Abstract The effects of aid dependency on preventing the achievement of sustainable development in Africa have not been given appropriate academic attention. Aid dependency in Africa is undoubtedly among the most factors that have promoted poverty and underdevelopment. Aid dependency which hindered the growth of local innovation, promoted divisions that have affected good governance for sustainable development. Aid dependency has promoted chronic poverty, mental laziness and unstable health and well-being. It has ignited unhealthy conditions that have created a perpetual vicious cycle of poverty that prevents the achievement of sustainable development. The study found that planning diplomacy can serve as a solution to aid diplomacy and address its effects thus promoting the achievement of sustainable development. Planning diplomacy was found to have critical links with Africa’s communalism theory, thus making it an ideal approach to addressing the effects of aid dependency in Africa. Planning diplomacy was found to promote local business in a collective manner. It is through this collective approach that sustainable development can be achieved in Africa. Planning diplomacy was found to be key for sustainable development because it makes good use of foreign aid and promotes local ownership, thus strengthening sustainable economic growth and development that makes sustainable development achievable. Planning diplomacy was equally important as a remedy to aid dependency because it enhances knowledge and skills transfer. Knowledge and skills transfer promotes sustainable development because it facilitates sharing of skills that brings innovation and technologies to local citizens in a collective manner. The study adopted a qualitative research methodology with the use of secondary data collected from existing literature published in the public domain. Collected data was analyzed and interpreted through document analysis techniques.

Abstract The food supply chain in South Africa faces significant challenges related to transparency, traceability, and consumer trust, exacerbated by growing concerns about food safety, quality, and sustainability. As these concerns grow, there is an increasing need for innovative solutions to address these issues. Blockchain technology has emerged as a promising tool that can enhance the transparency and accountability of the food supply chain. This study sought to explore how blockchain technology might revolutionize the development of sustainable food supply chain infrastructure in South Africa. The study found that blockchain technology used in the food supply chain creates an immutable and decentralized ledger of transactions that has the capacity to provide real-time, end-to-end visibility of food products from farm to table. This increased transparency can help mitigate risks associated with food fraud, contamination, and inefficiencies in the supply chain. The implementation of blockchain can improve supply chain efficiency and foster trust among stakeholders, including farmers and food suppliers. This technology used and/or applied in South Africa can reshape the agricultural sector by improving production and distribution processes. Its integration in the food supply chain infrastructure can equally improve data management and increase transparency between farmers and food suppliers. There is a need for policymakers and scholars in the fields of service delivery and food security to conduct more research in blockchain technology and its roles in creating a more transparent, efficient, and trustworthy food supply chain infrastructure that addresses food supply problems in South Africa. The paper adopted a qualitative methodology to collect data, and document and content analysis techniques were used to interpret collected data. This study lays the groundwork for further investigation into blockchain’s potential to shape the future of food supply networks.

Abstract This study examines the influence of internal and external locus of control as mediators of financial literacy, financial attitudes, financial beliefs, and financial behavior of students in Timor-Leste. This study uses a quantitative approach with a survey method to collect sample data from students throughout Timor-Leste. Structural equation modeling (SEM) analyzes the relationship between financial literacy, financial attitudes, financial beliefs, internal and external locus of control, and financial behavior. The study’s results highlight the mediating role of internal and external locus of control in the relationship between financial literacy, financial attitudes, financial beliefs, and financial behavior of students in Timor-Leste. These findings can provide insight into the complex relationship between these factors in financial decision-making. Practical implications for educational institutions and policymakers in Timor-Leste, namely emphasizing the importance of considering internal and external locus control in financial literacy programs to improve students’ financial behavior. This study aims to fill the knowledge gap about student financial literacy by expanding the understanding of the relationship between these factors.

Abstract Hopes for inclusion in economic growth activities were sparked by South Africa’s democratic transition. Nevertheless, thirty-four years later, insufficient capability and bad monetary management continue to impede economic growth and development, making it difficult for South Africans to get their just share of the nation’s riches. The South African government launched Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises in an effort to address the triple problems of inequality, poverty, and unemployment. With the intention of financing businesses, a few financial initiatives were established to help and alleviate the burden of SMME owners. Even with South Africa’s high degree of support, SMMEs in townships continue to face difficulties due to restricted market access. The results show that the primary reason for both low revenue and limited market access is inaccessible operating infrastructure. To compile the body of research on SMMEs, their operational space challenges and the spatial characteristics of townships, the study used both conceptual research design and content analysis. The study makes the case that the majority of SMME failures are mostly caused by the inadequate municipal planning for infrastructure and space of local business township. It goes on to suggest that for the South African government to realize its NDP objectives and support the expansion and development of SMMEs through initiatives such as urban renewal, it must properly and efficiently maintain its aging infrastructure.