African Journal of Public Affairs Volume 8, Number 2 (2015)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/59913

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Front matter, African Journal of Public Affairs, Volume 8, Number 2
(African Consortium of Public Administration, 2015)
Determining employee perceptions towards performance management and development : a case study
(African Consortium of Public Administration, 2015) Van Dijk, Hilligje Gerritdina
Performance management and development, particularly in public organisations, have become a bone of contention between managers and employees. The reality is that, without the effective and efficient management and development of employees, public organisations will not be able to achieve their mandate of delivering quality services to the public. The significance of enhancing the performance of human resources in organisations is the central theoretical argument for this article, as a competent and committed workforce can contribute to the achievement of organisational objectives. On the basis of this theoretical assumption, the need for employees to adopt a positive perception towards the Performance Management and Development System (PMDS) is imperative. The article endeavours to determine the nature of employee perceptions towards the PMDS, specifically as it relates to the implementation by the North West Department of Social Development, Women, Children, and People with Disabilities (DSDWCPD) with particular emphasis on the Matlosana Service Point as a case study. The argument put forth by the article is that the lack of shared understanding amongst managers and employees regarding the purpose, process and value of the PMDS contributes to the negative employee perceptions. The article uses a mixed method approach with a case study design for in-depth understanding and analysis. Data was collected through a document review supported by a semi-structured questionnaire. Purposive sampling was used and participants from all salary levels were included in the research. The article concludes by recommending a systematic training strategy as synthesis towards addressing the negative perceptions employees have towards the manner in which the PMDS is implemented.
Dynamics of public participation in local government : a South African perspective
(African Consortium of Public Administration, 2015) Tshoose, C.I.
The 1996 Constitution of the Republic of South Africa states that the objectives of local government are to provide democratic and accountable government for local communities, to ensure the provision of services to communities in a sustainable manner… and to encourage the involvement of communities and community organisations in the matters of local government. Despite this noble objectives set by the Constitution, the local government, in particular the municipalities have failed to live up to the aims of the Constitution. Nevertheless, it is argued in this article that the notion of public participation plays a significance role in the development of an open, participatory and accountable governance model
An analysis of the implementation of the SA–China Bilateral Agreement : the case study of the South African Agricultural Technology Demonstration Centre (SAATDC)
(African Consortium of Public Administration, 2015) Tshetlo, P.T.; Naidoo, Goonasagree
This article is based on an evaluation of the implementation of SA-China bilateral agreement, particularly with the case of the South African Agricultural Technology Demonstration Centre (SAATDC). This article particularly examined the implementation of the SAATDC bilateral agreement to determine whether this agreement was effectively implemented. It is evident that policy implementation is one of the key problems confronting developing nations such as South Africa (SA). The article also investigated whether the SAATDC bilateral agreement met necessary pre-conditions of policy implementation, which are necessary for successful policy implementation. It thus examined whether these pre-conditions were adequately addressed in the bilateral policy document. Previous research has shown that once these preconditions are met, the potential for successful implementation of a policy increases. There is a need in South Africa to fully exploit opportunities provided through Chinese aid projects, for the benefit of local workers such as artisans, engineers and project managers. It is also important to investigate whether the bilateral agreement made sufficient provision for the adequate involvement of SA engineers, artisans and SA companies in the implementation of such Chinese aid programmes. There is a critical need to enhance the skills of SA artisans and engineers, as required by the Accelerated and Shared Growth for SA (ASGISA) and Joint Initiative for Priority Skills Acquisition (JIPSA) strategies and objectives.
The challenges of food security policy and food quality in Zimbabwe : a case study of Operation Maguta in Buhera District
(African Consortium of Public Administration, 2015) Mupindu, W.
The study discusses food quality and safety challenges and their impact on food security policy in the public domain of Zimbabwe. It also interrogates control measures that the Government has adopted in addressing food shortages in some parts of the country. In an approach to food security policy which is relatively new in Africa, the Government of Zimbabwe assisted farmers through a logistical support programme dubbed Operation Maguta in order to improve efficacy in food security policy and quality. The manner in which the programme was conducted has been a subject of public debate in the country. This study queries claims of subsistence farmers benefiting from government assistance in Buhera District. Problems of an increasing population, lack of resources and technical knowledge to deal with preharvest and post-harvest food losses, environmental and food hygiene adversely affected food quality and safety in Zimbabwe. The study is conceptually based on the following food security policy pillars: availability, accessibility, stability of supply and access plus safe and healthy utilisation. The study adopted focus group interviews with subsistence farmers and agriculturalists, and the questions were directed at production, supply and demand. The study found that agricultural production levels in Buhera District are still low with regard to contributing to malnutrition, which consequently affects growth and learning capacity for children and the ability of adults to lead fully productive lives.
