https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/30872 Mon, 03 Aug 2026 18:51:33 GMT 2026-08-03T18:51:33Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32760 Commercialisation and commodification of the gospel in South African Neo-Prophetic churches: A missiological self-regulation framework Mngadi, Paul Themba Thembinkosi The exponential rise of neo-prophetic churches and ministries in South Africa necessitates this investigative study. The recent preponderance of such churches reveals that Christianity lacks a regulatory framework to guide the establishment of churches in South Africa. The commercialisation and the commodification of Christianity in neo-prophetic churches and ministries have led to many abuses and vulnerabilities, and revealed a certain gullibility amongst congregants. The primary research gap this study addresses is the development of a neo-prophetic regulatory framework, with a missiological focus that aligns with the Constitution of South Africa, to curb the malpractices of Neo-Prophets where these occur. Missional imagination serves as a theoretical framework by means of which the phenomenon under study has been conceptualised. The key operational concepts of the study include Missio Dei, Missio Hominum, and Motus Dei, where the missional church is understood as a polycentric entity. The research adopts a qualitative research method, utilising focus groups, in-depth interviews, and observations to generate data. The primary purpose and contribution of this study is to advocate for the establishment of a Neo-Prophetic Council of Churches. This body ought to have the same voice and status as other existing Council of Churches in South Africa. Its primary purpose is to develop a neo-prophetic missional regulatory framework to standardise and regulate practices among neo-prophetic churches and ministries in South Africa. New themes for future study may investigate such a critical intervention as contributing to the reinstatement of Christianity as a credible and humanising religion in South Africa. Fri, 01 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32760 2026-05-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32754 Investigating the role of branding in strategic communication: a qualitative study of the GCIS and Department of Tourism Lebele, Seapei Pascaline This study investigated the role of branding in strategic communication within the South African government, with reference to the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) and the Department of Tourism. Although government branding has attracted scholarly attention, it is often treated in isolation from broader strategic communication processes. This separation creates gaps in understanding how branding functions as an integrated component of government communication. Furthermore, limited research has examined government branding through a systems theory lens. Grounded in systems theory, the study adopted a qualitative, phenomenological research design to explore communicators’ experiences of branding within their institutional contexts. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with thirteen purposively selected communication practitioners from the GCIS and the Department of Tourism. Data were analysed using thematic analysis to identify recurring codes and themes. The findings indicate that branding plays a strategic role in enhancing brand awareness, thereby contributing to the achievement of institutional objectives. Branding was also found to support differentiation, credibility, trust-building, and legitimacy in government communication, although its effectiveness still depends on consistent implementation and alignment with other organisational objectives. However, the study identified challenges related to brand consistency, highlighting the need for ongoing training and internal alignment among communicators and other staff members. The study contributes to advancing government communication policy and practice by positioning branding as an integral component of strategic communication rather than a standalone activity. It further enriches the literature on government branding by applying systems theory and recommends a phased approach to reinforcing implementation, improving guidelines, and fostering institutional learning to enhance effectiveness in practice and additional research to deepen theoretical understanding in this area. Tue, 03 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32754 2026-03-03T00:00:00Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32715 An ethical leadership competency framework for managing the efficiency of internal controls and accountability to facilitate effective governance Burger-Snyman, Dorothee This study aimed to develop an ethical leadership competency framework to strengthen internal controls and accountability, thereby enhancing effective governance. A cross-sectional quantitative research design was employed, using a purposive sample of 274 permanently employed officials at post levels 9 to 15 from two national government institutions. The sample represented diverse sociodemographic characteristics, including age, race, gender, years of public service, staff category, and educational level. The study examined the relationships between ethical leadership, internal control, accountability, and effective governance, while also analysing perceptual differences across sociodemographic groups to inform the development of an ethical leadership competency framework and a governance and ethical leadership scorecard. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and inferential techniques, with structural equation modelling applied to test the relationships among the constructs. Ethical leadership was operationalised through three dimensions: character, influence, and morality. Effective governance was measured using six dimensions: inclusiveness, managerial structures, staff support, management controls, staff loyalty, and work–life balance. Internal control effectiveness was assessed through compliance frameworks and structures, compliance culture, risk management, and operational controls, while accountability management was measured at both strategic and operational levels. The results revealed significant and positive relationships among ethical leadership, internal control, accountability, and effective governance. Ethical leadership was found to enhance accountability and strengthen internal control systems. Internal control emerged as the central pathway to effective governance, exerting a particularly strong influence on governance Page | vi outcomes. While ethical leadership plays a critical enabling role, the quality of governance was primarily driven by the robustness of internal control systems rather than leadership practices alone. Governance was most effective when ethical leadership behaviours were embedded within organisational practices, creating an environment conducive to accountability. Sociodemographic variables, including age, race, gender, length of public service, staff category, and education level, significantly influenced perceptions of ethical leadership, governance, internal control, and accountability. This study contributes to the field of Business Administration by proposing an ethical leadership competency framework and scorecard to support the institutionalisation of ethical leadership, enhance internal controls and accountability, and promote effective governance in both public and private sector organisations. Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32715 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32703 An evaluation of the management and control measures of explosives by the South African Police Service at Beit Bridge border post Simango, Themba Simon In recent years, explosives have become a tool of choice used by perpetrators who seek to access cash safes and for use at illegal mining sites. The Explosives Section attends to bombings for cash and the recovery of explosives found in possession of suspects at illegal mining sites. The illegal influx of explosives through the Beit Bridge border post is continuous, and measures should be taken to address it. Although the influx has become an enormous challenge, the researcher observed no attempts by law enforcement, comprising SAPS and other role players, to address it. With the scourge becoming out of control, SAPS needs research solutions to curb and reduce the number of explosives coming from neighbouring countries. The researcher aims to evaluate management and control measures for explosives, determine the prevalence of illegal explosives, identify the challenges encountered by the South African Police (SAPS) in policing them at the Beit Bridge border post, and propose effective measures to address these challenges. The researcher included various role players who work at Beit Bridge to determine how they can be effective in dealing with the influx. Suspects who are arrested in possession of smuggled explosives are mostly from Zimbabwe. When convicted, they serve time in South African prisons. The researcher included convicted explosives smugglers to help provide answers on the accessibility of explosives, possible smuggling methods, transportation routes, and preferred destinations in South Africa. The qualitative method was best suited for this study as it encourages interviews. The Explosives Section in the SAPS has been identified as the custodian of the Explosives Act, but a lack of capacity and resources continues to hamper investigative efficiency. Other role players at Beit Bridge knowledge or the training to identify explosives. Explosives are known to be dangerous and considered weapons of mass destruction. Thu, 24 Oct 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32703 2024-10-24T00:00:00Z