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As evident in scholarly literature, universities worldwide embrace Sustainable Development Goals initiated by United Nations. Yet, regardless institutions' commitment, many countries, especially developing ones, struggle to effectively implement sustainability-oriented principles and practices in higher education. To that end, this paper, based on the qualitative document analysis, brings attention to main challenges associated with the implementation of sustainability-orientated principles and practices in seven South African universities. The findings show that several challenges exist due to the holistic nature of sustainable development (SD) as it is a concept that not only connects different areas of knowledge but also articulates knowledge from distinctive disciplines. Furthermore, the findings indicate that the strategy with the most potential of enhancing the implementation of sustainability-orientated principles and practices and ensuring longevity and improvement require support from top management of higher education institutions (HEIs). In addition, in order to strengthen SD, HEIs need to adapt a holistic approach and implement sustainability principles, knowledge, and practices within all academic activities. In alignment with the theme of the conference, this study provides reflections and recommendations towards the improvement of education considering the experiences and lessons learnt in a specific context. [For the complete Volume 21 proceedings, see ED629259.]

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were developed by the United Nations in 2015 to encompass universal respect for equality and non-discrimination regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, and cultural diversity. Since 2000, Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) have aligned with SDG 4.3 by developing higher education institutions (HEIs) which aims to "By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university". This was intended to create equal opportunities and permit full realisation and prosperity of human rights and human dignity. This paper explores the effectiveness of managing racial integration in BRICS HEIs and illustrates remarkable progress in research and policy enactment. Particular attention is devoted to the period from the mid-2000s when evidence around the globe exposed the presence of many forms of violence, which inhibit management of effective racial integration. Based on case studies from selected BRICS countries (South Africa, Russia, and Brazil), this paper explores how the management of racial integration is being addressed within these contexts. [For the complete Volume 20 proceedings, see ED622631.]

The purpose of this qualitative paper is to explore Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) centre managers' understanding of instructional leadership. Leadership skills are sometimes developed on the job. However, instructional leadership requires vision, a sound managerial style, relevant knowledge, skills, organisational acumen, and self-development. While these skills fall under management rather than leadership, Early Childhood Care and Education centre leaders in rural areas must still ensure that their centres function smoothly. Due to the minimal research conducted on the Early Childhood Care and Education centre managers' understanding of instructional leadership of rural ECCE centres in South Africa, the study aims to highlight the challenges, knowledge, practices and support provided to ensuring instructional leadership is achieved in the centres. A qualitative research approach was conducted in the Early Childhood Care and Education centres in the Black settlement areas of the Gauteng Province. Five centre managers were purposively selected from five rural community settings and interviewed using face-to-face semi-structured interviews to generate data. Data were thematically analysed to get themes and subthemes. Findings reveal that Early Childhood Care and Education centre managers' understanding of instructional leadership was constrained by uneven funding, lack of support and training in ECCE centre management. The conclusion is that most managers rely on untrained, poorly remunerated practitioners for the daily operations in the centre. For Early Childhood Care and Education centres to be well managed for sustainable development, well-trained, informed, visionary, experienced, and critical-thinking leaders and practitioners are needed. The study may be helpful to centre managers, policy-makers and other stakeholders. [For the complete Volume 20 proceedings, see ED622631.]

