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Environmental insecurity has become an increasingly significant challenge in Africa, as climate change, environmental degradation, biodiversity loss, water scarcity and unsustainable exploitation of natural resources continue to threaten livelihoods and community well-being. Against this background, this study examines the role of African Indigenous Knowledge Systems in promoting environmental security, strengthening climate resilience and advancing sustainable natural-resource governance in Africa. The study adopts a qualitative research approach based primarily on secondary data, using a documentary research design. Relevant information is drawn from peer-reviewed journal articles, scholarly books, policy documents, institutional reports and publications of reputable international and African organisations. The data are analysed thematically to identify recurring patterns concerning Indigenous Knowledge, climate adaptation, environmental governance, natural-resource conservation and community resilience. The study is theoretically anchored in Human Security Theory, which views security from a people-centred perspective and emphasises the protection of human survival, livelihoods and dignity. The analysis reveals that African Indigenous Knowledge provides valuable environmental observations, adaptive practices, customary resource-management rules and community-based institutions that can strengthen responses to climate variability and environmental degradation. However, its contribution remains constrained by inadequate documentation, cultural erosion, limited institutional recognition, weak policy integration and the rapid transformation of African ecological and socioeconomic systems. The study concludes that Indigenous Knowledge should not be treated as a replacement for scientific knowledge but as a complementary resource that can enhance locally appropriate climate adaptation and sustainable environmental governance. It recommends greater institutional recognition, systematic documentation, intergenerational transmission and meaningful integration of Indigenous and scientific knowledge into environmental-security and climate policies. Such an approach can strengthen community resilience, improve natural-resource governance and contribute to sustainable development across Africa.

The Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) business is under pressure to improve operational efficiency and solve sustainability issues in a digital world. Human capital and digitalisation drive productivity, responsiveness, and long-term competitiveness in sustainable operations. However, present research frequently isolate these elements, limiting knowledge of their combined impact. This PRISMA-guided Systematic Literature Review (SLR) examines human capital and digitisation in FMCG supply chains. Current research trends, theme insights, and knowledge gaps are reviewed. Data shows that AI, automation, predictive analytics, and the IoT boost efficiency, supply chain visibility, and decision-making. Adoption and use of these technologies require human capital, including digital skills, organisational learning, and human-machine collaboration. The analysis shows that FMCG contexts in emerging nations have underexplored human capital and digitalisation integration. The findings improve awareness of how human capital and digital capabilities support sustainable operations, and they show FMCG companies must integrate staff development with digital technology adoption. A detailed overview of their interplay and sustainable supply chain management research and practice directions are presented in this operations management paper

Gender-based violence undermines women's safety, dignity, and socioeconomic participation, particularly in rural communities where access to formal protection services may be constrained. This study examined how the Lunungwi Royal Council contributes to a culturally grounded rural protection ecosystem in Thulamela Local Municipality, South Africa. Guided by Afrocentricity, Sankofa, ecosystem theory, and collaborative governance, the study adopted an interpretive qualitative case-study design. Nine participants were purposively selected, comprising six Royal Council members, a community-based participant, a young representative, and an Indigenous knowledge holder. Data were generated through individual face-to-face semi-structured interviews and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. The findings indicate that the Council provides culturally accessible reporting, temporary safety, mediation, moral education, and connections with community policing and social-service structures. Its effectiveness is constrained by limited professional training, unclear institutional boundaries, informal referral arrangements, inadequate documentation, social pressure, and women's economic dependence. The study proposes a Culturally Grounded Rural Protection Ecosystem Framework integrating Indigenous governance, community protection, statutory, professional services, economic empowerment, and coordinated accountability. Cultural legitimacy can strengthen GBV responses when combined with survivor-centred procedures, constitutional accountability, and women's socioeconomic agency.

