International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147- 4478)
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Prevention fatigue and the normalization of HIV among South African youth: A crisis of complacency
Get PDFDespite decades of investment in HIV prevention, South Africa continues to experience high rates of new infections among youth aged 15 to 24. This integrative literature review study explores how prevention fatigue and the normalization of HIV have contributed to a growing crisis of complacency among young people, leading to emotional disengagement and declining participation in prevention efforts. Guided by social constructivism, the Health Belief Model (HBM), and the concept of prevention fatigue, the study systematically reviewed peer-reviewed literature, national policy documents, and program evaluations published between 2010 and 2024. Thematic analysis revealed three key findings: a diminished perception of HIV risk due to normalization; emotional burnout and desensitization stemming from repetitive prevention messaging; and a disconnection between traditional HIV communication strategies and the lived digital, cultural, and social realities of youth. The study argues that knowledge alone is insufficient to sustain behavior change and calls for a fundamental shift in prevention strategy design. Recommendations include the use of emotionally intelligent messaging, digital innovation, and youth-led content creation to re-energize prevention efforts. This study contributes to the discourse by reframing youth disengagement not as ignorance, but as a product of systemic oversaturation and social repositioning of HIV in the post-crisis era
Investigating the challenges experienced by primary school principals in using emotional intelligence in school leadership
Get PDFThe core responsibility of school principals involves working with people’s emotions. As leaders within educational organizations, principals must develop emotional intelligence to effectively guide teachers and learners while managing their daily responsibilities. Emotional intelligence refers to the ability to recognize and regulate one’s own emotions, as well as influence the emotions of others. Given that schools are emotionally charged environments, this study investigates the role of emotional intelligence in primary school leadership, highlighting its significance in addressing everyday challenges. Emotional intelligence equips principals with the skills to communicate effectively, demonstrate empathy, manage conflicts, and engage constructively with stakeholders such as teachers, students, parents, and education officials. Employing a qualitative case study design grounded in a constructivist paradigm, the research focuses on three primary school principals through interviews, observations, and field notes. The findings reveal key challenges, including learner misconduct, disengaged teachers, and interpersonal staff conflicts. The study concludes by recommending the assessment and development of principals’ emotional intelligence to enhance overall school performance. The article further recommends various workshop-based strategies to support leadership development. These include sessions focused on self-awareness and reflective practice to help principals better understand their emotional triggers, strengths, and areas for growth
Impact of Foreign Direct Investment on educational attainment: empirical evidence from Asian countries
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This study aims to explore the effect of foreign direct investment on the educational attainment. This paper employed the POLS and 2SLS models. In Pooled Ordinary Least Square Model, educational attainment in primary, lower secondary, upper secondary and masters’ level have the significant positive relationship with foreign direct investment. In Two stage Least Square Model, educational attainment in primary, lower secondary, upper secondary, tertiary and masters’ level have the significant positive relationship with foreign direct investment. This study contributes to look at the impact foreign direct investment on educational attainment. Panel data from 38 Asian countries was gathered for this study, which spanned the years 2011 to 2022. The study results have important policy implications as they are directly linked to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Target 4.1, which aims to guarantee that all girls and boys get free, equitable, and high-quality primary and secondary education by 2030, resulting in relevant and effective learning outcomes
The impact of community participation in community development at Collins Chabane local municipality
Get PDFCommunity participation is a means of empowering people by creating the space for them to engage in developing their skills and abilities to negotiate their needs in the face of the forces that often appear to obstruct and discourage them. Community participation which results in the development of communities is determined by the extent to which community members and beneficiaries of the process take part in decision-making, to ensure meaningful community participation. Three thematic areas of literature were reviewed, that is: community participation, community development, and service delivery. The study investigated the impact of community participation in community development at Collins Chabane Local Municipality. A quantitative cross-sectional descriptive design was adopted and a total of 120 respondents were purposefully selected to take part in