Thesis (MPA) --University of Limpopo, 2006 / The topic Political interference in Administration remains a serious challenge to both Administrative practitioners and politicians in government, although the history of the debate is well documented. Are officials enabled to operate freely and professionally without political interference in Limpopo Department of Health and Social Development? The Department has been faced with various and serious challenges related to poor service delivery. There have been allegations of Political interference in Administration, where by some of highly politically connected officers’ cases just disappears. There has been complains about the appointment under qualified or unqualified officials for strategic positions. Chapter one introduces the reader to the study; this indicating what is contained in the research and its objectives. The background of the study is also included in this chapter. The chapter also explains why the study is necessary. It also indicates the importance and relevancy of having the understanding of each territory. Chapter two reviews the literature on Political-Administration Dichotomy. The chapter also gave indications about the history of the debate. It also explained the different theories from various authors. The information collected from those authors was put together in this chapter as the historical background to the challenge and taking the readers through where the debate originates from. Various opinions and suggestions from various authors were dealt with.Chapter three focused on sampling and data analysis. The data collected included official documents, such as charge sheets and investigation reports. The manner in which information was collected is briefly outlined in this chapter. In chapter four the collected data was analysed. The specific objectives were used as a guiding line for selecting the relevant data. Information interviews were also taken into consideration. Chapter five is about what position is developed, the conclusion made from the analysis and the recommendation. It includes suggestions on how the problem could be resolved.

<p>&nbsp / </p> <p align="left">&nbsp / </p> <p>&nbsp / </p> <p align="left">The researcher has drawn on his personal experiences, both in the church as well as in the business world, as a basis for conducting this study. Situating the study within the field of Practical Theology, <font face="Arial Narrow">Zerfass&rsquo / model is used to address the theoretical, co</font><font face="Arial Narrow">ntextual and practical aspects of the research </font>problem. In determining what each section and each chapter should contain, the following questions <font face="Arial Narrow">are used as a guide: What is it that the reader should know, recognise and acknowledge after reading the particular section or chapter? How does a section or a chapter contribute towards exploring the </font><font face="Arial Narrow">stated hypothesis and how are the research steps outlined in Zerfass&rsquo / model used to guide the </font><font face="Arial Narrow">coherence of the project? The research process was initiated with the placing of the &quot / problem&quot / within the context of the UCCSA. Special attention was given to the definition of certain phrases used in UCCSA. Furthermore, the form of government operating in the church was also considered. A comparison was made with other </font><font face="Arial Narrow">church models. As the researcher&rsquo / s interest is the election process, the weaknesses in the current </font><font face="Arial Narrow">election procedures was discussed. A brief biblical perspective on elections was also stated. The findings of this process was that the UCCSA is 'governed' by its understanding and acceptance of the covenant relationship that exists between God and the people as well as between the members of the church. This relationship, therefore, also informs the election processes in the church.</font></p>

M. Tech. Business Administration / The purpose of this research was to evaluate the electronic-business readiness of the South African Government using the Department of Cooperative Governance (DCoG) as a case study. Electronic-business in this research would be referred to as e-business.

M.Tech. Business Administration. Business School.

<p>&nbsp / </p> <p align="left">&nbsp / </p> <p>&nbsp / </p> <p align="left">The researcher has drawn on his personal experiences, both in the church as well as in the business world, as a basis for conducting this study. Situating the study within the field of Practical Theology, <font face="Arial Narrow">Zerfass&rsquo / model is used to address the theoretical, co</font><font face="Arial Narrow">ntextual and practical aspects of the research </font>problem. In determining what each section and each chapter should contain, the following questions <font face="Arial Narrow">are used as a guide: What is it that the reader should know, recognise and acknowledge after reading the particular section or chapter? How does a section or a chapter contribute towards exploring the </font><font face="Arial Narrow">stated hypothesis and how are the research steps outlined in Zerfass&rsquo / model used to guide the </font><font face="Arial Narrow">coherence of the project? The research process was initiated with the placing of the &quot / problem&quot / within the context of the UCCSA. Special attention was given to the definition of certain phrases used in UCCSA. Furthermore, the form of government operating in the church was also considered. A comparison was made with other </font><font face="Arial Narrow">church models. As the researcher&rsquo / s interest is the election process, the weaknesses in the current </font><font face="Arial Narrow">election procedures was discussed. A brief biblical perspective on elections was also stated. The findings of this process was that the UCCSA is 'governed' by its understanding and acceptance of the covenant relationship that exists between God and the people as well as between the members of the church. This relationship, therefore, also informs the election processes in the church.</font></p>

