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The Covid-19 pandemic, a catalyst in embracing the online mode of learning, is one of the key motivating factors for a paradigm shift in curriculum development due to the increased focus and reliance on technology. For the effective education of tertiary students globally, a revised curriculum development integrated with the Learning Management Systems and other eLearning platforms or tools that support asynchronous learning play a key role. This study seeks to determine the influence of user experience and user interface design of e-learning platforms on learning experience in higher education. A systematic review of studies regarding usability of e-learning platforms at tertiary institutions was conducted to determine the common issues and successes. A snapshot of research over the last five years was used in a systematic review to determine the influence of UX/UI on eLearning concerning higher education. Using the ERIC and Google scholar databases of journals, and specific criteria for selection of publications, 25 articles were examined in this study. Findings indicate that focused attention on interface design and user experience of eLearning systems for effective learning is crucial.

The study explored the adoption of information communication technologies (ICT) and its integration in Africa as an e-Government system. The article contributes to the continuing debate regarding the constraints that developing-country e-government systems face when it comes to the implementation and adoption of ICT as e-Governance for service delivery and the realization of socio-economic development. The study covers the various stakeholders who may have an impact on the implementation of e-Government at the grassroots level. It also highlights the barriers cited by other scholars of e-Governance that require local government attention. The impediments include challenges with governance, access to resources, leadership, ICT skills and funding. The study primarily relies on secondary data that is available in both the private and public domain to produce qualitative primary data. The research observations are on the essential role that local municipalities play in pursuing e-Government by using inductive thematic data analysis. The research concluded that the planning and implementation of e-governance should focus on finding methods to address a variety of issues which includes amongst other ensuring that the existing e-Governance initiatives gives valuable insight into what works and what does not, and provides meaningful guidance in developing and refining e-governance.

Promoting dynamics of curriculum implementation that help all teachers and learners meet their needs and understand who they are is critical.  Such is equally needful in special schools which use the mainstream curriculum to teach learners with disabilities. This study sought to explore the dynamics that enhance implementing a mainstream English curriculum at a school for the deaf in Eswatini. This was aimed to assist teachers in reflecting on and critiquing their practices and experiences to improve their classroom actions; and to raise awareness of the natural identity of both teachers and learners at the school with the hope of meeting individual needs and, ultimately, the teaching and learning goals. Utilizing purposive sampling, this qualitative study selected six teachers of English Language at the school. The pragmatic paradigm, action research design, and natural identity theory framed the study. Semi-structured interviews, Zoom focus-group discussions, document review, and reflective activities were used as data-generation methods. Findings revealed that implementing the mainstream English curriculum at the school seemed to overlook the importance of individual dynamics, which are vital in meeting unique individual needs. Personal dynamics combine the strengths of top-down and bottom-up dynamics Thus, relieving the remarkable tension between the dominant top-down and bottom-up dynamics. Consequently, this study recommends a balance between the top-down, bottom-up, and individual dynamics to successfully implement the mainstream English curriculum at the school.

COVID-19 has been observed as the Fifth Industrial Revolution (5IR), which has naturally advanced education five/ten years ahead of digitalisation. The COVID-19 revolution has obliged everyone to be a student needing to be educated about national lockdowns, personal hygiene practices, digital technologies, and vaccines. This study intended to explore lessons learned by higher education institution (HEI) students in Eswatini, Lesotho, the Republic of South Africa, and Zimbabwe during the COVID-19/5IR which helped them to complete their PhD studies. Using purposive with convenience sampling, this study selected twenty most accessible PhD students. The pragmatic paradigm, participatory action research (PAR), and natural identity were used to frame this study in order to guide reflective activities, Zoom focus-group discussions, and semi-structured interview data-generation methods. Findings indicated that students achieved good education on personal hygiene practices and digital technologies that assisted them to effectively deal/continue with their studies. However, education on vaccines remained a major concern because participants believed that the world was treating symptoms of COVID-19 by vaccinating humans more than dealing with the source/s of the virus before it affected humans. Consequently, this study recommends a good education that balances personal, societal, and professional needs to understand natural identities.

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa previously faced challenges due to limited resources, restricted access to technology, and the need to constantly adapt to a dynamic business environment. The introduction of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) emerged as a potential solution to these issues, promising to enhance operational efficiency and strategic decision-making. As a representative of developing economies, South Africa experienced a growing interest in AI technologies. This study was conducted to explore the impact of generative AI on SME productivity in South Africa, an area which had been underexplored. Employing a qualitative methodology, the study evaluated the current state and implications of generative AI in South African SMEs. It involved in-depth interviews to gather perceptions, experiences, challenges, and benefits from SME owners and managers regarding the adoption of generative AI technologies. The findings analysed via R Statistical Software revealed significant insights into the specific areas where generative AI substantially impacted SME productivity. It also identified the challenges and opportunities associated with the adoption of generative AI by SMEs, as well as the potential long-term implications. Key findings included notable improvements in data-driven decision-making, operational efficiencies, and market expansion strategies. However, the study also highlighted barriers such as the lack of technical expertise, initial setup costs, and concerns over data security. Overall, the impact of generative AI on SMEs in South Africa was found to be predominantly positive, paving the way for further technological advancements and adoption in the sector.

