Faculty of Management, Commerce and Law

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A Criminological Inquiry into Bad Policing and Student Violent Protest: Insight from the University of Venda
(2024-09-06) Nemurangoni, Gundo Chadley; Olofinbiyi, Sogo Angel
Understanding student violent protests poses a significant challenge. Central to this concern is the perplexing question: "Why do students persist in resorting to violence during protests, risking arrest, injury, or even death?" Despite advancements in comprehending the evolutionary and proximate mechanisms underlying protests, there remains a notable scarcity of insight into the factors precipitating violence during such actions. One often-overlooked factor is ‘bad policing’ during protest events, which can serve as a catalyst for violence. The right to protest is a dynamic avenue for individuals to voice their concerns on pressing issues and ensure that decision-makers heed their grievances. Section 17 of the Constitution of South Africa (1996) enshrines the legal right of all individuals to engage in peaceful and unarmed protests, encompassing non-violent demonstrations that may not be regarded as highly disruptive. The research examined the relationship between poor policing practices and student violent protests at the University of Venda. Utilizing a mixed-method approach, data collection involved administering 200 questionnaires to UNIVEN students through a simple random sampling. Complementarily, SAPS POP officers from the Thohoyandou precinct were purposively selected for participation. Focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted across four police stations, each comprising five members, including Thohoyandou, Mutale, Levubu, and Vuwani police stations, totaling 20 police officers for the qualitative aspect of the study. Quantitative data analysis was performed using Statistical Package for Social Science version 24 (SPSS), while qualitative data underwent thematic content analysis. The study fosters a balanced and just environment between police officers and protesters, thereby promoting a more stable, peaceful, and orderly university community. Key findings indicate significant relationships between police response attitudes and student violent protests, as well as between bad policing practices and such protests. Moreover, student attitudes toward police intervention during protests, the impact of student violent protests on the university's operational plans, and students' academic progress were also explored with more effective recommendations for improvement.
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A Critical Analysis of the Enforcement of Human Rights in Addressing Workplace Discrimination Against the LGBTQIA+ Community in South Africa
(2024-09-06) Mashamba, Takalani; Mokoena, U. C. A.; Ndou, M.
Section 9(3) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa indicates that everyone is equal before the law and no one should be discriminated against on the grounds of gender, sex, race, pregnancy, marital status, ethnic or social origin, colour, sexual orientation, disability, age, religion, conscience, belief, culture, or language. Members of the LGBTQIA+ community are discriminated against in their homes, within their communities, and in their workplaces. This happens despite South Africa having progressive laws that support the LGBTQIA+ community compared to other countries around the world. In order to answer the research questions, this study adopted the doctrinal research methodology for its effectiveness in critiquing, assessing, and developing law. The aim of the study was to examine the extent to which the LGBTQIA+ community is protected against discrimination based on their sexual orientation at their workplaces. The objectives of the study were to explore discrimination within the work environment, workplace policies, and all other legislation protecting the LGBTQIA+ community; to explore the nature and determine forms of discrimination and other human rights violations against the LGBTQIA+ community in the workplace; and to analyse LGBTQIA+ anti-discrimination provisions and court judgements from other jurisdictions. The South African constitution and labour-related acts are there to ensure that the LBGTQIA+ community is protected from workplace discrimination. The Employment Equity Act, Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act, Labour Relations Act, and the Basic Conditions of Employment Act are available to prevent discrimination. However, LGBTQIA+ people still experience discrimination in the workplace. When employees encounter discrimination because of their sexual orientation, they must first talk to their supervisor, and when no assistance has been provided, the employee must make use of the courts. The outreach awareness campaign for LGBTQIA+ rights in the workplace is also recommended. Equal pay for equal work done should apply to the LGBTQIA+ community in the workplace. Name-calling and harassment should be treated with severe punishment among co-workers who inflict discrimination against the LGBTQIA+ community.
