Covid-19 as a catalyst for digital transformation in higher education: insights for rural-based universities in South Africa
- Authors: Kativhu, Simbarashe
- Date: 2021-12-02
- Subjects: Covid-19 (Disease) , Blended Learning , Education (Higher)
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/7456 , vital:53959 , https://doi.org/10.31920/2516-5305/2021/18n4a14
- Description: The Covid-19 pandemic and the associated lockdown regulations suddenly elevated the importance of blended learning in South Africa and worldwide. This has prompted various international and national institutions into action, providing various support services to enhance fast digital adoption in higher education and facilitate out of classroom learning. In this regard, this paper views the pandemic as a necessary evil that can catalyse the adoption of digital learning, particularly, in rural-based universities of South Africa that have been lagging in the digital education front. The paper reviews recent literature and document opportunities that are emerging from the Covid-19 pandemic. These opportunities can assist rural-based universities to sustainably adopt blended learning, catch up with the elite universities, and bridge the digital divide that is still apparent in South Africa. The paper is based on a review of articles, educational policy documents, and government gazettes. The Atlasti version 8 software was utilised to synthesise the literature. It was concluded that various opportunities exist for rural-based universities. To enhance effective digital transformation in rural-based universities, there is a need for alignment of national policy with realities in different institutions, improve human digital apprehension capacity, and increase collaborations between education technologists and education institutions as well as behavioural change among higher education managers. These changes can enable rural-based universities to build on the opportunities presented by the pandemic and digitalise their education programs to align with the inevitable demands of the 4th industrial revolution.
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- Date Issued: 2021-12-02
A hand to mouth existence: hurdles emanating from the COVID 19 Pandemic for Women Survivalist Entrepreneurs in Johannesburg, South Africa
- Authors: Mapuranga, Miston , Maziriri, Eugine Tafadzwa , Rukuni, Tarisai Fritz
- Date: 2021-09-13
- Subjects: Covid-19 (Disease) , Women-owned business enterprises , Entrepreneurship
- Language: English
- Type: article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/7460 , vital:53960 , https://doi.org/10.31920/2634-3622/2021/v10n3a6
- Description: There are many women survivalist entrepreneurs in South Africa, many of whom work in the informal sector. The emergence of theCOVID-19 pandemic has a devastating effect on their entrepreneurial projects. While both the public and private sectors have initiated various measures to ease the blow, obstacles continue to confront them. This study sought to examine the challenges faced by women survivalist entrepreneurs in South Africa’s Johannesburg metropolitan area. The researchers gathered qualitative data using a qualitative research approach by conducting semi-structured face-to-face interviews. The data was analysed using thematic analyses. The themes that emerged from the findings include; a lack of capital for reinvestment, no government grant support, a decline in the demand for products by the market, rotting agricultural produce or stock, a battle for strategic selling points and numerous confrontations with police as a result of not meeting the regulatory rules relating to COVID-19. The present research provides theoretical implications for academics in entrepreneurship by enhancing the understanding of the hurdles that these entrepreneurs have experienced because of COVID-19. On the practitioners’ side, this work offers avenues for women survivalist entrepreneurs to improve their entrepreneurial ventures and eventually eliminate the challenges they face when running their ventures. This study also offers policy implications. For example, existing government policies can be amended to make the working conditions of women survivalist entrepreneurs better or make the rules under which they operate simpler. This study contributes to entrepreneurship literature by uncovering the difficulties faced by women survivalist entrepreneurs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It will assist other scholars in further developing this research field. As such, this research is important for women survivalist entrepreneurs because most of them endeavour to enhance entrepreneurial performance for the betterment of their lives. Governments may also use the study to develop interventions aimed at facilitating the growth and development of women survivalist entrepreneurs.
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- Date Issued: 2021-09-13