Business Studies education has globally shifted toward learner-centred approach, with South Africa’s Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement positioning Business Studies teachers as facilitators who are expected to employ learner-centred teaching methods. However, teacher-centred instruction persist to prevail in many classrooms, while Pre-Service Teachers (PSTs) are expected to mitigate this gap during their teaching practice. This qualitative case study was able to address this gap by examining 25 purposively selected Portfolio of Evidence (PoE) submitted by Business Studies third-year PSTs at An Open Distance eLearning institution in South Africa, utilising a thematic analysis. The findings were interpreted through Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory and revealed that participants employed diverse learner-centric methods, such as cooperative jigsaw learning, case-based teaching, role playing, inquiry-based methods, flipped classrooms and think-pair-share. The PSTs further reported that well-facilitated collaborative structures promoted inclusive participation, particularly among learners who were previously reluctant and hesitant, and that cooperative learning and case-based learning were the main drivers of critical thinking development and problem-solving skills. Participants credited these methods mostly to their university training. The study offers ramifications for teacher educators training Business Studies PSTs for professional practice.

Centre for Public Service Innovation (CPSI) Strategic Plan 2020 – 2025 redefined the 1st priority of the 6th administration, namely the achievement of a capable, ethical and developmental state. This strategic plan envisioned innovation as an enabler and a catalyst for the public sector to execute and deliver on the developmental agenda in South Africa. Similarly, emphasis is placed on the potential of District Development Model (DDM) to tackle the triple challenges of poverty, inequality, and unemployment to ensure that the needs of communities are met. However, much is yet to be known about their potential to build a capable developmental state in South Africa. Using Inclusive Development approach as its theoretical framework, this paper strived to determine the nexus between public sector innovation and DDM as a critique for a state that is developmental in South Africa. This paper demonstrates how the integration of public sector innovation and DDM in South Africa represents a plausible pathway towards a capable developmental state. The paper argued for an inclusive development approach that is more human-centered. The paper adopted qualitative research methodology to evaluate secondary data and used thematic discourse analysis to analyse the gathered data set.

This study aims to examine and investigate the controversy surrounding the extinguishment and revocation of rights to abandoned land under Indonesia’s Government Regulation No. 48/2025, viewed from the perspective of Indonesian land law. The research employs a literature review methodology, encompassing relevant legislation and academic literature. The findings indicate that the provisions regarding the extinguishment and revocation of rights to abandoned land in Indonesia’s Government Regulation No. 48/2025 grant the state broad authority to extinguish and revoke such rights and transfer them to the Land Bank and the State Land Reserve. These actions are carried out without guarantees of due legal process or the provision of compensation to the former rights holders. This approach is considered highly controversial and inconsistent with prevailing legal norms in Indonesia. Hence, the study’s findings are expected to serve as a foundation for the government to adopt an integrated legal approach in addressing the issue of abandoned land in Indonesia, thereby ensuring consistency of authority and legal certainty. In this regard, the government needs to revise Indonesia’s Government Regulation No. 48/2025 specifically concerning the termination and revocation of rights to land categorized as abandoned while considering approaches adopted in other ASEAN countries. Ultimately, this research is expected to make a valuable contribution to the literature on land governance, property rights, and land regulatory policy in Indonesia.

Solar water heaters are an important renewable-energy technology for supporting household energy resilience and the energy transition in rural municipalities in South Africa. This study examines household experiences with solar water heaters in Thulamela Local Municipality, South Africa, using Diffusion of Innovations theory to understand the perceived benefits, challenges, and conditions that influence continued use following installation. Guided by an interpretivist paradigm, the study adopted a qualitative exploratory case study design. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 16 purposively selected household participants and were analysed thematically using ATLAS.ti. Participants perceived solar water heaters as providing important household benefits, particularly reduced reliance on conventional electric water heating, reduced electricity expenditure, and access to hot water during electricity interruptions. However, high upfront costs, weather-dependent performance, limited technical support, inadequate public awareness, and restricted financial assistance emerged as important constraints on access, user experience, and continued use. The findings indicate that household experiences with solar water heaters are shaped by the interaction of perceived relative advantage, affordability, reliability, technical support, user knowledge, social learning, and institutional conditions. The study contributes context-specific qualitative insights suggesting that household renewable-energy interventions in rural municipalities may benefit from combining technology provision with financial accessibility, user education, reliable maintenance services, and coordinated institutional support.  

