally sensitive, community-based approaches to maternal healthcare in South Africa.

The evolving perceptions of trust within the community about both national and local government have substantial ramifications for the long-term viability of the nation's democracy and the degree of societal trust. This study sought to evaluate the degree of public trust among South African adults in their national and municipal governments, as well as to analyse the variables influencing this trust. The report underscores considerable scepticism in South African national and local administrations, attributable to performance deficiencies, inadequate service delivery, absence of transparency, and insufficient community participation. Individuals associated with the ANC exhibit comparatively more trust owing to past allegiance. We advocate promoting reforms to restore public trust by enhancing governance processes, increasing transparency, and ensuring efficient service delivery, especially for marginalised areas.

Although telehealth use in social work practice is not a new concept, its adoption has significantly increased in recent years due to growth in technology use and the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there exist gaps in understanding how social workers are using and experiencing telehealth in their practice. This scoping review synthesizes literature on the use of telehealth in social work practice. Guided by Arksey and O’Malley, we will search for literature on five databases: Web of Science, PUBMED, SCOPUS, PsycINFO, and CINAHL. Using Rayyan screening software, two independent reviewers will screen articles at the title, abstract, and full-text levels. Key characteristics and key themes of the selected articles that meet the inclusion criteria will be charted on a Microsoft Excel sheet. Qualitative thematic analysis will be used to analyze the themes. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) will be used to report the scoping review processes. The review will contribute to the broader understanding of telehealth in social work practice and inform the development of best practices and current gaps in research on telehealth in social work practice. The results will be disseminated to researchers, schools of social work, and practitioners through manuscript publications and relevant conferences.

This paper aims to explore how Traditional Healers (THs) and Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) support women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period in Soweto, Johannesburg. Traditional healing remains a central part of maternal healthcare in South Africa, where cultural beliefs and accessibility influence women’s health-seeking behaviours. Using a qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive design, data were collected through key informant interviews with eight participants (five THs and three TBAs) selected through purposive sampling. Thematic analysis was employed to identify patterns in traditional knowledge, practices, and beliefs related to maternal healthcare. Findings revealed that THs and TBAs play an essential role across the maternal care continuum. In the diagnostic phase, they identify fertility challenges, breech pregnancies, and spiritual causes of illness through ancestral guidance, bone divination, and dreams. During the antenatal period, they provide herbal remedies such as isihlambezo to cleanse and strengthen the womb and perform protective rituals against witchcraft and evil spirits. In the perinatal stage, TBAs assist with labour management, delivery, and placental expulsion using culturally informed methods. Their postnatal care includes uterine cleansing, breastfeeding support, newborn care, and follow-up home visits. These practices, grounded in indigenous knowledge systems, coexist with biomedical care and remain vital due to their cultural resonance and accessibility. The study concludes that strengthening collaboration between traditional and biomedical health systems could enhance culturally sensitive, community-based approaches to maternal healthcare in South Africa.

Management appointments do not represent gender equality, even though men and women are given equal opportunity. Social conventions and laws have supported male-dominated workplaces. This qualitative, exploratory, descriptive, and contextual study used a phenomenological technique to examine women's management experiences in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng, South Africa. The intended audience was managerial women. Purposive sampling, unstructured individual interviews, and inductive topic analysis were used. Trustworthiness was determined by credibility, transferability, reliability, and confirmability. Promoting autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice was ethical. This study found workplace gender bias, male resistance to female leadership, gender intimidation, and a non-supportive work atmosphere. These data may help create workplace recommendations for women in managerial roles.

The evolving perceptions of trust within the community about both national and local government have substantial ramifications for the long-term viability of the nation's democracy and the degree of societal trust. This study sought to evaluate the degree of public trust among South African adults in their national and municipal governments, as well as to analyse the variables influencing this trust. The report underscores considerable scepticism in South African national and local administrations, attributable to performance deficiencies, inadequate service delivery, absence of transparency, and insufficient community participation. Individuals associated with the ANC exhibit comparatively more trust owing to past allegiance. We advocate promoting reforms to restore public trust by enhancing governance processes, increasing transparency, and ensuring efficient service delivery, especially for marginalised areas.

Although telehealth use in social work practice is not a new concept, its adoption has significantly increased in recent years due to growth in technology use and the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there exist gaps in understanding how social workers are using and experiencing telehealth in their practice. This scoping review synthesizes literature on the use of telehealth in social work practice. Guided by Arksey and O’Malley, we will search for literature on five databases: Web of Science, PUBMED, SCOPUS, PsycINFO, and CINAHL. Using Rayyan screening software, two independent reviewers will screen articles at the title, abstract, and full-text levels. Key characteristics and key themes of the selected articles that meet the inclusion criteria will be charted on a Microsoft Excel sheet. Qualitative thematic analysis will be used to analyze the themes. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) will be used to report the scoping review processes. The review will contribute to the broader understanding of telehealth in social work practice and inform the development of best practices and current gaps in research on telehealth in social work practice. The results will be disseminated to researchers, schools of social work, and practitioners through manuscript publications and relevant conferences.

The integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in education has the potential to enhance teaching and learning; however, several barriers hinder its effective adoption in South African schools. The paper reports on the study that examined the barrier to sustainable integration of ICT in Pietermaritzburg public secondary schools. The study used qualitative interview technique to collect data from 20 teachers. The Technology Organisation Environment (TOE) framework was used as a theoretical framework. The findings reveal that a lack of technological pedagogical content knowledge among teachers, high ICT infrastructure support costs, resource constraints, resistance to change, and theft and vandalization of ICT equipment significantly impact ICT adoption. Many teachers lack essential ICT skills, which affects their confidence in integrating technology into their teaching practices. Financial constraints further limit schools from maintaining ICT infrastructure, and resistance from experienced educators impedes change. Additionally, frequent theft and vandalization of ICT resources pose a serious risk, further hampering implementation. To address these challenges, the study recommends capacity-building initiatives to enhance teacher training, increased financial and technical support for schools, leadership-driven encouragement of ICT adoption, targeted awareness campaigns to mitigate resistance, strengthened security measures to protect ICT infrastructure, and equitable distribution of ICT resources to bridge the digital divide. A strategic and collaborative approach is essential to overcoming these barriers and ensuring effective ICT integration in South African schools.