the study. A self-constructed structured questionnaire was applied to collect data and the data were analysed using descriptive statistics. A total of 120 respondents took part in this study, and out of 120 respondents, 53 (44.2%) were males and only 67 (55.8%) were females. The study found that 103 (85.8%) of the respondents agreed with the idea that community members participate in community development. Fifty-eight (58) which constitutes 48.3% of respondents indicated that there is a lack of resources to capacitate rural citizens to actively participate in the development of communities. Forty-nine (40.8%) of the respondents revealed that community members do not contribute resources such as money, materials and labour towards the development of the community. The implications of enduring the challenge of community development at the grassroots are discussed in line with the literature
A quantitative analysis of the association between entrepreneurial competencies (EC) and managerial competencies (MC) in the SME sector in Kwa-Zulu Natal
Get PDFThe research was a comprehensive study on the association between Entrepreneurial Competencies (EC) and Managerial Competencies (MC) within the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) sector in Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa. SMEs are recognized as crucial drivers of economic development, particularly in regions undergoing developmental transitions like KwaZulu-Natal. However, there is a notable gap in understanding the interplay between EC and MC within this sector, despite their acknowledged significance in fostering SME success and economic growth. Through a cross-sectional survey approach targeting SMEs in the Durban South area, data on entrepreneurial and managerial competencies and their impact on SME growth were collected from owner-managers. The survey instrument, a self-administered questionnaire, consisted of closed-ended questions structured on a 5-point Likert scale. Statistical tools such as regression analysis and simple percentages were employed to analyse the data.
The study findings suggest that while both EC and MC are essential for SME success, their direct impact on SME growth may vary depending on the context and organizational characteristics. While no statistically significant associations were found between SME growth and EC, significant associations were observed between SME growth and MC. The study recommends an integrated approach to competency building within SMEs, emphasising the synergies between entrepreneurial and managerial competencies. Future research should explore these dynamics further, considering industry-specific factors and organizational dynamics, to provide practical implications for competency development strategies and business management practices
An exploration into the dimensions of measuring MSME success in Durban central
Get PDFThe aim of this study is to explore the dimensions used to measure the success of MSMEs in Durban Central. Despite the vital role MSMEs play in the area\u27s economic landscape, there is a lack of research on the specific success dimensions used by these businesses. A cross-sectional and descriptive research design was employed for this study, utilising a quantitative approach. 217 MSMEs in the retail sector of Durban Central received structured questionnaires. Statistical analysis, including descriptive and inferential statistics, was conducted using SPSS version 29. The findings suggest that MSMEs in Durban Central predominantly rely on financial metrics, such as turnover/sales and net profit, to measure their success. While financial indicators offer valuable insights into economic viability and financial health, there is a growing recognition of the importance of integrating non-financial metrics, such as customer referrals and product/service innovation, into performance assessment systems. This study contributes to the literature by shedding light on the dimensions used to measure the success of MSMEs in Durban Central, an area where research in this domain is scarce. Through a thorough examination of both financial and non-financial metrics, the study offers a comprehensive understanding of MSME performance evaluation practices in the region. The study recommends the significance of integrating non-financial dimensions into performance assessment systems and provide practical insights for enhancing MSME competitiveness and sustainability in the dynamic business environment of Durban Central
Leveraging Instagram for fashion marketing: Opportunities for success in Durban
Get PDFInstagram has emerged not only as a social networking platform but also as a vital digital marketing tool for fashion brands. However, missed marketing opportunities persist due to factors such as limited computer literacy, unfamiliarity with digital tools, and resistance to new media. The aim of the study is to explore the opportunities for leveraging Instagram as an effective marketing tool within the fashion industry in Durban. Specifically, it seeks to identify how fashion businesses can utilise Instagram to enhance brand visibility, engage with their target audience, and maximize promotional efforts to drive success in the digital marketplace. This quantitative study employed a purposive sampling method and focused on descriptive analysis through a structured online questionnaire distributed to 130 fashion businesses in Durban. The findings underscore Instagram\u27s efficacy in enabling fashion businesses to effectively showcase products, engage visually with their target audience, and amplify brand awareness. The platform\u27s visual-centric nature inherently supports robust brand marketing and promotion, particularly in the fashion sector. Recommendations highlight the imperative for fashion brands to strategically leverage Instagram to enhance visibility and augment brand perception. Success on Instagram necessitates a well-coordinated marketing approach to ensure impactful brand promotion and engagement with followers
