https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/30864 2026-08-05T07:57:25Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32801 Framework for apprenticeship training programs: a case study of manufacturing small and medium enterprises in South Africa Nkosi, Suzan This study assesses apprenticeship training programs in South Africa’s manufacturing industry through the viewpoints of key stakeholders, including SMEs, colleges and training centres. A purposive, criterion-based sampling strategy was used to select participants who were directly involved in apprenticeship delivery and management across these institutional contexts. A total of 12 participants were included, representing SMEs, TVET college and a training centre. The sample size was determined based on qualitative research principles of information-rich cases and depth of insight. Data collection continued until thematic saturation was reached, where no new codes or themes were emerging from the interviews. This approach is consistent with qualitative multi-case study designs where smaller samples are appropriate for achieving depth and contextual understanding rather and analytical richness rather than statistical generalisation. The study investigates how mentorship, the apprenticeship framework, and systemic factors influence skills development and workplace readiness. The findings identifies critical obstacles such as obsolete and antiquated curricula that fail to keep pace with continuous technological innovations such as automation and robotics, resulting in persistent skills mismatch. Access barriers, including digital divides and funding inequities, further restrict equitable involvement, particularly for learners from disadvantaged backgrounds. Centralised policy structures prohibit institutional independence, restricting curriculum innovation and responsiveness to industry needs. Notwithstanding these systemic limitations, the study underscores strengths such as the pivotal role of on-the-job training, structured mentorship, and personalised feedback in promoting practical skills and enthusiasm among apprentices. SMEs demonstrate efficacious mentorship practices that improve learner engagement, whereas training centres impart valuable formative evaluations. The study also highlights the significance of soft skills, communication, adaptability, and teamwork as essential for employability and career success. Continuous professional development for trainers is a crucial factor underpinning quality apprenticeship delivery in a developing industrial landscape. v The research improves theoretically by amplifying cognitive apprenticeship models within the South African context and methodologically through a multi-case qualitative approach that triangulates data across different stakeholders. Methodologically, data were analysed using thematic analysis following Braun and Clarke’s framework, employing an iterative process of coding, categorisation, and theme development. Analysis was supported using ATLAS.ti Version 25, which facilitated systematic organisation and refinement of qualitative data derived from semi-structured interviews. The study contributes theoretically by extending cognitive apprenticeship theory within a South African manufacturing context and methodologically through a multi-case qualitative design that enables cross-stakeholder comparison and triangulation. Practically, this study provides evidence-based awareness to enhance program design, instructional techniques, and collaborative participation between educational institutions and industry. Policy implications call for curriculum change to promote flexibility and alignment with labour market standards, improved funding mechanisms to foster equity, and stronger government–industry partnerships to support mentorship and trainer development. Recommendations include decentralising curriculum evolution, institutionalising structured mentorship and feedback systems, enhancing professional development for trainers, and increasing SME involvement in curriculum design and workplace learning. Future studies should explore the scalability of mentorship models, policy execution at institutional levels, and collaboration with digital learning tools in vocational training.; Boithuto bona bo lekola mananeo a kwetliso ya boithuto indastering ya tlhahiso ya Afrika Borwa ka maikutlo a bankakarolo ba bohlokwa, ho kenyeletswa di-SME, dikholetjhe le ditsi tsa kwetliso. Ho ile ha sebediswa leano le nang le maikemisetso le ipapisitseng le ditekanyetso ho kgetha bankakarolo ba neng ba ameha ka kotloloho phano ya boithuto le tsamaiso maemong ana a ditsi. Nomoro e felletseng ya bankakarolo ba le 12 ba ne ba akaretswa ke ba emetseng di-SME, kholetjhe ya TVET le sebaka sa thupello. Boholo ba sampole bo ile ba kgethwa ho ipapisitswe le melao-motheo ya boleng ba dipatlisiso tsa dinyewe tse nang le tlhaiso-leseding le botebo ba temohisiso. Pokello ya dintlha e ile ya tswela pele ho fihlela ho fihlelwa ka botlalo, moo ho neng ho se na dikhoutu tse ntjha kapa dihlooho tse hlahang dipuisanong. Mokgwa ona o dumellana le meralo ya boleng ya boithuto ba maemo a mangata moo disampole tse nyane di loketseng ho fihlella botebo le kutlwisiso ya maemo ho ena le borui ba tekolo ho fapana le kakaretso ya dipalopalo. Phuputso e batlisisa ka moo boeletsi, moralo wa boithuto, le dintlha tsa tsamaiso di susumetsang ntshetsopele ya ditsebo le ho itokisetsa sebaka sa mosebetsi. Diphuputso di supa ditshitiso tse mahlonoko tse kang kharikhulamo ya kgale e hlolehang ho tsamaisana le dintlafatso tse tswelang pele tsa theknoloji tse kang automation le robotics, e leng se bakang ho se dumellane ho sa feleng. Ditshitiso tsa phihlello, ho kenyeletswa dikarohano tsa dijithale le ho se lekane ha ditjhelete, di boetse di thibela ho kenya letsoho ka tekatekano, haholo-holo ho baithuti ba tswang malapeng a hlokang menyetla. Mekgatlo ya maano a mahareng e thibela boikemelo ba setheo, e thibela boiqapelo ba kharikhulamo le ho arabela ditlhoko tsa indasteri. Ho sa tsotellehe dikgaello tsena tsa tsamaiso, thuto e totobatsa matla a kang karolo ya bohlokwa ya kwetliso ya mosebetsing, tlhabollo e hlophisitsweng, le maikutlo a motho ka mong bakeng sa ho kgothaletsa ditsebo tse sebetsang le tjheseho hara diithuti. Di-SME di bontsha ditlwaelo tse sebetsang tsa boeletsi tse ntlafatsang boitshebetso ba baithuti, athe ditsi tsa kwetliso di fana ka ditlhahlobo tsa bohlokwa. Boithuto bona bo boetse bo totobatsa bohlokwa ba ditsebo tse bonolo, puisano, ho ikamahanya le maemo, le tshebedisano-mmoho e le tsa bohlokwa bakeng sa ho hirwa vii le katleho ya mosebetsi. Ntlafatso e tswelang pele ya profeshenale bakeng sa bakwetlisi ke ntlha ya bohlokwa e tiisang phano ya boleng ba boithuto sebakeng sa indasteri e ntseng e tswela pele. Patlisiso e ntlafala ho latela mohopolo ka ho hodisa mekgwa ya boithuto ba kelello ka hara maemo a Afrika Borwa le ka mokgwa wa ho sebedisa maemo a mangata a kopanyang dintlha ho pholletsa le bankakarolo ba fapaneng. Ho latela mokgwa, dintlha di ile tsa hlahlojwa ho sebediswa tlhahlobo ya sehlooho ho latela moralo wa Braun le Clarke, ho sebediswa mokgwa o pheta-phetwang wa ho ngola dikhoutu, karohano le ntshetsopele ya sehlooho. Tlhahlobo e ile ya tshehetswa ho sebediswa ATLAS.ti Version 25, e nolofaditseng tlhophiso e hlophisehileng le ntlafatso ya dintlha tsa boleng tse nkilweng dipuisanong tse hlophisitsweng hantle. Patlisiso e kenya letsoho ho ya