Insights into Regional Development is a peer-reviewed international issue which publishes original research articles. http://jssidoi.org/ird/ 2026-10-13T04:08:18+00:00 Author https://jssidoi.org/articles/articles/view/286 2026-09-14T00:00:00+00:00

Like all other forms of pervasive disruption, COVID-19 disrupted the world's economic and social systems, while creating opportunities for some and devastating threats for others. The South African economy, through the tourism sector, was highly affected. This paper, therefore, investigated the opportunities created by the COVID-19 pandemic in the tourism sector, with a focus on South Africa's Limpopo Province, specifically the Vhembe District Municipality. The study employed quantitative methods supported by a descriptive research design. For this study, a survey questionnaire was distributed to forty-two (42) tourism business owners in four (4) local towns in the Vhembe District, and convenience sampling was utilised to choose participants for the study. The quantitative data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). A deductive analysis method was used to analyse data generated by SPSS from tables and figures.

Author https://jssidoi.org/articles/articles/view/285 2026-09-11T00:00:00+00:00

This study examines the external challenges hindering ethical accountability within the Public Protector's Office in Polokwane, South Africa. The responsibility of public institutions is to ensure honesty, transparency, and accountability that goes beyond just following the law, which is called ethical accountability. Even though the Public Protector is tasked with investigating maladministration and taking the necessary steps to address these challenges, the Office still faces many external hindrances. The study used qualitative research methodology and conducted semi-structured interviews with 13 officials from the Office of the Public Protector in Polokwane. Purposive sampling was used to select the officials. Thematic analysis was used to interpret the data. The results show that political interference, poor cooperation from government institutions, limited financial resources, legal limitations, and slow administrative processes are making the Office less effective and less efficient. Respondents also alluded that bypassing internal complaint steps and resistance to implementing remedial actions were major reasons for delays and slow resolution in cases. The study pronounces that ethical accountability is undermined by linked challenges in political, financial, legal, and systemic environments that the Public Protector does not control. These challenges reduce the ability to investigate, slow the process of securing justice, and erode confidence in institutions that are supposed to be watchdogs. The study recommends strengthening institutional independence, improving enforcement of remedial actions, fostering collaboration among governmental institutions, and raising public awareness of the Public Protector's mandate. The findings reveal a need for structural reforms to strengthen ethical accountability and make public sector management better in South Africa.

Author https://jssidoi.org/articles/articles/view/284 2026-09-11T00:00:00+00:00

Several African institutions of higher learning possess extensive research capacity, infrastructure, and human capital; however, these assets are often underutilised in addressing the continent’s regional and local economic challenges. Empirical evidence suggests a lack of direction in deploying these vital resources for the economic good. Drawing on best practices from nine leading global universities, this conceptual paper examines critical constructs of entrepreneurship development centres with potential for local economic development, aiming to distil strategies for development actors. Publications (39) retrieved from scientific databases and subjected to qualitative thematic analysis suggest that achieving sustainable impact in local economies requires a systemic and integrated approach that connects venture creation, skills development, and research commercialisation into a cohesive innovation pipeline. It highlights the importance of embedding experiential learning, supporting startup incubation, and translating academic research into market-oriented enterprises, particularly in sectors aligned with national priorities. Strengthening university–industry linkages and equipping graduates with both entrepreneurial competencies and practical experience are identified as critical drivers of job creation, innovation, and talent retention. The paper further emphasises the need to build inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystems underpinned by strong networks, accessible finance, and supportive policy frameworks. While the findings offer a blueprint for development actors to strategise and channel targeted support, the identified factors should be subjected to further empirical validation to support generalisation.

Author https://jssidoi.org/articles/articles/view/283 2026-09-11T00:00:00+00:00

This paper examined the transformative role of digital learning in the Eastern Cape. The advent of digital learning has emerged as a transformative force in higher education institutions, reshaping pedagogical approaches and enhancing student engagement. The paper adopted a qualitative, interpretive stance to capture lived experiences, meanings, and context-specific understandings of digital learning as a transformative force in Eastern Cape higher education institutions. A qualitative stance was aligned with the emphasis on depth of understanding, pedagogical change, and student and staff experiences rather than purely measurable outcomes. A multisite instrumental case study design was appropriate for illuminating how digital learning functions as a transformative force across diverse Eastern Cape higher education institutions. The population for this paper included students, academics, and administrative staff involved with digital learning across selected Eastern Cape higher education institutions. Purposive sampling was used to select participants to capture diverse perspectives on transformation. The sampling strategy was guided by data saturation, with a focus on in-depth semi-structured interviews for students and staff, complemented by document analysis and observations. Thematic analysis was used to identify, analyse, and report patterns across datasets. Findings suggest that while digital learning can enhance accessibility and flexibility, significant disparities in access to technology and digital literacy persist, exacerbating existing inequalities. The findings of the paper were context-specific to Eastern Cape higher education institutions and may not generalise beyond similar settings. The paper concludes with recommendations for improving digital learning infrastructure and strategies for future research.

Author https://jssidoi.org/articles/articles/view/282 2026-09-10T00:00:00+00:00

Challenges such as poor internal control, lack of transparency, poor service delivery and high crime rate due to poor financial governance practices suggest the need for digital and innovative strategies for sustainable development. Municipalities' financial distress has intensified to the point that local government is experiencing unsustainable development. The annual general report highlighted that 28% of municipalities misreported their revenue due to incorrect billing or a lack of proper audit evidence. Considering these challenges, the study seeks to identify and explore possible solutions to address financial governance practices. The main focus of this study is on local municipalities, and qualitative research methods were used. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 15 participants who serve on the Municipal Public Accounts Committee and Audit Finance Committees at local municipalities. The data collected indicate the need for proper monitoring of municipalities' financial governance practices, as participants showed that municipalities face many problems due to financial mismanagement. The municipalities are failing to eliminate the challenges they face due to poor financial practices, as most participants could not provide a clear view of strategies for addressing these challenges. Therefore, the study has the potential to explore the transformation of financial governance through digital and innovative strategies that could help eliminate financial mismanagement and poor service delivery, and ensure that financial governance practices promote sustainable development.