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Cassava production in South Africa : understanding smallholder farmers’ knowledge, attitude, and practice towards cassava production
Light, Ngobeni; Nakedi, Makhura Moraka; Petronella, Chaminuka; Manana, Mamabolo; Kenneth, Nhundu (Adonis and Abbey Publishers, 2025-12)
Cassava is widely recognised for its resilience to climate change and its ability to thrive under drought conditions. However, despite these advantages, cassava remains unpopular in the South African food market. This study examines the socio-economic factors influencing farmers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to cassava production and their implications. Data were collected from 117 farmers across three provinces in South Africa and analysed using a multinomial logistic regression model and the KAP framework. The results indicate significant knowledge gaps, with only 12% of respondents demonstrating adequate knowledge of cassava cultivation. Moreover, negative attitudes toward cassava production were more prevalent than positive ones, and most farmers were not adhering to recommended cultivation practices. Socio-demographic factors such as organisational membership, age, gender, marital status, education level, and farming experience were found to have mixed effects on cassava production. The findings highlight the need for targeted interventions such as farmer training programmes, awareness campaigns on the benefits of cassava, educational workshops and seminars, and the provision of incentives, particularly for youth and female farmers.
Investigating gender differences in English comprehension skills among South African Sesotho learners
Thibedi, Tshepiso Promise; Roux, Karen; Graham, Marien Alet (Adonis and Abbey Publishers, 2025-12)
This study explores the relationship between reading comprehension (RC) and listening comprehension (LC) among Grade 4 Sesotho home language (HL) learners in South African primary schools, with a specific focus on gender differences across these two skills. As English serves as the Language of Learning and Teaching (LoLT) from Grade 4 in many South African schools, learners face the challenge of acquiring academic content in a second language. Using the Simple View of Reading model as the theoretical framework, the study employed a cross-sectional, quantitative comparative correlational design, analysing data from 84 learners (38 boys and 46 girls) in Gauteng Province. Data were collected using the Annual National Assessments and analysed using Spearman correlations and Mann-Whitney tests. Results revealed a significant positive correlation between RC and LC, but gender differences in these skills were statistically insignificant. These findings fill a gap in the existing literature by examining the comprehension skills of South African Sesotho learners and suggest that while gender does not play a significant role in RC and LC, further research should explore the developmental trajectory of these skills over time. The study recommends longitudinal research to better understand the causal factors influencing comprehension skills in multilingual learning environments.
Ethical dilemmas concerning the management of the shared accommodation industry : the case of Cape Town and Ethekwini municipalities
Ramawela, Mmatšatši Emmah; Holtzhausen, Natasja (Association of Southern African Schools and Departments of Public Administration and Management, 2025-12)
Municipalities face a variety of issues in a sharing economy where the Internet, smartphones and technological applications are changing the global economic dynamic, including the need to reconcile the competing interests of many stakeholders as their jurisdictions expand. Municipalities have emerged as fertile spaces for digital platforms and the growing popularity of the sharing economy around the world. Platform enterprises in the shared accommodation industry (SAI) have changed how people share paid accommodation, affecting municipalities where some of these changes have had mixed results, posing ethical challenges for municipalities. The governance of the SAI and the ethical dilemmas confronting municipalities have been studied, although from a developed country viewpoint. The ethical dilemmas in the economic, social and environmental spheres include gentrification, densification, increased inequality; overpopulation, home-lessness, loss of neighbour-lines; environmental degradation, and water and energy scarcity. Using a qualitative multiple case study in the Cape Town and eThekwini municipalities, the article investigates how the two municipalities manage the ethical dilemmas arising from the competing multi-stakeholder interests in governing the SAI. Semi-structured interviews and field observations were used to collect data supplemented with secondary data from case study records. The article finds that the municipalities of Cape Town and eThekwini are failing to manage the competing interests of their multiple stakeholders. This failure concerning the ethical dilemmas that confront municipalities is attributed to the lack of skills and knowledge to manage the internet-driven SAI and SAEs.
Box-Jenkins modelling of inflation rates in Ghana : a data-driven approach
Essel-Mensah, Kojo A.; Ofori, Michael K.; Brocke, Naa N. J.; Ashiagbor, Albert Ayi (Pushpa Publishing House, 2025-11)
Inflation is a pivotal economic indicator that influences business activities and livelihoods. The escalating trend of inflation rates globally has led to business closures and widespread economic hardship. This study employs the Box-Jenkins methodology to develop predictive SARIMA and SARIMAX models for Ghana’s monthly inflation rates. The models capture both seasonal and non-seasonal inflation rate components, as well as the impact of external factors such as the Ghana-US exchange rates. Our findings indicate that the SARIMA model provides more accurate inflation rate predictions. The results have significant implications for monetary policy and inflation targeting in Ghana. Furthermore, the methodology is universally applicable to macroeconomic forecasting problems.
Catalysts of inclusive innovation : a multi-theoretical study of digital innovation hubs in Africa
Gumbo, Edwell; Moos, Menisha (AOSIS, 2025-12-10)
ORIENTATION : Africa continues to face structural challenges, including youth unemployment, digital exclusion and fragmented innovation ecosystems. Digital innovation hubs (DIHs) have emerged as strategic platforms that bridge these gaps by supporting entrepreneurship and digital transformation. RESEARCH PURPOSE : This study investigated how DIHs act as catalysts of inclusive innovation and economic development in Africa using a multitheoretical framework. MOTIVATION FOR THE STUDY : Despite their expanding presence, limited scholarly work explores the role of DIHs within African innovation systems. This study addresses that gap by assessing their ecosystemic, institutional and developmental contributions across diverse contexts. RESEARCH DESIGN, APPROACH AND METHOD : A qualitative, exploratory research design was adopted. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with DIH managers and startup founders across 12 African DIHs affiliated with the African European Digital Innovation Bridge Network initiative. Thematic analysis was used to derive insights into their structure, function and influence. MAIN FINDINGS : The study identified six thematic impact areas, namely startup empowerment, inclusive participation, ecosystem integration, transformative education, sustainability orientation and policy alignment. Digital innovation hubs serve not only as startup enablers but also as institutional anchors that facilitate knowledge exchange, derisk entrepreneurship, and expand access to digital tools and markets. PRACTICAL/MANAGERIAL IMPLICATIONS : The DIHs should be supported through sustained investment, policy integration and inclusive programming. Their role as conveners of public–private collaboration positions them as key agents of development. CONTRIBUTION/VALUE-ADD : By applying the Knowledge Spillover Theory of Entrepreneurship, Institutional Theory and Cluster Theory, this study offers a novel conceptual framing of DIHs in African contexts. It contributes empirical evidence and strategic insights for designing scalable and context-sensitive innovation ecosystems.