Enhancing an equitable language learning environment through translanguaging in English language classrooms

In a learning environment where the system is insensitive to the learners' different needs, this is likely to sideline specific learners' populations, preventing their full participation in the teaching and learning processes. This study aimed to explore how translanguaging can enhance an equitable language learning environment in additional English language classrooms. This systematic review addressed two research questions: How can translanguaging enhance an equitable language learning environment in additional English language classrooms? What are the hindrances to translingual practices in English first additional language learning? This data was retrieved from major databases, including Google Scholar, Semantic Scholar, and Web of Science. After identifying all the articles for the research review, we coded them according to the research questions and theoretical focus. The findings revealed that because of its global appeal in multilingual education, translanguaging has received a plethora of definitions; thus, presently, it has no absolute definition. Also, the paper reveals that translanguaging helps break the language barrier by enhancing the integration of the learners' home languages with the language of teaching and learning, which is English, in this context. Through translanguaging, teachers will employ learner-centred teaching and learning, and not a top-down approach, which is in line with the communicative approach to language teaching. Moreover, through translanguaging, language teachers can use the collaborative approach to language learning; it promotes teamwork, enhances communication skills, and allows for the exchange of diverse perspectives among students. Lastly, the paper shares that the current testing measures are devoid of multilingual approaches in language testing, though there is a call to include learners' multilingual repertoires in their constructs to reflect multilingual lifeworld

Impact of COVID-19 on nurses’ mental health in Thohoyandou area, Limpopo province

The COVID-19 pandemic has far-reaching social and economic consequences for everyone. Every country in the world was affected by the pandemic in one way or the other. To mitigate the effects, companies around the world implemented working from home strategies. However, not all jobs can be done from home. This means that healthcare workers were exempt from the working from home initiative. The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of COVID-19 on the nurses’ mental health in the Thohoyandou area. The study was qualitative in nature and used exploratory research design. A sample of 15 participants were selected purposefully at Tshilidzini Hospital.  An interview guide was used for data collection and thematic content analysis was employed for data analysis. The findings revealed that the impact of COVID-19 on nurses’ mental health was anxiety and fear, depression and loneliness. The challenges nurses experienced include shortages of staff, workloads, shortage of personal protective equipment and lack of compensation. Moreover, this study revealed that nurses supported each other and used faith to cope with the impact of COVID-19 on their mental health. This study has made imperative recommendations such as counselling or debriefing as coping strategies for nurses and adequate supply of resources for healthcare workers. The study further motivates continual research to explore the impact of COVID-19 on healthcare workers’ mental health

Balancing power and policy: governing South Africa through a fragile national unity coalition

The formation of South Africa’s Government of National Unity (GNU) following the 2024 general elections marked a significant departure from dominant-party governance. This article examines the political and institutional challenges that have emerged under this coalition arrangement. Drawing on developments involving major actors such as the African National Congress and the Democratic Alliance, the paper analyses how ideological divergence, administrative fragmentation, and the absence of formal coalition protocols have constrained governance capacity. The study evaluates five interrelated domains: policy coherence, institutional coordination, service delivery, coalition stability, and democratic legitimacy. It does so through the lens of consociational democracy and coalition stability theory. The analysis highlights how tactical alliances and power brokering by smaller parties, combined with limited public engagement, have eroded public trust and stalled reform. Although the GNU has prevented a political breakdown and created a platform for dialogue, it has not yet been translated into functional governance. The article argues that South Africa’s experience emphasizes the need for structural reforms, including codified coalition agreements, electoral reform, and enhanced civic participation. By critically assessing the GNU’s governance trajectory, this study offers lessons for other transitional democracies navigating the tension between pluralism and administrative effectiveness

The effect of emerging technologies on the performance and engagement of human resources (HR) professionals: evidence of existing studies

The swift advancement of emerging technologies has profoundly changed the workplace, especially within human resource management (HRM) practices and applications. Innovations such as data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), and employee self-service (ESS) systems are pivotal to this transformation. While these technologies offer considerable advantages, they also present challenges that organizations need to address for effective integration into their operations. This study aims to examine the impact of emerging technologies on the performance and engagement of HR professionals, drawing on existing research. To achieve this, a comprehensive literature review was conducted. The findings indicate that emerging technologies have significantly transformed the workplace and human resource management, enhancing engagement within these areas. Furthermore, their implementation has notably advanced the modern workplace and the HR profession. Despite these benefits, challenges such as job security, potential skill displacement, and concerns about skill replacement exist. However, the research suggests that these challenges can be mitigated through the implementation of training programs, leadership endorsement initiatives, and technical support. The theoretical implications of these findings contribute valuable insights regarding the role of emerging technologies in HRM practices. Practically, the findings provide a framework for managers and organizational stakeholders to effectively leverage emerging technologies in human resource management applications

Assessing the benefits and challenges of inventory management practices and systems in the South African automotive sector

The study assesses the benefits and challenges of inventory management practices and systems in the South African automotive industry. The study used a qualitative approach in which focus groups and semi-structured interviews were conducted on 18 supply chain professionals drawn from the automotive sector in four provinces in South Africa. ATLAS.ti software was used to analyse data. The study generated two themes: the benefits and challenges of inventory management practices and systems. This study concludes that inventory management practices play a critical role within companies in the South African automotive sector since managing inventory is an indispensable part of the more extensive supply chain management (SCM) practice. Regarding inventory management challenges, SCM professionals find it difficult to retain the resilience required to adapt and react to any disruptive circumstances due to inadequate support from the South African government. Also, it appeared difficult to deal with this challenge as some companies within the South African automotive sector have limited resources, making it extremely difficult to deal with uncertainties when they arise