This study investigates opportunistic behaviour in Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs) within South Africa’s Department of Correctional Services, with a focus on its implications for governance and project performance. While PPPs are used to support infrastructure delivery in the correctional sector, concerns persist regarding the conduct of partnering actors and the effectiveness of oversight mechanisms. A qualitative research design was employed, using semi-structured interviews with officials involved in PPP management. The data were analysed thematically to identify key patterns and institutional challenges. The findings indicate that opportunistic behaviour is driven by information asymmetry, weak transparency practices, and unequal power relations between partners. In addition, gaps in monitoring and accountability systems enable contractual non-compliance and reduce project efficiency. These factors collectively weaken governance and undermine the long-term sustainability of PPP arrangements. The study contributes to the limited empirical literature on PPP governance in correctional services and recommends strengthening institutional oversight, improving transparency, and addressing power imbalances to enhance partnership performance

This study investigates how geopolitical risk moderates the relationship between investor attention and stock market volatility in both emerging and developed markets. To achieve this objective, the GARCH-MIDAS model is employed to decompose daily market returns into short- and long-term volatility components. The Google Search Volume Index is used as a proxy for investor attention along with country-specific geopolitical risk indices which are assessed for the period spanning from 2014 to 2023. The findings reveal that the effect of investor attention on stock market volatility is not uniform but instead varies across and within developed and emerging markets. Furthermore, GPR is found to be a crucial factor that can either weaken, magnify, or change the nature of the relationship between investor attention and volatility depending on the surveyed economy. The findings highlight the critical role of geopolitical risk in shaping market dynamics, suggesting that both investors and policymakers should incorporate geopolitical factors in risk management and portfolio strategies. The study contributes to existing literature by providing a novel perspective on how geopolitical risk moderates the relationship between investor attention and market volatility, utilizing a comparative analysis across different economic regions, which has not been done before.

Global consumers are experiencing the adverse effects of over-indebtedness, which impacts their well-being. This study article emphasises the significant repercussions experienced by consumers regarding their welfare due to over-indebtedness. A qualitative research approach was employed to identify a deliberate sample of five registered debt counsellors and financial planners. Semi-structured interviews were employed, and theme qualitative analysis was performed. The results indicate that excessive debt adversely affects consumer well-being and quality of life. Inadequate financial well-being was recognised as the primary catalyst that exacerbated other issues for over-indebted consumers, including deteriorated physical and mental health. Moreover, stress and stigmatisation have been identified as detrimental consequences stemming from financial hardships. This article demonstrates that financial debt is correlated with and adversely affects consumer physical and mental well-being, highlighting the necessity for immediate solutions, including enhanced financial education and more robust laws.   

Sustainability has emerged as a strategic imperative for small manufacturing enterprises, particularly in light of increasing expectations to operate responsibly across economic, social, and environmental domains. This study investigates the interconnectedness of the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) elements and their collective influence on sustainable business practices. Rather than examining these dimensions in isolation, the research adopts a holistic lens to explore how their interplay shapes organisational behaviour and long-term viability within the small manufacturing sector in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Drawing on both theoretical frameworks and empirical evidence, the study offers insights into how enterprises can integrate TBL principles into their strategic orientation to foster resilience and sustained growth. The findings reveal that a balanced and synergistic approach to economic performance, social responsibility, and environmental stewardship enhances the capacity of firms to adapt, innovate, and thrive in complex operating environments. A structured questionnaire was administered to a stratified sample of 450 small manufacturing enterprises, and the resulting data were analysed using correlation techniques to uncover patterns and relationships among key variables. The study contributes practical guidance for business leaders and policymakers seeking to leverage the TBL framework not merely as a reporting mechanism, but as a transformative tool for embedding sustainability into core organisational processes.

Parents and caregivers of children with developmental disabilities have a dual responsibility of addressing the child’s unique developmental needs while also negotiating broader societal expectations surrounding caregiving. Sustaining a balance between caregiving demands and personal well-being is often challenging, which increases their vulnerability to burnout and adverse mental health outcomes. This qualitative study used focus group discussions to explore the lived experiences of caregivers who were raising children aged 6 months to 12 years with various developmental disabilities in a rural setting. Participants were purposefully recruited from a regional hospital in northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, where they were accessing healthcare. Eighteen (n = 18) isiZulu-speaking caregivers participated in five focus groups. The data were analysed using a thematic approach that followed a set framework. Three overarching themes and eight subthemes emerged from the data, capturing their experiences, the intersecting challenges they encountered, and their responses to and adaptations to the undesired outcomes. The findings showed a significant gap in knowledge and access to information regarding children's conditions among families, community members, and health professionals. Psychological acceptance was foundational for coping with challenges and was perceived as essential, requiring a swift adjustment to their current reality. This study highlights the persistent and multifaceted challenges faced by caregivers of children with developmental disabilities. The primary burdens are rooted in systemic issues, specifically healthcare limitations and educational barriers. The findings show an urgent need for structured interventions that prioritise caregiver mental health.