ka mohopolo ka ho atolosa mohopolo wa boithupelo ba kutlwisiso e mabapi le maemo a tlhahiso a Afrika Borwa le ka mokgwa wa mohopolo wa maemo a mangata a maemo ao a bapisang batho ba nkang karolo ba fapaneng. Ha e le hantle, thuto ena e fana ka tlhokomediso e thehilweng ho bopaki ho matlafatsa moralo wa lenaneo, mekgwa ya ho ruta, le ho kenya letsoho tshebedisanong pakeng tsa ditsi tsa thuto le indasteri. Ditlamorao tsa leano di hloka phetoho ya kharikhulamo ho kgothaletsa ho tenyetseha le ho ikamahanya le maemo a mmaraka wa basebetsi, mekgwa e ntlafaditsweng ya ditjhelete ho kgothaletsa tekano, le dikamano tse matla tsa mmuso le indasteri ho tshehetsa boeletsi le ntshetsopele ya bakwetlisi. Ditlhahiso di kenyelletsa ho arola thuto ya ho iphetola ha dintho, ho theha boeletsi bo hlophisitsweng le ditsamaiso tsa maikutlo, ho matlafatsa ntshetsopele ya ditsebi bakeng sa barupelli, le ho eketsa seabo sa SME moralong wa kharikhulamo le ho ithuta mosebetsing. Dithuto tsa nako e tlang di lokela ho lekola bokgopo ba mehlala ya boeletsi, tshebetso ya maano maemong a ditsi, le tshebedisano mmoho le disebediswa tsa ho ithuta tsa dijithale kwetlisong ya mosebetsi wa matsoho.; Ngudo iyi i ṱola mbekanyamushumo dza vhugudisi ha u guda mushumo kha nḓowetshumo ya vhubveledzi ya Afrika Tshipembe nga kha mavhonele a vhakwamei vha ndeme, hu tshi katelwa na dziSME, khoḽedzhi na senthara dza vhugudisi. Tshiṱirathedzhi tsha tsumbonanguludzwa tshi re na ndivho, tsho tewaho kha maitele tsho shumiswa u nanga vha dzhenelaho vhe vha vha vha tshi shela mulenzhe thwii kha u ṋetshedzwa ha vhugudisi na vhulanguli kha nyimele idzi dza tshiimiswa. Vhadzheneleli vha linganaho 12 vho katelwa, vha tshi imela dziSME, khoḽedzhi ya TVET na senthara ya vhugudisi. Vhuhulu ha tsumbonanguludzwa ho tiwa ho sedzwa kha milayo ya ṱhoḓisiso ya vhuimo ha milandu yo pfumaho nga mafhungo na u dzika ha nḓivho. U kuvhanganya data zwo bvela phanḓa u swika hu tshi swikelelwa u ḓala ha thero, hune ha vha na khoudu ntswa kana thero dzine dza khou bvelela kha inthavhiyu. Nḓila iyi i tshimbilelana na nḓila dza ngudo dza kheisi nnzhi dza vhuimo hune tsumbonanguludzwa ṱhukhu dza vha dzo teaho u itela u swikelela vhudzivha na u pfesesa ha vhuimo nṱhani ha na u pfuma ha tsenguluso nṱhani ha u angaredza ha zwitatamennde. Ngudo i ṱoḓisisa nḓila ine vhueletshedzi, muhanga wa u guda mushumo, na zwithu zwa sisieme zwa ṱuṱuwedza ngayo mveledziso ya zwikili na u ḓilugisela mushumoni. Mawanwa a topola zwithithisi zwa ndeme zwi ngaho kharikhuḽamu dzo fhelelwaho nga tshifhinga na dza kale dzine dza kundelwa u tshimbila na vhubveledzi ha thekhinoḽodzhi vhu bvelaho phanḓa vhu ngaho u ḓiitela na robotho, zwine zwa bveledza u sa tendelana ha zwikili zwi sa fheli. Zwithivheli zwa tswikelelo, hu tshi katelwa na u fhandekana ha didzhithala na u sa eḓana ha masheleni, zwi isa phanḓa na u thivhela u dzhenelela ho linganelaho, nga maanḓa kha vhagudi vha bvaho kha vhubvo vhu si na zwishumiswa. Zwivhumbeo zwa mbekanyamaitele zwo ṱanganaho zwi thivhela u ḓiimisa ha zwiimiswa, zwi thivhela vhubveledzi ha kharikhuḽamu na u fhindula kha ṱhoḓea dza nḓowetshumo. Hu sa londwi mikano iyi ya sisṱeme, ngudo i ombedzela maanḓa a ngaho mushumo wa ndeme wa vhugudisi ha mushumoni, vhueletshedzi ho dzudzanywaho, na vhupfiwa ho khetheaho kha u ṱuṱuwedza zwikili zwi shumaho na u fhisea kha vhagudiswa. DziSME dzi sumbedza maitele a vhueletshedzi a shumaho ane a ix khwinisa u dzhenelela ha vhagudi, ngeno senthara dza vhugudisi dzi tshi ṋetshedza tsedzuluso dza ndeme dza u vhumba. Ngudo i dovha ya sumbedza ndeme ya zwikili zwa sofuthiwee, vhudavhidzani, u kona u ṱanganedza zwiimo, na u shuma sa tshigwada sa zwa ndeme kha u tholiwa na u bvelela kha mushumo. Mveledziso ya phurofeshinaḽa