International Journal of Business Ecosystem & Strategy

The amalgamation of traditional and modern governance systems represents a transformative advancement in contemporary African government. This study examines the concept of "hybridity governance" within the African context, providing a comprehensive theoretical framework that integrates modern institutional procedures with traditional governance systems. The paper examines the evolution of African governance from pre-colonial to post-colonial eras, illustrating the emergence of hybrid governance as a response to internal dynamics and external influences. It accomplishes this by utilising historical studies. The philosophical underpinnings are investigated, highlighting organisational and social concepts that elucidate the acceptance of hybrid models. The paper elucidates the applications, accomplishments, and challenges of hybrid government in several African nations through various empirical case studies. A critical examination examines the consequences of these governance paradigms for public administration in Africa. It underscores opportunities for innovation and enhanced flexibility, while also emphasising intrinsic challenges such as job ambiguity and conflict. The report concludes with forecasts regarding the future trajectory of hybrid governance in Africa, considering the interplay of local socio-political dynamics, global interconnectedness, and technological advancements. This article serves as a vital resource for policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders interested in the evolving governance paradigm in Africa, providing valuable applications and recommendations.  

This study conducts a thorough analysis of contemporary literature (2020–2025) regarding the impact of digital globalisation on educational inequality in South Africa's marginalised regions, focussing on the interrelated aspects of access, infrastructure, and pedagogy. This systematic literature review synthesises evidence from worldwide and South African contexts to demonstrate how enduring inequities in broadband access, affordability, and institutional capability hinder fair participation in digital learning. Rural provinces like Limpopo and Eastern Cape continue to be disproportionately impacted by inadequate connectivity, elevated data expenses, and insufficient teacher digital knowledge. The results reveal three primary themes: (1) physical and socio-economic obstacles to access, (2) infrastructural and institutional limitations, and (3) educational deficiencies stemming from culturally insensitive digital design. The paper presents a three-dimensional equity paradigm that integrates these domains to inform inclusive digital education policy. It advocates for infrastructure expansion, ongoing affordability initiatives, comprehensive digital literacy training, and legislative frameworks that incorporate equity criteria to guarantee that digital globalisation fosters change rather than exclusion within South Africa's educational system.

Increasing access to quality education in South Africa has led to a rise in enrollment by students from diverse backgrounds at higher education institutions. However, first-entering students transition from secondary school to higher education, and it is hypothesized that this will affect students psychologically, socially, and financially. Financially, many higher education students in South Africa rely on the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). This study investigates the relationship between students’ socioeconomic backgrounds and academic success at a South African university. A mixed-methods approach surveyed 74 first-year students in the Extended Curriculum Programme at the University of Venda, South Africa. Findings from regression and correlation analyses indicate that poor and low socio-economic backgrounds among Extended Curriculum Programme students significantly affect their academic performance and success. These findings challenge the notion that disadvantaged backgrounds necessarily hinder student achievement and emphasize the importance of creating an environment that supports students from all socio-economic backgrounds. Eight policy recommendations and strategies are provided to enhance student success and support for diverse socio-economic backgrounds in higher education institutions.

Gender-based violence (GBV) is increasingly gaining local and international attention. South Africa has been experiencing high volume of GBV cases. Men are unable to report gender-based violence cases because of fears for discrimination, labelling and cultural norms. Traditionally, men are expected to be strong despite the difficulties experienced. Although there is high unequal implementation of programs and policies that caters for GBV, male victims continue to suffer because the societal perception, stigmatization, and discrimination. Notwithstanding the existing policies, men continue to become victims of gender-based violence at an alarming rate. Gender-based violence against men has disturbing effects which includes physical effects, mental health illness, sexual dysfunctionality suicide and femicide. Men significantly suffer gender-based violence which this leads to lack of self-expression due to societal expectations and finding it difficult to seek help and report about the abuse. This mostly results to divorce, homicides and other mental related problems. The purpose of the study was to explore the destructive effects of gender-based violence against men in South Africa. The study employed the qualitative research approach with exploratory research design adopted. A sample of 14 male victims of gender-based violence was chosen for the purpose of the study. The study used interviews with semi-structured interview schedule used to guide the session. Purposive sampling technique was used with thematic content used for data analysis process. Among the many effects experienced, the study established the physical, mental health problems, sexual dysfunctionality, suicide and homicide to be the main effects of gender-based violence against men. Family systems theory was found to be relevant in the study to understand the dynamics of gender-based violence.

Poverty remains a pervasive global challenge, disproportionately affecting women, with profound implications for their well-being and that of their families. The aim of the study was critically examining the underlying factors contributing to the high incidence of poverty among women in Limpopo Province, South Africa. The primary concern of this study is the alarming prevalence of poverty among women in Limpopo, a situation that has far-reaching consequences for both individual lives and broader societal structures. By exploring the social, economic, and cultural dimensions that perpetuate poverty, this study seeks to contribute to the growing body of knowledge on poverty and gender inequality in South Africa. Through a qualitative research approach, the study identified key factors that exacerbate women's vulnerability to poverty, including gender-based violence, limited access to education and healthcare, and social exclusion. The sample for this study consisted of five women selected to explore the phenomenon of feminized poverty. The sampling procedure used in this research was based on a non-probability sampling technique, specifically purposive sampling. purposive sampling was used to select five women who had experiences of feminized poverty, understood as the disproportionate representation of women among the poor due to gendered social, economic, and political factors. The data was collected using Semi-structured interviews to get firsthand experience from women. The collected data was analyzed thematically. The researcher went through the data, coding the text, and classifying the codes into more general themes that correspond to the research objectives. The study's findings demonstrated that social isolation and restricted access to basic services exacerbate this vulnerability. The study also found that because women are routinely excluded from social support that might enable them to become economically independent or break free from poverty, this kind of exclusion perpetuates cycles of poverty. The findings offered valuable insights for policymakers to create sustainable strategies that support gender equality and alleviate poverty in the region.

