South Africa is experiencing a deepening public safety crisis characterised by high levels of violent crime, weakening trust in law enforcement, and declining confidence in the state’s ability to protect its citizens. Despite constitutional commitments to safety and security, communities continue to report rising fear, increased reliance on private security, and growing perceptions of state incapacity. This article examines the crisis of public safety in South Africa and explores the structural, institutional, and socio-economic factors contributing to declining public trust in the state. It further analyses the implications of weakened police legitimacy for democratic governance and social stability. The purpose of this study is to critically examine the crisis of public safety in South Africa and assess the extent to which state institutions are able to maintain public trust, ensure effective policing, and deliver sustainable safety outcomes for citizens. Despite constitutional mandates and institutional reforms since 1994, South Africa continues to experience persistent violent crime, weak criminal justice coordination, and declining public confidence in policing institutions. The growing gap between state security promises and lived community experiences has resulted in a trust deficit, reduced cooperation with law enforcement, and increased reliance on private and informal security systems. This raises a critical question: to what extent is the South African state still capable of effectively protecting its citizens and maintaining public trust in its security institution. This study adopts a qualitative research approach based on a systematic literature review and document analysis. Secondary data was collected from official government reports, including SAPS crime statistics, Statistics South Africa publications, policy documents, and reports from institutions such as the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) and the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC). The study also draws on relevant theoretical perspectives from classical social contract theorists such as Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau to interpret state legitimacy and public trust in security governance. The study finds that public safety in South Africa is undermined by multiple interrelated factors, including institutional inefficiencies within the criminal justice system, high levels of violent and organised crime, corruption, socioeconomic inequality, and insufficient policing capacity. Furthermore, declining public trust in the South African Police Service is strongly linked to perceptions of poor service delivery, slow response times, and weak accountability mechanisms. The findings also indicate a growing trend of privatized security and community self-protection initiatives, reflecting reduced confidence in state institutions. Collectively, these factors contribute to a weakening of state legitimacy and increased insecurity perceptions among citizens. The crisis of public safety in South Africa reflects not only rising crime levels but also deeper institutional and governance challenges that undermine state legitimacy. Rebuilding trust in the state requires comprehensive reforms in policing effectiveness, accountability, community engagement, and socio-economic development. Without restoring confidence in law enforcement and strengthening the criminal justice system, efforts to achieve sustainable public safety will remain limited.

Background: Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of interrelated metabolic abnormalities, including central obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and hyperglycemia, which increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and overall mortality. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of MetS among adolescents aged 13–19 years in the Akwapem North Municipality, Ghana. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 184 students from Presbyterian Senior High School, Mampong Akwapem. Participants were selected using stratified random sampling. Data were collected through questionnaires, anthropometric measurements (height, weight, waist circumference), blood pressure measurements, and biochemical assessments of fasting blood glucose, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol. The data were analyzed using STATA version 18. Results: The prevalence of MetS among participants was 6.52% (95% CI: 3.73% – 11.17%). The most common metabolic abnormalities were low HDL cholesterol (46.74%) and elevated triglycerides (7.61%). The prevalence of elevated blood pressure (1.63%) and high fasting glucose (5.98%) were comparatively lower. A statistically significant association was found between BMI category and MetS (p<0.001), with overweight and obese participants showing a higher prevalence. Waist circumference also demonstrated a significant association with MetS (p<0.001). Conclusion: The prevalence of MetS among adolescents in the Akwapem North Municipality is concerning, highlighting the need for early detection and intervention. The findings suggest that excess body weight and abdominal obesity are significant determinants of MetS in this population. Public health strategies, including routine screening, health education, and lifestyle interventions, are essential for addressing the rising prevalence of MetS and preventing longterm health complications.

The study investigated the relationship between pricing strategies and performance of selected tourists‟ sites in Delta State, Nigeria. Pricing strategies were the independent variables while performance was the dependent variables. The dimensions of pricing strategy covered in this study include discount, competitive and customer-based, whereas the dimensions of performance were customer satisfaction, patronage, and positive band image. The hypotheses formulated for the study were subjected to statistical test using Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient. This statistical technique was used to determine the strength of association of independent and dependent variables. The findings are the following: Tourist sites‟ competitive pricing strategy has significant relationship with customer satisfaction. Tourists‟ sites‟ competitive pricing strategy significant has relationship with patronage. Tourists‟ sites pricing strategy significantly influence positive brand image. There is significant relationship between customer-based pricing strategy of tourists‟ sites and customer satisfaction. Based on the findings of the study it was concluded that pricing of products and services of tourists‟ sites has become the cardinal attraction among tourists, and in some cases determines whether or not a tourist will repurchase a particular tourists‟ site or not. Based on the findings and Conclusion, it could be recommended that tourists‟ sites should always be flexible in price decision and embrace the rule of elasticity of demand which has it that when more demand are going for a product, price increases but when products are everywhere with few demands, they reduce price of the product or service. In effect, the researcher advises tourists‟ sites to consider using demand oriented (customer-based) pricing strategy for increasing repurchase. There should be employee training programme at regular intervals to sharpen their skill for implementing pricing strategies of their tourists‟ site and thereby be service-oriented to drive up positive brand image.

It is true that applied linguistics is an interdisciplinary discipline. All disciplines are interdisciplinary in one way or another. The problem that this paper attempts to solve is the confusion noticed in what Applied Linguistics is, and what it is not or what it should not be. This confusion is due to applied linguistics interdisciplinarity. The aim of this paper is to make those who are interested in Applied Linguistics aware of the confusion that is noticed in many papers so as to avoid it.