M.B.A. / This paper investigates the causes and impact of mobility among senior managers and professionals within the South African public sector and is intended to contribute to debate on the theoretical and operational merits of understanding turnover by offering a best practise retention model as an approach to analysing and managing turnover. This investigation takes place within the context of a relatively young democracy that presents unique opportunities and challenges for a public sector guided by the strategic objective of optimum service delivery. This strategic imperative requires the recruitment and retention of skills at senior levels in order to ensure the efficacy of government and is exacerbated by limited resources in relation to what is on offer within the private sector. As such, this investigation into the causes and effects of mobility among senior managers and professionals also aims to establish the extent of mobility on these levels as well as offer strategies that will assist in the retention of these categories. The investigation explores the conceptual framework and theoretical contribution of current debate on retention, as well as offering thoughts on logistical and operational issues.