Sustainable tourism and local economic development as a mechanism for religious pilgrimages in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). This is particularly pertinent for religious pilgrimages in KZN province which boosts historical landmarks and pilgrimage destinations. Pilgrimage tourism and several other forms of tourism related to it have significant affinities to the tenets of sustainable development. The purpose of this paper is to examine the complications that could arise from religious pilgrimages' potential as a form of travel that, once implemented, would be beneficial for sustainable tourism and local economic development (LED). This paper further intends to assess the pilgrimage destinations to be viewed as a mechanism for local economic development. A quantitative research design was employed, as the nature of this research necessitates the use of numerical data and descriptive statistics to draw conclusions. A standardised questionnaire was used to collect data from 410 respondents selected using a convenience sampling technique from different pilgrimage destinations in KZN, South Africa. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses were conducted using IBM's SPSS version 28 sotiware. The pilgrims and local communities' perceptions of socio-economic contribution indicate that the availability of tourism facilities might be perceived as a socio-economic contributor to pilgrimage destinations. The findings further reveal that African religious pilgrimages can be sustainable and be a local economic development catalyst in KwaZulu-Natal. The study recommends that the South African National Christian Forum (SANCF), in collaboration with the South African government (national and provincial), develop an operational plan to provide business education, entrepreneurial skills, and relevant support to local communities surrounding religious pilgrimages or religious destinations, to empower them to contribute to the development of the local economy. This will assist to reduce South Africa's high unemployment rate, particularly in less developed regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to examine if the approach of TQM is still helpful for enhancing both customer satisfaction and business performance. The following were listed objectives of this study: (1) To review the current state of affairs on TQM use in South African industries; (2) To identify the TQM benefits in South African industries and finally; (3) To barriers to TQM's implementation in South African industries. The study followed a review approach; It gathered the predetermined articles, journals, and textbooks, did a brief review, selected the papers to proceed with an in-depth study, and classified them into four groups. The study reviewed 48 papers, from 2013 to 2021. The results revealed that Total Quality Management Systems (QMS) are an essential issue to South African Industries. Reviewing the literature on Total Quality Management (TQM) and organizational performance is the goal of this study. South African organizations must be able to meet client demands and expectations in today's competitive market and complex business environment, including excellent product quality, quick delivery, and affordable pricing. Total Quality Management (TQM) is regarded as one of the most well-liked concepts for thoroughly managing the quality of goods and services. This study also examines if the approach of TQM is still helpful for enhancing both customer satisfaction and business performance. It thoroughly evaluates the literature systematically gathered from various industry areas. The findings demonstrate that many organizations still adopt this idea today, and by so doing, this helps organizations become more competitive, develop their businesses, be more sustainable, and boost employee morale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the past decade, there has been a massive development of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in the world and South Africa. The increase in the number of SEZs has not impacted the integration of the South Africa Development Community (SADC) as witnessed in Asia. Why other regions leverage on SEZs as a tool for regional integration, South Africa and Africa are not doing the same. This paper examines the literature review through the conceptual synopsis and the used qualitative analysis statistical method tool to reveal the data needed. Its qualitative methodology reveals the information on SEZ experiences of developed, developing, transitional, Africa, South Africa and current trends. In exploring the experiences, gaps are identified and new knowledge is developed on leveraging SEZs as a catalyst for integration of a regional bloc (South African Development Community). The paper evaluates SEZ experiences in order to find ideas for integration of South African Development Community (SADC) that could lead to free flow of goods and services. The experience highlights that South Africa SEZs do not consider regional bloc integration through their SEZ plans and establishments. This could be aligned to weak strategies and policy developments. The examination of the experiences also broadens the knowledge of SEZ infrastructural planners, and managers in SADC to begin to treat SEZs' knowledge as they treat any other infrastructure and economic element of the urban realm. It calls for a shift from the current "plan-demanded" mode of segregated SEZ for country's development to regional block integration for the benefits of sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As evident in scholarly literature, universities worldwide embrace Sustainable Development Goals initiated by United Nations. Yet, regardless institutions' commitment, many countries, especially developing ones, struggle to effectively implement sustainability-oriented principles and practices in higher education. To that end, this paper, based on the qualitative document analysis, brings attention to main challenges associated with the implementation of sustainability-orientated principles and practices in seven South African universities. The findings show that several challenges exist due to the holistic nature of sustainable development (SD) as it is a concept that not only connects different areas of knowledge but also articulates knowledge from distinctive disciplines. Furthermore, the findings indicate that the strategy with the most potential of enhancing the implementation of sustainability-orientated principles and practices and ensuring longevity and improvement require support from top management of higher education institutions (HEIs). In addition, in order to strengthen SD, HEIs need to adapt a holistic approach and implement sustainability principles, knowledge, and practices within all academic activities. In alignment with the theme of the conference, this study provides reflections and recommendations towards the improvement of education considering the experiences and lessons learnt in a specific context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bearing in mind United Nations' 2030 agenda and achievement of global goals, the conference theme brings attention to exploration of how education adjusted to the unexpected challenges of the global crisis and how lessons learnt can be used to create better education systems. On that note, this perspective piece brings attention to sustainable development and especially sustainable development goal 4 specific to education as well as the VUCA times representative of the fast-page changing world. Description of the above-mentioned notions is connected to the vision of higher education sector as a sustainable service provider. Higher education institutions play an essential role in sustainability since they are not only knowledge producers but most importantly agents nurturing educators, researchers and leaders with potential to contribute to the successful achievement of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. The paper culminates with reflections and considerations about the direction higher education sector should consider to build back better. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contextualizing technology and digitalization in a period of having to meet sustainable development goals (SDGs), requires a paradigm shift which calls for collaboration from multiple stakeholders. The current turbulent environment requires an investigation into ways of adopting the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) as a pertinent mechanism for accelerating sustainable development goals. The need to formulate a conceptual framework and adapt it to the South African context, requires careful mapping of the elements of 4IR, the relevant infrastructure and resources There has been perceptions instigating resistance towards the SDGs, hence the need to develop the conceptual framework. The exploratory research method fitted well as its nature a systematic review to effect and respond to the abovementioned investigation. The study reviewed about 70 articles of which 53 of those were peer-reviewed articles within 4th industrial revolution in South Africa as set for ecosystem. Due to limited research on the topic, possible impacting variables that added immeasurable value were explored as contributing factors the study. Both reviewed literature and government archive on 4th industrial revolution revealed how the ecosystems of 4IR accelerated the achievement of SDGs in South Africa. The study further singled smart factories, smart cities, integrated systems, green technologies, cybernetics, the internet of people, the internet of energy, and the internet of things as contributing factors towards 4IR. The recommended the applicability of the ecosystems onto the South African context to advance innovation agenda to achieve green energy, sustainable water provision, waste management, trade in low-carbon products, cleaner and greener technologies, green buildings, green chemistry and sustainable transport, as well as improved air quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]