i bvelaho phanḓa ya vhagudisi ndi tshithu tsha ndeme tshine tsha tikedza ṋetshedzo ya vhugudisi ha vhuimo ha nṱha kha shango ḽa nḓowetshumo ḽine ḽa khou bvelela. Tsedzuluso i khwinisa nga theori nga u engedza modele dza u guda ha ṱhalukanyo nga ngomu ha nyimele ya Afrika Tshipembe na nga maitele nga kha nḓila ya khwaḽithethivi ya kheisi nnzhi ine ya ṱanganya data kha vhakwamei vho fhambanaho. Nga nḓila, data yo senguluswa hu tshi shumiswa tsenguluso ya thero hu tshi tevhelwa muhanga wa Braun na Clarke, hu tshi shumiswa maitele a dovhololaho a u khouda, u khethekanya, na mveledziso ya thero. Tsenguluso yo tikedzwa hu tshi shumiswa ATLAS.ti Vesheni 25, ye ya leludza ndangulo yo dzudzanyeaho na u khwinisa data ya vhuimo yo bviswaho kha inthavhiyu dzo dzudzanywaho nga tshipiḓa. Ngudo i shela mulenzhe nga theori nga u engedza theori ya u guda ha ṱhalukanyo nga ngomu ha nyimele ya vhubveledzi ha Afrika Tshipembe na nga maitele nga kha mveledziso ya khwaḽithethivi ya kheisi nnzhi ine ya konisa u vhambedza na u ita zwipiḓa zwiraru zwa vhakwamei vho fhambanaho. Nga nḓila ya u shuma, ngudo iyi i ṋetshedza nḓivho yo tewaho kha vhuṱanzi u itela u khwinisa nzudzanyo ya mbekanyamushumo, thekhiniki dza u gudisa, na u shela mulenzhe ha tshumisano vhukati ha zwiimiswa zwa pfunzo na nḓowetshumo. Zwine mbekanyamaitele ya amba zwone zwi vhidzelela tshanduko ya kharikhuḽamu u itela u ṱuṱuwedza u tendelana na zwilinganyo zwa makete wa vhashumi, maitele o khwiniswaho a u ṋetshedza masheleni u itela u ṱuṱuwedza u lingana, na vhufarisani ho khwaṱhaho ha muvhuso na nḓowetshumo u itela u tikedza vhueletshedzi na mveledziso ya vhagudisi. Themendelo dzi katela u fhandekanya mvelaphanḓa ya kharikhuḽamu, u ita uri sisiṱeme dza vhueletshedzi na vhupfiwa dzo dzudzanywaho dzi vhe dza tshiimiswa, u khwinisa mveledziso ya phurofeshinaḽa ya vhagudisi, na u engedza u dzhenelela ha SME kha u ḓivhadza kharikhuḽamu na u guda mushumoni. Ngudo dza tshifhinga tshi ḓaho dzi tea u sedzulusa u linganela ha modele dza vhueletshedzi, u shumiswa ha x mbekanyamaitele kha maimo a zwiimiswa, na u shumisana na zwishumiswa zwa u guda zwa didzhithala kha vhugudisi ha mishumo ya zwanḓa. 2026-01-20T00:00:00Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32799 Implementation of Employability Programme as a mechanism for job creation in the Department of Employment and Labour. Mafuleka, Sabelo Velenkosini The aim of the research was to examine, evaluate, and offer recommendations about the implementation of the Employability Programme as a means for job creation within the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL). The study intended to clarify the rationale for implementing the Employability Programme, assess its contribution to job creation initiatives, investigate employee opinions, and provide recommendations for the programme's implementation within DEL. A method based on qualitative research was employed in an interview of DEL employees at the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Provincial Office. The survey engaged 24 participants as a sample (n), consisting of 10 from Public Employment Services (PES), three from Labour Activation Programme (LAP), and 11 from the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) inside the DEL – KZN Provincial Office. The research revealed that DEL employees are completely aware of the reasons for implementing the Employability Programme inside DEL. Research results indicated that the Employability Programme was instituted to address the substantial and escalating unemployment rates in the country, exacerbated by inequality and a constrained economy. The study demonstrated that the Employability Programme serves as a mechanism designed to equip job