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A framework fo the application of the Fourth Industrial Revolution in improving the service quality of tertiary institutions in South Africa
(2024-09-06) Patala, Najiyabanu Noormohmed; Kadyamatimba, A.; Munyoka, W.
With the capability of re-shaping the global economy, 4IR necessitates countries to keep up with technological innovations that require most sectors within a country to be restructured drastically. Tertiary institutions are therefore required to transform the delivery of higher education services to the next generation with a seamless combination of skills and knowledge set. Thus, quality measures must be redefined in the context of 4IR. However, very few studies have attempted to define and measure quality from a 4IR perspective and lack frameworks addressing 4IR-based quality improvement solutions. This study investigated how 4IR can be applied within the context of tertiary institutions for improving service quality following a positivist paradigm. A quantitative research design was adopted to obtain an understanding of the 4IR stances and quantitative data was collected through questionnaires to gain an idea of the student and staff members' perceptions of 4IR service quality. The participants were sampled from the University of Venda’s population of students and staff. A quantitative method for data analysis was employed through statistical analysis using SPSS software. The findings of the study identified challenges that inhibits and benefits that could promote a 4IR-based quality of service environment. The study found that 4IR-based quality planning plays a significant role in quality of teaching and learning management. 4IR technologies were perceived to be useful as respondents had some form of awareness. Factors such as 4IR-based institutional responsiveness, empathy and assurance were significantly shown to measure service improvement. Based on the findings, a framework for implementing a 4IR service quality improvement in the teaching, learning, and research context was developed and validated. This study contributed to addressing how best tertiary institutions can implement 4IR by assessing their readiness levels. The Framework will assist tertiary institutions in gathering knowledge of the policies, strategies, and governance mechanisms required for supporting 4IR initiatives while providing guidance to understand quality 4.0 issues. It is recommended that tertiary institutions redesign their technological pedagogies to keep up with the demands of current educations needs and quality standards.
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A framework for integrating adaptive assistive technologies in inclusive education: A case study of the Disability Unit of the University of Venda
(2024-09-06) Macheque, Vhutshilo; Kadyamatimba, A.; Ochara, N. M.
Integrating Assistive Technologies in inclusive education can enable the academic engagement of students living with disabilities and be transformative from a psychological perspective. However, the success of this endeavour in disadvantaged rural South African universities remains a surmountable challenge due to factors militating against this noble idea. The aim of the study was to conceptualise a framework for integrating assistive technologies in inclusive education at a South African rural university where many students are living with disabilities. The study employed Technology-Task Fit, a variance theory, and DeLone Maclean Information Systems Theory, a process theory as a theoretical underpinning. This study adopts a pragmatism perspective and used an explanatory sequential mixed method design in which quantitative data was collected using an online questionnaire from a convenience sample of seventy-one participants, and the qualitative data was collected from a purposive sample of five participants using face-to-face interviews. Quantitative data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) Version 29, and results were presented as descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and chi-square test. Qualitative data were analysed thematically using Atlas ti23. The study found that several factors influenced the integration of assistive devices, but the lack of a proper framework, policies, or guidelines was the most influential. Five requirements for developing the framework were moderating factors, procurement strategies, training strategies, funding strategies, and ATs integration strategies. There was a strong and significant positive association between the requirements at p < 0.010 and other demographic characteristics and factors mitigating the integration of assistive devices in inclusive education. From the study, a Framework for Integrating Assistive Technology in Inclusive Education (IAATIE) was developed based on the requirements and best practices documented in journal literature. IAATIE was validated as relevance and acceptance using content (requirements), relevance, and acceptance by most of the reviewers and validators. The academic contribution of the study was the framework for Integrating Assistive Technologies in inclusive education at the university, which encouraged coordinated efforts from various key players, including students who have been previously ignored. The study recommends the implementation of a IAATIE framework for inclusive education.
