Recession, inflation, interest rates, income tax, exchange rates ? We are bombarded with these terms every day - by newspapers, the radio, TV and the internet - but what do they actually mean? And how do they impact on you?
 In this updated edition of Everyone's Guide to the South African Economy, all these issues - and more - are addressed. The book clearly explains and evaluates a wide range of economic occurrences - from the budget and the rand/dollar exchange rate to the balance of payments and the role of the South African Reserve Bank.
 The book investigates the causes and consequences of the 2008/2009 global financial and economic crisis, looks at the sub-Saharan African economy, and explores human development issues in South Africa and their implications for policy-making.
 If you are baffled by the specialised jargon of economists and bankers and want to know more about the economic forces that subtly dictate your day-to-day existence, Everyone's Guide to the South African Economy will put you in the picture. This is essential reading for every South African consumer and taxpayer. Economics, after all, is too important to be left to economists.

Everyone's Guide to the South African Economy 12th edition Ed. 12

Household water insecurity may influence common mental disorders directly and indirectly through multiple pathways: Evidence from Haiti.

Objective The aim of this study was to examine the trend in socioeconomic inequalities in child undernutrition in Nigeria. Methods The study analysed cross-sectional data from the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) 2003 to 2013. The outcome variables were stunting, wasting and underweight among children under-five years. The magnitude of child undernutrition in Nigeria was estimated via a concentration index, and the socioeconomic factors contributing to child undernutrition over time were determined using the decomposition method. Results The concentration index showed an increase in childhood wasting and underweight in Nigeria over time. The socioeconomic factors contributing to the increase in child undernutrition were: child's age (0-23 months), maternal education (no education), household wealth index (poorest household), type of residence (rural) and geopolitical zone (North East, North West). Conclusions To address child undernutrition, there is a need to improve maternal education and adopt effective social protection policies especially in rural communities in Nigeria.

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Trends in socioeconomic inequalities in child undernutrition: Evidence from Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (2003 – 2013)

Objective: This study aimed to identify and rank the different aspects of households’ vulnerability to food insecurity. Design:
 The data were collected by a standard online questionnaire. The Household Food Insecurity Access Scale was used to assess food insecurity levels, and first-order structural equation modelling was applied to determine factors that affect food insecurity. Seven dimensions of vulnerability were measured: economic, social, cultural, human, physical, psychology and information, using thirty-seven items extracted from the related literature review. Setting:
 This study was implemented in Tehran province in Iran. Participants:
 The sample included 392 families residing in Tehran province which was determined using random sampling. Results:
 About 61 % of the total sample faced food insecurity, at marginal, moderate and severe levels. Economic, psychological and human aspects of vulnerability had the highest effect on food insecurity during the initial COVID-19 lockdown. Conclusions:
 Authorities and policymakers must provide economic and financial support to vulnerable households. Abolition of US economic and financial sanctions imposed on Iran must be implemented to battle with COVID-19 in this country.

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Determinants of household vulnerability to food insecurity during COVID-19 lockdown in a mid-term period in Iran - ERRATUM.


Purpose
Existing studies reflect that traditional teaching–learning relationships between supervisors and graduate students have become disjointed with actuality seriously. In particular, there are practical difficulties in handling many students from coursework-based postgraduate degrees under current university curricula. Therefore, this study aims to explore the relationship between research supervisors and graduate students on social media, which is popular among students.


Design/methodology/approach
This study surveyed 109 graduate students from two majors (population around 100 each) of a university in Hong Kong to explore their information usage for research on social media, related attitudes and their perceived supervisor relationships. The differences between the two majors were also compared.


Findings
The authors’ findings indicated that graduate students were active on social media, and social media has successfully provided effective alternate ways for students to communicate with their research supervisors. Social media could improve relationships between supervisors and research students and among fellow students. Besides education purposes, students also discussed their personal affairs on social media with supervisors, demonstrating enhanced trusted relationships. Graduate students also showed confidence in the further application of social media in higher education. Some differences between respondents from the two programs were also found in terms of communication contents, strengths, personal preferences and purposes for using social media.


