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Browsing Public Administration and Management by Author "Bekker, J. C. O."
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Item Open Access An analysis of the management framework for development in the South African public sector(University of the Free State, 2001-11) Minnaar, Francois; Bekker, J. C. O.Development must be contextually understood. Not all persons will react similarly to circumstances in their environment. Their behaviour in certain situations will be determined by a wide variety of factors, including their upbringing, their cultural framework within which they reason and function, for example. Similarly government will react within the contextual framework composed of its predominant ideological perspective, its understanding of history, its perception of the dominant viewpoint regarding the matter in society, and so forth. South Africa's economic limitations have placed serious constrains on the country's ability to formulate and implement sustainable development policies. One of the extremely negative side-effects of this reality was the continuous cash flow problems experienced by various Provincial and National authorities in the country, where the National Government was eventually required to bail them out in terms of Section 100 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996. The implications of this were that these authorities surrendered their autonomy in terms of the Constitution to the central government. South Africa is a "developing" country, which made it a bit more 'unequal amongst equals' in the global economic structure. In this regard it is essential for the country to take cognisance of the reality of the global village in which it find itself; characterised by the domination of a single remaining superpower, a declining ability of the physical environment to sustain life and a rapidly changing world-order. Limited economic resources to facilitate development caused various socioeconomic problems in the country. Amongst these are the enormous gap between the rich and the poor in the country. This reality is threatening to explode and plunge the country in anarchy. A declining infrastructure is further eroding South Africa's ability to construct meaningful economic growth. A decrease in the role and function of religion and churches in the country has gradually eroded the moral fiber of society. The result is a South African reality characterized by a staggering crime rate and the transformation of the normative foundation to guide management activity in the South African public service. Other characteristics of the South African environment are persistent racial divisions, inequality and staggering unemployment. The question that might be asked is how responsive the political set-up in South Africa is to the fostering of effective management of development. The answer to this issue can be formulated by evaluating the South African government's response to the environmental challenges in the country. A very positive aspect in the political set-up of the South African society, that undoubtedly foster improvement in the quality of life of ordinary South Africans, is the massive increase in the levels of public participation in the decision - and policy-making processes of the country. Contemporary involvement of the community by means of continuous and extensive road shows and open meetings with the community is a massive improvement on the traditional involvement in the form of party-political meeting during election campaigns and a formal speech at the opening (or launch) of one or the other project. Aggressive union activity, and the concept of rolling mass action have also fostered a culture of participation. However, on the negative side it is worth mentioning that a growing feeling of apathy can be detected, especially amongst the youth, and that the level of active participation in the political process is relatively low, and ever declining. The euphoria of the freedom struggle, and eventual victory over the oppressor have come and gone, in spite of active attempts on the side of the government to keep these feelings and emotions alive (mostly for party-political gain). These feelings have been replaced with despair in the face of ongoing unemployment and poverty. The structural management capacity of the public sector to realise ambitious development progress has improved - although a move away from bureaucratic management structures will surely benefit this ability. The introduction of a performance management framework, multi-year planning and improved accountability measures have strengthened the ability of the South African public sector to facilitate effective development management. However, aspects that will certainly impact negatively on the ability of the public sector to effectively management development initiatives are also numerous: o A serious lack of financial management competency and expertise. o The 'affirmative-action-at-all-cost' policy, where desperately needed expertise are often pro-actively chased away to make way for politically acceptable appointments. The same goes for indiscretional political appointments at high and senior organizational positions. These days just about all personnel-related matters in the public sector are based on 'representivity' - even personnel performance appraisals. If these kind of appraisals do not reflect the racial composition of a the staff component of a department, the process is stopped for further investigation. o Persistent racism - white public officials who, often unconsciously, still believe that black workers are inferior and their contribution