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Item Making community-based tourism sustainable: Evidence from Free State Province, South Africa.(Taylor and Francis, 2018-12-06) Strydom, Albert J.; Mangope, Dinah; Henama, Unathi SonwabileCommunity-based tourism (CBT) has been promoted as a way of development whereby the socio-cultural, environmental and economic needs of local communities are met through tourism product offerings. CBT is concerned with ensuring that the local community benefits directly from the tourism industry. CBT is known to contribute to social and economic survival of the marginalised communities in developing countries and the preservation of natural resources in the affected areas. In developing countries, tourism has often been observed as the spin around for small-scale enterprises and job creation, and therefore the uplifting of local communities’ standard of living. Where CBT is practiced well, there is a potential to provide some exceptional opportunities for communities by offering not only better benefits, but also enhancing their contribution in planning and management of tourism in their communities. The primary goal of the study was to investigate the sustainability of financial investment in community-based tourism projects in the Thabo Mofutsanyana Municipality. Secondary objectives were set, namely: to determine if the projects can sustain themselves after funding support has been terminated, to determine the oversight role played by government on how funding has been utilised, and to formulate guidelines on how to increase the sustainability of CBT projects. CBT projects have the potential of opening up avenues for locals and economically deprived communities to have a meaningful contribution in tourism. The qualitative study sought to investigate the sustainability of financial investments in CBT within the Thabo Mofutsanyane area. The results indicated that financial investments are important for CBT. Financial investments are not an end, as marketing planning and skills development can ensure the success of CBT. This article offers developing destinations will critical success factors for CBT projects that are used to create a tourism supply chain for residents and citizens of a tourism destination.Item A theoretical approach into tourism, immigration and multiculturalism: The case of South Africa.(Editura Universitatii Din Oradea, 2018-12) Henama, Unathi Sonwabile; Apleni, LwaziThe article explores tourism migration within a South African context, focusing on migration and tourism circulation. Tourism and migration are inter-linked with globalisation. Almost all countries have jumped on the tourism bandwagon as a result of the positive economic impacts such as labour-intensive jobs, balance of payments, attracter of foreign exchange and the taxation of non-residents. Tourism has been adopted in the economic development policies and a separate Ministry of Tourism has been created, because tourism required dedicated attention. The literature review adds to the paucity of academic scrutiny of the link between tourism and multiculturalism in South Africa. The in-depth literature review analyses various sources of secondary data, to provide an authoritative understanding of the literature and draw conclusions for the academic audience. The in-depth literature review of secondary data which used the meta-analytical methodology to investigate, and critically analyse the link between tourism and multiculturalism within a Southern African context. The interpretation of the literature resulted in the crafting of essential realities about the interface between tourism and multiculturalism which has received scant academic analysis in South Africa.Item Making community-based tourism sustainable: Evidence from the Free State province, South Africa.(Editura Universitatii Din Oradea, 2018-12-12) Strydom, Albert J.; Mangope, Dinah; Henama, Unathi SonwabileCommunity-based tourism (CBT) has been promoted as a way of development whereby the socio-cultural, environmental and economic needs of local communities are met through tourism product offerings. CBT is concerned with ensuring that the local community benefits directly from the tourism industry. CBT is known to contribute to social and economic survival of the marginalised communities in developing countries and the preservation of natural resources in the affected areas. In developing countries, tourism has often been observed as the spin around for small-scale enterprises and job creation, and therefore the uplifting of local communities’ standard of living. Where CBT is practiced well, there is a potential to provide some exceptional opportunities for communities by offering not only better benefits, but also enhancing their contribution in planning and management of tourism in their communities. The primary goal of the study was to investigate the sustainability of financial investment in community-based tourism projects in the Thabo Mofutsanyana Municipality. Secondary objectives were set, namely: to determine if the projects can sustain themselves after funding support has been terminated, to determine the oversight role played by government on how funding has been utilised, and to formulate guidelines on how to increase the sustainability of CBT projects. CBT projects have the potential of opening up avenues for locals and economically deprived communities to have a meaningful contribution in tourism. The qualitative study sought to investigate the sustainability of financial investments in CBT within the Thabo Mofutsanyane area. The results indicated that financial investments are important for CBT. Financial investments are not an end, as marketing planning and skills development can ensure the success of CBT. This article offers developing destinations will critical success factors for CBT projects that are used to create a tourism supply chain for residents and citizens of a tourism destination.Item Investigating the supply chain drivers and barriers in the tourism industry in Pretoria.