Repositioning the research services unit of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature from an outside-in perspective
(African Consortium of Public Administration, 2015) Madue, S.M.
A provincial legislature is often judged by the manner in which it carries out its Constitutional mandates of law making, oversight and scrutiny, facilitation of public participation and cooperative governance. The mandates call on the legislature to work towards effectively ensuring that the government meets the needs of South Africans citizens through meaningful service delivery. The Research Services Unit plays a pivotal role in this regard. However, the current status of the research services unit of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature suggests that the legislature does not receive maximum research benefits from the Unit. This article argues that having a large contingency of individuals does not necessarily translate into an efficient research unit or the production of reliable and credible research output. The findings of this article suggest that, in order to be able to deliver on its mandates, the Gauteng Provincial Legislature needs a rejuvenated Research Services Unit that could lead in transforming the legislature into a vibrant people-centred law making and oversight organisation, thereby contributing towards an accelerated improvement of the lives of the people of Gauteng.
Public awareness and concerns relating to the Protection of Personal Information Act
(African Consortium of Public Administration, 2015-06) Jordaan, Yolanda
Information privacy is becoming a cornerstone issue of the 21st century, mainly because of the explosion of information technology. The main purpose of the current study is to investigate South Africans’ awareness of the new Protection of Personal Information Act, 4 of 2013 and also to explore the levels of information privacy concerns that individuals have, as they relate to the principles outlined in the Act. In addition, the study investigates several group differences across the information privacy concern dimensions by means of MANOVA testing. The findings from a convenience sample of adults suggest that data collection, control and unauthorised secondary use are some of the main information privacy concern dimensions. The results could help government and businesses to understand how individuals’ concerns relate to the PoPI Act, highlighting the importance of compliance with the new Act.
Improving public service delivery in South Africa : a case of administrative reform
(African Consortium of Public Administration, 2015-06) Koma, Samuel Bogalebjapoo; Tshiyoyo, Mudikolele Michel
The purpose of this article is to critically examine the repositioning of public administration in the context of the assumption of President Zuma in his first and second term of office which commenced on May 2009 and 2014 respectively. Firstly, the analysis considers the two ministries established in the Office of the Presidency, namely, the National Planning Commission and Performance Monitoring and Evaluation that came into effect in 2009 and subsequently consolidated into one ministry following the May 2014 elections. Secondly, the article examines the reforms introduced at the national executive that resulted into the formation of new ministries and re-organisation of the cabinet clusters after the May 2014 elections. The data collection methods used for the purpose of this article primarily include document review of existing official documents and annual reports plus a literature review. Institutional blockages that currently hinder effective public service delivery in the Public Service and plausible solutions are also discussed in the article.
Can the Internal Audit Capability Model be applied globally : a South African case study?
(African Consortium of Public Administration, 2015-06) Janse van Rensburg, J.O. (Jacobus Oosthuizen); Coetzee, Peter
The public sector faces significant challenges that impact on its service delivery abilities. Several bodies exist that can assist the public sector in addressing these challenges. One of these is the internal audit functions (IAFs) of government organisations. For internal auditing to effectively support management, the IAF should be competent to perform the function. The Institute of Internal Auditors Research Foundation published the Internal Audit Capability Model (IA-CM) in 2009 to provide a capability self-assessment tool for public sector IAFs. This model could be used to measure public sector internal audit capability within South Africa, should the key process areas (KPAs) of the model be applicable. This study, therefore, aims to determine whether the IA-CM can be applied within a South African context. A case study design was used by selecting an appropriate South African national department and ranking the case against the KPAs of the IA-CM. The ranking was conducted based on a documentary review and interviews with the relevant officials involved in the case. The study concludes that 82,9% of the KPAs of the IA-CM appear to be applicable and that, in essence, the model can be applied within a South African context. However, eight hindrances that may negatively affect the feasibility of implementing the remaining 17,1% of the KPAs, have been also been identified.

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