Buys, FanieMavasa, Tamari2017-09-182017-09-182007Buys, F., & Mavasa, T. (2007). The management of government immovable assets. Acta Structilia: Journal for the Physical and Development Sciences, 14(1), 81-92.1023-0564 (print)2415-0487 (online)http://hdl.handle.net/11660/6913English: Asset management involves the management of immovable assets throughout its whole life cycle. This article presents the findings of research on the challenges facing National Government on the management of its immovable assets. The research contemplates the management of government immovable assets throughout its whole life cycle, the importance of an asset register as well as an immovable asset management plan. The primary data was collected by means of conducting interviews with government department personnel to reveal the strengths and weaknesses of the current theories and models within the government departments. Secondary data was obtained from the literature reviewed in relevant publications. The main findings were that the National Department of Public Works (NDPW) is currently ineffective in asset life cycle management, there is no clarity on the existence of an immovable asset management plan and that there is an urgent need for competent personnel with adequate skills to verify, capture and correct property data in an effective asset register.Afrikaans: Batebestuur behels die bestuur van vaste bates tydens die volle lewenssiklus van die bate. Hierdie artikel beskryf die resultaat van navorsing oor die uitdagings van die Nasionale Regering betreffende die bestuur van sy vaste bates. Die navorsing beskou die bestuur van bates tydens die volle lewenssiklus-fase, die belangrikheid van ’n bate-register sowel as ’n vaste bate bestuursplan. Die primêre data vir die navorsing was verkry deur onderhoude te voer met regeringspersoneel om die sterk- en swakpunte van huidige teorieë en modelle in die staatsdepartemente te bepaal. Sekondêre data is verkry uit relevante bestaaande literatuur. Die hoofresultate dui aan dat die Nasionale Departement van Openbare Werke oneffektief is in die bestuur van vaste bates, daar is onduidelikheid oor die werklike bestaan van ’n vaste bate bestuursplan en dat daar ’n dringende behoefte bestaan aan bevoegde personeel om bates te verifieer, aan te teken en foute reg te stel in ’n effektiewe bate-register.enAsset managementAsset registerImmovable assetsLife cycleArticleUniversity of the Free State