less impressive. In some instances white public officials also hampers effective service delivery because they will still advantage whites at service delivery points. o However, and this point the government denies flat-out: Black-an-white discrimination is also thriving. Newly appointed black managers often have very deep anti-white feelings, and are barely able to hide these preferences. o Bureaucratic, organic organizational structures. Several of South Africa's service delivery agencies are still involved in a process of re-structuring seven years after the 1994 general election. More often than not this 'restructuring' refers to a state of structural mess - with meaningful service delivery a practical impossibility. Service delivery in South Africa has been enhanced by renewed emphasis on quality management and a drive towards increased transparency and accountability. The formal structural framework for service delivery was improved by introducing various Service Delivery Charters and the White Paper on Transformation of Public Service Delivery. However, the official service delivery agencies are neglecting to properly implement these initiatives. So, has South Africa managed to achieve sustainable development? There are two perceptions regarding the answer to this question. The one holds the view that, in spite of the sincere and honest efforts of government to take the plight of ordinary South Africans seriously during the policy-making process, is it still hard to conclude that the ideal of sustainable development has been realised in South Africa. A lot of houses have been built; the focus on clinical services has ensure that primary health care services are now more readily available to ordinary South Africans - yes; for example But, perhaps the most damaging reflection on the post-1994 government's performance in respect of development, come from the anti-apartheid veteran of so many years, Helen Suzman when she stated that while I, like others, am greatly relieved that South Africa is rid of all the heinous laws of the apartheid regime and immensely pleased at no longer being a citizen of a pariah country, my high hopes of a good performance by our new government have not been realised. "Government has failed to deliver on its promise of 'a better life for all.' True, I, as a privileged white, continue to live at the same high standard, but equally true, the standard of living of the majority of blacks have deteriorated." The proof of the pudding is in the eating. The ultimate test to determine whether or not development has realized, for the purposes of this study, was the question of whether or not there was an improvement in the quality of life of ordinary citizens. The other viewpoint is best expressed by The Economist of 24 February 2001 at the end of a series of articles which aim was to analyse the state of affairs in South Africa seven years after the 1994 general elections. The author concluded that, whatever its shortcomings today, (South Africa) is a far happier place than it used to be, and a far happier place than it might have been. In time, it may yet fulfil the promise of the Mandela years."Item Open Access Anastatiese- en transendentale ontleding van administratiewe transformasie binne die raamwerk van Masakhane(University of the Free State, Sep-05) Buys, Willem Frederick; Bekker, J. C. O.Afrikaans: In ‘n veranderende wêreld is transformasie vanaf die vroegste tye aan die mensdom bekend. Daar kan dus geargumenteer word dat die betekenis van die begrip weens d ie bekendheid daarvan, nie verklaar hoef te word nie. ‘n Vraagstuk begin egter reeds by die betekenis van die begrip omdat rolspelers dikwels nie eenstemmig is oor wat met transformasie bedoel word nie. Die doel is dan om die betekenis, asook verskillende benaderings, menings en standpunte oor transformasie uit te lig. Sodoende kan transformasie in perspektief geplaas word. Die begrip is in verskillende soorte kategoriseer om die betekenis daarvan te differensie e r. Die waarde hiervan is dat weerstand teen transformasie nie noodwendig ‘n beginsel saak is nie, maar moontlik is die weerstand teen die soort transformasie of wyse waarvolgens dit toegepas word. Daar behoort ingedagte gehou te word, dat ‘n verband tussen verskillende soorte transformasie kan bestaa n. Daarom behoort die kategorisering van transformasie nie as ‘n rigiede afbakening van soorte transformasie beskou te word nie. M enings en standpunte oor transformasie kan op persepsies berus. D ie betekenis van persepsies word verklaar, weens die impak d aarvan op benaderings tot transformasie. Die doel daarvan is om aan te toon dat persepsies van transformasie nie noodwendig ‘n ware weergawe van die werklikheid is nie. Dit is egter op grond van persepsies dat individue kan reageer en optree en waarop besl uite in terme van transformasie ge baseer kan word. Daarom is dit noodsaaklik om te bepaal wat persepsies beteken asook wat die invloed daarvan op transformasie is. Met ‘n anastatiese benadering word spesifieke fokuspunte uitgelig waarmee transformasie toe paslik vernuwe kan word. In hierdie verband kan die elemente van ‘n anastatiese konsep as ‘n benadering tot transformasie benut word. Die betekenis van anastaties word verklaar en daar word verduidelik waarom ‘n ideale toestand as staties 222 beskou word. D ie veranderende v erhoudings waarin staatsinstellings en die gemeenskap in ‘n transformasieproses herposisioneer word, word ook verduidelik. Die fases van transformasie word binne die raamwerk van ‘n anastatiese benadering verduidelik. S pesifieke elemente van ‘n anastatiese benadering word op grond van die betekenis van anastaties uitgel u g. Daar word deurgaans