DSpace Repository

Welcome to the NWU Repository, the open access Institutional Repository of the North-West University (NWU-IR). This is a digital archive that collects, preserves and distributes research material created by members of NWU. The aim of the NWU-IR is to increase the visibility, availability and impact of the research output of the North-West University through Open Access, search engine indexing and harvesting by several initiatives.

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Developing a framework for entrepreneurial talent recycling to ensure the sustainability of SMMEs in Botswana
(North-West University, 2024) Chikukutu, Wilfred; van der Merwe, Stéphan
This study aimed to develop a framework of entrepreneurial talent recycling that will ensure the sustainability of SMMEs in Botswana. Entrepreneurial talent recycling involves entrepreneurs who have exited various companies for various reasons and have gone on to conduct other successful business activities as a function of knowledge and skills gained in previous employment. The study centred on investigating the knowledge and skills they employed to ensure the sustainability of their enterprises. The primary objective of this study was to explore and analyse the experiences and knowledge of 12 recycled entrepreneurs to identify the knowledge and skills that can be employed to ensure the sustainability of Botswana SMMEs. The research adopted the induction approach complemented by a qualitative descriptive design that permitted successful entrepreneurs to reveal their experiences and knowledge. Semi-structured interviews were used in the discussions involving the 12 participants, and the discussions were recorded, transcribed and analysed. Data analysis was guided by the data analysis spiral by Creswell and Poth (2018). The steps in the spiral involved data management, reading the transcripts to find codes and memoing, describing and classifying codes into themes, developing and assessing interpretations, and representing and visualising the data. The developed framework demonstrated how SMMEs can achieve sustainability in Botswana through employing sustainability measures and leveraging ecosystem actors and resources as well as decisions made by the entrepreneur. The measures for sustainability were customer service, social sustainability, operational skills, personal resilience, and economic sustainability. In addition, the continued sustainability of SMMEs depended on observing the recommendations made by the recycled entrepreneurs to existing recycled entrepreneurs, prospective recycled entrepreneurs, policymakers, corporate leaders, and the education system. However, the main constraints to sustainability were noted as financial, resource, employee, and management inadequacies.
Estate planning in the agricultural sector: a tax law perspective
(North-West University, 2026) Wallace, Megan-Jade; Preston, M. J
Within the agricultural sector, estate planning is often inadequately understood and frequently avoided due to the unique complexities and emotional conflicts that arise from it. This lack of estate planning frequently results in the failure to preserve the farmland and farming operations for future generations, which undermines the long-term goal of the individual farmer to pass the farming enterprise on to future generations. Therefore, there is a significant need for carefully considered estate planning options in the agricultural sector. This study examines the use of a company and a trust as estate planning tools for individual farmers, as well as the methods that can be utilised to transfer ownership of farm assets to a company and/or a trust. A company and a trust are two distinct entities that help ensure the protection and preservation of farm assets as well as the future of the farming enterprise. Taxation is an essential aspect to consider when doing estate planning and it is an inevitable component of farming. Therefore, the study further analyses the relevant tax implications that arise when estate planning is conducted for the individual farmer. A company and a trust serve as estate planning tools, and the methods used to transfer ownership of farm assets to these tools are subject to different tax implications. The tax consequences play a crucial role in determining which estate planning tool is most appropriate for the individual farmer. In conclusion, it was established that an appropriate estate plan for an individual farmer comprises the use of a company and a trust structured together, to effectively achieve the estate planning objectives.
Regulating mine rehabilitation as a potential climate change mitigation activity
(North-West University, 2026) KHOSA, LIFALAKE; Barnard, M
Climate change has proven to be a destructive global phenomenon with widespreadenvironmental consequences that require urgent mitigation. In response to this urgency, the international community has develop various treaties to mitigate climate change. These treaties include the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Kyoto Protocol, and the Paris Agreement. One of the causesof climate change is the emission of various greenhouse gasses, and the mining sector is the major contributor to these emissions globally. These emissions are a result of mineral extraction and the processing stages involved in processing such minerals. In the South African context, the effects of climate change are evident from climate events such as the heavy rainfall in 2022 in KwaZulu-Natal that led to over 400 fatalities. Despite South Africa's commitment to climate change mitigation efforts by means of various laws and policies, there is a significant challenge in the mining sector since the country has over 6 100 unrehabilitated and abandoned mines. This is concerning because these mining sites, especially coal mines, continue to emit methane, a second greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide. This continues to occur even after the mine has ceased to be active. Although South Africa has put climate change mitigation measures in place, mine rehabilitation is not regulated as a climate change mitigation activity. Despite the requirement under South African law for financial provision to ensure that money is set aside for rehabilitation, thousands of mines remain unrehabilitated. Against this background this study argues that mine rehabilitation, with an emphasis on coal mines, can potentially be a climate change mitigation activity. Rehabilitating these mines will prevent ongoing methane emission, thereby partially contributing to South Africa's broader climate change mitigation efforts. The research was done by adopting a desktop study methodology, supported by quantitative visuals to explore mine rehabilitation as a potential climate change mitigation activity.
Challenges and opportunities of the African Continental free trade area agreement for women and the youth
(North-West University, 2026) Tau, Penelope; Wandrag, M
This research explores the challenges and opportunities of the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement, for women and the youth, who are the driving force of Africa's trade, particularly in the informal sector. Using qualitative research and policy analysis based on primary and secondary sources, including AfCTA protocols, legislation and journal articles. The study explores the persistence of patriarchal structures, gender-based discrimination and infrastructure while also highlighting emerging opportunities for empowerment. Findings emphasise the need for dedicated AfCTA protocols that prioritise gender equality, education and inclusive governance supported by gender sensitive frameworks, focal points and institutional mechanisms to ensure representation in politics and decision making. Implementation requires not only political will but also active involvement of member states and alignment with regional economic communities to unlock equitable benefits and foster gender sensitive, sustainable development across Africa.
The legal protection of abandoned infants in South Africa and Namibia
(North-West University, 2026) Hoeksma, Brinke; Beiter, K
This dissertation examines South Africa's adherence to international principles concerning the protections established for infant abandonment. The advancement of children's rights has progressed significantly from the Geneva Declaration of 1924 to the establishment of binding international frameworks such as the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child. The four fundamental principles identified in international child law, under the above two treaties, are considered the guiding principles for the enforcement of children's rights. The four principles are non-discrimination, the best interests of the infant, the right to life, survival and development, and participation in decision-making. South Africa and Namibia have both ratified these treaties, thereby binding themselves to align and interpret their national laws in accordance with these international principles. Although South Africa has made significant progress, legislation concerning infant abandonment remains mainly reactive rather than preventative and proactive. Namibia, in contrast, has established a legislative framework that incorporates safe haven provisions, serving both as a proactive and protective measure for vulnerable infants. The Namibian legislation decriminalizes the safe abandonment of infants while simultaneously punishing unsafe abandonment and abusive treatment of infants. Overall, Namibia demonstrates a greater adherence to international principles, whereas South Africa remains in a reactive stance, concentrating on the effects following abuse. This study demonstrates that, despite South Africa possessing a comprehensive legislative framework concerning children's rights, some aspects remain only partially addressed. Deficiencies persist in clearly distinguishing between safe and iii unsafe abandonment of children. Furthermore, South Africa remains in the legislative stance of criminalising all instances of abandonment.