African women in academia face various career advancement challenges. Employers’ support interventions need to be reinforced to promote an increase of African women in leadership positions. This study on the career advancement experiences of African women in leadership positions within an academic institution is exploratory in nature and based on the qualitative research method. The purpose of the study is to document the challenges, supporting factors, and strategies used by African women in academia in order to guide universities and the African women employed there who aspire to advance their careers. The data collection methods involved were in-depth interviews and a focus group. Purposive and snowball sampling methods in the form of convenience sampling were used to identify potential research participants. The sample for the study consisted of African women who were academics in leadership positions working at the Medunsa campus of the University of Limpopo. Data was analysed using thematic analysis. The results of the study suggest that African women who are academics experience career advancement challenges. Such challenges include family demands and lack of leadership training. Family support and their dedication contribute towards their advancement. Leadership training programmes and supporting structures should be established to reinforce their advancement. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)

The purpose of the study was to explore and describe leadership at Matlala District Hospital in Limpopo, a province of South Africa. The study was critical for a better understanding of leadership styles adopted in different situations (hospital, district or province) at Matlala District Hospital in the Sekhukhune district. The main objectives of the study were described in chapter 1 on leadership styles (transformational and transactional), to determine how best to investigate leadership styles at Matlala District Hospital, to determine what the current leadership style at Matlala District Hospital is and to propose the most appropriate leadership style for Matlala District Hospital. A mixed-methods approach was used with an exploratory and descriptive design. In terms of the qualitative methodology, purposive sampling was used as the managers were selected on their knowledge of the issues under investigation. Firstly, an interview schedule was developed and used to collect data at Matlala District Hospital. The sample size was 82. Interviews were conducted with 12 members of the executive committee who were regarded as senior managers of the hospital. Secondly, the researcher distributed the questionnaires to participants of the hospital that met the inclusion criteria. Seventy participants completed questionnaires, which were collected upon completion. A 100% response rate was reached. Thematic analysis was used to assess the qualitative data. With regard to quantitative data analysis, descriptive, frequency tables and charts and inferential statistics were used. According to the results, those managers who felt that resources had be provided felt strongly that leadership at the hospital should be improved. Accordingly, guidelines for improving leadership at Matlala District Hospital have to be developed to ensure that mitigating factors are in place for the improvement of the situation at the hospital. / Public Administration and Management / M. P. A. (Public Administration)