The rapid integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into higher education is fundamentally reshaping how students access and present knowledge. Within legal education particularly, AI tools increasingly enable students to generate summaries, conduct research, draft legal content and retrieve information with minimal engagement in traditional legal reasoning processes. At the same time, South African law faculties remain tasked with cultivating industry ready candidate legal practitioners who possess critical thinking abilities, ethical judgment, persuasive communication skills as well as strong legal research competencies. This creates an important pedagogical tension. While AI may enhance efficiency and technological fluency, its uncritical use may simultaneously undermine the intellectual rigour required for competent legal practice. This paper critically examines whether the growing integration of AI in legal education supports or compromises the cultivation of graduate attributes required within the South African legal profession. Using a doctrinal and conceptual methodology, the study analyses the graduate competency frameworks advanced by the Council on Higher Education and the South African Qualifications Authority. It further interrogates whether AI tools meaningfully contribute toward the development of legal reasoning, ethical sensitivity, drafting proficiency and contextual interpretation, all of which remain central to professional legal readiness. The paper argues that although AI presents significant opportunities for enhancing legal research efficiency and technological competence, overreliance on these tools risks producing graduates who are technologically capable yet jurisprudentially underdeveloped. It contends that AI cannot replace the human processes of critical engagement, ethical reflection and contextual legal interpretation that define legal education within a constitutional democracy. The study concludes that responsible AI integration in legal education requires careful pedagogical design and ethical oversight to ensure that innovation does not come at the expense of professional competence and intellectual integrity.

Accounting Information Systems (AISs) are central to organisational decision-making, financial reporting, and regulatory compliance. Yet, the rapid digitalisation of financial operations has exposed these systems to cyber vulnerabilities, human errors, and inefficiencies in data management. To systematically examine these weaknesses, this paper employs a Systematic Literature Review guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework, analysing peer-reviewed journals, conference proceedings, and industry reports published between 2015 and 2025. The review identifies critical AIS vulnerabilities, including inadequate cyber controls, low human awareness of security risks, weak protection of digital assets, limited integration of risk management, absence of quantitative performance metrics, and restricted accessibility for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). Based on these findings, a structured framework for next-generation AIS solutions is proposed, comprising real-time dashboards, cloud-based zero-trust architectures, hyper-automation, artificial intelligence-driven insights, blockchain, Internet of Things integration, self-healing systems, and adaptive risk engines. These interventions aim to strengthen data integrity, system resilience, regulatory compliance, and organisational agility, offering practical benefits to SMEs and large organisations operating in increasingly complex financial environments. Overall, the paper provides a comprehensive, evidence-based roadmap that bridges gaps in cybersecurity, operational efficiency, and decision-making within AIS, contributing valuable insights for practitioners, researchers, and policymakers seeking to modernise AISs while mitigating cyber, operational, and compliance risks.

This paper aims to examine the effects of Internal Corporate Social Responsibility (iCSR) practices on employees' job satisfaction, with specific focus on work-life balance and safety and health within commercial banks in Lusaka. In this paper, it is also aimed to explore the relative role of these iCSR dimensions in shaping job satisfaction in a developing country context where empirical evidence remains limited. We employed a quantitative research design using structured questionnaires administered to employees across 15 commercial banks. A dataset of 205 employees was collected, of which 146 valid responses were analyzed. Data were analyzed using SPSS Version 29, applying descriptive statistics, Cronbach’s alpha, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analysis. Main findings of the study demonstrate that (i) work–life balance has a strong and statistically significant positive effect on job satisfaction (r = 0.9268, p < 0.001), accounting for 85.9% of the variance and emerging as the most significant predictor; (ii) safety and health shows a positive correlation (r = 0.926), but is not a statistically significant predictor in multivariate analysis, suggesting it functions as a hygiene factor; and finally (iii) iCSR practices can be differentiated into motivational and baseline factors, contributing to theoretical understanding while providing a Sub-Saharan African perspective. The study offers practical implications, indicating that banks should prioritize work-life balance initiatives while maintaining safety and health standards. It also provides guiding knowledge for policymakers and managers seeking to enhance workplace satisfaction and improve iCSR implementation.