Originality/value
Scant studies focus on the relationship between supervisors and graduate students under the current social media environment, especially for students from coursework-based postgraduate degrees. At a deeper level, for the widespread use of social media in the information age, this study explores the specific changes brought about by social media. Therefore, this study is of great theoretical and practical value to graduate education under the current social media environment.


Relationships between research supervisors and students from coursework-based master’s degrees: information usage under social media

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Public service delivery in South Africa: The political influence at local government level

The third quarter of 2020 marks the closure of on-campus face-to-face pedagogies in South Africa’s institutions of higher learning due to Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) The need to maintain social distancing necessitated the transition to emergency remote teaching A few institutions of higher learnings could move their classes effectively to online and distance education platforms because of their pre-existing experience and some grapple with managing the ‘new normal’ This article reflects on the challenges and opportunities of an emergency remote teaching in institutions of higher learnings during the COVID-19 pandemic The article adopted a qualitative approach through relevant literature and policy reviews to critically analyse emergency remote teaching during the era of COVID-19 The findings indicate that some staff and students experience challenges related to the lack of resources and exposure to remotely use information and communication technology The article acclaims that institutions of higher learnings should acquire suitable information and communication technology equipment and develop the requisite facilities, implement rules and regulations for their availability, and adequate maintenance This recommends promoting technologically compliant ethics within the institution, provide easy access to teaching and learning by both students and academic staff at an affordable and fixed (secure) cost in safe, conducive, and unrestricted environments for students

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Emergency Remote Teaching in Higher Education During Covid-19: Challenges and Opportunities

Agriculture has a significant role in contributing to rural economic growth and ensuring food security. However, the agricultural sector has been exposed to challenges such as climate change and sc...

Small Scale Agriculture in Enhancing Household Food Security in Rural Areas

Traditionally, the key principle of assessment was based on the depth and intensity of the knowledge taught in class. In our modern state, the notion of assessment is more about learning and less about whether it is deep or surface learning. This could be attributed to challenges facing higher education, such as marketisation, massification, access and success. This article aims to demonstrate the significance of assessment as a pedagogical and measuring tool to promote deep learning in institutions of higher learning. It analyses how different types of assessment could contribute to deep learning while enhancing critical thinking and analytical skills. The article adopted the qualitative research approach to appraise critically and examine the literature on assessment in higher education. The sequence in which assessment tasks are presented, the pedagogical approaches adopted and measurement tools used should aim to present general non-threatening questions. The article recognises Bloom’s taxonomy as it classifies educational learning objectives in the manner that accommodates deep learning. This article suggests that assessment should be made explicit, aligned with learning outcomes that consider deep learning in terms of acquisition of knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis and understanding of basic concepts in what is learnt. It concludes that students need to be engaged in their assessment to enable them to develop skills and dispositions that prepare them for the future as socially responsible citizens. Research needs to be conducted on the higher education challenges that compromise the quality of assessment as this could have negative effects on the development of deep learning.

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Assessment as A Pedagogy and Measuring Tool in Promoting Deep Learning In Institutions of Higher Learning

South Africa is food-secure nationally, but at household level, it is food-insecure due to socio-economic factors that limit access to food to a large number of people who live below poverty line. The study examined the impact of socio-demographic status on food (in) security particularly in the rural areas of uThungulu District Municipality. The results of this paper form part of the major study. One hundred and forty seven respondents, who were available to participate, completed the questionnaires about food security related issues. Unemployment rate exceeded fifty percent and a low percentage (25%) of the respondents was diverting to self-employment as means to generate income. The results further indicated that forty-two percent of the study population was earning the minimum income of R700 per month. The majority of the respondents were not actively involved in entrepreneur ship activities. The majority of the respondents had poor socio-economic profiles and this make them vulnerable to food...

Mfundo Mandla Masuku

Papers

Public service delivery in South Africa: The political influence at local government level

Emergency Remote Teaching in Higher Education During Covid-19: Challenges and Opportunities

Small Scale Agriculture in Enhancing Household Food Security in Rural Areas

Assessment as A Pedagogy and Measuring Tool in Promoting Deep Learning In Institutions of Higher Learning

The Socio-economic Status as a Factor Affecting Food (In) Security in Rural Areas, uThungulu District Municipality, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa