African Journal of Inter/Multidisciplinary Studies
The African Journal of Inter/Multidisciplinary Studies (ISSN: 2663-4589) is an open access journal that publishes interdisciplinary research from diverse academic disciplines. The journal welcomes contributions from various academic disciplines. Since the aim is to promote interdisciplinary studies, submitted articles should demonstrate the potential for interdisciplinary research and should appeal to a wide variety of readers. The journal publishes full research articles in the fields of humanities, social sciences as well as science-related studies that could demonstrate interdisciplinary scope from different disciplines. The journal also publishes peer-reviewed short articles/commentaries where topical issues are discussed without empirical research.
Azure Academic Publishers in conjunction with the Durban University of Technology
Exigency of Work-Life Balance in the Wake of Digitalised Workspace for Information Technology Staff in the Banking Sector
Digitalisation has enabled ubiquity, transformed the conventional workspace, and reshaped how work is designed, performed and managed in organisations. Technology is increasingly infiltrating workspaces, with digitalisation catalysing employee work-life balance as it allows work to fit better around home and family responsibilities. Leveraging digitalisation in workspaces has enabled organisations to move towards working from home, embracing flexibility, employee productivity and autonomy. While this arrangement has been advocated for as 'accommodating', the risk of infringing on employees' personal lives and negatively affecting their work-life balance (WLB) and performance remains. This article examines the exigency of employee work-life balance and performance in digitalised workspaces in a Zimbabwean bank. The study employed qualitative methodology to obtain in-depth insights into the phenomenon. Using semi-structured interviews, data saturation was reached on the 10th interview of purposively sampled participants. Data were thematically analysed using the software ATLAS.ti Version 8. The themes raised in the study indicated that digitalisation offered the flexibility of working from home, giving employees time to do their own things. Digitalisation also enabled flexibility and autonomy, multitasking, and working from home, which were convenient in balancing employee work and personal lives, thus ensuring performance. However, work-life balance was affected by the blurry boundaries between work and personal lives caused by connectivity, polychronicity, health threats and lack of task prioritisation brought about by working from home. The study concluded that digitalised workspaces in the Zimbabwean bank allowed for employee work-life balance despite some challenges. Therefore, employees need to establish boundaries and block time to eliminate the risks impeding work-life balance.
Copyright (c) 2025 Hazel Mubango, Hlanganipani Ngirande, Khathutshelo Khashane
Drivers to Promote the Adoption of Green Information Communication Technology in South African SMEs
Despite the numerous benefits of green information and communication technology (GICT), the adoption rate among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa remains low. Limited financial resources, lack of awareness, inadequate technical skills and insufficient government support hinder effective implementation and integration of GICT. The objective is to identify the most prominent drivers for enhancing the adoption of GICT after which recommendations can be made. By understanding these drivers, SMEs can be encouraged to adopt GICT practices to benefit from them. The identified drivers, drawn from existing literature, were incorporated into a measurement tool. Data was gathered through an electronic survey using a self-administered questionnaire. The respondents’ perceptions regarding the drivers of GICT adoption were examined. An exploratory factor analysis revealed that the most prominent drivers for enhancing GICT adoption are eco-friendliness, environmental conditions, cost, and competitive advantage. It is recommended that SMEs adopt a proactive approach to integrating GICT initiatives into their business strategies. By fostering collaborations with other businesses, industry stakeholders, and policymakers, SMEs can lead the way in establishing robust environmental certification practices. The study concludes that these types of partnerships will not only enhance sustainability efforts but also position SMEs as leaders in the transition to greener, more efficient operations.
Copyright (c) 2025 Elizma Bok, Alet Tolmay
Cultivating Student Entrepreneurship through Community Engagement Initiatives: A Comprehensive Review in A South African Context
Present-day high unemployment rates make cultivating student entrepreneurship skills increasingly vital. As the job market landscape evolves towards innovation, creativity, and adaptability, traditional educational systems are being re-evaluated to better prepare students to adapt and thrive in potential career challenges. Community engagement initiatives are one promising avenue for fostering student entrepreneurship, providing students unique opportunities to apply theoretical class-taught content and their skills to real-world settings, contributing significantly to their communities. However, higher learning institutions grapple to properly develop entrepreneurship culture among students and adopt relevant pedagogies, typically depending on traditional teaching approaches, with some ignoring potential benefits of community engagement initiatives in fostering entrepreneurship culture. A comprehensive literature review established the key factors influencing student entrepreneurship efficacy through community engagement initiatives and understand the extent to which these initiatives contribute to cultivating students’ entrepreneurial skills and mindsets. Community engagement initiatives were found to enhance these skills, including creativity, problem-solving, and leadership, while access to resources and a supportive ecosystem influenced student entrepreneurship efficacy. These initiatives transcend individual student development, with far-reaching, positive community impact and improvement of the institution’s image. Further empirical research could devise targeted strategies, incorporating community engagement initiatives to cultivate student entrepreneurship into the university curriculum.
Copyright (c) 2025 Mthokozisi Luthuli, Peggy Mthalane , Smangele Moyane, Ntando Nkomo, Samkelisiwe Phokoye
Students’ Transition into Higher Education: Incorporating High-Impact Practices to Foster Smooth Transition and Academic Success
The transition into Higher Education (HE) is a problematic situation for students and academic institutions worldwide. This scenario is even more apparent in the South African environment as a majority of the student body resides in low-income, rural environments and are first-generation university students. Such a context presents unique challenges such as separation from family, cultural differences and family obligations, together with academic and social integration pressures, thus placing students in an unfamiliar environment within HE. If successful integration into HE is not achieved at this initial stage of entry, students face the risk of academic failure. The purpose of the study was to explore the challenges faced by South African first-year students as they transition into HE and the impact of peer mentorship on the successful progression of university students. Findings reveal that engaging in high- impact practices inherent in first-year student experiences ultimately leads to the promotion of student success in areas such as increased academic performance, participation in activities with educational goals, student contentment and persistence in completion of their studies. This paper proposes an intervention that supports a smooth transition of students into higher education as it draws from the strategies of High-Impact Practices (HIPs) applicable to undergraduate courses.
Copyright (c) 2025 Radha Reddy, Charmaine Naidoo, Noelene Simone Ross
Communication through Shifting Lingua Franca: Surveying Followers' Perceptions of Influencers' Code-Switching in Social Media
The explosive growth of social media-enabled sharing and engagement has resulted in the emergence of content providers known as social media influencers (SMIs) who use different languages during engagements. This study investigated why SMIs feel the need to switch between languages and how their followers respond to this underreported and interesting phenomenon. The study explored social media followers’ perceptions of influencers’ code-switching behaviour (n=163). It used SPSS version 28 to conduct descriptive data analysis and to calculate the mean and standard deviation to gain insight into respondents’ perceptions. The findings revealed that a significant proportion of the participants reported that the influencers whom they followed frequently employed code-switching during conversations. While English is assumed to be the de facto lingua franca of social media, the findings of this study contribute to the communication field by suggesting that influencers code-switch when conversing in English for many reasons. The results of this study provide insights into how influencers' code-switching is perceived by their followers during social media interactions. Factor analysis was performed, and it revealed that the underlying followers’ perceptions of social media influencers who code switch are related to lexical clarity, lexical deficiencies, and language meaning. This study also revealed that the most dominant perception was lexical clarity. Individuals or organisations interested in engaging influencers may find these results useful, particularly marketers who frequently use influencers for advertising purposes, as they can provide insight into influencer behaviour. Furthermore, social media influencers interested in knowing how followers perceive them when they code-switch may find these results useful.
Copyright (c) 2025 Bongazana Dondolo, Maria Mushaathoni
“I Hear the Cry, but I Do Not See the Tears”: Indirectness in Bribery Negotiations
There is a relationship between crime and language, particularly crimes such as bribery, which are perpetuated through the use of language. These language-based crimes are often articulated indirectly to afford the interlocutor’s denial should such a need arise. This paper aims to comprehend the role played by language in bribery negotiations by exploring the actual utterances used by interlocutors involved in bribery negotiations and the linguistic features portrayed in these utterances. Informed by interview data (obtained from motorists) interpreted through the pragmatic act and speech act theories, the study reveals several indirect utterances such as ‘I hear you cry but I do not see your tears’, ‘Put down,’ ‘Do a drink,’ ‘Ostrich feathers are the ones that can work in this situation,’ ‘make a strong tea…’ which are characterised by declarative and imperative statements, semantic shift and informal expressions. Indirect speech acts play a significant role as a resource used to veil unethical practices from being revealed in the courts of law. Therefore, it is recommended that the expertise of language specialists should be used in the courts of law to interpret language-related crimes such as bribery.
Copyright (c) 2025 Mampoi Irene Mabena, Palesa Mabohlokoa Khotso Khanyetsi
Dreams as a Diagnostic and Treatment Tool in Mental Health Care Practice by Traditional Healthcare Practitioners: An Afrocentric Perspective
In sub-Saharan Africa dreams are often used to forecast future events and believed to be a conduit between the natural and supernatural dimensions of the social world. However, the role of dreams in the area of traditional healthcare practice in an African setting is mostly under-researched. This article presents an embryonic conceptual model of dreams within the diagnostic and treatment process in mental healthcare practice from an Afrocentric perspective. Evidence from semi-structured interviews with traditional healthcare practitioners (THPs) were analysed using a qualitative cultural lens is provided which reveals the role of dreams within traditional diagnosis and treatment of mental illness. Specifically, THPs often rely on God and their ancestors to convey messages to the practitioner which, in turn, influence the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness. The mediating factor for the use of dreams by THPs in the diagnostic and treatment process is conceptualized as a form of symbolic interpretation. These findings are relevant within the sub-Saharan African context because as many as 80% of Africans consult with THPs and so an indigenous mental healthcare diagnostic and treatment model may serve to complement the current armamentarium of treatment regimens.