op hierdie elemente gefokus om in terme daarvan ‘n anastatiese benadering tot transformasie uit een te sit. ‘n Anastatiese benadering wys daarop dat ‘n t ransformasieproses kan vervaag en in die denke van rolspelers vernuwe kan word . Vernuwing kan geskied deur byvoorbeeld op die sin, doel, betekenis en noodsaaklikheid daarvan te fokus. M et behulp van ‘n transendentale benadering word verduidelik waarom be lemmerende grense in denkraamwerke van individue daartoe kan bydra dat die noodsaaklikheid van ‘n gedaanteverandering nie ingesien word nie. Wyses word bespreek waarop hierdie grense oorkom kan word. Daar word aangetoon waarom die benadering op die minderh eid aspekte in ‘n instelling gerig word, wat vir die meerderheid vraagstukke oor institusionele grense verantwoordelik kan wees. ‘n A nastatiese - en transendentale benadering word in wisselwerking met Masakhane vir die realisering van transformasie benade r. Die betekenis daar van word met die Masakhane - veldtog in verband gebring. Dit dien as agtergrond waarom Masakhane in die gestalte van ‘n veldtog vanaf 1995 tot tans. Beide benaderings wys daarop dat vier elemente of kategorieë vanaf Masakhane afgelei kan word. Met hierdie elemente kan spesifiseer word waarom hierdie konsep as noodsaaklik vir die realisering van transformasie beskou word. Die verband daarvan met verwante begrippe soos Ubuntu en Batho Pele word ook uit gel u g. Die aandag word met beide benade rings op uitgangspunte van ‘n wetenskapsidee van die vakwetenskap, Openbare Bestuur gevestig waarop Masakhane gebaseer kan word. Hierdie uitgangspunte bied ‘n alternatiewe benadering waarop laasgenoemde begrip vir die realisering van transformasie benader kan word.Item Open Access The Canada / South Africa Provincial Twinning Project's contribution to strengthening South African provincial governments(University of the Free State, Oct-05) Minja, Lynn Amelia; Bekker, J. C. O.Afrikaans: Vennootskapsooreenkomste word as bestuursinstrumente in die openbare, privaat en vrywilligheidsektore gebruik. Dit is die afgelope jare toenemend aangewend as ‘n meganisme om kapasiteit in die regeringsektor te ontwikkel. Die Kanadese Internasionale Ontwikkelingsagentskap (CIDA) het tussen 2000 en 2004 ‘n soortgelyke vennootskapsooreenkoms, te wete, die Kanada Suid-Afrika Provinsiale Vennootskapsprojek, ten opsigte van regeringsamewerking befonds. Die Instituut vir Publieke Administrasie van Kanada (IPAC) het as die uitvoerende agentskap vir hierdie vennootskapsooreenkoms gedien. Die kantore van die projek was gesetel by die Universiteit van die Vrystaat, Bloemfontein, Suid Afrika en die Staatsdienskommissie, Regina, Saskatchewan, Kanada. Die doel van die projek was om Suid Afrikaanse provinsiale regerings te versterk deur hulle te verbind met Kanadese provinsiale regerings. Die primêre vraag wat in hierdie studie ondersoek is, was dus of die vennootskapsooreenkomste as bestuursinstrumente demokratiese regering in die nuwe Suid Afrikaanse provinsiale regerings kon versterk deur middel van hulpverlening op ‘n vrywillige grondslag deur Kanadese ampsgenote. Die studie het die totale tydsduur van die vennootskapsooreenkoms ingesluit. Kanadese provinsiale regerings het geleenthede gebied aan Suid Afrikaanse provinsiale regerings om ondersoek in te stel na strukture, prosesse en diensleweringsmodelle en het ook met hulle gedeel oor die onderliggende beginsels van en lesse geleer tydens bekendstelling en implementering. Suid Afrikaanse openbare amptenare is die geleentheid gebied om hul Kanadese ampsgenote te evalueer in terme van elemente van hul werk wat ooreenstemmend is. Hulle het die nodige veranderinge in hul werksomgewing ingestel en die nodige leierskap verskaf vir die goedkeuring, verfyning, implementering en voortgesette gebruik van sodanige veranderinge. Elke Suid Afrikaanse provinsie en elke vennootskap het spesifieke resultate wat gedokumenteer is, opgelewer. Van die resultate het verband gehou met aspekte wat met die projek geintegreer is,insluitend geslagsgelykheid, volhoubare ontwikkeling, armoedeverligting en HIV/VIGS. Beleide, programme, metodes en hulpbronne wat deur een provinsie ontwikkel is, is gedeel met, en word tans nog gedeel met ander provinsies sowel as ander Afrika lande. Die resultate het ‘n hoë vlak van volhoubaarheid gehad, want dit is onderskryf deur senior amptenare en verkose politieke ampsdraers, gebaseer op beginsels wat aangepas is vir plaaslike omstandighede en geïnkorporeer is by die regering se agenda sowel as provinsiale begrotings. Teen die einde van die Vennootskapsooreenkomsprojek, het die gedokumenteerde resultate aangedui dat daar wel kapasiteit in die Suid Afrikaanse provinsiale regerings ontwikkel is. Kapasiteit is gebou deur vaardighede te verbeter in terme van individue, groepe binne provinsiale regerings in terme van besluitneming, masjinerie van regering, menslike hulpbronne en programontwikkeling en lewering. Kapasiteit is ontwikkel deur die verkryging en deel van kennis sowel as die toepassing van hierdie kennis. Die leer van nuwe idees en inligting relevant tot mense se provinsies het in elke aktiwiteit plaasgevind in elke provinsie. Kennisdeling en kundigheid het wyd in die werksomgewing voorgekom deur die ontwikkeling van leernetwerke. Prestasiemeting, spesifiek resultaat gebaseerde bestuur, was die instrument wat deur die Venootskapsooreenkomsprojek gebruik is om resultate te identifiseer, te meet en te rapporteer. Hoewel al die deelnemers die meting van prestasie en dokumentering van resultate ondersteun het, is bevind dat die stelsel wat deur die befondsingsagentskap gebruik word rigied en nie koste-effektief is nie. Onduidelikhede in terme van rolverdeling en