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A Sense-making Perspective of Algorithmic Accountability during Infodemics
(2024-09-06) Ramaru, Rifhiwa Rodney; Munyoka, Willard; Ochara, Nixon Muganda
During the pandemic era, enormous amounts of data were available to decision-makers. Much of the data was generated using algorithms in which people did not want to be held accountable for any wrong/false information (misinformation) that was being provided to the public, either on internet websites, social media or television and radios. Algorithmic Accountability examines the process of assigning responsibility for harm when algorithmic decision-making results in discriminatory and inequitable outcomes. Mis-and disinformation about science, technology, and health is neither new nor unique to the COVID-19 era. Amid an unprecedented global health crisis, many journalists, policy makers, and academics have echoed what World Health Organisation has stressed that misinformation about the pandemic presents a serious risk to public health and public action. The biggest challenge is that this misinformation or fake news is drowning official public health advice on COVID-19, making it extremely problematic for the voices of healthcare professionals to be heard; the implications of this may be enormous as it may cause the virus and other pandemics to spread more rapidly within diverse populations. The purpose of this study was to establish the extent of Misinformation during Infodemics, to address the lack of Algorithmic Accountability. A mixed-methods approach was used as the topic required a purposeful mixing of methods in data collection, data analysis, and interpretation of the evidence. The key word is ‘mixed’; this explains that an essential step in this approach is data linkage or integration at appropriate stages in the research process. The researcher used Spyder Python for extracting data from the Twitter API and then used Feedly which is a news aggregator application for various web browsers and mobile devices running iOS and Android; this procedure is also available as a cloud-based service. Python was used to compile news feeds from a variety of online sources for the researcher to customize and share with others; after filtering for the Covid-19 Tweets there were 21 of 508 records. The analysis suggests that misinformation about COVID-19 comes in many different forms, from many different sources, and makes many different claims. The process of misinformation often rearranges existing or accurate content relatively than formulated on a large scale, and where it is manipulated, it is edited with simple tools. Given the breadth of the pandemic, independent media and actions by platforms and others played a vital role in addressing virus-related misinformation. Government websites and the World Health Organization (WHO) can help sort false from true material, and accurate from misleading assertations. With running topic modelling for the data consisting of 21 of 508 tweets, topic modelling provided a way to compress the big data qualitative phase of the research.
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A support framework of enhancing business performance of ruaral SMME's in the Limpopo Province, South Africa
(2024-09-06) Razwiedani, Khathutshelo Collins; Chiliya, Norman; Nkondo, Livhuwani G.
South Africa's aspiration for inclusive growth and development acknowledges the pivotal role of small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) given the country's pervasive unemployment and poverty rates, particularly in rural regions. Since the inception of democracy in 1994 with the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) to the present National Development Plan: Vision 2030, the focal point of South Africa's developmental endeavours has been the alleviation of poverty and inequality. This study aimed to devise a support framework to enhance the performance of SMMEs in the rural expanse of Limpopo Province, South Africa, while also fostering entrepreneurship expansion. Its primary objectives encompassed identifying the determinants affecting rural SMME performance, crafting a conceptual framework to bolster it, utilizing empirical research outcomes to formulate recommendations, and drawing conclusions to augment SMMEs' performance in Limpopo. Additionally, the study proffered actionable insights for stakeholders, including policymakers and entrepreneurs, to ensure the sustained viability of SMMEs in rural South Africa. Employing a quantitative research design aligned with the educational positivist paradigm, the study collected data from 377 entrepreneurs through questionnaires. A Convenience Sampling method was employed. Validity and reliability were ensured through exploratory factor analysis and Cronbach alpha coefficients determination. Pearson's correlation coefficient tests were employed to discern relationships among independent variables. The resultant path model addressed prevalent challenges confronting rural small businesses, proposing a roadmap for enhancing their operational performance.
