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This study aims to examine the internal determinants of financial performance of food supermarkets listed on the South African stock exchange. Food supermarkets play an integral role in socio-economic development of the country. The study employed an econometric approach utilizing fixed effect panel data. Drawing information from audited financial statements, data were gathered from four major listed food supermarkets in South Africa covering the period from 1994 to 2022, resulting in a total of 116 observations over 29 years. The robust longitudinal statistics obtained from balanced data revealed a significant positive correlation between equity financing, size of corporate governance, and current debt with financial performance, as measured by sales revenue at 0.0000, 0.054, and 0.000 significance levels, respectively. The findings indicate that as these variables increase, the financial performance of the studied food supermarkets (Shoprite, Woolworths, Spar, and Pick n Pay) also increases. Conversely, a negative and significant relationship is noted between company age, current assets, and financial performance at significance levels of 0.007 and 0.002, respectively. This suggests that as these variables increase, financial performance will decrease. As per the research findings, it is imperative for supermarkets to uphold a well-rounded blend of equity and debt and adopt inventive business approaches as they mature to improve financial outcomes. Therefore, the study proposes a framework focusing on internal factors that impact the financial performance of listed food supermarkets in South Africa.

Covid-19 has caught the South African economy and industries off guard, as emergency approaches have had to be applied towards mitigating its spread. The greater focus has been on containing the virus by closing internal and external economic activities, with the exception of essential services. This comes as a double blow to an economy already bleeding from the consequences of state capture (poor management of state-owned entities, and corruption), a distressed steel sector, and the generally poor performance of its key sectors, such as the manufacturing industry. As a result, credit rating agencies have downgraded South Africa, reducing investor confidence and the possibility of positive growth. It is projected that manufacturing in South Africa will regress to 42.60 points by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts’ expectations.

We are seeing major disruptions to higher education, and the education system as a whole, not only at home but globally. One of the major contributors to such disruptions is the paradigmatic shift brought about by the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), with massive implications for the world of work, and by extension in higher education through the learner of the future.