verantwoordelikhede is ander uitdagings wat ervaar is. Verskeie voorbeelde waar die Vennootskapsooreenkomsprojek aan die geïdentifiseerde beste praktyke voldoen en dit selfs oortref het, is geïdentifiseer. Voorbeelde sluit in die effektiewe gebruik van die vennootskap as instrument, die oordrag van kennis, kapasiteitsontwikkeling, samewerkende vennootskappe, en vrywillige deelname. Die Vennootskapsooreenkomsprojek het hoë vlakke van volhoubaarheid gedemonstreer indien gemeet word aan die kriteria van plaaslike eienaarskap, relevansie, omvattendheid, vennootskappe, skakeling en stabiliteit. Netwerke wat deur middel van die Vennootskapsooreenkomsprojek vasgestel is sowel as dié buite die projek het die deel van gemeenskaplike waardes beklemtoon en het bygedra tot die ontwikkeling van blywende vriendskappe en verhoudinge tussen die Suid Afrikaanse en Kanadese provinsies. Die algemene ervaring van die twee lande met die vennootskapsooreenkoms as instrument was positief. Die vennootskappe het gehelp om die kapasiteit van sentrale agentskappe en lyndepartemente te bou. Dit het staatsamptenare gehelp om kennis en vaardighede te bou wat nodig is vir die ontwikkeling en implementering van beleide en programme, en om die verwagtinge van die publiek en agenda van verkose politieke ampsdraers te bevorder. Hierdie projek het bygedra tot ‘n sterker fondament vir demokratiese provinsiale regering sowel as samewerkende regering.Item Open Access Decentralisation of district health services in the Free State Province(University of the Free State, Jul-12) Motsoari, Motsamai Clement; Sindane, A. M.; Bekker, J. C. O.Experiments with decentralisation began in the late 1970s and continued throughout the 1980s. Decentralisation is regarded as a key element of the primary health care approach. It is initially seen as having important political value that can be used as a means to enhance health service policy. However, in many instances, western donors who believe that because one form of decentralisation works in developed countries, it will also work in the developing world often pursue decentralisation. The challenge facing the South African National Health System and the Free State Health System in particular, is to design a comprehensive programme to redress social and economic injustices brought about by apartheid to the majority of the population to ensure that emphasis is placed on health and not just medical care so that issues relating to socio-economic conditions such as poverty, water and sanitation, and proper housing should be addressed adequately. At present, implementation of the District Health System (DHS) based on primary health care (PHC) approach is provided by the Free State Department of Health (FSDOH) and by local municipalities on an agency basis. The above approach is concerned with keeping people healthy, as it is with caring for them when they become unwell. In an endeavour to address aforementioned challenges, the South African Government of National Unity (GNU) has adopted decentralisation as a model for both governance and management. Decentralised governance is embodied in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, in the form of powers and functions for the three spheres of government. The powers and functions of the local sphere of government bear testimony to the importance of this sphere in particular. The GNU, through its adoption of the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) in 1994, committed itself to the development of a DRS based on PRC approach as enunciated at the Alma Ata conference in 1978. The hypothesis for this study indicated that decentralisation of DRS in the Free State Province will enhance efficiency and equity and thus make local public representatives accountable for services rendered. The hypothesis and research objectives for the study were validated by means of literature review and empirical survey. The thesis outlines the conceptualisation and forms of decentralisation and also draws lessons from the experiences of various countries including Canada, Zambia, Indonesia, and Brazil and highlights the need to approach the formulation and implementation strategies for health sector reforms systematically, rather than importing, uncritically, structural models developed abroad. Political considerations are inherent in any decision made and a political environment limits the extent of decentralisation. Without doubt, the most serious mistake any reformer can make is to assume decentralisation to be a managerial exercise devoid of political cause and consequences. The thesis concludes by presenting analysis and interpretation of research findings while also outlining key recommendations that might be of assistance for identifying an appropriate form for decentralisation of health services.Item Open Access Developing a model for successful implementation of affirmative action in the South African public service(University of the Free State, 1998) Sikakane, Buyiswa Hope; Bekker, J. C. O.