Open Access
The admission and enrolment of foreign legal practitioners in SACU countries as an international trade services issue
(2022-11-10) Mambure, Yolanda Nyasha; Ndlovu, Lonias; Van Der Walt, Tharien
When WTO members make GATS commitments, it is imperative to do follow-up studies to establish how each member adheres to her international obligations and the laws they profess to uphold. To this end, the dissertation calibrated each SACU country's GATS commitments in the background of the laws underpinning those commitments as a way to see if they uphold international ratifications. Data were collected from information available in the public domain and published online. The study established that legal services are the most restricted in all SACU countries except Lesotho. For example, foreign legal practitioners are not admitted or enrolled in the Republic of South Africa and Namibia unless they become ordinary residents or citizens. In BOLESWA countries, namely Botswana, Lesotho and Eswatini, law graduates from sister universities are given preferential treatment. Graduates with qualifications from outside BOLESWA, irrespective of nationality, must sit for local Bar examinations and satisfy some local laws. For these reasons, the measures put in place are viewed as a wanton infringement of each respective country's constitution and the key tenets of GATS. Using Lesotho, one of the SACU members who has completely liberalised legal services, as a model, the study, through recommendations, demonstrates how these countries could best comply with the GATS to enhance regional integration, cooperation, and development.
Open Access
Agricultural technology's effect on entrepreneurship: a case study of the Mopani District Municipality in the Limpopo Province, South Africa
(2023-10-05) Mangena, Mokgadi Lucy; Nkondo, L. G.; Nemushungwa, A.
Traditionally, agriculture was considered a low-tech industry with limited technical dynamics. As modernisation engulfed human kind, changes to the agricultural sector occurred, spearheaded by economic liberalisation. Economic liberalisation helped to reduce the sector’s protection. These changes brought new entrepreneurial players into the sector, in addition to innovation and portfolio entrepreneurship. Despite these positive changes, the agricultural sector faces entrepreneurship challenges. A lot of these situational challenges are widely publicised in literature but not much has been written about agricultural entrepreneurship. This study, therefore, brings a new dimension to the entrepreneurship field of research. That is, the need for a study about the agricultural technology’s effects on entrepreneurship is long overdue. Against this backdrop, this study investigated the agricultural technology’s effects on entrepreneurship in the Mopani District Municipality. The study adopted a qualitative approach with a sample of ten participants using purposive sampling. Interpretive paradigm was used to underpin the study. Data was collected through interviews and analysed using thematic analysis. The study found that agricultural technology provides unparalleled benefits to farmers despite negative consequences associated with its use. The study recommends that farmers should familiarise themselves with the new agricultural technology’s effects on their trade before embracing it. Policy makers are encouraged to formulate appropriate policies that would help to develop the farmers’ knowledge and skills about agricultural technology.
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An evaluation of local government involvement in crime prevention: insight from Mopani District Municipality, Limpopo Province
(2024-09-06) Madima, Khethiwe; Olofinbiyi, S. A.; Rakubu, K. A.
Crime prevention has been recognised as one of the key national priorities in South Africa since the establishment of the National Crime Prevention Strategy (NCPS) in 1996. It is viewed to be the responsibility and duty of the South African Police Service (SAPS); however, with a range of crimes caused by different factors, it is impossible to rely exclusively on the police to prevent crime. Thus, various stakeholders such as businesses, communities, Non-Government Organisations, civil society, law enforcement and Municipalities need to take a stand in maintaining peace and ensuring safety for law-abiding citizens within their municipal boundaries. Using a mixed-method research approach, a purposive sampling was used to select 4 municipal safety officials, 5 SAPS social crime prevention members and 1 member from Department of Transport and Community Safety. A simple random technique was used to collect data from the selected 338 community members from all local Municipalities in the Mopani District. Quantitative data were collected through cross-sectional survey and analysed by descriptive and inferential analyses using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed using Thematic Content Analysis. The findings of this study revealed that the municipality is partially active in crime prevention. The study identified lack of resources, informal settlement, lack of coordination, by-laws compliance, accountability, political inference, lack of knowledge and expertise as the challenges that hinders the effectiveness of municipalities in crime prevention. The results further reveal lack of cooperation between SAPS and municipalities in crime prevention. This study recommends stakeholders’ engagement, public awareness, accountability, establishment of crime prevention body, CPTED, regular assessment and professionalisation of the crime prevention space as the intervention strategies that can advance the involvement of municipalities in crime prevention.