The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of the merger between the Office of the Premier and the North West Communication Services on Labour relations with a view to provide recommendations to the management of the Office on how to resolve grievances and disputes arising from the merger. The study focuses on the Office of the Premier. A qualitative research design which made use of data obtained from the Management of the Office, Advisory Committee, NWCS staff and a union representative was used in this study. The memoranda and other correspondence on the merger were analysed. The population in this study was confined to the Office of the Premier. The investigation conducted showed that the grievances/dispute lodged by the NWCS staff arise out of the merger. The merger negotiations were conducted in an atmosphere that was not conducive to proper negotiations, which consequently had adverse effects on labour relations. Employees who were absorbed from the NWCS into the Office of Premier had their benefits discontinued. This gave rise to litany of grievances/disputes wherein the grievants accuse the Management of the Office with unilateral change of terms of conditions of employment. There is a need to re-negotiate the terms and conditions of employment of the employees affected by the merger to ensure a smooth completion of this process. The amended Labour Relations Act, Section 197, on transfer of a business as a going concern allows parties to the negotiation to enter into an agreement regarding new terms and conditions of employment. It is an option that the office is advised to pursue to bring the merger process to finality . / M.Admin. (IRL) North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2005

This thesis traces the evolution of learner participation in school governance in South Africa, identifies international trends in school governance, particularly learner participation, and then analyses the progress made in South Africa in moving from policy to praxis in this regard. I have discussed the contextual forces that have influenced the production of the policy text on learner participation in the South African Schools Act. This is followed by an analysis of how the policy text has been interpreted and implemented at provincial level in the Western Cape, taking provincial legislation, regulations, circulars, and the capacity building programme that was implemented into consideration. I also look at how the whole process was experienced at institutional (school) level, and how the policy was interpreted and implemented. I also evaluate the phenomenon of learner participation in school governance in terms of promoting the principles of transformation, placing particular emphasis on the promotion of democratic practices in South Africa.<br /> In conclusion I contend that the present policy of learner participation in school governance does reflect the resolve of the National Government to promote the principle of participation by all stakeholders in matters affecting them. However, the study has shown that the implementation of the policy at provincial and institutional level has not been as effective as it might have been and has hampered the development of praxis in learner participation. This has hindered learners from making meaningful contributions towards the attainment of the goals as set out in the constitution. Furthermore, present rumblings of curtailing the powers of the school governing bodies because of limited progress in attaining the above goals seem to be a retrogressive step. I strongly contend that given the support, training and encouragement as set out in Article 19(2) of SASA, learner participation in school governance can make a positive contribution towards attaining the goals of transformation in our country, particularly of advancing democratic practices in our society.

This study examines service delivery such as housing, water, electricity, roads and garbage removal in local government with specific reference to Schulzendal township. The main objective of the study is to investigate the services mentioned above in Schulzendal township, (1) to assess the satisfaction of Schulzendal community in services delivered by Nkomazi municipality / (2) to examine and identify factors impacting on the Nkomazi municipality's ability to deliver services effectively and efficiently / (3) and to assess the ability of the Schulzendal community to pay for services delivered.