The transformative and communicative impact of digital marketing in rural retailing: the case of flagstaff

The rise of digital marketing has the potential to reshape consumer engagement and business strategies, particularly in rural retailing, where traditional marketing methods often dominate. This study examines the transformative and communicative impact of digital marketing in rural retailing, with a focus on Flagstaff, South Africa. A quantitative approach was employed, with questionnaires personally administered to retail store operators and management, achieving a response rate of 86.54% from the forty-five responses received out of the fifty-two distributed. Statistical analyses, including chi-square tests and factor analysis, were conducted using SPSS 27.0 to validate the data. The findings indicate that digital marketing plays a crucial role in transforming and sustaining retail businesses by enhancing brand perception, influencing consumer behaviour, and facilitating effective communication. To maximise these benefits, rural retailers should transform their operational strategies to effectively leverage online platforms for improved customer engagement. Additionally, policymakers should support local businesses through resources and training initiatives. Local communities also need to be supported through the development of infrastructure that enhances digital connectivity, ensures a reliable electricity supply, and provides access to devices. Workshops or informational campaigns aimed at improving digital literacy would also be beneficial for enhancing the diffusion of digital innovation in rural areas. This study provides valuable insights into how digital marketing can transform rural retailing, offering important implications for both practitioners and researchers

A digital ecosystem modeling for international student licensing in Indonesia

The arrival of foreign nationals in Indonesia for various purposes, including state visits, tourism, business, and education, has become common. This study aims to analyze the factors influencing the application process for study permits for foreign nationals and map the ecosystem of this process, particularly for those studying at Indonesian universities. The research follows a five-step method to analyze the digital business ecosystem: 1) defining the ecosystem boundaries; 2) identifying actors and their roles; 3) outlining value propositions; 4) exploring actor interactions; and 5) verifying the ecosystem design. Using qualitative methods like interviews and literature review, the study finds that Indonesia's foreign student licensing ecosystem involves multiple actors and complex procedures, leading to delays and confusion. The lack of integration between agencies makes the process inefficient. The study suggests digital integration to enhance speed, transparency, and coordination, aiding the internationalization of higher education in Indonesia

Psychological factors and parenting in shaping adolescent cyberbullying behavior on social media

The rapid advancement of technology has changed the world's civilization rapidly and provided many benefits to humans in various activities. Every individual, from children to adults will adapt to technology because daily life is very interchangeable to the use of technology, especially the internet to access social media, watch movies to find the latest news that spreads quickly. This study aims to identify the influence of Empathy, Self-Control and Parenting Style on adolescent Cyberbullying Behavior on Instagram social media. This study uses a quantitative method with a sampling technique, namely purposive sampling involving as many as 104 adolescent Instagram users as respondents. The instrument in this study is in the form of a questionnaire that is distributed through Google Form. The data of this study was tested using SPSS (Statistical Product and Service Solutions) software. The results of this study show that Empathy has a positive and significant influence on Cyberbullying behavior.Self-Control has a negative but not significant influence on Cyberbullying behavior. Parenting has a positive but also insignificant influence on Cyberbullying behavior. The results of this study indicate that the empathy factor is more dominant in influencing adolescent cyberbullying behavior when compared to self-control and parenting style

Analysing the efficiency of computer-assisted audit tools and techniques within the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality

This research investigates Computer-Assisted Audit Techniques (CAATTs) within the Internal Audit Unit at the City of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM). The study explores the extent to which CAATTs are utilized, the challenges faced in their implementation, and their impact on the efficiency and effectiveness of internal audits. Data was collected through a mixed-methods approach, including surveys and interviews with internal auditors. The findings reveal that while CAATTs, primarily TeamMate, are increasingly being used to automate audit processes, their adoption is hindered by limited access, insufficient training, and high costs. Despite these challenges, CAATTs have been shown to improve audit accuracy and efficiency, contributing to more timely and reliable audit outcomes. The study highlights the need for enhanced IT infrastructure, greater executive support, and comprehensive training to optimize the use of CAATTs. Based on these findings, the research provides several recommendations, including expanding the use of diverse CAATTs, investing in IT support, and fostering a culture of innovation to maximize the benefits of these technologies in internal auditing. This study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on CAATTs and offers practical insights for municipal internal audit units seeking to enhance their audit capabilities through technology

Competition dynamics among foreign and local businesses in Chris Hani District Municipality: the role of product diversification and pricing strategies

The overarching aim of this study is to shed light on the effects of the competitive dynamics between local and international enterprises in townships and rural regions of the Chris Hani District Municipality (CHDM), Eastern Cape province, South Africa. To achieve this aim, our study compares the effects of these selected strategies between local and foreign businesses owned by local and foreign traders in townships and rural areas in the CHDM. We employed a quantitative research approach using questionnaires to gather data. In the complete model, the indirect effect of product diversification (PD) on competition dynamics (CD) through pricing strategy (PS) is minimal and non-significant. Similarly, for foreign businesses and local businesses, the mediation effect remains negligible. These findings suggest that while PD influences CD directly in some contexts, PS does not play a significant intermediary role. Overall, the results highlight the direct impact of PD on CD, particularly for foreign businesses. The mediating role of PS is negligible, and the importance of diversification for competition differs significantly between foreign and local businesses. These findings suggest the need for tailored diversification strategies based on the business context to enhance competitive positionin