scholarly journals Establishing The Challenges Affecting South African SMEs

2013 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 707 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael C. Cant ◽  
Johannes A. Wiid
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Failure Rate ◽  
Environmental Variables ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
High Failure Rate ◽  
The South ◽  
Contributing Factors

Cant andLigthelm (2003) estimate that 70-80 percent of SMEs fail. A number of elements and challenges have beenidentified as contributing factors to the high failure rate of SMEs in SouthAfrica. The research investigates theextent to which the identified variables affect South African SMEs. The objective of this paper is to determine towhat extent SMEs experience selected challenges or issues that negativelyinfluence the success of the business. Challengesand issues include exogenous macro environmental variables and endogenousenvironmental variables, namely marketing. A questionnaire was constructed and judgementsampling was used to gather the responses of 81 SMEs. The research identified inflation and interestrates, crime and unemployment, low demand for products, the wrong pricing strategiesimplemented and the location of the business to be the major problemsexperienced by SMEs. The challenge nowis to improve the skills and capabilities of SMEs to ensure their success asthey play a vital role in the South African economy.

scholarly journals The importance of branding for South African SMEs: an exploratory study

2013 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 735-744 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Colin Cant ◽  
Johannes Arnoldus Wiid ◽  
Yu-Ting Hung
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Environmental Variables ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Business Success ◽  
The South ◽  
Medium Enterprises

One of the most challenging micro-environmental variables that small and medium enterprises SMEs are faced with is marketing, and more particularly branding. The research study investigates the importance of branding to South African SMEs and determines whether SMEs comprehend the significance of branding in the business’ success. The objective of this paper is to determine how brand orientated SMEs are, their perceived brand distinctiveness and the barriers they are faced with. A questionnaire was conducted and judgement sampling was used to gather the responses of 43 SMEs. The research identified that SMEs are aware of the importance of branding; however some SMEs do not have to necessary resources available for it. The challenge now is to improve the skills and capabilities of SMEs to ensure effective branding, which ultimately influences their success, as they play a vital role in the South African economy

scholarly journals Science Alone Won’t Do It! South Africa’s Endangered Humpback Dolphins Sousa plumbea Face Complex Conservation Challenges

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Plön ◽  
Shanan Atkins ◽  
Vic Cockcroft ◽  
Danielle Conry ◽  
Sasha Dines ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Multiple Stressors ◽  
Management Plan ◽  
Rapid Decline ◽  
The South ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Predator Species ◽  
Photo Identification ◽  
The Indian Ocean ◽  
Face Complex

The Indian Ocean humpback dolphin (Sousa plumbea) is “endangered” with likely less than 500 animals remaining in South African waters. Established in 2016, the SouSA Consortium is a formalised network of scientists and conservationists to combine knowledge and research efforts, and make coordinated decisions with the aim of conserving the species. The first collaborative project collated available photo-identification data in an attempt to refine a national population estimate and investigate movements between research sites. This work was able to identify 250 uniquely marked individuals, with the population divided into the south-coast (Agulhas bioregion) and east-coast (Natal bioregion) populations. Environmental factors almost certainly play a role in the declining numbers of the species in South African waters. However, individual threats and solutions are challenging to identify as the South African marine environment is undergoing significant natural and anthropogenic changes with major shifts in the distribution and numbers of some prey, competitor and predator species. Therefore, we believe that a continued investigation of potential contributing factors and their interaction will take too long, inevitably resulting in another case of documenting extinction. With this in mind, we present the results of a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis in an effort to help us identify the next steps to take toward the conservation of humpback dolphins in South African waters. We unanimously conclude that no single cause for the rapid decline of humpback dolphins in South African waters can be identified, and that the cumulative effects of multiple stressors, which are difficult to pinpoint and mitigate, are impacting population numbers. While highlighting the need for continued research, we suggest a shift toward more action-focused conservation efforts, the first concrete steps being the development of a Conservation Management Plan with input from other stakeholders.

scholarly journals The SACC since 1994: Ecumenism in Democratic South Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan Michael Womack ◽  
Jerry Pillay
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
The State ◽  
The South ◽  
South African Council ◽  
Prophetic Voice ◽  
History Of ◽  
Three Stages