(AOSIS, 2019-09-09) Sifolo, Portia P.S.; Molefe, Lorraine P.; Henama, Unathi S.; Tauoatsoala, Pascal; Manavhela, PfareloBackground: The cross-cutting nature of the tourism industry is one of the defining features or characteristics of the sector. There is a high rate of interdependence in the tourism industry; hence, it is dubbed to be having a multiplier effect (direct, indirect and induced). Objectives: The aim of the study is to investigate the supply chain (SC) drivers and barriers of the businesses operating in the tourism industry in Pretoria. Method: A self-administered questionnaire was used to identify the drivers and barriers within the tourism SC (TSC). Convenience sampling was implemented among 179 businesses operating in Pretoria. Results: The results revealed that customer relationship management is an SC driver for tourism operation in Pretoria. The barriers incorporate issues such as being insensitive to the environment, not developing environmental-friendly SCs and logistics practices and not being able to assess the performance against criteria defined in the organisation’s policy. Moreover, the study presents the mitigation plan approach to deal with the TSC barriers in the near future. Conclusion: Innovation that strengthens inter-sectoral planning and collaboration is pivotal for effective coordination.Item Investigating small, medium and micro-scale enterprises strategic planning techniques in Johannesburg central business district post-COVID-19 lockdown.(AOSIS, 2022-04-29) Mkhonza, Vukile M.; Sifolo, Portia P.Background: Strategic planning assists organisations to capitalise on opportunities that arise and to minimise the threats posed by unstable market environments. Apart from the track record of poor performance amongst some small, medium and micro-scale enterprises (SMMEs) in South Africa, COVID-19 pandemic severely affected more than 55 000 South African SMMEs in March 2020 after the lockdown imposed by the government. Aim: This research study sought to investigate strategic planning techniques or tools implemented by SMMEs post-COVID-19 lockdown in Johannesburg Central Business District (CBD). Setting: The study was conducted at small, medium and micro-enterprises in Johannesburg Central Business District. Methods: A quantitative study was conducted by using an online E-Survey Hero which was distributed to the sample of 169 respondents who were SMME owners and managers in Johannesburg CBD. Results: The results revealed that most SMMEs owners had knowledge on the strategic planning techniques such as the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis, the political, economic, social and technological (PEST) analysis, financial analysis of the competitors and financial analysis of their own business. Conclusion: Small, medium and micro-scale enterprises should take advantage of technology and invest in key skills needed for more effective strategic planning.Item Investigating the supply chain drivers and barriers in the tourism industry in Pretoria.(AOSIS, 2019-09-09) Sifolo, Portia P.S.; Molefe, Lorraine P.; Henama, Unathi S.; Tauoatsoala, Pascal; Manavhela, PfareloBackground: The cross-cutting nature of the tourism industry is one of the defining features or characteristics of the sector. There is a high rate of interdependence in the tourism industry; hence, it is dubbed to be having a multiplier effect (direct, indirect and induced). Objectives: The aim of the study is to investigate the supply chain (SC) drivers and barriers of the businesses operating in the tourism industry in Pretoria. Method: A self-administered questionnaire was used to identify the drivers and barriers within the tourism SC (TSC). Convenience sampling was implemented among 179 businesses operating in Pretoria. Results: The results revealed that customer relationship management is an SC driver for tourism operation in Pretoria. The barriers incorporate issues such as being insensitive to the environment, not developing environmental-friendly SCs and logistics practices and not being able to assess the performance against criteria defined in the organisation’s policy. Moreover, the study presents the mitigation plan approach to deal with the TSC barriers in the near future. Conclusion: Innovation that strengthens inter-sectoral planning and collaboration is pivotal for effective coordination.Item Profiling holiday home owners in Namibia.(African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure, 2021-06-01) Haufiku-Makhubela, Petrina; Henama, Uwe P.; Sifolo, Portia S.Holiday homes have been part of the tourism industry over a period of years, but there is little documented research regarding holiday home ownership, its value and impact in Namibia, therefore, the study is significant to this topic. The main aim behind this research study is to profile holiday homeowners and identify their motivation for purchasing these homes in Namibia. The results of the study focus on exploratory factor analysis which outlines four motivational factors and the correlation results to determine the demographic and psychological characteristics motivating the ownership of holiday homes. The study concluded that most holiday homes are owned by high income earners, who purchased these homes in coastal towns for the purpose of investment, income generation and recreation. The study thus recommends that these results be made available to policy planners and researchers in the local authorities and other stakeholders, in order to assist with the articulation of policies and the creation of a framework to monitor the sustainable growth of holiday home ownership that benefits the community.Item Wildlife tourism motivation: A case for Manyeleti Nature Reserve, Mpumalanga.