This study examines the role of the Economic Activation Office (EAO) in advancing entrepreneurship within a rural higher education institution in South Africa. The study is informed by Entrepreneurial University Theory, the Triple Helix Model, and the Resource-Based View (RBV), which are integrated to explain how institutional orientation, ecosystem collaboration, and resource mobilisation jointly shape entrepreneurship support. A qualitative exploratory design was adopted within an interpretivist paradigm. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 purposively selected participants comprising EAO staff, university entrepreneurship practitioners, and student entrepreneurs. Thematic analysis identified four interconnected roles of the EAO: entrepreneurship awareness creation, capacity and skills development, stakeholder collaboration and ecosystem coordination, and institutional support and resource mobilisation. The findings show that the EAO operates not only as an administrative support office but also as a boundary-spanning mechanism that connects students and university resources with external entrepreneurial opportunities. However, limited funding, incubation infrastructure, long-term mentorship, and uneven cross-faculty participation constrain its ability to translate awareness and capability development into sustained entrepreneurial outcomes. The study contributes a rural EAO ecosystem perspective in which awareness and capability development are strengthened by institutional resources and external ecosystem relationships, while rural structural conditions moderate the effectiveness of these mechanisms. The study recommends dedicated institutional funding, cross-faculty integration, formalised ecosystem partnerships, structured incubation and post-training support, and targeted policy measures for rural universities.

The importance of mental health among women and girls cannot be overemphasised. However, mental health remains a phenomenon that is not adequately addressed within social, public, and community health. Women and girls fundamentally experience huge pressure emanating from pressure that affects their mental health. Various risk factors affect the well-being and mental health of women and girls. Globally, mental health is considered a public health concern and has been increasing at an unsustainable rate. Mental health is important to the well-being and health of women and girls. Social and environmental risk factors such as family hardships/dynamics, dysfunctionality, health risk behaviours, social risks, and poor mental health behaviour have a close association with mental health. Mental health is also associated with stigmatisation and discrimination. The primary focus of this study is the mental health of women and girls, and the risk factors associated with the phenomenon. It further focused on the programs aimed at promoting the mental health of women and girls. The paper used comprehensive electronic desktop research to collect data. The resilience theory was the theoretical framework adopted to provide a foundation and background for the study. The promotion of coping mechanisms, resilience of women and girls, and empowerment programs were fundamental in the study. Prevention of the risk factors that affect the mental health of women and girls was significantly considered. In addressing resilience, empowerment, and the prevention of mental health problems, the paper will provide guidelines for the well-being of women and girls. Examined strategies may be used to improve the mental health of women and girls.

The advent of democracy in South Africa ushered in a new wave of the provision of accelerated service delivery to communities. At the centre of acceleration, democracy was addressing the historical imbalances in the provision of services that were created by the apartheid regime, which mainly benefited the minority. Despite the government’s commitment to accelerate service delivery, South Africa has witnessed a proliferation of service delivery protests characterised by the destruction of valuable assets like road infrastructure, government fleet, and buildings as well as loss of life in some instances. Service delivery protests happen whilst the government has put in place mechanisms such as the Batho Pele principles to enhance how it interacts with its people. This paper is conceptual in nature and relies profoundly on literature to fortify its argument. It deploys a qualitative research technique to answer its principal question, which seeks to understand the relationship between service delivery protests and the failure of the government to implement Batho Pele principles. Moreover, through this approach, the study will respond to its ancillary question, which seeks to understand how the government can use Batho Pele principles as a strategic tool to interact with its communities, thus reducing service delivery protests in South Africa. The study will contribute to the ongoing discourse on how the government can use its existing mechanisms to address service delivery protests in South Africa. Moreover, the study will shape the policy direction and be a springboard for emerging scholars.

This study examines the role of women in power, politics, and decision-making, focusing on the factors that influence political representation, the effect of women's participation on governance, and the efficacy of gender quotas and affirmative action policies. Guided by Feminist Political Theory, the study examines how patriarchal structures, socio-cultural norms, gender stereotypes, political violence, and structural inequalities continue to shape women's political experiences and opportunities. Using a desktop-based methodology, the study systematically reviews scholarly literature, policy documents, and institutional reports. Data were analysedthematically to identify recurring patterns and key issues relating to women’s political participation. The findings revealed persistent underrepresentation of women in political leadership, socio-cultural norms and gender stereotypes, the positive impact of women’s participation on policy and governance, the prevalence of political violence and discrimination against women and the important role played by civil society and feminist movements in promoting gender equality. The study concludes that while progress has been made, achieving substantive gender representation requires comprehensive structural reforms, inclusive political institutions, and continued advocacy for gender justice in governance.

Public sector institutions are often characterised by service delivery delays, time management challenges, paper-based activities, and limited application of digital technologies. Digital transformation has become a crucial tool for enhancing institutional efficacy for the purposes of achieving set goals and objectives, and ultimately improved service delivery. This article explores the significance of digital transformation in enhancing institutional efficacy in public sector institutions. The Department of Home Affairs, Vhembe District served as a reference. Structured questionnaires were used to gather data from 120 officials of the Department of Home Affairs using a quantitative research method. The findings indicate that digital transformation improves service quality and speed, supports informed decision-making, enhances collaboration and communication and increases administrative efficiency and accuracy. The article highlights digital transformation as a strategic enabler of institutional performance that promotes responsive, accountable and citizen centred government. The study recommends strengthening digital infrastructure, investing in continuous staff training, integrating communication platforms and promoting citizen centred digital services.