Thesis (MPA)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Performance management entails processes and systems that ensure that organisational activities are geared to promote the achievement of organisational goals. Management of performance is one of the crucial functions to be fulfilled by leaders and managers in an organisation. Management and leaders in an organisation serve as the compass that lead and direct these entities; they should be empowered to optimally fulfil the expected roles and functions. The study resulted from an observation made during internal audit engagements and concerns raised by South African Military Health Services (SAMHS) commanders during these engagements. An initial informal survey of performance management conducted by the researcher during the internal audit engagements confirmed a need for a formal scientific study, hence this formal study. The study was conducted amongst commanders in the SAMHS with their prior voluntary consent to participate in the study. The study participants comprised SAMHS commanders from different levels of this organisation, ranging from directors of professional departments, general officers commanding from different military health formations to officers commanding military units from various provinces. Literature relevant to the studied topic was researched, which ranged from books, legislation and internet articles, as well as internal prescripts of the Department of Defence. A questionnaire was designed and constructed to collect the study information. Central concepts of the study were identified and included in the questionnaire. The study questionnaire was administered to the commanders within the SAMHS, who responded with enthusiasm and diligence. The findings of the study confirmed to a great extent that a performance management training need exists amongst SAMHS commanders. It was also found that SAMHS commanders are willing to undergo performance management training to enhance their functioning. The empirical findings of the study were tabled and analysed on completion of the scientific study and conclusions were drawn from the findings. Based on the findings of the empirical study, conclusions were drawn and recommendations are made. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Prestasiebestuur behels prosesse en stelsels wat verseker dat die organisasie se aktiwiteite op die bereiking van die organisasie se doelwitte gerig is. Bestuur van prestasie is een van die belangrikste funksies wat deur die leiers en bestuurders in 'n organisasie vervul moet word. Die bestuur en leiers in 'n organisasie is die kompas wat leiding en rigting gee vir hierdie entiteite en moet bemagtig word om verwagte rolle en funksies optimaal te vervul. Die studie was die gevolg van 'n waarneming wat gemaak is tydens interne oudit betrokkenheid en bekommernisse wat deur bevelvoerders in die Suid-Afrikaanse Militêre Gesondheidsdiens (SAMGD) aan die lig gebring is. 'n Aanvanklike informele prestasiebestuur-opname wat deur die navorser tydens die interne oudit onderneem is, het die behoefte aan 'n formele wetenskaplike studie bevestig en tot hierdie studie gelei. Die studie is onder die bevelvoerders binne die SAMGD met hulle voorafgaande vrywillige toestemming tot deelname aan die studie onderneem. Die deelnemers aan die studie het SAMGD-bevelvoerders op verskillende vlakke van hierdie organisasie ingesluit. Hulle het vanaf direkteure in professionele departemente, bevelvoerende generaals van verskillende militêre gesondsheidformasies tot bevelvoerders vanuit verskeie provinsies gewissel. Relevante literatuur met betrekking tot die onderwerp is nagevors. Dit het boeke, wetgewing, artikels op die internet en interne voorskrifte van die Departement van Verdediging behels. 'n Vraelys is ontwerp en saamgestel om die nodige inligting vir die studie in te samel. Sentrale konsepte van die studie is geïdentifiseer en by die vraelys ingesluit. Hierdie vraelys is aan die bevelvoerders binne die SAMGD, wat met entoesiasme en ywer gereageer het, voorgelê. Die bevindinge van die studie het tot 'n groot mate bevestig dat daar 'n behoefte aan opleiding in prestasiebestuur onder bevelvoerders binne die SAMGD bestaan. Daar is ook tydens die studie bevind dat bevelvoerders binne die SAMGD bereid is om prestasiebestuurs opleiding te ondergaan om hul funksionering te verbeter. Die empiriese bevindings van die studie is na die wetenskaplike studie getabelleer en geanaliseer en gevolgtrekkings is daarvolgens gemaak. Aanbevelings word op grond van hierdie bevindings van die empiriese studie gemaak.