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Welcome to the University of Venda Institutional Repository, an open digital archive of the research output of the University of Venda. Univen IR contains theses and dissertations, research papers as well as conference papers. For further information and assistance please contact Mr Keith Malabi at +27 15 9628564 or +27 15 962 8314 during office hours

Recent Submissions

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Embargo

Digital Migration in South Africa: Experiences of Rural Selected Communities in Thulamela Municipality, Limpopo Province

(2025-09-05) Ralufuluvhi, Gudani Julius; Nodoba, T.; Chari, T.

The global transition from analogue to digital broadcasting has been a significant shift driven by advancements in information and communication technologies. Digital migration offers benefits such as improved picture quality, efficient spectrum usage, and accommodating multiple channels on a single frequency. However, this transition has presented challenges for various stakeholders, particularly in developing regions and rural communities. This study focuses on the experiences of rural communities in the Thulamela Municipality, located in the Vhembe District, Limpopo Province, South Africa, during the shift from analogue to digital broadcasting. The motivation for this study stems from the delayed migration to digital television in South Africa, which began in 2009 but missed International Telecommunications Union deadlines for analogue switch-off in June 2015. Rural communities, especially those similar to the Thulamela Municipality, have faced difficulties related to infrastructural deficits, economic constraints, and limited access to digital equipment such as Set-Top Boxes. The research adopted a qualitative approach, gathering experiences from 15 purposively selected community members of Thulamela Municipality through semi-structured interviews. These interviews aimed to understand the challenges faced by these communities during the digital migration, the impact of the switchover on their access to broadcasting services, and any benefits derived from the digital transition. The results revealed that while there are potential benefits associated with digital migration, most rural households remained disconnected due to inadequate infrastructure, delays in Set-Top Box distribution, and a lack of public awareness campaigns about the transition. This research is based on the theoretical underpinning of communication rights, digital rights, and universal access, emphasising equal opportunities for access to information technologies for all actors. The concept of communication rights is highly relevant as it underscores citizens' right to freely seek, receive, and impart information, compromised due to the irregular establishment of digital infrastructure in many rural communities. The survey findings suggest that the well-intentioned policies of the South African government fell short in addressing the specific needs of rural communities, leading to a digital divide. The study highlights the implications of more inclusive policies and their proper implementation to ensure that all citizens, regardless of geographical location or economic status, benefit equally from digital broadcasting. This dissertation provides insight into the socio-economic implications of digital migration in rural South Africa and emphasises the need to improve efforts toward digital inclusion to reduce the disparities between urban and rural areas. The dissertation offers practical recommendations for policymakers, broadcasters, and other stakeholders involved in the digital migration, emphasising the need for targeted interventions to achieve universal access to digital broadcasting services in underserved regions.

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Open Access

The challenges in the implementation of crime prevention strateg by South African Police Service, Limpopo Province

(2025-09-05) Morifi, Fulgence Mosweu; Zitha, H. E.; Singo, T. A.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) is required by the constitution to prevent, investigate, and combat crimes that are likely to occur in communities. The study provided information on the difficulties the South African Police Service, Limpopo Province, faces in putting its crime prevention policy into practice. In order to prevent crime and guarantee the protection and security of the nation's citizens, the South African Police Service (SAPS) was established. The SAPS investigates and fights crime as part of the Justice Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cluster. According to the 1998 White Paper on Safety and Security, SAPS is the primary law enforcement agency in the nation and is in charge of carrying out the country's and the province of Limpopo's crime prevention policy. The South African Police Service encounters challenges within the increasingly sophisticated, technological, and international crime arena. A literature review was also conducted to gain a thorough knowledge of SAPS's difficulties and challenges in implementing a crime prevention strategy in Limpopo Province. The study followed a mixed methods approach, using the pragmatic paradigm and applying descriptive and contextual research designs. The study used semi-structured interviews and self-administered questionnaires to collect data from SAPS members. The study used both purposive and random sampling methods. Thematic analysis was adopted for qualitative data, and the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used for quantitative data. The study's findings sought to improve SAPS's skills, competencies, and capacity to implement crime prevention strategies. Keywords

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Towards the right to an environment that is not harmful to health or well-being in the context of sustainable development

(2025-09-05) Mpangane, Innocent Mxolisi; Kandala, L. J. J.; Mawila, P.