In an era when information is power, the ability to anticipate crime has become more critical than merely responding to it. Effective crime prevention increasingly depends on the strategic adoption of Intelligence-Led Policing (ILP). This study examines the role of ILP as a proactive crime prevention strategy, comparing South Africa with the more established models of the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia. Grounded in Routine Activity Theory (RAT), this qualitative desktop study draws on fifteen purposively selected academic and policy sources, identified through a documented search and screening process. The findings show that while ILP is well institutionalised in countries with mature policing systems, its implementation in South Africa remains fragmented, constrained by institutional fragmentation, limited analytical capacity, political interference, and resource shortages. Comparative analysis underscores the importance of inter-agency coordination, professionalisation of intelligence units, and context-specific adaptation of ILP principles rather than direct replication of foreign models. The study concludes that strengthening ILP in South Africa requires a unified intelligence framework that integrates community policing, builds institutional capacity, and embeds a culture of intelligence sharing and accountability, and it proposes a research agenda centred on evaluating pilot ILP interventions.

Agriculture has advanced from subsistence farming to a dynamic, market-oriented sector fuelled by agripreneurship. The use of modern technology, such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and precision farming, is changing agricultural productivity and sustainability. Despite these developments, the adoption of such technology by agripreneurs remains unequal, particularly in developing countries. Structural inequities, limited access to resources, and insufficient technical skills continue to impede the efficient use of technology. The study adopted a qualitative desktop review to analyse the existing literature on integrated technologies to increase agripreneurship productivity. The secondary data sources were journal articles, online books and government reports. The timeframe of the included data ranges from 2018 to 2026, while data from 2017 and earlier were excluded. Lastly, keywords such as agripreneurship and integrated technologies were used to search for data across sources, including Google Scholar and Web of Science. The findings show that integrated technologies improve agricultural output, efficiency, and resource optimisation among agripreneurs. The study also found that perceived usefulness substantially influences readiness to accept technology, although perceived ease of use remains a significant issue due to insufficient technical abilities. Furthermore, extrinsic problems such as poor infrastructure, budgetary constraints, and insufficient institutional backing impede wider adoption. Based on the Technology Acceptability Model, the findings show that tackling these hurdles is critical to improving technology acceptability and maximising agribusiness outcomes. The integration of technology into agripreneurship plays an important role in mitigating socio-economic challenges by creating jobs, boosting the local economy, and helping agripreneurs manage their farms effectively. Various technologies are adopted to minimise the impacts of climate change, improve pest control, and increase productivity and efficiency.

Agile methodologies extensively utilised in software development to improve adaptability, teamwork, and value provision. Notwithstanding comprehensive international studies, there is scant empirical data concerning Agile deployment in South African software development Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), where resource limitations and contextual elements may affect adoption experiences. This research investigated the benefits and obstacles related to Agile adoption from the viewpoints of professionals in South African software development small and medium-sized enterprises. A quantitative research methodology was utilised, using a designed questionnaire with five-point Likert-scale items that assess perceived benefits and obstacles of Agile. A comprehensive analysis was conducted on 106 valid responses utilising descriptive statistics, reliability analysis (Cronbach’s α = 0.862), and exploratory factor analysis to evaluate the consistency of the instrument and its construct validity. The results demonstrate a robust consensus on the benefits of Agile, including enhanced team collaboration, communication, transparency, and adaptability, underscoring Agile's focus on individuals and its responsive characteristics. These benefits facilitate adaptable project implementation, ongoing stakeholder input, and enhanced collaboration. Conversely, the obstacles to execution were viewed as quite minor and not considered significant impediments. The primary obstacles encompassed deficiencies in documentation, misalignment among stakeholders, opposition to organisational transformation, time limitations, and heightened stress linked to accelerated development phases. The results indicate that South African software SMEs can enhance Agile value by bolstering collaborative efforts, ensuring thorough documentation, harmonising stakeholder expectations, and fostering ongoing learning. Despite being restricted to South African software development SMEs and a limited survey sample, the research offers contextually pertinent quantitative data on Agile adoption and sheds light on the benefits and obstacles of Agile deployment in resource-limited settings.    