(African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure, 2021-08-20) Masina, Nontsikelelo O; Boshoff, Liezel; Sifolo, Portia Pearl SiyandaThis study explores key motivators of wildlife tourism to Manyeleti Game Reserve, a private nature reserve in Mpumalanga province, South Africa. The primary objective of the study was to establish what motivates tourists to visit privately owned game lodges in Mpumalanga, and Manyeleti game reserve in particular. The intention was to focus on both the supply and demand perspective of wildlife tourism. The Push and Pull theory was adopted to contextualise its applicability on Manyeleti Nature Reserve. This study is quantitative in nature. Structured questionnaires were used through a convenience sample of 400 visitors to Manyeleti Nature Reserve. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was adopted to identify the fundamental wildlife motivational constructs. Six pull factors were identified as motivators of wildlife tourists (escape, relaxation, social, enriching and learning experiences, novelty, and adventure) as well as four push factors that emerged from the study. Although nature – based parks serve as a key tourist attraction for nature enthusiasts, this study revealed that there is a need for park managers to promote outdoor activities (recreational) and ‘visitors’ learning experiences’ as these were rated highly by the visitors.Item Benefits and barriers of digital procurement: Lessons from an airport company.(MDPI, 2023-03) Motaung, Joel R.; Sifolo, Portia Pearl SiyandaImplementing a well-integrated procurement system and applying uniform practices to achieve the strategic goals of any company is a complex phenomenon. Navigating the digital procurement systems in achieving supply-chain resilience remains a predicament. Framed within the technology acceptance model (TAM), which is a key model in understanding the predictors of human behaviour toward the potential acceptance or rejection of the technology. This study explored the benefits and barriers of digital procurement at Airports Company South Africa (ACSA). A qualitative approach in a form of a single holistic case study design was adopted. The sample involved 18 employees and individuals who were supply chain management (SCM), information technology (IT), and programme management office (PMO) professionals. Semi-structured interviews conducted focused on those with extensive experience on procurement, digital technologies, procurement automation or the implementation of transformation programmes. Digital procurement is a value adding function at ACSA with the possibilities of providing cost reduction in the supply chain. However, the participants highlighted job losses, cyber security, lack of interoperability, lack of skills and system downtimes as obstacles affecting the adoption of digital procurement and as organizational barriers. The infusion of digital technologies into various aspects of organisational processes and outcomes remains a complex, dynamic, fluid, and volatile phenomenon. A framework highlighting critical focus areas when it comes to the adoption of digital procurement of digitalization is presented.Item Fortification of maize meal improved the nutritional status of 1–3-year-old African children(Cambridge University Press (CUP), 2015-05-12) Nesamvuni, Alufheli E; Vorster, Hester H; Margetts, Barrie M; Kruger, AnnamarieObjective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a vitamin-fortified maize meal to improve the nutritional status of 1–3-year-old malnourished African children. Design: A randomised parallel intervention study was used in which 21 experimental their families received maize meal fortified with vitamin A, thiamine, riboflavin and pyridoxine, while 23 control children and their families received unfortified maize meal. The maize meal was provided for 12 months to replace the maize meal habitually consumed by these households. Methods: Sixty undernourished African children with height-for-age or weight-for-age below the 5th percentile of the National Center for Health Statistics’ criteria and aged 1–3 years were randomly assigned to an experimental or control group. Baseline measurements included demographic, socio-economic and dietary data, as well as height, weight, haemoglobin, hematocrit, serum retinol and retinol-binding protein RBP). Anthropometric, blood and serum variables were measured again after 12 months of intervention. Complete baseline measurements were available for 44 children and end data for only 36. Changes in these variables from baseline to end within and between groups were assessed for significance with paired t-tests, t-tests and analysis of variances using the SPSS program, controlling for expected weight gain in this age group over 12 months. Relationships between changes in variables were examined by calculating correlation coefficients. Results: The children in the experimental group had a significantly (P # 0.05) higher increase in body weight than control children (4.6 kg vs. 2.0 kg) and both groups had significant (P # 0.05) but similar increases in height. The children in the experimental group showed non-significant increases in haemoglobin and serum retinol, while the control children had a significant (P ¼ 0.007) decrease in RBP. The change in serum retinol showed a significant correlation with baseline retinol (P ¼ 0.014), RBP (P ¼ 0.007) and weight (P ¼ 0.029), as well as with changes in haemoglobin (P ¼ 0.029). Conclusion: Despite a small sample size, this study showed positive effects of a vitamin-fortified maize meal on weight gain and some variables of vitamin A status in 1–3-year-old African children. The study confirmed the relationship between vitamin A and iron status. The results suggest that fortification of maize meal would be an effective strategy to address micronutrient deficiencies in small children in South Africa.