Open Access
Analysis of Financial Literacy amongst University of Students: A Case Study of the University of Venda
(2018-05-18) Mudzanani, Ronewa Victor; Gyekye, A. B.; Dafuleya, G.
This study assesses the level of financial literacy and its impact on financial decision making exercised by the tertiary students in South Africa, using the University of Venda (Univen) as a case study. The study does this in three steps. First, it provides the financial literacy levels of students at Univen assessed through an evaluation score that the sampled students responded to. Second, it analyses the relationship between the demographic and socio-economic characteristics of students and their financial literacy levels. Third, it assesses the possible effects of financial literacy on financial decision making among students using correlation and regression analysis. The study uses primary data gathered by the author from the University of Venda registered students in the form of questionnaires. A stratified random sampling method was used to identify the students to form the sample of the study, which is 373. Percent slightly above 50 per cent of these students were found to be financially literate and there were more female students who were financially literate compared to male counterparts. Using the odds ratios, the study compared the financial literacy levels of all schools to the school of Management Sciences, respectively. Only students in Environmental Sciences and Law have higher literacy levels, which are statistically significant, compared to the students in the school of Management Sciences. The results also show that the age and the parent’s educational background have a statistically significant relationship with the student being financial literate. Furthermore the results indicate that there is a statistically significant relationship on good financial decision making (that is, budgeting, savings and investments) and being financial literate, compared to being financial illiterate. This result is not true when borrowing is used as a measure of financial decision making.
Open Access
An analysis of Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and entrepreneurship in South Africa: opportunities and challenges
(2023-05-19) Ngomana, Tshembo; Nkondo, L. G.; Nemushungwa, A. I.
Africa and the rest of the world have witnessed plethora of changes in the way we do things, by the introduction of the fourth industrial revolution. This is not just true for the way people live, for the fourth industrial revolution has also impacted the manner in which businesses operate and perform. Its introduction presented changes, challenges and opportunities on the operations of small businesses; these have not been sufficiently tested in the body of knowledge. It is against this background that this study investigates the changes, challenges and opportunities brought by the 4IR on entrepreneurship with special focus on small businesses. The study was guided by the radical humanists‘ paradigm, the phenomenological design and the qualitative research method. Data was collected from 10 small business owners purposively sampled from Gauteng at the Ekurhuleni Local Municipality and Mpumalanga at Bushbuckridge Local Municipality. A structured interview guide was used to collect data through face-to-face interviews while an audio recorder and a notebook were used to capture the responses of the participants. The collected data was transcribed using Microsoft Word version 26 and analysed thematically. Results indicate the fourth industrial revolution applicable technologies, potential changes, challenges and opportunities facing small businesses and entrepreneurship. The value of this dissertation is that it is among the first studies contributing towards understanding of the changes, challenges and opportunities presented by the 4IR to small businesses and entrepreneurship in South Africa. The scope of the study was restricted to Bushbuckridge Local Municipality and Ekurhuleni Local Municipality; therefore, findings might not be generalisable to other areas in South Africa, to the rest of Africa or other developing countries/emerging economies. There is an opportunity to conduct similar study with other municipalities in other provinces in South Africa to gain different views. The researcher recommended that entrepreneurs should search for more information from relevant and reputable sources in order to avoid misinformation and misunderstandings as well as enrolling on 4IR education and skills programme and policymakers should implement necessary tech-related policies that will work towards providing adequate tech-support to small businesses.