𝑬𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒉 During the apartheid era, the South African government introduced and enforced discriminatory policies giving unfair advantage to white people who enjoyed all the privileges. The 1994 national elections meant the demise of an authoritarian government and heralded a transformation process to a democratic, non-racial and non-sexist society where human rights are provided for in the constitution. The new government has introduced affirmative action in order to eliminate employment discrimination and to promote occupational advancement of disadvantaged groups, thus increasing their representativeness in managerial positions. Affirmative action is a topical subject in contemporary South Africa with some groups, especially those who are likely to benefit from the affirming process supporting it, while those who are likely to part with the privileges that they have enjoyed for decades, strenuously rejecting it. However, it has to be borne in mind that affirmative action is a process and not an event. In countries like the United States of America (USA) where affirmative action was first introduced many years ago, it is still not a success story. It needs careful planning and monitoring throughout its implementation in order to identify areas in the process that need to be adjusted or amended. Affirmative action should not be confused with retribution where white people are being punished for the privileges they enjoyed. It does not mean that white employees should be removed from their positions and be replaced by blacks as this may precipitate racial tension and bitterness. Affirmative action requires training and development of members from disadvantaged backgrounds, so that they are ready to move up the occupational ladder. They should take an active part in their own development. The culture of entitlement which plagues the minds of historically disadvantaged groups should be eradicated. They should not think that being beneficiaries of affirmative action entitles them to managerial positions without the necessary qualifications and skills. Each public organization should provide opportunities for training and development of disadvantaged groups, like study leave, financial assistance and on-the-job training. Academic institutions should adjust their curricula to suit the needs of public organizations. Commitment of top management, employees and unions is one of the important ingredients of affirmative action so that all stakeholders may cooperate in devising strategies for successful implementation of affirmative action programme. The culture and mindset of the workplace should change. There should be a change of perceptions and attitudes. It is necessary to depart from the racist belief that anything that is African is inferior. What is needed is appreciation and acceptance of the cultural differences among employees which can contribute towards the effectiveness and productivity of a public organization. The caliber of employees should be considered in order to avoid tokenism and lowering standards. Where the disadvantaged background has deprived some people with potential of certain qualifications and experience, employees who have been selected would be trained in order to unlock their potential. A public organization should, where possible, employ the services of an affirmative action officer or a senior manager who should be assigned the duties of an affirmative action officer. Such an officer should preferably be a member of disadvantaged groups who would command respect and credibility within an organization and be responsible for the day-to-day issues concerning affirmative action. He / she should work with an affirmative action steering committee which should consist of a cross-section of staff with equal representation from all stakeholders. Specific programmes should be developed to eliminate discrimination in all human resource activities like recruitment, selection, promotion, training and development and evaluation. There should be mechanisms to deal with grievances and disputes regarding alleged discrimination. ___________________________________________________________________Item Open Access The impact in international volunteer organisations in enhancing public service delivery in Lesotho: the case of the United States Peace Corps(University of the Free State, Nov-11) Lepotho, Clement M.; Bekker, J. C. O.Afrikaans: Openbare dienslewering is een van regeringsbestuur se sleuteldimensies. Voldoende lewering van openbare dienste bly steeds ‘n uitdaging vir nasionale en plaaslike regerings, grootliks weens die regerings se kapasiteittekort om hierdie dienste te voorsien en te volhou. In Lesotho se geval is internasionale vrywilligerorganisasies, soos die Verenigde State se Vredeskorps, genooi om veral te vergoed vir die tekortkomings van menslike hulpbronkapasiteitsbou. In hierdie verhandeling word die uitwerking van die Vredeskorps se organisasie in die verskaffing van openbare dienste in Lesotho ondersoek. Teoretiese perspektiewe oor die geskiedenis van openbare dienslewering en die skakels tussen menslike hulpbronontwikkeling en doeltreffende en voldoende openbare dienslewering word bespreek. Teoretiese perspektiewe oor die Vredeskorpssending, ontwikkelingsbenaderings en projekte word verder aangebied. Empiriese navorsing is gedoen om die persepsies van die Basotho en Vredeskorpsvrywilligers oor die Vredeskorps-organisasie se bydraes tot die versterking van openbare dienslewering in Lesotho uit te lok. ‘n Metodologiese triangulasie, wat persoonlike onderhoude, fokusgroepbyeenkomste en vraelyste behels, is gebruik om die geldigheid en betroubaarheid van die bevindinge te verbeter. Die belangrikste bevindings van die studie is dat menslike hulpbronontwikkeling ontluik as ‘n basiese prioriteit in die strewe na ekonomiese groei en die verbetering van openbare dienslewering. Dit onthul ook dat die internasionale vrywilligersorganisasies, soos die Vredeskorps, betekenisvol tot die bou van menslike hulpbronkapasiteit in Lesotho bydra. Uit hierdie studie is dit egter duidelik dat die menslike hulpbronontwikkeling nie die enigste faktor in die doeltreffende en voldoende implementering van ontwikkelingsprojekte is nie. Die gevolgtrekking is dat die “menslike faktore” uiteindelik die sukseskoers van die ontwikkelingsprojekte