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The South African construction sector is confronted by significant obstacles, particularly concerning cost overruns and project delays within the road construction sphere. This research sought to investigate the factors impacting cost and duration in road construction projects under the purview of a KwaZulu-Natal municipality. A qualitative research approach was adopted to explore this phenomenon. A sample size of 27 participants was selected from a population of 171 for in-depth semi-structured interviews. Critical determinants of cost overruns and delays were identified as ineffective communication, suboptimal procurement processes, deficient stakeholder management, and shortcomings in project execution and personnel capabilities. This study offers valuable insights into the relationship between cost, time, and the successful delivery of road projects within the local government context. By illuminating these factors, the research contributes to a deeper theoretical understanding, informs evidence-based policy development, and provides actionable recommendations for enhancing project management practices.

The role of academic mentoring has now become a crucial educational practice not only for student’s academic success and achievement, but also, faculties development and institutional growth. However, the effectiveness of mentoring process is difficult to measure due to a lack of conceptual clarity about the mentoring practices and programs in higher education institutions. In South African universities, mentoring practices face unique challenges and opportunities due to the country’s historical background. Therefore, this literature review conceptualizes academic mentoring by looking at the programs, methods and outcomes associated with academic mentoring in South African universities. An Integrative Qualitative Analysis was employed to review a total of 13 studies that was conducted between 2016 and 2024, and identify three themes namely; Impacts of academic mentoring on student’s performance, Roles of cultural and linguistic diversity on enhancing academic mentoring, and Significance for Integrating mentoring practices into institutional policies. Findings provide a foundation for future research and offer practical recommendations for enhancing academic mentoring practices in South African universities.  

Access to health insurance is vital for achieving Universal Health Coverage, yet barriers such as high costs, inadequate coverage, and systemic inefficiencies often impede access to necessary health care. This study evaluated access to the National Health Insurance Scheme-provided services among enrollees at the outpatient department (OPD) of Levy Mwanawasa University Teaching Hospital (LMUTH) in Lusaka, Zambia, chosen for its role as a pioneering NHIS-accredited facility and its significance as a major publicly funded referral hospital. Data were collected in May 2024 from 270 systematically sampled NHIS enrollees at the OPD of LMUTH using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Descriptive analysis revealed a balanced gender distribution, with most respondents aged 35 and above, married, holding tertiary education, and earning a monthly Zambian Kwacha (ZMW) of 20,000 or less. The thematic analysis using NVivo uncovered positive and negative experiences with NHIS services, highlighting issues such as medical service availability, drug shortages, service delays, technological problems, communication challenges, equity in service delivery, and coverage gaps. The key policy implications for improving access to NHIS services include enhancing supply chains, digital infrastructure, coverage to rural areas, staff training, public awareness of the NHIS, and information technology systems.

The role of academic mentoring has now become a crucial educational practice not only for student’s academic success and achievement, but also, faculties development and institutional growth. However, the effectiveness of mentoring process is difficult to measure due to a lack of conceptual clarity about the mentoring practices and programs in higher education institutions. In South African universities, mentoring practices face unique challenges and opportunities due to the country’s historical background. Therefore, this literature review conceptualizes academic mentoring by looking at the programs, methods and outcomes associated with academic mentoring in South African universities. An Integrative Qualitative Analysis was employed to review a total of 13 studies that was conducted between 2016 and 2024, and identify three themes namely; Impacts of academic mentoring on student’s performance, Roles of cultural and linguistic diversity on enhancing academic mentoring, and Significance for Integrating mentoring practices into institutional policies. Findings provide a foundation for future research and offer practical recommendations for enhancing academic mentoring practices in South African universities.  

Access to health insurance is vital for achieving Universal Health Coverage, yet barriers such as high costs, inadequate coverage, and systemic inefficiencies often impede access to necessary health care. This study evaluated access to the National Health Insurance Scheme-provided services among enrollees at the outpatient department (OPD) of Levy Mwanawasa University Teaching Hospital (LMUTH) in Lusaka, Zambia, chosen for its role as a pioneering NHIS-accredited facility and its significance as a major publicly funded referral hospital. Data were collected in May 2024 from 270 systematically sampled NHIS enrollees at the OPD of LMUTH using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Descriptive analysis revealed a balanced gender distribution, with most respondents aged 35 and above, married, holding tertiary education, and earning a monthly Zambian Kwacha (ZMW) of 20,000 or less. The thematic analysis using NVivo uncovered positive and negative experiences with NHIS services, highlighting issues such as medical service availability, drug shortages, service delays, technological problems, communication challenges, equity in service delivery, and coverage gaps. The key policy implications for improving access to NHIS services include enhancing supply chains, digital infrastructure, coverage to rural areas, staff training, public awareness of the NHIS, and information technology systems.

The South African construction sector is confronted by significant obstacles, particularly concerning cost overruns and project delays within the road construction sphere. This research sought to investigate the factors impacting cost and duration in road construction projects under the purview of a KwaZulu-Natal municipality. A qualitative research approach was adopted to explore this phenomenon. A sample size of 27 participants was selected from a population of 171 for in-depth semi-structured interviews. Critical determinants of cost overruns and delays were identified as ineffective communication, suboptimal procurement processes, deficient stakeholder management, and shortcomings in project execution and personnel capabilities. This study offers valuable insights into the relationship between cost, time, and the successful delivery of road projects within the local government context. By illuminating these factors, the research contributes to a deeper theoretical understanding, informs evidence-based policy development, and provides actionable recommendations for enhancing project management practices.