Small and Medium Enterprises’ Success: Examining Social Media Effectiveness in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
Social media has emerged as a crucial aspect of individuals' daily routines, particularly in the post-COVID-19 era. Consequently, it represents a promising channel for businesses to showcase their products and services to customers. This research aims to explore the perception of businesses regarding the effectiveness of social media in relation to business success in Pietermaritzburg’s beauty Small and Medium Enterprises (SME), South Africa. This study is qualitative in nature, purposively sampling 22 businesses and conducted semi-structured interviews. Thematic Analysis was utilised to analyse the gathered data. The results reveal the importance and effectiveness of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp in beauty SME marketing initiatives. Content creation was discovered as an important requirement of businesses with a focus on visual appeal. In addition, audience targeting, and engagement were emphasised as crucial components for building ties with customers and promoting brand loyalty. SMEs are encouraged to make use of all the functionalities of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp which offers SMEs opportunities to enhance online presence, engage target audiences and promote business success.
Copyright (c) 2025 Luther-King Junior Zogli, Amanda Zamaswazi Makalima
Contemporary Trends in African Elections (2013-2023)
The paper investigates recent trends in African elections over the past decade and their implications for democracy and political stability. It utilises qualitative research methods and thematic analysis from secondary sources covering a decade spanning from 2013 to 2023. This period is of particular interest due to significant transformation in Africa's electoral processes. Within this period, Africa experienced increased deployment of technology in elections and greater youth political participation through social media and online tools. These factors spurred African people and societies to demand greater transparency and accountability in their electoral systems. To achieve its objectives, the paper employed a simple random selection technique to assess elections in various African countries and identify emerging trends. Based on identified trends, our conclusion reveals a complex landscape shaped by emerging realities of Africa’s social, political and economic dynamics. These new trends in Africa’s elections include constitutional coups, military resurgence, increasing women participation, youth renaissance, and populism, which underscore the current challenges being faced and emergent opportunities. The paper recommends a multi-stakeholder approach involving, among others, government institutions, civil society organisations, and international partners as paramount for ensuring more credible elections to deepen democracy in Africa.
Copyright (c) 2025 Antonia Taiye Simbine, Omosefe Oyekanmi
Editorial: Business and Information Management Realities in a World of Global Disruption and 4IR
In today’s fast-paced and ever-evolving digital landscape, the crossroad of business management and information technology have become more critical than ever. This Special Issue of the African Journal of Inter/Multidisciplinary Studies (AJIMS) features research papers presented at the 1st Biennial Interdisciplinary Conference of Business and Information Management contributing to the strategic fusion of traditional business principles with cutting-edge information management processes, systems and technologies, creating unprecedented opportunities for organisational transformation, opportunities presented by entrepreneurial ventures while creating a competitive edge, as well as dynamics presented to Higher Education globally. Under the theme Business and Information Management in Realities in a World of Global Disruption and 4IR” the selected articles examine the green Information Communications Technology amongst the South African SMEs; digitised workspaces post Covid-19 pandemic and risks associated with organisational digitalisation in the 4IR. The theme also cast a lens on both social and organisational implications within the business by examining leadership styles and job satisfaction in the public sector, while high impact practices responding to global disruption glances into the realm of Higher Education entrepreneurship initiatives aligning to the curriculum, and the adoption of project-based learning as well as learning management systems in the South African context.
Copyright (c) 2025 Trisha Ramsuraj, Peggy Mthalane
Editorial: Envisioning Critical Futures for Higher Education
Higher education is at a critical crossroad, urgently needing transformation to address dynamic global challenges and historical legacies. This Special Issue of the African Journal of Inter/Multidisciplinary Studies (AJIMS) features research papers presented at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) Learning and Teaching Imbizo 2022 and two invited guest papers, all contributing to a progressive vision for the future of higher education. Under the theme Envisioning Critical Futures for Higher Education, the selected articles examine existing frameworks, pedagogical changes, and systemic obstacles while proposing innovative strategies for fostering a more inclusive, creative, and equitable academic environment. Central to this collection is a call for higher education institutions to reimagine, re-envision, and recreate new futures for higher education – ones that acknowledge both recent disruptions and deeper historical contexts. It is a call to rethink approaches to learning, teaching, and research in ways that promote inclusivity, equity, and transformation. The featured articles focus on critical areas, including support for postgraduate study, critical pedagogy, gender equity, curriculum decolonisation, academic literacy, and student engagement, all essential in shaping the ongoing evolution and transformation of higher education. These contributions emerge at a critical juncture when technological disruptions, socioeconomic inequities, and epistemological contestations demand urgent attention from all higher education stakeholders. We commence by providing an overview of the five articles in this issue that were presented at the Imbizo, followed by the two invited guest contributions.
Copyright (c) 2025 Nalini Chitanand, Mncedisi Christian Maphalala, Gita Mistri
Motivation Levels of Administrative Employees at a Selected Government Department
In regions across South Africa there is an urgent need for government departments to deliver high-quality services consistently. The efficient and timely delivery of government services to citizens is largely dependent on the critical role played by administrative employees. This study assessed the motivation levels among administrative employees within a selected government department. The study used Herzberg's Two-Factor Theory framework that distinguishes between intrinsic motivation (doing something for internal satisfaction or personal fulfilment) and extrinsic motivation (driven by external rewards such as salary, recognition or career advancement). The research primarily explored intrinsic and extrinsic factors influencing employee motivation, employing quantitative research methodology to assess the motivation levels of administrative employees. A structured questionnaire utilising a 5-point Likert scale was used to gather quantitative data. Initially, the preliminary study involving 20 administrative employees was conducted using a closed-ended questionnaire distributed through Google Forms. The reliability of the questionnaire constructs was assessed using Cronbach's alpha which yielded an overall alpha range of 0.70 to 0.95, indicating strong internal consistency among the items within each construct. As this study remains ongoing, conclusions will not be drawn solely from the preliminary study; instead, findings will be generalised to the entire population under investigation.
Copyright (c) 2025 Ashley Ntombi Bhuda, Cornelia Harmse
Students’ Risk of Depression: Student Affairs Practitioners’ Perspectives at a South African University of Technology
In this paper, we use data generated through one-on-one interviews with 12 purposively sampled student affairs practitioners at a university of technology in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, to explore their perspectives on the vulnerability of the institution’s students to depression. This study’s findings indicate that depression is a serious mental health disorder among students, as they experience challenges that affect them daily. The participants reported numerous personal, environmental and social factors that contribute to students’ depression. Analysis of the findings reveals that depression impedes students’ academic progress and social well-being, as the students struggle to cope with the challenges they face in their academic lives. There is a need for multiple stakeholders to collaborate in addressing this mental health issue. Students must be equipped with skills and resources that will help them to cope with challenges that affect their mental health. Risk factors for depression must be identified to enable the establishment of prevention measures for improving students’ mental health. The university of technology should develop policies that intentionally focus on mental health issues and how cases related to them are handled within the institution, so that students get the best support that they need.
Copyright (c) 2025 Andile Samkele Masuku, Nokuthula Sibiya
Collaborative Supervision Pedagogy for Increased Postgraduate Student Success: The Importance of Writing Camps as an Alternative Supervision Programme
A persistent challenge in postgraduate studies is the low retention and throughput rate following initial access, often due to delayed graduation. This issue is frequently exacerbated by the prevailing 'lonely scholar' model typically adopted by academic faculties and research supervisors. This paper proposes an alternative supervisory pedagogy grounded in a multifaceted, collaborative approach. It integrates the structured design of a writing camp with the traditional ‘master-apprentice’ supervision model. The study seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of this collaborative support system in accelerating the completion of postgraduate research reports – dissertations and research articles – while enhancing the quality of scholarly output. Adhering to established ethical standards in social science research, the study employed a qualitative approach within a descriptive and programme evaluation research design. Thirty-nine pipeline students were purposively selected to participate in a writing camp, based on a defined set of selection criteria. Data were gathered through participant testimonials and a post-camp telephonic survey, then analysed using Atlas.ti (Version 23). Ethical principles – including voluntary participation, the right to withdraw, confidentiality, and anonymity – were rigorously upheld. Findings highlight the substantial benefits of collaborative supervision models in strengthening research and academic writing skills, alleviating the supervisory burden, and incorporating specialist input to enhance the overall quality of student research. The study recommends the early integration of writing specialists into postgraduate supervision to build student confidence and improve throughput rates.
Copyright (c) 2025 Raymond Emekako, Shemfe Olaitan, Peter Merisi
Consumer Challenges of the Socio-Economically Disadvantaged in South Africa and the Role of Consumer Legislation
In South Africa, high poverty and low literacy rates significantly affect the consumer market, especially for vulnerable individuals in disadvantaged communities. These consumers encounter difficulties when dealing with suppliers, including purchasing inferior quality goods, facing higher prices, and needing to make multiple trips to stores. This disparity is pronounced within the market, which encompasses literate ordinary consumers and vulnerable individuals with low literacy levels or illiteracy. Due to their socio-economic challenges, these vulnerable consumers often tolerate unethical business practices and find it challenging to access legal support. Through a quantitative survey, this article explores consumer challenges faced by socio-economically disadvantaged individuals in Illovo Township, Bhekulwandle, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The study is grounded in the Consumer Justice Theory, and advocates for equitable treatment and protection of historically disadvantaged consumers under relevant consumer protection legislation. The findings reveal that socio-economically disadvantaged consumers face challenges with complex contracts, lack of legal recourse due to financial constraints, and lengthy cancellation processes, leading to acceptance of poor service. Awareness of consumer rights remains low among respondents. However, the article concludes that the government, suppliers, and consumer bodies bear a significant responsibility to ensure equal protection for all consumers, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Copyright (c) 2025 Lindeka Tentu, Karunanidhi Reddy
Editorial: Moving Artificial Intelligence Scholarship: Navigating the AI Frontier in Higher Education
The swift and pervasive rise of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly Generative AI (GenAI), is reshaping the educational landscape globally. As we navigate a future shaped by developments in AI, the need for critical engagement, ethical frameworks, and innovative learning designs becomes paramount. This special issue of AJIMS, titled Moving Artificial Intelligence Scholarship, emerges at a crucial juncture. Employers today expect graduates to embody an entrepreneurial mindset, possess higher-order literacies, and demonstrate global relevance beyond discipline-specific expertise. This issue interrogates how AI intersects with these expectations, advancing conversations about the future of higher education and professional practice development, particularly navigating the perspectives from China and South Africa. The eight papers in this issue reflect the complexities of integrating AI into education, offering perspectives that span disciplinary, institutional, and cultural contexts. They collectively underscore the transformative potential of AI while highlighting the ethical, relational, and pedagogical challenges it introduces. In this editorial, we synthesise the contributions of these works and their implications for academia.