<p>Organisational culture has been one of the most studied and theorised concepts in organisational development. New ways of working, globalisation, increased competition and change in technology have created a greater need for strategic innovation and co-ordination and integration across units (Schein, 1992). Culture is the single most important factor for success or failure and has the greatest potential to effect organisational improvements or hold it back (Deal &amp / Kennedy, 1982 / Fowler, 2002). Research suggests that organisational culture, its assessment and management is increasingly viewed as a necessary part of healthcare improvements (Scott, Mannion, Davies &amp / Marshall, 2003). In the health care environment, organisational culture has been associated with several elements of organisational experience and initiatives that contribute to quality, such as nursing care, job satisfaction and patient safety (Boan &amp / Funderburk, 2003).</p> <p>In order to implement strategic initiatives or performance improvement interventions, it is important that an organisation understands the current status of its organisational culture. The best way to gain understanding of the culture is by assessing it (Davidson, 2004).&nbsp / he aim of the research was to assess the organisational culture of a private hospital in the Western Cape. For the purpose of this study a quantitative methodology adopted used utilising purposive sampling. The sample (n = 221) was inclusive of males and females and comprised of permanent and contract employees extending across the following departments: Human Resources, Patient Administration, Pharmacy, Technical, Support Services and Nursing. The nursing department was the largest representative group of the sample. The sample also included of medi-staff, management and an additional small hospital that reports to the management team. The Denison Organisational Culture Survey was used to gather data for the study. The Survey measures four culture traits, namely, involvement, consistency, adaptability and mission. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. Results indicated that employees perceived involvement, consistency, adaptability and mission positively. Furthermore, there were no significant differences found for consistency and sense of mission by employees in different departments. There were several limitations of the study. Amongst others, the results cannot be generalised to the broader population of all private hospitals as the findings are unique to the particular organisation. Secondly, the Denison Organisational Culture Survey has only been validated in a financial organisation in South Africa. A recommendation for further research would be to utilise quantitative as well as qualitative methodology to add to the existing body of knowledge.</p>

As South Africa prepares to reconstruct its education system for a post-apartheid, democratic society, many facets of educational life will of necessity come under re-examination. One such area is that of school governance which traditionally was the domain of principals, teachers and more recently parents, with little, if any, input by students. After 1985, however, with the formation of the Congress of South African Students (CaSAS), backed by the National Education Co-ordinating Committee (NECC), the demand for student participation in the management of schools began to gain momentum. Parent-Teacher -Student Associations (PTSA's), although not recognised by the education authorities, were established in many black schools throughout the country. They afforded students the opportunity to become involved, as equal partners with teachers and parents, in decision-making in the management of secondary schools. During the past decade, however, the question of student participation in decision-making in the management of schools has become a point of controversy. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential role of students in decision-making in the administration and management of secondary schools. For this purpose case studies were conducted in two schools with active student participation in joint decision-making. The schools were selected after a preliminary investigation of the state of PTSA's in schools in the greater Durban area. Questionnaires and semi-structured interviews with teacher, parent and student representatives and principals and non-participant observation of PTSA meetings, workshops and social functions were used to survey attitudes and opinions pertinent to this study. The results of the study indicate that student participation in the management of schools is crucial for the creation of a climate of learning and teaching and that it is seen in itself as an integral part of the process of students' development. The study also points to the dilemma that students face in participating jointly with parents and teachers in decision-making while maintaining their autonomy. The recommendations that emerge from the study include the involvement of students as equal partners in decision-making in secondary schools, the establishment of Internal Disciplinary Committees in which students participate, the appointment of a member of staff as a liaison officer for student affairs with the task of establishing a Students' Representative Council (SRC) and the implementation of training programmes that would assist students in joint decision-making. The study acknowledges the existence of conflict between the participants but proposes that such conflict can be constructively addressed tbrough "creative consensus" that would benefit both the participants and the school. The researcher recommends that for the present, students should not be involved in any discussions of teacher misconduct and that students should not be entrusted with handling the finances of the school without teacher or parent supervision. However, in keeping with the developmental approach adopted in the study, it is envisaged that when the element of trust is developed between students and teachers, students would be allowed to participate in these sensitive areas of decision-making.