Prior to 1994, the South African Council of Churches (SACC) was a major role-player both globally and within South Africa, fulfilling a vital role in the struggle for justice in South Africa. Yet, since 1994 the SACC has all but disappeared from both the global as well as the popular South African ecumenical scene. The history of the SACC since 1994 is relatively unknown and sparsely documented. This article attempts to fill in some of that missing detail and to explore what has happened to the SACC since 1994. Working predominantly from news articles and documents from the SACC, the authors have endeavoured to piece together the state of the SACC since 1994. This article shows how the SACC emerged from the brink of closure and has once more started to function as a prophetic voice in South Africa. This movement from almost extinction to a rejuvenated function has been designated into three stages, namely survival, discernment and regeneration. However, the challenges are not over and this article concludes by highlighting two main challenges that the SACC is currently facing.

scholarly journals Towards a Technology-Enhanced Blended Approach for Teaching Arabic for Shari’ah Purposes (ASP) in the Light of the South African National Qualifications Framework

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
T. A. S. Mohammed ◽  
◽  
B. Al-Sowaidi ◽  
F. Banda
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Learning Tools ◽  
The South ◽  
Action Research Project ◽  
Subject Knowledge ◽  
National Qualifications Framework ◽  
African Context ◽  
Academic Year

The study investigates the use of a blended learning approach for teaching Arabic as a foreign language at a South African Islamic college in the light of the South African National Qualifications Framework level descriptors and their critical cross-field outcomes. In particular, the approach has been used for teaching a Ḥadīth Module in an undergraduate BA programme during the second semester of the academic year 2018-2019 at the International Peace College South Africa (IPSA). The college adopts a content and language integrated approach for teaching Arabic. The study concluded that the use of a technology-enhanced blended approach using Web 2.0 tools and Learning Tools (with full) Interoperability (LTI 2.0) (e.g. gamification) plays a vital role in motivating the learners and in the achievement of critical cross-field outcomes of each NQF level including, subject knowledge, critical thinking and problem solving, communication, teamwork and self-management among others. The study is part of an action research project that also includes the design of a syllabus for teaching Arabic for Shari’ah purposes in the South African context and the attitudes of learners towards it.

scholarly journals So Close Yet So Far: Perspectives on the South African Police Service’s Response to Murder Cases in the Wallacedene Policing Area

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
pp. 409-423
Author(s):  
Nthabiseng Patricia Tsoho ◽  
Jacob Tseko Mofokeng ◽  
Khosa Dorcas
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
South African ◽  
Current Problem ◽  
Qualitative Approach ◽  
Data Collection Tool ◽  
The South ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Conviction Rate ◽  
South African Police

The aim of this study was to determine views of the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) response to murder cases in the Wallacedene policing area; the contributing factors that lead to the failure of the police to prosecute offenders; the effectiveness of strategies to reduce murder-related incidents in the study area; the contributing factors to murder in the Wallacedene policing area; and to make recommendations to improve the conviction rate. Twenty-five participants were selected for this study. A qualitative approach was used, with semi-structured interviews as the data-collection tool. The findings highlighted that there is a lack of partnership between SAPS detectives and the community. The contributing factors for the police to fail prosecuting offenders. Reasons for the current problem include inexperienced detectives and lack of resources. In order to increase the performance of the detectives and the first responders to the scene, the research explored the challenges encountered by the SAPS detectives and makes suggestions and recommendations to increase their efficiency.

scholarly journals The impact of non-unionised participation platforms on employee productivity in the South African workplace

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerhardus Van Zyl
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Dynamic Characteristics ◽  
Participation Rate ◽  
Employee Productivity ◽  
The South ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Function Model ◽  
Log Linear ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Douglas Production Function

The aim of the article is to determine the impact that different participation platforms might have on employee productivity levels of the lower-skilled non-unionised employee segment of the South African workplace. A firm-based dynamic log-linear Cobb-Douglas production function model is used as it allows for the incorporation of the dynamic characteristics of the non-unionised employee segment of the South African workplace. The main conclusions of the study are that, i) the positive productivity spill-over effects of a formal committee participation platform in the lower-skilled non-unionised employee segment of the South African workplace are superior to non-committee participation platforms and, ii) a more dispersed racial participation rate, greater gender spread and a dynamic age spread for non-unionised employees are important contributing factors towards the enhancement of higher productivity levels for lower-skilled non-unionised employee participation platforms.