seekers not only for re-employment, but also to foster entrepreneurial ventures that encourage them to become employers instead of employees. The conclusion was reached that the execution of the Employability Programme aligns with DEL’s vision and mission to promote employment, enforce labour legislation, and promote a labour market conducive to investment, economic growth, job creation, and decent work. DEL personnel assert that the decentralisation of LAP will augment the engagement and participation of both internal and external stakeholders, especially community-level beneficiaries. The report recommended that DEL-UIF form a steering committee and involve employers during the programme's inception and planning phases to ensure that the implementation of the Employability Programme corresponds with the skills desired by businesses 2026-01-28T00:00:00Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32785 A management skills and leadership styles framework for increased competitiveness: a case selected ICT-based SMMEs in South Africa Nhlapho, Nokulunga he sustainable competitiveness of Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) is critical for economic resilience, yet many fail to achieve consistent growth and innovation due to inadequately targeted leadership and management development. This study examines the management leadership capabilities and skills that drive sustainable competitiveness among SMMEs supplying ICT solutions in South Africa’s Lowveld Nexus, a unifying term describing the interconnected economic activities of Gauteng, Limpopo, and Mpumalanga. The absence of a context specific framework that links leadership and management competencies to the unique competitive demands of ICT based SMMEs within this economically diverse region was the rationale. Grounded in Agile Management Theory, Transformational Leadership Theory, Socio technical Critical Theory, and Ambivalent Technology Stances, the study adopts a qualitative, exploratory approach to examine the lived realities of ICT SMMEs. Twenty-one SMME owners and managers were purposively selected across the three provinces and participated in in depth interviews. The data were analyzed thematically using Braun and Clarke’s six step framework to ensure analytical rigor and transparency. The findings reveal that existing generic leadership and management frameworks are insufficient for the specialized and dynamic ICT SMME context. Transformational leadership emerged as a critical driver of competitiveness, particularly where leaders demonstrated vision, strategic thinking, innovation orientation, and the ability to motivate and empower teams. Beyond leadership style, the study identifies five interdependent pillars that shape competitiveness, namely strategic education and training, relevant operational experience, robust support systems, adaptive leadership capability, and flexible management practices. The study makes a substantive contribution by developing an integrated framework that demonstrates how leadership, management, contextual realities, and technological dynamics interact to drive sustainable growth and competitiveness. This advances existing theory by moving beyond single theory explanations and introducing a multi-dimensional, context sensitive perspective on ICT SMME performance. Practically, the framework provides actionable guidance for policymakers, training institutions, and SMME leaders seeking to strengthen leadership capacity and enhance competitiveness within the South African ICT sector.; Inhloso yalolu cwaningo kwakuwukuqonda amakhono okuphatha kanye nobuholi adingekayo ekukhuleni kokuncintisana nokusimeme kumaBhizinisi Amancane, Amaphakathi, Nasebenza ngezinga elincane