This study explores the impact of online assessments on students’ academic performance and learning outcomes at the University of Technology in South Africa. The research problem addresses the effectiveness and challenges of digital assessment platforms in higher education (HE), particularly their influence on student engagement, feedback quality, and academic integrity. A qualitative case study approach was employed, involving semi-structured interviews with ten undergraduate and postgraduate students from diverse academic backgrounds. The findings reveal that while online assessments provide flexibility and immediate feedback, they also pose challenges related to technical issues, feedback delays, and concerns about long-term knowledge retention. The study highlights the necessity of aligning assessment strategies with constructivist learning principles to enhance critical thinking and student-centered learning. Implications for theory include strengthening the application of constructivist learning in digital environments, while practical recommendations focus on improving assessment design, institutional support, and feedback mechanisms. Policy adjustments should consider inclusive and equitable access to online assessments. Future research should further investigate the long-term impact of digital assessments on professional readiness. This study contributes to ongoing discussions on online education by offering a nuanced understanding of digital assessment challenges and opportunities in higher education.

Community policing has emerged as a vital instrument for combatting crime and enhancing public safety in South Africa. As a result, it has the capacity to go beyond traditional law enforcement functions as a mediator in disputes, fostering improved relationships between the police and the communities where they work. This paper analyses the implementation of community policing strategies by the South African police with the purpose of resolving conflicts. This study aims to address social crime prevention-related concerns through community policing methods in the Galeshewe police area within the Francis Baard policing regions of the Sol Plaatje Municipality, South Africa. The paper examines the tactics that community police employ to enforce the law, avoid social issues, and manage conflict resolution in the communities. A qualitative method and descriptive design were employed. Comprehensive document analysis, semi-structured interviews, and observations were employed as data collection strategies. An inductive reasoning model was used to analysis data. The findings of the study demonstrated that community policing plays an important role in optimizing problem mapping and it increases public knowledge of the importance of upholding security and order in the different police operations that support the community policing program.

Open-source software (OSS) has emerged as a transformative tool whose implementation has the potential to modernise many libraries around the world in the digital age. OSS is a type of software which permits its users to inspect, share, modify, and enhance through its freely accessed source code. The accessibility and openness of the source code permits users to manipulate, change, and improve the way in which a piece of software, program, or application works. OSS solutions therefore provide cost-effective alternatives that enable libraries to enhance their technological infrastructure without being constrained by proprietary systems. Hence, many countries have initiated and formulated policies and legislative frameworks to support the implementation and use of OSS library solutions such as DSpace, Alfresco, and Greenstone. The purpose of the study reported on was to investigate the leveraging of OSS to modernise public libraries in South Africa. Content analysis was adopted as the research methodology for this qualitative study, which was based on a literature review integrating insights from the researchers’ experiences with the use of OSS in libraries The findings of the study reveal that the use of OSS has the potential to modernise public libraries, especially those located outside cities or urban areas. These libraries are often less well equipped with the necessary technology infrastructure to meet the demands of the digital age, such as online books and open access materials. The study culminated in an OSS framework that may be implemented to modernise public libraries. This framework may help public libraries to integrate OSS solutions and further allow users access to digital services.

Distributed Energy Resources (DERs), such as solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, wind turbines, and energy storage systems, offer many benefits, including increased energy efficiency, sustainability, and grid reliability. However, their integration into the smart grid also introduces new vulnerabilities to cyber threats. The smart grid is becoming more digitalized, with advanced technologies like Internet of Things (IoT) devices, communication networks, and automation systems that enable the integration of DER systems. While this enhances grid efficiency and control, it creates more entry points for attackers and thus expands the attack surface for potential cyber threats. Protecting DERs from cyberattacks is crucial to maintaining the overall reliability, security, and privacy of the smart grid. The adopted cybersecurity strategies should not only address current threats but also anticipate future dangers. This requires ongoing risk assessments, staying updated on emerging threats, and being prepared to adapt cybersecurity measures accordingly. This paper highlights some critical points regarding the importance of cybersecurity for Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) and the evolving landscape of the smart grid. This research study shows that there is need for a proactive and adaptable cybersecurity approach that encompasses prevention, detection, response, and recovery to safeguard these critical energy systems against cyber threats, both today and in the future. This work serves as a valuable tool in enhancing the cybersecurity posture of utilities and grid-connected DER owners and operators. It allows them to make informed decisions, protect critical infrastructure, and ensure the reliability and security of grid-connected DER systems in an evolving energy landscape.

The food supply chain in South Africa faces significant challenges related to transparency, traceability, and consumer trust. As concerns about food safety, quality, and sustainability grow, there is an increasing need for innovative solutions to address these issues. Blockchain technology has emerged as a promising tool to enhance transparency and accountability across various industries, including the food sector. This study sought to explore the potential of blockchain technology in revolutionizing through promoting transparency that enable the achievement of sustainable food supply chain infrastructure in South Africa. The study found that blockchain technology used in food supply chain creates an immutable and decentralized ledger of transactions that has the capacity to provide real-time, end-to-end visibility of food products from farm to table. This increased transparency can help mitigate risks associated with food fraud, contamination, and inefficiencies in the supply chain. The study found that blockchain technology can be leveraged to enhance supply chain efficiency and trust among stakeholders. This technology used and/or applied in South Africa can reshape the agricultural sector by improving production and distribution processes. Its integration in the food supply chain infrastructure can equally improve data management and increase transparency between farmers and food suppliers.There is need for policy-makers and scholars in the fields of service delivery and food security to conduct more research in blockchain technology and its roles in creating a more transparent, efficient, and trustworthy food supply chain infractructure that address food supply problems in South Africa. The paper adopted a qualitative methodology to collect data, and document and content analysis techniques were used to interpret collected data. 

Goat farming plays an important economic role in numerous developing countries, with Africa being a home to a considerable portion of the global goat population. This study examined the socioeconomic determinants affecting goat herd size among smallholder farmers in Lephalale Local Municipality of the Limpopo Province in South Africa. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 61 participants. The socioeconomic characteristics of smallholder goat farmers in Lephalale Local Municipality were identified and described using descriptive statistics on one hand. On the other hand, a Multiple linear regression model was employed to analyse the socioeconomic determinants affecting smallholder goat farmers’ herd sizes. Findings from the Multiple linear regression model highlighted several key determinants, including the age of the farmer, gender of the farmer, education level, and marital status of farmers, along with determinants like distance to the markets, provision of feed supplements, and access to veterinary services. Understanding these determinants is crucial for policymakers and practitioners to develop targeted strategies aimed at promoting sustainable goat farming practices and improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in the region.