Virtual pastoral care is a contemporary pastoral presence that is offered remotely through electronic devices and digital platforms. With the proliferation of cell phones and their capability to host digital platforms that are used in day-to-day human communication, the community of believers have adopted them to render virtual pastoral care. Thus, digital technologies is an integral part of the sustenance of the priesthood of believers. Based on this propensity, findings from a study conducted among neo-Pentecostals in Bushbuckridge culminated in the identification of six virtual pastoral care models that emerged from the use of digital technologies in virtual pastoral care. As these models use existing concepts from information and communication technology, the author argues that these models are not greenfield per se. However, they contribute to existing scholarship, and these emerging models are Hybrid Holistic Care, Blended Virtual Care, Digital Self-Care, Virtual Multimedia-aided Fellowship, Online Collaboration Referral, and Remote One-on-one Dialogical Care. Developed from the perspective of the convergence of theories in virtual reality and communal pastoral care, the author advances that these models may also benefit professions such as social work and nursing, among others.

South Africa's criminal justice system has faced increasing scrutiny due to allegations of political interference, organised crime infiltration, corruption, and weakened accountability mechanisms. The establishment of the Madlanga Commission in 2025 marked a significant governance intervention aimed at investigating allegations of criminality, political influence, and corruption within key criminal justice institutions. Despite the importance of the Commission, limited scholarly attention has been given to its implications for criminal justice governance, institutional accountability, and democratic governance in South Africa. The central problem addressed in this study is the growing concern that political interference, organised crime infiltration, and corruption have undermined the effectiveness, independence, and credibility of South Africa's criminal justice institutions, thereby threatening the rule of law and public trust. The purpose of this study was to critically examine the role, significance, and potential impact of the Madlanga Commission in addressing governance failures within South Africa's criminal justice system. The study sought to explore the extent to which the Commission can contribute to strengthening accountability, institutional integrity, transparency, and democratic governance. A qualitative systematic literature review approach was adopted. Data were collected through the analysis of academic literature, government reports, official commission documents, policy papers, governance reports, and relevant secondary sources relating to corruption, organised crime, political interference, accountability, and criminal justice reform. The study was guided by Institutional Theory, Good Governance Theory, and Accountability Theory, which provided a framework for analysing governance failures and institutional vulnerabilities within criminal justice institutions.The findings revealed that political interference, organised crime infiltration, weak oversight structures, and corruption constitute significant threats to the effectiveness and legitimacy of South Africa's criminal justice system. The study further found that accountability failures and institutional weaknesses create opportunities for criminal influence and governance failures. Evidence suggests that the Madlanga Commission serves as an important accountability mechanism capable of exposing institutional vulnerabilities, promoting transparency, and recommending reforms aimed at strengthening criminal justice governance. However, the study found that the long-term effectiveness of the Commission will largely depend on the implementation of its recommendations and the commitment of relevant stakeholders to institutional reform. The study concludes that the Madlanga Commission represents a critical opportunity to strengthen the rule of law, restore public trust, and enhance institutional accountability within South Africa's criminal justice system. Effective implementation of the Commission's recommendations could contribute significantly to combating corruption, preventing political interference, improving governance, and promoting institutional resilience. The study recommends strengthened oversight mechanisms, enhanced anti-corruption measures, greater institutional independence, and comprehensive criminal justice reforms to safeguard democratic governance and constitutional accountability.

The National Education Policy 2020 represents a significant reform initiative in India’s education sector, aiming to create an equitable and inclusive learning environment for all learners. This chapter analyses the impact of NEP 2020 on gender inclusivity among female students in primary, secondary, and higher education in India. The study adopts a qualitative and analytical approach, drawing upon secondary sources such as the NEP 2020 policy document, government reports, UDISE+ data, AISHE reports, UNESCO publications, and relevant scholarly literature. The paper examines the key gender-related provisions of NEP 2020, including the Gender Inclusion Fund, efforts to reduce dropout rates among girls, expansion of access to quality education, promotion of safe and inclusive learning environments, and initiatives to enhance female participation in higher education. It further analyses the extent to which these measures contribute to improving enrolment, retention, progression, and participation of female students across different educational levels. The findings indicate that NEP 2020 has the potential to strengthen gender inclusivity by addressing structural barriers such as socio-economic disadvantages, limited educational access, safety concerns, and inadequate institutional support. However, the paper also identifies persistent challenges in implementation, including regional disparities, resource constraints, and the need for sustained monitoring and evaluation. The study concludes that while NEP 2020 provides a comprehensive framework for advancing gender equity in education, its long-term effectiveness will depend on coordinated policy implementation, adequate funding, and continuous support for female students across all stages of education (Ministry of Education, 2020; UNESCO, 2022).