Open Access
An analysis of States’ obligations towards climate displaced persons under the African Human Rights System
(2022-07-15) Simango, Victor; Jegede, A. O.
Climate change poses the most menacing threat to the environment today. The effects of climate change are experienced globally, and Africa in particular is one of the most vulnerable regions. One of the main consequences of changes in climate is the displacement of populations, mostly internally. Those who are forced to leave their places of residence due to the effects of climate change are often not specifically protected by both the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the subsequent instruments such as the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement. However, under the African Human Rights System (AHRS), the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa (Kampala Convention) which entered force is novel in its provision in article 5(4) on the obligation of State Parties towards persons displaced by climate change. While it is clear under international human rights law that states have the obligation to respect, protect and fulfil rights, whether these obligations apply, and if so, what the nature of their application means for climate displaced persons under the African Human Rights System is not clear. The study interrogates the basis and how obligations to respect, protect, and fulfil rights apply to climate induced persons in Africa.
Open Access
An analysis of the impact of the right to equality on the South African customary law and legislation
(2012-12-10) Rapudi, Jonathan; Choma, Hlako J.; Maluleke, Life R.
Open Access
Analysis of the role and effectiveness of the Public Protector in fighting corruption : a case study of Tshwane Municipality in Gauteng Province, South Africa
(2015-01-14) Madzimure, Patronella Chiedza; Khwashaba, M. P.; Mahole, E.
Open Access
The application of command responsibility in informal civilian relationships: for international crimes-lessons from the ICTR
(2017-09-18) Mhuru, Tapiwa Agripa; Lansik, A.; Jegede, A. A.
Since the birth of international criminal justice, the imposition of individual criminal responsibility has been expanded as evidenced by the instruments establishing the institutional mechanisms, at least, from Nuremberg to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. The prescriptions of the imposition of criminal responsibility in international criminal law take cognizance of the fact that both top civilian and military personnel commit heinous crimes. However, until the establishment of the International Criminal Tribunal of Rwanda (ICTR), such prescriptions covering individuals who find themselves within informal civilian relationships had not earned much focus, be it at the identification of responsible individuals to their prosecution and conviction. Events in Rwanda during the 1994 genocide that led to the establishment of the ICTR revealed the involvement of this category of individuals. While their involvement took diverse forms, at different times, only some of them were identified and successfully prosecuted and convicted for the offences over which the ICTR has jurisdiction. This category of individuals (those falling under the rubric of informal civilian relationships) has not been addressed by scholarship on international crimes. This dissertation identifies such individuals, examines the allegations against them, the factual findings of the different Trial Chambers and develops a set of rules as well as lessons to be learnt from the trial and appellate proceedings
Open Access
Application of Deep Neural Networks in Forecasting Foreign Currency Exchange rates
(2022-07-15) Nemavhola, Andisani; Chibaya, Colin; Ochara, N. M.
The global foreign currency exchange (Forex) market is regarded as one of the most important financial markets in the world, with daily transactions exceeding $4 trillion. In financial market research, forecasting currency rates is a crucial problem. Forex is notorious for being very volatile and difficult to forecast. In this study, we investigated the use of deep learning approaches in forex forecasting and compared the success of the Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) model to the performance of AutoRegressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) and Support vector regression (SVR) when predicting forex rates of US Dollar (USD) pair with South African Rand (ZAR) using daily timeframe data obtained from the Metatrader trading platform. The LSTM outperformed the SVR and ARIMA models according to MSE data. The LSTM is typically good for predicting USDZAR speeds, although being surpassed by the ARIMA model when the Mean Absolute Error (MAE) was assessed.
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Application of ethics in the provision of municipal services in Makhado Local Municipality
(2024-09-06) Matodzi, Tshifhiwa Rejoyce; Munzhedzi, P. H.; Sethu, M. J.