Copyright (c) 2024 Anisa Vahed, Charlie Reis, Shalini Singh, Loiuse Drumm
Applicability of Relationship Intentions among the Civil and Building Engineering Contractors in the South African Construction Sector: A Case of B2B Industry
It is commonly believed that it is more expensive to attract new business than to invest in existing customers. This study investigates the applicability of relationship intention among civil and building engineering contractors (CBEC) and their concrete product suppliers (CPS). Furthermore, ascertains whether the duration of business support stimulates CBEC’s intention to engage in business-to-business (B2B) relational exchanges. Very few studies attempted to explore if there is a statistically significant relationship between CBEC relationship intention and CPS in relation to the duration or length of support towards CPS. A cross-sectional descriptive research design was followed, using a probability simple random sampling procedure to collect data from CBEC operating in Gauteng, South Africa. Using structured self-administered questionnaires, data analysis embraced descriptive statistics, Exploratory Factor Analysis, Independent sample t-test and ANOVA. The findings suggest that it is possible to classify customers based on their relationship intention echelons with differing relationship ideas and dissimilar behaviour across the eight dimensions of relationship intention. For marketers operating within concrete product markets, a strategic recommendation emerges that relationship marketing efforts should be channeled towards customers who exhibit pronounced relationship intentions rather than directing their resources solely on the duration of business association. By diligently considering eight dimensions encompassing relationship intention, CPS can enhance their prospects of cultivating customer relationships that could ultimately lead to improved sales performance and improved profits through mutual benefits and continued relational intentions aimed at intensifying customer retention levels.
Copyright (c) 2025 Xitshembhiso Difference Chauke, Lehlohonolo Amos Masitenyane, Bakae Aubrey Mokoena
Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tools in Higher Education: A Moral Compass for the Future?
Higher education is experiencing a paradigm shift with the advent of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and large language models. This transformative approach is revolutionising education and the world of work and, if harnessed correctly, has the propensity to shape future minds. The study sought to understand academics' and teaching and learning (TandL) specialists' perceptions at a private higher education institution (PHEI) in South Africa (SA) regarding the ethical implications of using Generative AI tools in TandL prior to the institution taking a formal stance on the use of these tools. This qualitative exploratory study purposively selected 59 academics and TandL specialists across ten delivery sites at a PHEI in South Africa. Data was collected anonymously using an open-ended online questionnaire, and thematic analysis was performed. Five key themes emerged from the data: Academic integrity while maintaining agility; monitoring responsible ethical use and investments; protection of privacy; accessibility and equality and tools and systems for AI identification. The study also highlights the importance of considering the moral implications of Generative AI in education and how it can be used to shape the future of learning. This study contributes to the limited literature available on the use of AI in higher education TandL and its ethical implications in the global south.
Copyright (c) 2024 Shamola Pramjeeth, Priya Ramgovind
Understanding and Addressing COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in the United States through Effective Health Communication
Public health organisations and policy leaders have long called for more coordinated strategies and resources to address vaccine hesitancy in the United States. However, to date, no dedicated policy, public health department, or resources have been aimed at vaccine confidence and acceptance of issues. Misinformation is propagated through social media platforms and online communities have contributed to the dissemination of unfounded claims linking vaccines to adverse health outcomes, such as autism (Nuwarda, Ramzan, Weekes and Veysel, 2022). The World Health Organisation (2015) also opines that vaccine hesitancy is influenced by factors such as misinformation, complacency, convenience, and lack of confidence. One can also not rule out the role of historical injustices as system disparities in health care have played on the marginalised communities and have, one way or the other, left a scar on the citizens. One such example is the Tuskegee experiment which began in 1932. The Tuskegee Syphilis Study was conducted in 1930s Alabama on African American men with untreated syphilis. The study focused on poverty-stricken men in Macon County, who lacked education and job opportunities. Local doctors sought to understand the disease's impact by surveying both white and black residents (Gilliard, 2010: Perlstadt, 2024). Hence there is a need for these issues to be addressed so that the trust of the communities can be gained. Cultural and religious beliefs also play an important role in shaping vaccine attitudes, and understanding cultural perspective is crucial for engaging hesitant communities. Previous research has found that vaccine hesitancy often occurs after a systematic assessment of vaccinations and most times, the decision to reject vaccination is not due to lack of access to care.