Agile software development is extensively embraced worldwide; nonetheless, there is a paucity of empirical data concerning the Agile approaches employed by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa and the reasons for their adoption. This research examines (1) the Agile software development approaches being employed by South African software SMEs and (2) the reasons these businesses embrace Agile methodologies. Utilising a cohesive theoretical model that merges Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) theory with the Technology–Organisation–Environment (TOE) framework, the research adopted a quantitative descriptive methodology through a cross-sectional survey. Quantitative data were examined utilising descriptive and inferential statistical methods, encompassing frequencies, percentages, mean values, and standard deviations. Reliability and concept validity were evaluated using Cronbach’s alpha and Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), correspondingly. The results reveal that Scrum and Kanban are the predominant Agile techniques, either utilised separately or in hybrid forms according to organisational frameworks, team interactions, and project needs. The adoption of Agile techniques was predominantly driven by internal factors, as businesses sought to enhance communication, cooperation, transparency, efficiency, responsiveness in delivery, and overall team effectiveness. The research determines that the adoption of Agile methodologies in South African software SMEs is practical, reliant on context, and influenced by organisational culture, methodological adaptability, and operational priorities, emphasising the necessity of flexible implementation strategies in emerging market settings.

This paper aims to examine the quantile-based frequency connectedness between cryptocurrencies and platinum returns across different market conditions and investment horizons. In this paper, it is also aimed to evaluate the asymmetric and time-varying spillover effects between cryptocurrency markets and platinum returns within short-, medium-, and long-term horizons. The study discussed the Heterogeneous Market Hypothesis together with the concepts of cryptocurrencies and platinum as part of the theoretical and conceptual foundations underpinning the analysis. The study adopted the positivist research paradigm, quantitative research approach, and explanatory research design. We employed a hybrid analytical framework combining Quantile Regression (QR), Quantile-on-Quantile Regression (QQR), and Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition (EEMD) to capture the non-linear and frequency-dependent dynamics between the selected variables. A dataset comprising daily prices of Cardano (ADA), Binance Coin (BNB), Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), TRON (TRX), Tether (USDT), Dogecoin (DOGE), Ripple (XRP), and platinum returns sourced from CoinMarketCap and the Bloomberg L.P. Terminal was analysed. The main findings of the study demonstrate that (i) the connectedness between cryptocurrencies and platinum returns is generally weak and predominantly inverse in the short term, indicating minimal immediate spillover effects between the two asset classes, (ii) medium-term relationships become significantly stronger with positive dependencies dominating across most quantiles, suggesting increasing integration driven by speculative investment flows and evolving investor sentiment, and finally (iii) long-run connectedness is highly asymmetric and predominantly positive, particularly from cryptocurrencies to platinum returns, although occasional negative dependencies at lower quantiles indicate limited hedging and safe-haven properties during extreme market downturns.  

