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    Improving the administration of disability grants in South Africa’s social security agency
    (2024-05) Luthuli, Mthokozisi Sydney; Dorasamy, Nirmala
    Improving the administration of disability grants in South Africa’s Social Security Agency was the primary focus of the study. Although the South African social security grant categories include the child support grant, older age persons’ grant, disability grant, grant-in-aid, care dependency grant, war veterans grant and the foster child grants, this study only focused on disability grants. In South Africa, fraud and maladministration are among the challenges impacting the quality of public service delivery. In terms of the study, the impact of this amongst other issues were investigated. The aim of the study was to improve the administration of disability grants in South Africa’s Social Security Agency, identify gaps and forward recommendations. The study adopted a mixed method approach using the SASSA offices in Gauteng, Western Cape, and the KwaZulu-Natal provinces. The data collection tools were interviews and questionnaires, while SPSS and computer software instruments were used to analyse and interpret the findings. This study’s original contribution was to improve the disability grant policy by introducing a more critical framework for addressing the disability grant issues that undermine the effective administration of disability grants at the selected South African Social Security Agencies. The contribution to the study was three-fold [1] Gaps in literature; [2] a conceptual analysis; and [3] Methodological/theoretical (statistics and interview contribution).
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    The effects of consumer protection legislation on challenges pertaining to student loan debt : a case study of the Durban University of Technology
    (2023-07) Govender, Preleen; Reddy, Karunanidhi
    Millions of South Africans endured numerous injustices throughout apartheid, with education being one. Since the beginning of the 21st century, the value of Higher Education (HE) has grown, and it is believed that giving more people access to it will benefit the economy of the country as well as their social status and quality of life. This has compelled numerous governments to create student loan schemes in order to assist deserving and needy people and increase their access to HE. HE may be the only option to escape poverty in South Africa yet, in order to continue their study; students require money. Some students must rely on parental or family support, part time employment, savings, or bank loans to pay for their studies. One type of financial aid intended to assist students in paying their tuition and other expenses, is student loans. Student loans are another means to pay for university education. There may be severe repercussions for the student who is unable to make prompt payments, which may take many different forms. Furthermore, when signing student loan contracts, through banks, government-funded schemes, such as the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), private lenders, University Financial Aid, Bursaries and Scholarships, students face various difficulties. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of consumer protection legislation on the challenges pertaining to student loan debt in the South African HE sector. The objectives of the study were to explore HE student challenges in respect of student loan contracts and the resultant student loan debt; the study analysed the implications of selected consumer legislation (including the National Credit Act 34 of 2005 and the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008) on such challenges faced by HE students, furthermore, the study explored measures to protect students and make future improvements in the broader South African student loan scheme in HE. The target population for this study comprised of full-time students from all of the Durban University of Technology campuses, viz. ML Sultan, Steve Biko, Ritson, Brickfield, City campus and the Pietermaritzburg campus. A case study research design was employed for the current study. This study adopted non-probability sampling techniques, i.e. a judgemental or purposive sampling method and a convenience sampling method. A questionnaire, which is mainly quantitative in nature, was utilised for this study. The questionnaire was developed to achieve the study's objectives. The study focused on collecting and analysing, quantitative data as a method and is being presented and analysed using quantitative techniques. Cronbach’s Alpha was used to determine reliability of the questionnaire. The Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) package version 27.0 was used to analyse the quantitative data. Data was obtained from 306 respondents and analysed and interpreted using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results from the study were presented using graphs and tables. This study will be beneficial to students as well as HEIs as it highlights the challenges faced by students and possible measures to protect students and make improvements in the broader South African students’ loan scheme. The findings from the study revealed that the respondents were unaware of the consequences to unpaid student loan debt, including the fact that they may not be able to complete their studies; that if their studies have been completed, the university will withhold the certification, and that not paying their student loan could prevent them from graduating. Furthermore, the respondents experienced challenges such as the contracts not being in a plain and understandable language, amongst many others. Based on the findings, recommendations are made on the measures that can be implemented to protect students and to make future improvements in the broader South African student’s loan scheme in HE
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    Disbursing of social security grants : a case of uMgungundlovu District, South Africa
    (2020-04) Luthuli, Mthokozisi Sydney; Hlengwa, Dumsile Cynthia
    The strategic features of this study were to create new understanding of existing issues and identify new and emerging issues worthy of investigation and explanation. The distribution of disability grants is a long-standing practice that has been a way of life to people living with disability since the dawn of democracy, which started as of the year 1994. The purpose of this study is to examine the effectiveness of disbursing social security grants at Pietermaritzburg office KwaZulu–Natal. Although the ability for South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) is to execute the distribution of social grants, the practice over the years is mounted with allegations of issues of fraud, maladministration and dissatisfaction of beneficiaries. The SASSA is required to provide the services aligned to administrative approaches and systems of transmitting disability grants within SASSA institutions in South Africa and provide social relief of distress to beneficiaries. The study adopted a qualitative research methodology to collect and analyse data. The intention of using a qualitative paradigm is to respond to specific questions that directs to the applications in real world situation, and be able to address the specific societal problems. This study factors associated with ineffectiveness of the distribution processing of grants and implications for grant beneficiaries. A majority of selected respondents perceived the disability grant policy as unjust and saw very little hope of improvement. This study recommends the value of chain in the distribution of disability grants by training the employees, improving the infrastructures and the capacity of SASSA in providing the disability grants at Pietermaritzburg office.