Copyright (c) 2024 Grace Temiloluwa Agbede
Is there a Relationship between Transactional Leadership Style, Communication and Job Satisfaction of Administrative Employees in the South African Public Sector?
This study aimed to determine whether there is a relationship between a transactional leadership style, communication and job satisfaction of administrative employees in the South African Public Sector. Transactional leadership, communication and job satisfaction have all been examined in different contexts, but it remains unclear how these three variables interact in the South African public sector. The study adhered to the theory of social exchange that provided an organised approach to understanding the emergence, development, and consequences of group interactions. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was undertaken with 184 administrative personnel who were not part of a probability census. A quantitative research approach was used. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) were used to assess the contributions of each item based on its loading. Structural equation modelling (SEM) and bootstrapping using r2 were used to test the validity and some of the patterns indicating how the transactional leadership style, communication and job satisfaction are related. The study found a substantial link between transactional leadership and employee job satisfaction and a significant link between transactional leadership and communication. This research project has the potential to help managers in South Africa's public sector comprehend the relationship between leadership styles, communication, and job satisfaction. In addition, this study makes a significant contribution by broadening our understanding of transactional leaders, emphasising the importance of relying on rewards for employee satisfaction, and raising awareness of the potential consequences of direct and transparent communication.
Copyright (c) 2025 Witness Makhwiitng, Estelle Bruhns
Preserving Academic Integrity in AI-Generated Assessments: A Case Study in Entrepreneurship at a Sino-Foreign University
Integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) in higher education presents opportunities and ethical challenges, particularly regarding the increase in students submitting AI-generated assessments. This trend calls for ethical engagement from faculty and students to ensure that AI supports learning without diminishing cognitive skills. Despite existing academic integrity policies, the complexities of AI introduce new dilemmas, often blurring the lines of misconduct and unintentional deception. Focusing on a Chinese-British Sino-Foreign university where students used increasing amounts of AI- generated content from ChatGPT in their Entrepreneurship project, the study emphasises the necessity of critically evaluating AI-generated content due to potential biases and ethical concerns. Through qualitative interviews with 24 participants from the university's Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Hub, issues of transparency, fairness, and policy development emerged as central themes. The findings emphasize the need for a structured, culturally sensitive approach to AI integration. A proposed curriculum matrix aims to facilitate responsible AI usage, supporting faculty in promoting ethical standards while preparing students for a tech-driven workforce. The study concludes by advocating for ongoing dialogue and professional development to foster responsible AI practices in education, ultimately enhancing critical thinking and ethical decision-making in entrepreneurship.
Copyright (c) 2024 Mustafa Ozguven, Anisa Vahed, Khalid Akhal, Antonio Benitez Garcia
Theorising the Voices of Senior Academics on Decolonising the University Curriculum in an Open Distance E-Learning Institution in South Africa
In 2015 and 2016, respectively, South Africans witnessed an unprecedented emergence of the #FeesMustFall and #RhodesMustFall national protests in the South African higher education, with students and progressive academics lamenting the slow pace of transformation in the sector. While there is a plethora of literature post the fallist movements focusing on students, Black academics and government responses to the protests, the voices of senior, tenured academics at an open distance e-Learning institution in South Africa remain under-researched, particularly on how they conceptually understand the calls for decolonising the university curricula. In this paper, we attempt to explore and theorise the voices of senior academics on decolonising the university curriculum at an open distance e-Learning institution in South Africa. Through a qualitative case study, we purposively recruited sixteen (16) senior academics at the main campus of the institution in Gauteng province in South Africa and elicited data through an online qualitative questionnaire administered in line with the institutional COVID 19 and post COVID 19 protocols. Nancy Fraser’s social justice framework was employed to frame data analysis. The findings revealed that senior academics understood the calls for decolonising curricula as responding to the two key challenges; 1) confronting the deeply rooted coloniality of the mind, and 2), the need to challenge the unequal, hierarchical power relations between academics and students. We conclude that when stakeholder minds are decolonised, third spaces are created in which they partake in reflexive conversations which promote parity of participation to accommodate African content and knowledges as equally relevant ways of knowing and doing.