bepaal. Die menslike faktore beskryf die eienskappe van individue binne ‘n gemeenskap, soos verantwoordelikheid, toewyding, aanspreeklikheid, motivering en integriteit. Uit hierdie studie is dit duidelik dat ‘n betekenisvolle aantal Basotho voldoende in ‘n verskeidenheid van vaardighede opgelei is, maar steeds ‘n onvoldoende vlak van motivering, verantwoordelikheid en betrokkenheid ten opsigte van die ontwikkelingsprojekte toon. Die gevolg is die mislukking van volhoubare ontwikkelingsprojekte. Die belangrikste gevolgtrekking wat uit hierdie navorsing gemaak word is dat, ten spyte van die tekortkominge wat uit die menslike faktore in projekimplementering spruit, die Vredeskorps-organisasie betekenisvol tot die verbetering van openbare dienslewering in Lesotho bygedra het. Dit is hoofsaaklik die voorsiening van onderrig en opleiding aan die Basotho. Die organisasie is dus selfversekerd om in die toekoms voort te gaan om ontwikkelingsondersteuning aan te bied. Vir groter invloed op die verbetering van die Basotho se lewens, word daar egter aanbeveel dat die Vredeskorps, eerstens, die ontwikkelingsprojekte herstruktureer om dit met dinamiese veranderinge in wêreldwye en plaaslike ontwikkelingsvelde in lyn te bring. Tweedens, moet beide die Vredeskorps en die Basotho self belê in die ontwikkeling van die menslike faktore in die gemeenskap, om volhoubare resultate te genereer. Hierdie ondersoek kan waardevolle inligting verskaf aan die Vredeskorps-organisasie wêreldwyd, ander internasionale vrywilligerorganisasies, en betrokke regerings, ministeries of departemente wat vir openbare dienslewering verantwoordelik is, oor die ontwerp en implementering van programme om lewens in die gemeenskap te verbeter.Item Open Access The impact of the awarding of state tenders and quotations on black economic empowerment in the Free State Province in the 2000-2006 financial years(University of the Free State, 2008) Mohokare, Sesheme Meshack; Bekker, J. C. O.The first democratic government of South Africa that was inaugurated into office in 1994, inherited a society that was divided between the haves and the have nots. The haves were mainly whites who benefited economically under the National Party led government. The have nots were mainly blacks who were in the majority. The blacks were not allowed to participate in the economy of South Africa. The task that faces the new democratic government is to redress the wrong-doings of the past. The democratic government is faced with the challenge of improving the lives of the blacks politically, economically and socially. The democratic government did not hesitate to make its intentions clear of redressing the imbalances of the past. The votes of the electorate who voted the new government into office, were interpreted by the politicians as a mandate to redress the wrongs committed by the National Party government. The government engaged in rigorous policy making processes and new policies were passed in both the national and provincial governments. The government is faced with a number of challenges. When the current government took over, the number of blacks participating in the economy was very small. The current government is faced with the challenge of increasing the number of blacks participating in the mainstream economy of the country. In order to bring in more blacks into the mainstream economy, the state had to channel state tenders to blacks. The debate that is going on is on the successes and the failures of the government both national, provincial and local in bringing blacks into the mainstream economy through the channeling of state tenders. Much has been said about factors that have had a negative and positive impact on black economic empowerment. This dissertation is a study of the impact of tenders awarded to blacks by the Free State Provincial Government on black economic empowerment. The focus in the dissertation will be on whether the Free State Government is actually succeeding in empowering the blacks economically. In this rubric, the following will be outlined: Background and reasons for the study, problem statement, hypothesis formulation, objective of the research, research methodology, key words and concepts and the scope of the dissertation.Item Open Access The impact of the performance management system on accountability in the public service of Lesotho(University of the Free State, Jul-10) Sefali, Francis Tlhopheho; Bekker, J. C. O.Afrikaans: Die konsep van ‘n prestasiebestuurstelsel (PBS) is dinamies en kontroversieel tussen beide openbarebestuur akademici sowel as praktisyns. Dit bestaan uit ‘n verskeidenheid kontekste, vorms en doele soos internasionaal toegepas en waargeneem word. Dit is die moeite werd om te let dat die konsep van PBS relatief nuut in die Openbare Dienste van Lesotho is. Nogtans bestaan die PBS dekades lank internasionaal as ’n administratiewe en bestuurs konsep. Hierdie tesis het gepoog on ondersoek in te stel oor die impak van die PBS op toerekenbaarheid in die Openbare Dienste van Lesotho. As gevolg daarvan is daar gepoog om die PBS te defineer, toerekenbaarheid vas te stel en om ‘n verhouding te vestig tussen die twee konsepte (PBS en toerekenbaarheid). ‘n Proefondervindelike studie is onderneem om die opinies van openbare beamptes oor die verhouding tussen die PBS en toerekenbaarheid te bekom sowel as hulle begrip van die PBS konsep en sy implementering in Lesotho. Die studie het gebruik gemaak van ‘n opmetings metode van wetenskaplike ondersoek. As gevolg daarvan, is vraagstukke versprei aan ‘n statistiese geselekteerde groepie openbare beamptes. Hierdie studie het van ‘n driehoekige aanslag gebruik gemaak waar albei die kwalitewe sowel