Access to basic municipal services is a major challenge in South Africa. Section 152 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, makes provision for municipalities to deliver basic services to their local communities. Local government plays an important role in ensuring that communities are provided with basic services. Research has shown that South Africa is experiencing challenges in providing basic services. This study focused on the application of ethics in the provision of municipal services in Makhado Local Municipality. The study was conducted at Makhado Local Municipality in Limpopo Province, South Africa. This study aims to evaluate the application of ethics in the provision of municipal services at Makhado Local Municipality and suggest recommendations on how to eradicate challenges regarding basic municipal services. The researcher utilised a mixed research method in which both qualitative and quantitative methods were adopted. A sample of 284 participants consisting of traditional leaders, selected community members, municipal staff members, and ward councillors was selected using probability sampling and non-probability sampling techniques. The instruments used to collect data were questionnaires and interview schedules. The quantitative and quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis respectively. The main findings of this study indicate that the application of ethics has not significantly contributed to the improvement of municipal service delivery at Makhado Local Municipality. The main recommendations based on the findings are that decision-making on basic municipal services should be centred on ethics and that the municipality should aim to solve community issues in a sustainable manner rather than just following protocol.
Open Access
An appraisal of the efficacy of selected macrotourism policies of South Africa
(2009-09-08) Zembani, Pamela Edna; Steyn, p. e.
See the attached abstract below
Open Access
Assessing challenges in customer retention in the insurance industry : a case study of Old Mutual Thohoyandou
(2015-09) Bologo, Takalani Mercedes; Khwashaba, M. P.; Mahole, E.
See the attached abstract below
Open Access
Assessing the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Local Economic Development (LED) initiatives in Thulamela Local Municipality
(2023-10-05) Kone, Thapelo Sandra; Nkuna, Nghamula; Mathebula, N. E.
In its Integrated Development Plan (IDP), the Thulamela Local Municipality stipulates that its core mandate is to provide a climate that will attract investment and reduce unemployment through the promotion of economic development. In line with the Municipality’s mandate, it has to be pointed out that the most pressing questions that remain are whether local municipalities have in place the plans to revive some defunct infrastructure projects and to make sure that the newly constructed projects are used for the maximum benefit of the local communities. This study assesses the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Local Economic Development (LED) initiatives in Thulamela Local Municipality. Thulamela Local Municipality is classified as a Category B Municipality and for this study, indicators of economic growth were used as a measure. The variables that were considered are: Growth Rate of National Income Per Capita Income PCI, Per Capita Consumption PCC, Physical Quality Life Index PQLI, Human Development Index HDI, Industrial Progress and Capital Information. Health and Education were used to assess the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on LED initiatives in Thulamela Local Municipality. Purposive sampling, a type of non-probability sampling, was used in this study. Data was collected from the community members and traditional leaders in Budeli Mphireleni Village, SANCO members from Thohoyandou Block F, Traditional leaders from Thulamela Local Municipality, and the people working at Thulamela Local Municipality. A qualitative research methodology was used in this study was used where a desktop review was utilized for data gathering. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences SPSS Version 28 was used for analysing quantitative data and Atlas ti Version 22 was used for analysing qualitative data. The views gathered from participants in this study show that LED programs that were operational in Thulamela Local Municipality during the pandemic included fishing, mining, farming, and services provision. Findings in this study show that the outbreak of Covid-19 greatly affected LED objectives. Thulamela Local Municipality failed to achieve its intended purposes during the pandemic as some resources ended up being diverted to meet other life-saving immediate needs by the national government. Another significant finding from this study is that the municipality alone cannot create jobs or meaningful economic initiatives without partnering with external players and businesses. In proposing recommendations, the strategies that were formulated in this study were informed by v the participants' views. Some of the recommendations are that Thulamela Local Municipality has to strengthen its relationship with stakeholders such as communities and local businesses because it is through these partnerships that the lives of people can be changed. Further, it is recommended that the Municipality must ensure proper management of the projects in the area.