Copyright (c) 2025 Julliet Munyaradzi , Mlamuli Nkosingphile Hlatshwayo
Exploring the Nuances of Traditional Male Circumcision Initiation in South Africa and Other African Contexts
Male circumcision is an ancient practice across the globe, with concomitant shifts in the life of the initiates. This paper examined the complexities of Traditional Male Circumcision Initiation (TMCI) in South Africa and other African contexts. Through a scoping literature review, it highlighted both the progressive and retrogressive aspects of TMCI, emphasizing its role in preventing HIV/AIDS and reinforcing cultural identity. However, it also critiqued TMCI for promoting risky sexual behaviours, substance abuse, and physical and psychosocial health issues, which have led to fatalities among initiates. Through the lenses of multiple culture-related, health, and modernization theories as theoretical frameworks, the paper demonstrates the divergent reasons for the current and future status of TMCI. The study concludes that while TMCI has cultural significance, its survival is threatened by adverse outcomes, suggesting a need for reforms to restore its value within modern health and social frameworks. Therefore, the cultural custodians must seek new strategies to restore the deeming glory of TMCI by ensuring the relevance of cultural goalposts in contemporary health, social, and economic dispensation.
Copyright (c) 2025 Robert Mutemi Kajiita, Simon Murote Kang'ethe
Speaking Truth or Power? Issues in Translation of South African Children’s Picture Books
Children’s books communicate responsibilities and obligations such as good manners or how to overcome personal challenges. Through these stories, children learn how their society expects them to look and behave. Using a sample of bilingual picture books from the Nal’ibali reading campaign in South Africa, this research investigates the naturalised meanings projected to young readers by English stories and their Afrikaans translations. The visual symmetry of the English and Afrikaans versions of the story on a page may lead readers to think that these are direct translations or that the children are accessing similar meanings. The research questions ask whether the English readers are exposed to the same norms as the Afrikaans readers. Using a systemic functional linguistic framework to code evaluations of the books’ characters, we foreground the differences in interpersonal meaning between the English and Afrikaans translations and why these are ideologically significant. Findings show that the Afrikaans translations prioritise a young girl’s looks above her creativity, but they also construe a dedicated father who spends time with his child. Despite the small corpus, these preliminary findings indicate a need for a wider study of translation in children’s books to investigate the congruency of their translations.
Copyright (c) 2024 Jade Smith, Ralph Adendorff
Experiences of Nurse Educators in Research Supervision of Undergraduate Students
Undergraduate research is an essential experience for student nurses that can enhance the nurse graduate attitude towards evidence-based practice. Research is important and has a positive contribution on career development within the healthcare sector. Nurse educators play a crucial role in undergraduate research by providing research supervision to the undergraduate nursing students. The study's primary purpose was to determine the nurse educators' experiences in research supervision of undergraduate students. The study used a qualitative, phenomenological exploratory-descriptive research design. The non-probability purposive sampling was adopted to select participants from the nursing institutions in the two provinces, four in Province 1 and two in Province 2. The focus group discussions were conducted using a focus group discussion guide to collect data from 27 participants who were part of the four focus groups. The themes that emerged from the findings included roles and engagement in research, orientation on research supervision, mentorship concerning research supervision, and facilitation skills of nurse educators. Therefore, the author recommended that the institutions should ensure guidance to the research supervisors by providing mentorship. The programme on research supervision should be designed to inform the research supervisors about the correct way of supervising undergraduates.
Copyright (c) 2024 Xolani Lawrence Mhlongo
The Lexicographic Treatment of Xitsonga Kinship Terminologies in Selected Bilingual Dictionaries
Kinship terminologies, which vary across cultures and languages, present challenges for lexicographers in creating bilingual dictionaries. Effective bilingual dictionaries must accurately and comprehensively reflect kinship terms and their equivalents. This study explores the lexicographic treatment of Xitsonga kinship terms in bilingual dictionaries, focusing on their definition, translation, and cross-referencing in English-Xitsonga contexts. It addresses the lexicographic challenges posed by kinship terms' cultural specificity and structural diversity across languages. Using a descriptive qualitative methodology, data were collected from the English-Tsonga/Tsonga-English Pocket Dictionary (2008) and the Pharos Bilingual Dictionary: English-Xitsonga/Xitsonga-English (2021). This study is guided by the user-driven approach to lexicography. The study has found that even though bilingual dictionaries offer some accurate equivalents, they often lack full definitions and overlook specific cultural nuances. Cultural differences between English and Xitsonga were identified as key factors limiting the inclusion of kinship equivalents. To improve the accuracy and cultural representation of kinship terms, this study recommends expanding definitions to cover a wider range of familial relationships and ensuring all relevant Xitsonga equivalents are included to reflect its cultural distinctions. These findings contribute to understanding the challenges and opportunities of presenting kinship terms and informing the improvement of bilingual lexicographic resources for Xitsonga.