kakhulu (ama-SMME) ahlinzeka ngezixazululo zoBuchwepheshe Bolwazi noKuxhumana (ICT) e-Lowveld Nexus yaseNingizimu Afrika. Leli yigama elihlanganisayo elichaza ukuxhumana phakathi kweGauteng, Limpopo, kanye neMpumalanga. Kucatshangwa ukuthi kukhona ukushoda kohlaka oluzinikele lokuqonda amakhono okuphatha kanye nobuholi adingekayo ekukhuleni kokuncintisana nokusimeme ku-Lowveld Nexus. Lolu cwaningo lusebenzise indlela ngokuchazayo, ngokwenza izingxoxo ezijulile nabahlanganyeli abangama-21, abakhethwa ngobuchule kusetshenziswa amasampula ahlosiwe phakathi kwabanikazi bama-SMME ezifundazweni zonke zaseGauteng, Limpopo, naseMpumalanga. Lolu cwaningo lusekelwe phezu kombono wokuphatha oshesha kakhulu kanye nombono wobuholi benguquko. Imininingwane eqoqiwe yahlaziywa kusetshenziswa indlela yokuhlaziya indikimba edalulwe kuBraun noClarke kuhlonzwe izingqikithi ezibalulekile zokuphatha kanye nekhono lobuholi. Okutholakele kuveze ukuntula okubonakalayo kobuholi obukhona, obujwayelekile kanye nezinhlaka zokuphatha ukuze kubhekwane ngempumelelo nezinselela ezithile kanye namathuba ama-SMME abhekene nawo emkhakheni we-ICT oguquguqukayo. Ucwaningo lwembule izici ezinhlanu ezibalulekile eziyisisekelo ezibalulekile kuma-ICT SMME, okuholela ekuqhudelaneni nasekukhuleni okusimeme endaweni ye-ICT: imfundo nokuqeqeshwa, ulwazi, izinhlelo zokusekela, amakhono obuholi, amakhono okuphatha. Lolu cwaningo lufake isandla ngohlaka lokuphatha ubuchwepheshe kanye nokuqamba izinto ezintsha kanye namakhono obuholi ezisombululo ze-ICT ezihlinzeka ngama-SMME. Ucwaningo luphetha ngokuthi ‘indlela yomhlaba wonke’ yobuholi nokuthuthukiswa kokuphatha ayanele ukuze kuthuthukiswe ukukhula okusimeme kulo mongo. Lolu cwaningo luphakamisa ukuthi abaholi kufanele basebenzise uhlaka lobuholi obuqondene nemboni ethile, olwakhiwa ngalolu cwaningo, lwafanelana nezidingo eziyingqayizivele kanye nezinkimbinkimbi zabahlinzeki bezixazululo ze-SMME ICT, oluchaza ngokusobala futhi luthuthukise iqoqo lamakhono obuholi adingekayo ukuze kuzuzwe ukuncintisana nokukhula okuzinzile. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32764 Corporate governance in South Africa: an investigation and comparison of King II with internationally developed systems, specifically sarnes oxley: their impact on South African based multinationals with specific reference to value added and overall cost Albon, Mark Corporate Governance systems are generally designed to meet the specific requirements of businesses operating in a particular country or region. The increasing globalisation of business, and in particular the rise of companies based in developing economies, has resulted in a greater level of integration between different Corporate Governance systems and regimes. This research is a systematic investigation of the interface and integration between the fundamentally insider system of governance prevalent in South Africa and the intrinsically outsider system being implemented in the United States as a result of the promulgation of the Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) Act. Through a series of qualitative interviews a conclusion is drawn as to the efficacy of the two different approaches. Specific emphasis is placed on the cost of implementation of SOX versus the value that the regime adds to the governance activities of dual listed South African based multi•national companies registered on U.S. stock exchanges who are legally obligated to report on elements of the SOX legislation. A series of conclusions are drawn from the themes arising from the research and recommendations offered for further consideration of the issue by business and academics. Opportunities for further research are also identified. 2006-01-01T00:00:00Z