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Domestic violence is a deeply troubling and pervasive problem that affects individuals and families across the globe. Law enforcement agencies play a pivotal role in responding to domestic violence incidents, tasked with ensuring the safety and well-being of those involved. This study aimed to investigate the situational factors that shape police officers’ decision-making processes when responding to domestic violence cases. The study used a qualitative approach and an exploratory case study design. Five police officers dealing with domestic violence matters were sampled through purposive and snowball sampling techniques. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from police officers. In adherence to national COVID-19 regulations, data were gathered through individual telephone interviews until saturation was reached. The data collected were analysed thematically. The findings revealed how organisational procedures, the type of abuse reported, the availability of witnesses, the behaviour of the perpetrator, and the victim’s statement influence police responses to domestic violence. In conclusion, this study has shed light on the multifaceted factors that significantly influence police officers’ decision-making processes when dealing with domestic violence incidents and their subsequent approaches to reported cases. Understanding these factors is crucial for enhancing law enforcement strategies, training, and policies to better serve and protect victims in such cases.

The significance of efficient human resource management for organisational sustainability cannot be overstated. Essential to efficient management is the retention of skilled staff to enhance production, achieved through rewards and perks. This study investigated the impact of rewards and bonuses on the motivation of allied health professionals in a public hospital. The study aimed to evaluate the nature of rewards and benefits offered, as well as their perceived motivational impact. A quantitative cross-sectional study design was employed. The study sample, encompassing the complete target group, consisted of 91 individuals. Participants were provided with self-administered questions. The findings indicated that the chosen hospital offers rewards and advantages that comply with national standards. Furthermore, a beneficial impact of rewards and benefits on motivation was demonstrated. According to Herzberg's theory, the findings indicated that the participants considered both hygiene and motivational aspects significant for motivation. Participants expressed that the absence of what they deemed essential characteristics was demoralising. The report advocates for a unified approach to elucidating policies and procedures pertaining to benefits and rewards. This study's managerial consequences necessitate the implementation of policies that employees comprehend and appreciate. The research enhances understanding of employee motivation within a public sector hospital context, where personnel frequently migrate to metropolitan regions.

Traditionally, the business landscape has been male-dominated; however, recent trends indicate a notable rise in female entrepreneurs within rural regions of South Africa. Women-owned small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Bushbuckridge Local Municipality encounter various challenges, including issues with financing, access to education and training, gender bias, business skills development, and maintaining a work-life balance. Women entrepreneurs frequently encounter challenges in balancing their professional and family obligations due to numerous domestic duties and responsibilities. Their long-term business success may be jeopardised by these challenges.  This study seeks to examine the challenges encountered by women-owned SMEs, focussing on the Bushbuckridge Local Municipality as the area of investigation. The investigation employed a qualitative approach to gather and examine the data. The investigation employed a semi-structured interview guide for data collection and utilised a thematic content analysis method to examine both empirical and secondary data. A snowball sampling technique was employed to identify appropriate participants, resulting in the successful sampling of forty (N=40) individuals in 2024. The findings indicated that the majority of participants had achieved their matriculation (grade 12) qualifications; however, they conveyed a desire for further skills and training in entrepreneurship to enhance their business management and growth. A significant number of women reported encountering various forms of discrimination, including being advised to stay at home and care for their husbands and children due to their gender. Women-owned businesses encounter barriers in obtaining resources, networks, and opportunities when compared to their male counterparts. The analysis suggests that businesses owned by women ought to receive equal opportunities as those owned by men. It is essential to enhance the capabilities of women-owned businesses by providing resources including technology, financial support, and training in sustainable business development. In conclusion, the study emphasises the importance of the Bushbuckridge Local Municipality acknowledging the contributions of women-owned SMEs and offering the essential support needed to address unemployment in the region. In the process of awarding tenders, it is essential for municipalities to guarantee the inclusion of women on the board of directors, in accordance with the stipulations set forth by the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act Amendment 42 of 2013.

This qualitative study examines the psychosocial barriers that prevent female students from reporting sexual victimisation at selected rural and urban universities in South Africa, as well as other Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). This study aimed to examine the psychological effects and social repercussions experienced by students, including instances of sexual abuse. This study is grounded in the Lifestyle Exposure Theory by Hindelang et al. (1978) and Fattah’s (1991) Differential Risk Model. It employed semi-structured In-Depth Interviews (IDIs) with twenty-nine (29) First Responders, specifically selected from the Gender Desk, Student Governance, Health and Wellness, residence administrators, academic staff, safety and security, legal, psychology, and social work domains. These participants were chosen to provide insights on the subject matter. The findings indicate that fear of retaliation, stigmatisation, institutional distrust, and emotional trauma together perpetuate a culture of silence. The research emphasises that these barriers intensify psychological distress and social isolation in victims, thereby contributing to underreporting. The findings underscore the insufficient response to the necessity for a multi-institutional strategy to: 1) Implement trauma-informed awareness campaigns aimed at destigmatization, 2) Enhance structural support systems to bolster accountability, and 3) Ensure comprehensive staff training to eradicate biases in case management. By prioritising the welfare of survivors and confronting the societal acceptability of sexual violence, universities can mitigate the psychosocial effects of victimisation. This paper proposes the development of policies that rectify the gaps between institutional commitments and the real experiences of students, with the goal of establishing active prevention and survivor-centered justice as standard practices on campus.