as kwantitiewe navorsings metodes geimplimenteer is. Nadat die vraagstukke se opmetings saamgevat is en geaniliseer is, is die volgende vasgestel: Eerstens is daar vasgestel dat weens ‘n gebrek aan opleiding, dat die meeste van die openbare beamptes nie die toepassing van die PBS en hulle dagtake verstaan het nie. Tweedens is dit bloot gelê dat daar geen duidelike onderneming deur die Regering van Lesotho was om die PBS behoorlik te implimenteer nie. Derdens het die studie bevind, dat weens ‘n gebrek aan aansporing, die openbare beamptes nie genoegsame motiveering gehad het om die PBS korrek te implimenteer nie. Daar was ook geen duidelike bewys dat die PBS toerekenbaarheid bevorder het in die Openbare Dienste van Lesotho nie. Daarbenewens het die studie die probleem uitgelig van verouderde riglyne, vorms en wetgewing verbonde aan die PBS. Laastens het die studie voorgestel dat die Regerings van Lesotho meer moeite moet doen om die implementering van die PBS op te knap. Hierdie poging moet onder andere fokus op: • Die intensifiseering van PBS opleiding en die praktiese verhouding met toerekenbaarheid. • Die hersiening van PBS dokumente om ingelig te word deur die leerstelling van die Nuwe Openbare Bestuur. • Die herorganiseering van Regeringsinstellings om volledige deel te neem, besit te neem van die toewyding met die implemtering van die PBS. • Fasilitasie van die inleiding van die Prestasie Verwante Betalingsisteem (PVB). Die gevolgtrekking is dat die implementeing van die PBS met minder entoesiasme en toewyding hanteer is en dat dit dus nie geheel deur alle relevante insethouers aanvaar is nie. Die PBS verwante bestuursgereedskap soos strategiese beplanning, werksbeskrywings, werksplanne en prestasie standaarde is nie ten sterkste beklemtoon nie. Die gebrek aan sterk beklemtoning het nie geassisteer met die verheffing van die PBS implementering nie. Die bogenoemde is geidentifiseer as tekortkominge wat daadwerkilke aandag van die Regerings benodig.Item Open Access Implementing integrated strategic plans in Free State municipalities(University of the Free State, Feb-13) Du Plessis, Lyndon Mark; Bekker, J. C. O.Afrikaans: Plaaslike regering in Suid Afrika vorm deel van 'n oorhoofse staatsbestelook bestaande uit nasionale en provinsiale regering. Saam is huloorhoofse doelom die algemene welsyn van die bevolikng te bevorder deur middel van dienslewering en ontwikkelingsinisiatiewe. Vir die doeleinde om dienste te lewer en ontwikkeling te bevorder, is plaaslike regering van besondere belang, omdat dit die regeringsagentskap verteenwoordig met wie landsburgers eerste in kontak kom. Die plaaslike sfeer van regering het fundamentele transformasie ondergaan, beide vanuit 'n politieke sowel as strukturele oogpunt. Addisioneel daartoe dat plaaslike regering demokratiese strukture geword het binne die algehele demokratisering van Suid Afrika, het die benadering tot, asook die strukture van munisipaliteite ook dramaties verander. Munisipaliteite, die organisatoriese eenhede van plaaslike regering, het dus die doelom hierdie "nuwe" doelwitte van plaaslike regering n ate streef binne 'n veranderde omgewing. Een van die besondere veranderinge wat in in die bestuur van munisipaliteite ingestel is, is die gebruik van 'n geïntegreerde strategiese benadering tot organisatoriese beplanning. Dit is gefasiliteer deur wetgewende hervorming wat voorsiening maak vir munisipaliteite om geïntegreerde ontwikkelingsplanne (GOPs) saam te stel, en dit saam met begrotings en prestasiebestuurstelsels te gebruik, om dienslewering en ontwikkeling binne hul areas van jurisdiksie te bevorder. Daarom verwysing na die term geïntegreerde strategiese beplanning. Die instelling van hierdie nuwe stelsel was egeter nie sonder uitdagings, met ontevredenheid oor diensvlakke van munisipaliteite wat deur negatiewe verslagdoening deur verskeie openbare rolspelers uitgespreek is, sowel as deur plaaslike gemeenskappe wat hulontevredenheid deur protesaksie begin illustreer het. 'n Kritiese vraag sentreer daarom rondom waarom daar so 'n hoë vlak van ontevredenheid oor munisipale dienslewering is, ten spyte van wetgewende maatreëls om verbeterde munisipale beplanning te bevorder. Hierdie tesis het daarom ondersoek ingestel na die implementering van geïntegreerde strategiese planne in munisipaliteite in die Vrystaat om vas te stel watter tipiese faktore bygedra het tot die onvermoë van munisipaliteite om sulke planne te implementer. Aanbevelings, op grond van die empiriese en literatuurnavorsing, is voorts verskaf, met die oog daarop om die huidige stand van sake te verbeter, in die Vrystaat, maar ook in die res van Suid Afrika.Item Open Access Marketing model for a metropolitan local council(University of the Free State, 2001-11) Franzsen, H. S.; Bekker, J. C. O.English: Marketing has traditionally only been used in the private sector as a process to identify, anticipate and supply customer needs and requirements. However, when marketing is defined as the social and managerial process by which individuals and groups can obtain those services and products that satisfy their needs and wants, the concept could be broadened to also include public sector organizations such as municipalities. Marketing is a process consisting of a number of steps that has to be completed in order to reach its goal. This includes researching the target markets and environments of the organization where marketing activities are to be undertaken. In this dissertation research was done for the purpose of developing a marketing plan that can be implemented in the Western Metropolitan Local Council (WMLC) to suit the specific needs and requirements of its customers but that will also serve