Copyright (c) 2025 Respect Mlambo, Muzi Matfunjwa
Critical Factors for Growth and Sustainability of Small and Medium Enterprises: A Systematic Literature Review and Propositions for a Successful Transition into Large Corporate Organizations
In today’s contemporary business environment, small, and medium, enterprises (SMEs) play a vital role in driving a country’s economic growth. However, despite their undeniable significance, SMEs often struggle to evolve into large corporate organisations (LCOs) in Africa. The factors and requirements involved in this transition have been a subject of much debate and contention within the research community. This analysis aims to understand factors influencing SMEs' transition into sustainable LCOs, contributing to achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs), the Africa Agenda 2063, and fostering sustainable growth. The study adopts a systematic literature review (SLR) approach. A comprehensive assessment of 647 scholarly scientific research articles published from 2012 to 2022 was conducted, followed by a meticulous statistical analysis of 108 selected studies. The RStudio application, an integrated development environment (IDE) programming tool was used for the analysis of the graphical representation. The findings of this study revealed that leadership, business models, and human capital were crucial factors in SMEs evolving into LCOs. This research endeavoured to bridge the gap in understanding the factors driving the growth of SMEs into LCOs, thereby enabling more informed decision-making and policy development aimed at fostering sustainable economic development in Africa and beyond.
Copyright (c) 2025 Vinay Bugwandin, Emem Anwana, Oluwasegun Julius Aroba
Student Loan Debt Challenges and the Implications of Consumer Protection Legislation: A Case Study of a South African University
The apartheid system, with its racial policies and unequal school funding, undeniably led to educational and social disparities that limited access to higher education (HE). To facilitate access, governments and financial institutions have introduced student loan schemes to help students with tuition fees and related costs. However, there can be severe consequences if students fail to make timely repayments, and they may face challenges when dealing with loan contracts. This article examined the impact of consumer protection legislation on student loan debt challenges in South Africa’s HE sector. A survey was conducted to gather data from a sample of 380 students at a selected university. The findings revealed that many respondents were unaware of the consequences associated with unpaid student loan debt and that they faced certain challenges, such as inequality of bargaining power, not understanding the terms of standard form student loan contracts or concluding them without fully reading the terms and conditions therein. This lack of awareness placed these students at a disadvantage. Misconceptions about student loans and repayment responsibilities were also prevalent. Students also faced barriers such as high legal costs for contract review and have a limited knowledge of consumer rights, exacerbating the issue of unreasonable or unjust contract provisions. To address these issues, the article argues for improved protection for students and enhancements to the student loan system by introducing consumer education programmes; offering mandatory counselling before loans are granted; and providing financial education workshops or seminars.
Copyright (c) 2024 Karunanidhi Reddy, Preleen Govender
Benefits and Challenges of Research Commercialisation in South Africa: A Systemic Review
In developing countries, there is an increased emphasis on encouraging the commercialisation of research at universities. This triggers universities to adopt a culture of innovation and technological learning at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The focus of this review article is to highlight the benefits and challenges faced by researchers in the field of synthetic biology products, biotechnology, agribusiness, Biofuels and phytomedicine in commercialisation. The methodological approach was informed by a selection of electronic databases with a high chance of the selected field in relation to the commercialisation of the research outputs. Google Scholar, PubMed, and Higher Education and Science Technology South Africa Reports for entrepreneurial universities were searched, focusing on 2007 to 2023. The years proved to have played a role in furthering discussions and policy in research on commercialisation in South Africa, the benefits of research commercialisation, challenges of research commercialisation, its determinants, and its impact on academics, universities, and other stakeholders. The review findings suggest that the commercialisation of research is a challenging and complex task to execute, as there are very few cases in South Africa to have a successful academic intellectual property creation, licensing, academic entrepreneurship, and start-up of research. This is placed into context by the fact that the market for high-end products and processes is highly uncertain.
Copyright (c) 2024 Mapula Razwinani, Ndivhuho Tshikovhi, Keolebogile Shirley Motaung
Students’ and Lecturers’ Perceptions and Experiences on Engaging Students in Feedback Dialogues to Promote the Voices of Students in Learning in Higher Education
Students' involvement in discussions on feedback in higher education is often undervalued. Students’ voices in matters of teaching, learning and assessment need to be incorporated so that learning is not left only in the teacher's control. This study explored the perceptions and views of both the students and lecturers regarding students’ participation in feedback dialogues, aiming to access the subjective meanings participants ascribe to the phenomenon of ‘feedback’. The current feedback model typically positions lecturers as the primary source of information, with students acting as passive recipients of feedback. A shift in the conceptual feedback landscape is necessary to perceive feedback as a tool for improving performance and learning through collaborative lecturer-student dialogues. Archer’s theoretical model of feedback underpins this qualitative study, which employed a phenomenological design. Data were collected from 15 undergraduate education students and 6 lecturers through purposive and convenience sampling. Face-to-face, one-on-one semi-structured interviews were conducted with all 21 participants alongside two focus group discussions with the students. The data were analysed using thematic analysis. The findings revealed that both students and lecturers embrace students’ involvement in feedback dialogues. Additionally, some lecturers actively engage students in feedback dialogues before conducting assessments. The findings suggest that lecturers should foster assessment and feedback conversations to improve student engagement with feedback. Furthermore, higher education institutions should monitor the implementation of feedback practices.