This study investigates the effects of large class sizes on students' learning experiences at a South African university of technology. With increasing enrolment in higher education, many universities face the challenge of managing large classes, which raises concerns about the quality of teaching and learning. This study used a quantitative research design to gather and analyse data through structured questionnaires administered to third-year undergraduate students in three departments with high enrolment numbers in the Faculty of Management Sciences at one university of technology. The findings reveal that large classes have a negative impact on students' ability to engage with academic content, interact with lecturers, and receive timeous feedback. Students reported feeling disconnected, overlooked, and less motivated in overcrowded learning environments. The study highlights areas where technological tools and improved pedagogical strategies could mitigate some of the challenges associated with large-class learning. The study also investigated how academic support services offered by the Teaching and Learning Development Centre (TLDC), the Writing Centre, and the Student Counselling Centre affect students’ learning and performance. The paper concludes by recommending strategies and support systems to enhance student learning in large class contexts.

The purpose of the research was to explore how parents were engaged in the education of Grade 1 learners during the COVID-19 crisis in the Rakwadu 2 Circuit of Limpopo Province. On the 18th of March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic led to the abrupt closure of all schools in South Africa. The closure of schools was a good move to prevent the virus from spreading among learners and teachers. The study was grounded in Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems theory, and the findings were discussed within this framework. An exploratory research design was used. This qualitative research study was conducted with 8 parents and 4 teachers, and data were collected through semi-structured interviews. The thematic analysis was used to analyse the collected data. Before the researchers gathered data, ethical steps, such as obtaining permission from the Department of Basic Education, principals, and teachers, were taken. Hence, the participants were assured of anonymity, confidentiality, the non-violation of their rights, safety, and no interruption to their teaching responsibilities. The findings demonstrated unique issues of a lack of parent involvement in the school environment. The study suggests that schools must provide practical examples to help parents teach their children at home.

The emergence of tokenization of real-world assets (RWA) has disrupted transformative innovation in global finance, enabling the representation of financial and physical assets on blockchain networks. This study adopts a systematic literature review (SLR) of 25 peer-reviewed research works published between 2015 and 2026, supplemented by authoritative policy and industry reports to explore the implications of RWA tokenization for financial market transformative innovation. Following the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Framework, this study identifies four main research streams: (1) technical and economic drivers, (2) effects of market transformation, (3) regulatory and governance pressures, and (4) risks and adoption dynamics. According to the review, tokenization enhances efficiency, accessibility, and liquidity through continuous trading, smart contracts, and fractional ownership. However, barriers such as technological risks, governance uncertainty, and regulatory fragmentation remain prominent. The study contributes to the academic discourse by providing a comprehensive synthesis of RWA tokenization and emphasizing its implications for developing markets, in particular, financial inclusion and capital formation. The study concludes that although RWA tokenization holds substantial transformative innovation potential, its long-term impact lies in regulatory harmonization, infrastructure development, and empirical validation.

Illegal mining, particularly as carried out by Zama Zamas (informal artisanal miners), has become an escalating concern in South Africa, presenting multifaceted challenges to affected communities. This study investigates the localised impacts of illegal mining in Atok, a community situated in Limpopo Province, through the lived experiences and perceptions of its residents. Employing a qualitative research design, the study uncovers the profound socio-economic and environmental consequences resulting from unregulated mining activities. Key findings include widespread environmental degradation, disruption of local economic activities, compromised public health, and a notable rise in crime and insecurity. These outcomes not only undermine the well-being of residents but also impede sustainable development in the region. The research underscores the urgent need for coordinated interventions involving government entities, local authorities, and community stakeholders to rehabilitate affected areas, enforce existing mining legislation, and implement community-based development initiatives. The insights generated contribute to the broader discourse on illegal mining and offer policy-relevant recommendations for mitigating its adverse effects in South Africa and similar contexts globally.

Infrastructure development remains a core mandate of local government in South Africa; however, many municipalities continue to experience persistent infrastructure backlogs due to financial constraints, limited technical capacity, and governance challenges. In response to these challenges, public–private partnerships (PPPs) have increasingly been adopted as an alternative approach to infrastructure development, enabling collaboration between the public and private sectors through the sharing of resources, expertise, and risk. Despite their growing application, the effectiveness of PPPs at the local government level remains inconsistent, particularly within smaller and resource-constrained municipalities.