as a framework for other municipalities to develop marketing plans that are driven towards satisfying the needs of their customers. Organizations getting involved in the marketing game should ensure that they do not concentrate solely on external marketing but that they should also invest in marketing to their internal customers (employees). Employees are important internal customers to any organization and to each other. In service delivering organizations such as municipalities, it is the employees of the organizations who deliver the services to the customers and therefore their perceptions, attitudes and actions could have a positive or negative effect on customers' impressions of an organization and the services it delivers. In an effort to develop a marketing plan for the WMLC attention is paid to the policy documents that affect the structures, powers and functions of municipalities and as such may have an impact on the marketing plan that can be developed for the WMLC. It was also necessary to undertake a survey of the internal and external environments of the WMLC in order to acquire knowledge about all the factors that should be considered in the development of a marketing plan. The questionnaires that were distributed to the three target markets (employees, residents and the business sector) were analyzed to provide the necessary information about the perceptions and attitudes of the customers (internal and external) of the WMLC. The aim of this research was not only to develop a marketing plan for the WMLC, but also to create a model according to which all other municipalities will be able to develop their marketing plans suited specifically for their target markets and to achieve their marketing and ultimately strategic objectives. The marketing model and marketing plan developed where done so on the basis that municipalities are service-delivering organizations. This means that it was necessary to use the extended marketing mix for the development of the marketing plan. Other municipalities, therefore, only need to use the suggested framework of the WMLC marketing plan and work through the suggested marketing model in order to develop their own marketing plans. The marketing plan developed for the WMLC is an effort to not only market all the services delivered by the WMLC but also to address the perceptions of the customers in an effort to change negative perceptions moving the attitudes of customers from apathy to active participation and attracting new investments for the local economic development of the area.Item Open Access A political alliance in governance in the Republic of South Africa(University of the Free State, Mar-00) Moshabesha, Mokopane; Bekker, J. C. O.; Wessels, D. P.Abstract not availableItem Open Access Poverty reduction policies in Lesotho: the case of self-help projects(University of the Free State, Nov-11) Ralebese, Halieo Laurentina; Sindane, A. M.; Bekker, J. C. O.Afrikaans: Lesotho is sedert sy onafhanklikheidswording in 1966 in ‘n stryd teen armoede gewikkel. Inisiatiewe om armoede te verlig sluit ‘n verskeidenheid strategieë in, onder andere selfhelpprojekte. Die doel van die selfhelpprojekte is veral om armoede in plattelandse gebiede te verminder, waar die meerderheid van die armes woon. Ten spyte van die wye toepassing van hierdie projekte, is daar bewyse dat armoede in Lesotho in beide absolute en relatiewe terme toeneem. Hierdie studie fokus op die prestasie van die selfhelpprojekte en voer aan dat die selfhelpprojekte nie armoede verlig nie, aangesien dit, wat betref die ontwerp en implementering, nie doeltreffend is nie. Die studie het spesifiek probeer om die volgende te bepaal: - of die selfhelpprojekte in Lesotho tot die verligting van armoede in staat is, en - of die politieke dominansie van selfhelpvraagstukke die verligting van armoede verhinder. Die studie gebruik twee benaderings om die navorsingsvrae aan te spreek, naamlik ‘n literêre ondersoek en ‘n empiriese ondersoek. Die literêre ondersoek het ‘n teoretiese analise van armoede-verligtingsbeleide, -programme en -strategieë in Lesotho behels. Hiervoor is regeringsdokumente asook verslae deur skenkingsagentskappe gebruik. ‘n Analise van die beleidsmakingsproses in Lesotho is verder onderneem om te bepaal wat die omvang is van die beleidproses se uitwerking op die armoede verligtingsbeleide, insluitend selfhelp-projekte. Op empiriese vlak is ‘n opname gedoen oor die deelnemers in die selfhelprojekte, asook oor die betrokke regeringsamptenare in die administrasie van selfhelpaktiwiteite. Data is deur middel van persoonlike onderhoude ingesamel. Bewyse uit die twee benaderings suggereer dat politieke ontwikkelinge met 'n fokus op armoede verligting, grootliks verpolitiseerd is. Sulke aktiwiteite word deur direkte en intense betrokkenheid van selfsugtige politieke figure gekenmerk. Affiliasie met die regerende party is meer as dikwels 'n vereiste vir mense om aan ontwikkelingsbedrywighede deel te neem. Deur hierdie praktyk word baie mense wat in nood verkeer, uitgesluit. Daar is ook vasgestel dat die selfhelpprojek-ontwerp defektief is, aangesien dit baie min voordele bied wat nie die lewens van die bevoordeeldes op ‘n volhoubare basis ondersteun nie. Die implementering van die projekte word verder gepolitiseer, deur dit in instrumente te verander om politieke belange te verbeter. Weens hierdie redes het die projekte daarin misluk om armoede in die plattelandse gebiede te verminder. Die verhandeling verduidelik derhalwe die aard en inhoud van die selfhelpprojekte in Lesotho, bepaal die reders vir mislukking van die selfhelpprojekte as instrumente vir armoedeverligting, en doen voorstelle daaroor aan die hand.