Integrating indigenous knowledge into life skills curriculum: Enhancing learners\u27 world and word reading strategies
Get PDFThis paper aims to examine the effects of innovative teaching strategies that incorporate learners lived experiences into the implementation of the South African Life Skills curriculum. It also aims to evaluate how current pedagogical approaches align with or diverge from learner-centred methodologies that value indigenous knowledge systems. Employing a qualitative research design grounded in the interpretive paradigm, we conducted semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with 23 purposively selected Life Skills educators from primary schools. These participants were chosen based on their extensive experience in teaching the subject. The collected narratives were analysed thematically through post-colonial and Afrocentric theoretical lenses to reveal underlying pedagogical trends and epistemological biases. Findings from the study demonstrate that (i) despite the transformative goals of the Life Skills curriculum, many educators still rely on teacher-centred, Eurocentric methods; (ii) such approaches marginalise the learners’ socio-cultural backgrounds and exclude their indigenous knowledge from classroom discourse; and (iii) there is a significant gap between curriculum intentions and instructional practices, which hampers effective learner engagement and inclusivity. The study recommends a shift towards learner-centred pedagogies that recognise and integrate home-brewed knowledge systems and cultural experiences as legitimate and valuable. Such an approach not only fosters inclusivity and relevance but also enhances learners’ identity formation and critical thinking. These findings contribute to ongoing debates about decolonising education in South Africa and provide practical guidance for curriculum designers, teacher educators, and policymakers
Community entrepreneurship as a tool for community development: A review
Get PDFSouth Africa is a developing country characterised by a high rate of unemployment. Unemployment is more prevalent among women and the youth, as they comprise a larger population in South Africa. This has created a higher demand for public services, burdening the government’s ability to provide services. Promotion and funding of community entrepreneurship can ensure that local communities are given the required skills and support to start their businesses to support their families while creating an impact in society. South Africa has many informal businesses in which community members operate, and street vendors are the noted portion that constitutes this informal trading in South Africa. This paper seeks to analyse how the government can implement local economic development (LED) initiatives in a way that promotes and encourages community entrepreneurship. The local government is a sphere closer to the people and is entrusted with implementing LED initiatives in South Africa. The local government has a vital role to play, but it has not done enough to enhance community entrepreneurship in local communities. Based on this premise, this paper will also analyse the key challenges the local government faces in ensuring that community entrepreneurship is encouraged and promoted. This paper is timely. Therefore, the country is currently faced with a higher unemployment rate, which is mostly prevalent among women and the youth, and effective LED initiatives can promote community entrepreneurship in local communities for the betterment of citizens’ lives
Political Activism and Transgender Advocacy Through Poetry: The Case of Lee Mokobe
Get PDFThis paper examines the intersection of political activism and transgender advocacy within Lee Mokobe\u27s poetry, utilising a multidisciplinary methodology that combines thematic literary analysis, socio-political critique, and biographical context. Mokobe, a Cape Town-born transgender poet now based in the United States, employs vivid imagery, narrative voice, and poetic devices to explore themes of identity, societal expectations, resilience, religious conflict, and the quest for acceptance. His poem "What It’s Like to Be Transgender" serves as a case study to demonstrate how personal experience becomes a powerful vehicle for activism and education, highlighting the ongoing struggles faced by transgender individuals both in South Africa and globally. The analysis situates Mokobe’s work within broader socio-political environments, contrasting South Africa’s progressive legal frameworks with persistent societal stigma, violence, and discrimination. The main contribution of this research is to underscore the transformative potential of poetry as a tool for advocacy, emphasising its role in fostering empathy, raising awareness, and influencing educational curricula and public discourse. Through detailed thematic and stylistic analysis, the paper reveals how Mokobe’s poetry not only articulates personal narratives but also challenges systemic injustices, making a compelling case for art as a catalyst for social change and a platform for marginalised voice