scholarly journals A first assessment of glyphosate, 2,4-D and Cry proteins in surface water of South Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 115 (9/10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Suranie Horn ◽  
Rialet Pieters ◽  
Thomas Bøhn
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Surface Water ◽  
South African ◽  
Limit Of Detection ◽  
Water Sources ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
The South ◽  
Cry Proteins ◽  
North West ◽  
European Guidelines

Agriculture plays a vital role in the South African economy, as well as in the production of maize for food. Genetically modified maize is transformed to encode for crystalline (Cry) proteins found in Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) and is referred to as Bt maize. Ingestion of specific Cry proteins causes the death of target insects that cause harm to maize plants. Bt crops, along with herbicides such as glyphosate and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), are widely adopted as part of the South African farming regime that aims to increase crop yield and reduce costs of production. As chemical compounds used in agriculture often end up in water sources, their presence should be monitored. There are many such monitoring programmes worldwide, but not in South Africa. We screened surface water sources in a maize-dominated agricultural area in the North West Province in South Africa for the presence of Cry1Ab, glyphosate and 2,4-D using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). Cry1Ab was not detected at any site; glyphosate was below the limit of detection at most of the sites but one sample had quantifiable traces of glyphosate; and 2,4-D was detected at all the sites. The concentrations of 2,4-D exceeded those for drinking water according to European guidelines, thus highlighting the need for regular monitoring of these compounds. Many people depend on untreated water resources, which may be contaminated by toxic agricultural chemicals. This report is the first on levels of these target compounds in South African water systems.

scholarly journals Nie goedgelowig nie, maar gelowig en goed: oor die uitdaging van beter morele vorming in en deur gemeentes

2000 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 228-242
Author(s):  
C. Burger
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Moral Code ◽  
Moral Formation ◽  
African Society ◽  
The South ◽  
South African Society ◽  
The Public ◽  
Christian Churches ◽  
Biblical Teaching

Moral renewal: a challenge to the churchesThe article addresses the issue of moral formation in the South African society and focuses on the role the Christian churches can play in this respect. It argues that the church can indeed play a vital role, if it succeeds in facing up to at least four challenges. The first one has to do with a stronger emphasis on the moral implications of the gospel on congregational level. Too many churches preach a version of the gospel that lacks clarity about the moral commitment asked of disciples. The second challenge is to get a more focused picture of what an intrinsic Christian lifestyle looks like. A plea is made for the reinstatement of a condensed basic moral code grounded in biblical teaching. The third challenge relates to the vital question of how moral formation is actually being implemented in the faith communities. Attention is given to different ways this question is being answered. The fourth challenge concerns the churches' hesitancy to accept co-responsibility for the public communities we are living in. Congregational and denominational leaders have to realize that churches are called not only to discipleship, but also to citizenship. If the churches are willing to accept these challenges, they can be an important factor in the moral renewal of the South African society.

scholarly journals Internet-Based ICT Usage By South African SMEs: The Barriers Faced By SMEs

2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 1877-1888 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael C. Cant ◽  
Johannes A. Wiid
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Success Factor ◽  
The South ◽  
Information Gap ◽  
Ict Adoption ◽  
African Context ◽  
World Information ◽  
Medium Enterprises

Previous research estimates that 8 out of 10 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) do not operate for more three years (Mason 2015). According to OECD ([sa]), the major problems encountered by SMEs relate to financing and regulatory burdens. However, with information technology, SMEs are able to narrow the information gap, which leads to improved strategies and decision making (OECD [sa]). In today’s competitive world, information communication technology (ICT) is recognized as a crucial success factor for SMEs. ICT refers to the accessing and communication of information using various technologies such as the internet, wireless networks and cellphones (TechTerms 2010). This research study investigates SMEs’ perception of the barriers in adopting ICT in the South African context. The objective of this paper is to determine ICT adoption and the perceived barriers associated with it among South African SMEs. A review of ICT within an SME context is examined. Through judgement sampling, a questionnaire was distributed to gather the responses of 90 SMEs. The most important barriers that were highlighted by the results of the study are the high cost of ICT systems as well as the lack of knowledge to maintain and use ICT. The challenge is to ensure that South African SMEs continue to increase the adoption of ICT. It is envisaged that by determining the barriers they face and providing recommendations as to how they can overcome these barriers, this research will assist SMEs to become more successful, as they play a vital role in the South African economy.

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