This study addresses the pressing issue of providing individuals with an environment that promotes health and well-being while ensuring sustainable development in South Africa. The focus is on the right to a safe and healthy environment, and how it can be achieved in sustainable development. Section 24 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa provides that everyone has the right to a healthy environment and mandates the state to take reasonable legislative and other measures to prevent environmental degradation. Several legislations, such as the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA), uphold the right to a healthy environment. Despite these protections, the violation of the right to a healthy environment persists, and this is illustrated by the lack of enforcement of environmental laws, which require a balance between human well-being and environmental sustainability. The study discussed specific measures, such as the integration and interrelationship of human rights and social, economic, and environmental objectives or principles of sustainable development, holding that states must consider the environmental and social (including human rights) aspects of economic plans. The goal is to create a balance between human well-being and environmental sustainability, ensuring that both present and future generations can thrive in a healthy and sustainable environment. To achieve this goal, an analysis was conducted of the laws, policies, and regulations related to the right to a healthy environment. Furthermore, the study discussed the challenges and opportunities associated with implementing environmental rights and sustainable development. The study used a desktop-based research methodology, also known as doctrinal methodology. This study used rational deduction or legal perception to order, arrange, and organise legal instruments, case laws, resolutions, and legal studies.

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The Criminological Evaluation of Cybercrimes Within Higher Learning Institutions. A Case Study of University of Venda: Limpopo Province

(2025-09-05) Maringa, Matimu; Mulaudzi, A. N.; Tshidada, T. C.

This study evaluated the nature and extent of cybercrimes prevalent within higher learning institutions of South Africa. Cyber-attacks are growing at a distressing rate and has posed a serious challenge within academia by impacting and disrupting normal learning setting. Universities data infrastructure is vulnerable to criminals, can be compromised easily while students and staff are not alien to proportion of cybercrime impact inclusive of hacking, financial loss, bullying, illegal circulation of pornography, blackmailing’s, extortion and many other crimes. This case study evaluated cybercrimes at the University of Venda (Univen). It therefore, evaluated if Univen have institutional framework for managing cybercrimes and cybersecurity risk, also assess if it has been efficient to counteract cybercrimes impact against the university and students. Mixed method approach applied, where snowballing sample procedure was utilised to quantitatively sample Univen students, and purposive sampling was applied to sample Univen Information Communication Technology officials. The researcher utilised the routine activities theory and differential association theory of crime as the study problem framework. Sample was selected based on their suitability of contributing towards research; Focus group discussions, questionnaires and voice recorder were used to collect data. Thematic Content Analysis (TCA), was used to analyse qualitative data and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22 for quantitative data analysis. The study made findings and recommendations that could be used to inform adoption of framework to manage cybercrimes within higher education institutions (HEI) of South Africa and to find alternatives programmes that will positively address cyber incidents within academia.

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Open Access

An exposition of micro-franchising and women’s entrepreneurship development, in Thulamela Local Municipality

(2025-09-05) Maluleke, Tiyisani Shiella; Nkondo, L. G.; Zindiye, S.

Micro-businesses, help, for instance, women to build their social, emotional, and economic capabilities in addition to increasing national productivity and creating jobs. Limited studies, however, have explored the exposition of micro-franchising on women entrepreneurship development in Thulamela Local Municipality, Vhembe District, Limpopo Province, South Africa. This study was conducted to explore the challenges that are faced by women entrepreneurs in micro-franchising and to come up with strategies that can be employed to overcome those challenges. A qualitative research approach was employed, with a sample of 12 women entrepreneurs in Thulamela Local Municipality; convenience sampling technique was adopted to select the participants. Primary data was gathered through in-depth interviews using a structured interview guide. The study findings reveal that the contribution of micro-franchising to women’s entrepreneurship development includes employment creation, income generation, independence, and skills pooling. The study also established that the challenges that are faced by women entrepreneurs in micro franchising are – lack of access to markets; inadequate infrastructure; very stiff competition; unreliable customers; distrust by individuals; gender discrimination; inadequate knowledge; lack of capital; lack of financial literacy; lack of training; low profit, inadequate client base; having to sell on credit; poor time management and unsatisfied customers. Strategies recommended to enhance micro franchising for women entrepreneurship development, included – stakeholders conducting awareness events, campaigns and entrepreneurial workshops, financial literacy training; funding; infrastructure provision; mentorship, non-financial support and network opportunities; skills training and the municipality must create an enabling condition such as providing women entrepreneurs with stalls to sell from. The major limitation is that the study was done in Thulamela Local Municipality, Vhembe district, Limpopo which implies that it might not be possible to generalise the findings and recommendations to other municipalities or provinces.