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    Examining the practice of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Sub-Saharan Africa
    (Virtus Interpress, 2014) Rampersad, Renitha; Skinner, Chris
    In this study, we will examine the way in which CSR is conceptualised by various scholars along with the realities of its implementation on the ground in specific African countries. The key objectives of this paper are therefore; to extend the discussion of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) by providing insight into the effect that the level of economic development may have on CSR and the impact this may have on the practice of CSR amongst leading companies in Sub-Saharan Africa. The paper will focus on discovering the similarities and differences in policies, procedures and practices in the region as a whole. In order to help shed some light on these issues, this article explores how leading companies report on CSR in five Sub-Saharan countries (Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Kenya, and South Africa). Our analysis of company information reveals that opportunities are widely appreciated and that most companies report on their economic and social impacts. However, CSR reporting is fairly generic, and the specific context seems to bear only a limited influence on the type of CSR activities undertaken.
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    Institutionalising a Whistle blowing Culture within Higher Education Institutions: Policy and Procedure Underpinning Good Governance at the Durban University of Technology
    (International Foundation for Research and Development, 2012-09) Dorasamy, Nirmala
    The article proposes to explore the importance of policy and procedure as an impetus for establishing a whistle blowing culture. It can be suggested that the institutionalization of a whistle blowing culture through established and practiced policies and procedures can lead to lower levels of perceived retaliation, which is frequently a deterrent in blowing the whistle. The quantitative research method was employed to determine the extent to which higher education institutions implement policies and procedures to institutionalize whistle blowing as an imperative for an ethical organizational culture, which encourages potential whistleblowers to report on wrongdoing. A conceptual framework informed by legislation, policy and procedures was used to determine employee perceptions relating to the role of whistle blowing policies and procedures within the Durban University of Technology as an impetus for establishing a whistle blowing culture. The investigation was based on empirical research conducted at the Durban University of Technology, South Africa and literature on whistle blowing. In the light of the research, recommendations are made relating to institutional whistle blowing policies and procedures. The empirical findings reveal that whistle blowing legislation is inadequate to encourage whistle blowing. The article provides a comprehensive framework for the institutionalization of whistle blowing within the organizational culture as an imperative to encourage disclosure of unethical practices.
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    Good governance and whistleblowing : a case of a higher education institution (HEI) in South Africa
    (KRE, 2013) Dorasamy, Nirmala
    The article aims to explore the attitudes of employees toward the Protected Disclosures Act (2000) in providing protection to whistleblowers in South Africa. It seeks to examine the extent to which employees are encouraged to blow the whistle at higher education institutions, despite legislation which protects disclosures made in good faith. The assessment is conducted in the light of empirical research conducted at a higher education institution, against literature gleaned on whistleblower legislation and its impact on good governance. The research was limited to the Durban University of Technology, a higher education institution (HEI) in South Africa and may not produce the same findings at other similar higher education institutions. A conceptual framework informed by legislation, policy and procedures and organizational culture was used to determine employee perceptions of whistleblower protection within higher education institutions. The research methodology focused on questionnaires administered to all employees. Despite the implementation of a whistleblowers line at the institution, employees are of the opinion that practices and procedures relating to whistleblowing have not encouraged whistleblowing or even decreased unethical conduct, In light of this research, recommendations are made to promote a culture of whistleblowing that broadly need to be supported and articulated throughout the institution.