The aim of the paper is to demonstrate how financialization of the economy has created structural inequalities in South Africa; and to further demonstrate the pertinence of rural development in alleviating the structural repercussions of the finance dominated regime. Financialization of the South African economy relates to the supremacy of speculative reforms, finance and shareholder-oriented motives in the oversight of the economy. The paper exhibits the failures of the dominance of financial and profit-making efforts in South Africa. The paper uses desktop analysis and literature survey to theoretically explore the opportunity space of rural development as a response to the effects of financialization of the South African economy. The paper finds that financialization of the South African economy polarizes and spatialises income distribution for the benefit of the elite minority in the urban financial and corporate space while the rural poor are getting poorer. It further finds that government planning and policy making efforts do not respond directly to the causes of inequality which were framed by the exclusionary economic planning. Moreover, local policy making has left a lacuna in as far as rural community based financial reconstruction and rehabilitation is concerned; instead, development policies seem to give reverence to the accentuation of exclusionary planning for the elite minority. The paper posits that the opportunity space for rural development should be exploited and given concerted efforts to remedy the impact of financialisaton and exclusionary colonial planning. Lastly, community-based cooperatives should be prioritised as appropriate institutional role players in facilitating the process of inclusive and redistributive rural development in South Africa.

This study investigates the application of planning theory frameworks to enhance the effectiveness of employment policies in South Africa. This study seeks to develop a conceptual framework that integrates core principles from planning theories with the formulation and implementation of employment policies. This framework is constructed through a critical assessment of planning theories and employment policies. The concept is subsequently applied to South Africa, a nation facing significant unemployment rates and inequality, despite the efforts of policymakers. This study emphasises the potential benefits of utilising planning theory frameworks in the formulation of employment policy. The benefits encompass increased stakeholder engagement, efficient policy execution, and improved policy outcomes. This study adds to the existing literature on labour market planning theory and employment policy. This document offers practical insights that may assist policymakers and practitioners in improving the effectiveness of employment policies in South Africa.

This qualitative study examines the psychosocial barriers that prevent female students from reporting sexual victimisation at selected rural and urban universities in South Africa, as well as other Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). This study aimed to examine the psychological effects and social repercussions experienced by students, including instances of sexual abuse. This study is grounded in the Lifestyle Exposure Theory by Hindelang et al. (1978) and Fattah’s (1991) Differential Risk Model. It employed semi-structured In-Depth Interviews (IDIs) with twenty-nine (29) First Responders, specifically selected from the Gender Desk, Student Governance, Health and Wellness, residence administrators, academic staff, safety and security, legal, psychology, and social work domains. These participants were chosen to provide insights on the subject matter. The findings indicate that fear of retaliation, stigmatisation, institutional distrust, and emotional trauma together perpetuate a culture of silence. The research emphasises that these barriers intensify psychological distress and social isolation in victims, thereby contributing to underreporting. The findings underscore the insufficient response to the necessity for a multi-institutional strategy to: 1) Implement trauma-informed awareness campaigns aimed at destigmatization, 2) Enhance structural support systems to bolster accountability, and 3) Ensure comprehensive staff training to eradicate biases in case management. By prioritising the welfare of survivors and confronting the societal acceptability of sexual violence, universities can mitigate the psychosocial effects of victimisation. This paper proposes the development of policies that rectify the gaps between institutional commitments and the real experiences of students, with the goal of establishing active prevention and survivor-centered justice as standard practices on campus.

The aim of the paper is to demonstrate how financialization of the economy has created structural inequalities in South Africa; and to further demonstrate the pertinence of rural development in alleviating the structural repercussions of the finance dominated regime. Financialization of the South African economy relates to the supremacy of speculative reforms, finance and shareholder-oriented motives in the oversight of the economy. The paper exhibits the failures of the dominance of financial and profit-making efforts in South Africa. The paper uses desktop analysis and literature survey to theoretically explore the opportunity space of rural development as a response to the effects of financialization of the South African economy. The paper finds that financialization of the South African economy polarizes and spatialises income distribution for the benefit of the elite minority in the urban financial and corporate space while the rural poor are getting poorer. It further finds that government planning and policy making efforts do not respond directly to the causes of inequality which were framed by the exclusionary economic planning. Moreover, local policy making has left a lacuna in as far as rural community based financial reconstruction and rehabilitation is concerned; instead, development policies seem to give reverence to the accentuation of exclusionary planning for the elite minority. The paper posits that the opportunity space for rural development should be exploited and given concerted efforts to remedy the impact of financialisaton and exclusionary colonial planning. Lastly, community-based cooperatives should be prioritised as appropriate institutional role players in facilitating the process of inclusive and redistributive rural development in South Africa.

Domestic violence is a deeply troubling and pervasive problem that affects individuals and families across the globe. Law enforcement agencies play a pivotal role in responding to domestic violence incidents, tasked with ensuring the safety and well-being of those involved. This study aimed to investigate the situational factors that shape police officers’ decision-making processes when responding to domestic violence cases. The study used a qualitative approach and an exploratory case study design. Five police officers dealing with domestic violence matters were sampled through purposive and snowball sampling techniques. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from police officers. In adherence to national COVID-19 regulations, data were gathered through individual telephone interviews until saturation was reached. The data collected were analysed thematically. The findings revealed how organisational procedures, the type of abuse reported, the availability of witnesses, the behaviour of the perpetrator, and the victim’s statement influence police responses to domestic violence. In conclusion, this study has shed light on the multifaceted factors that significantly influence police officers’ decision-making processes when dealing with domestic violence incidents and their subsequent approaches to reported cases. Understanding these factors is crucial for enhancing law enforcement strategies, training, and policies to better serve and protect victims in such cases.

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.