A full research dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, University of the Witwatersrand, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Management by research and dissertation, March 2016 / In an effort to improve performance, efficiency, accountability and effectiveness of public sector organisations, the Government of Lesotho has adopted a variety of reforms; one of these is the Performance Management System. However, despite its implementation more than a decade ago, the Performance Management System in the Ministry of Health in Lesotho is not producing the anticipated results. Performance management is a tool designed to improve organisational performance by channelling the tasks and activities of employees towards the goals of the organisation. Therefore the overarching purpose of the study is to describe and explain the reasons why the Performance Management System in the Ministry of Health in Lesotho is not producing the anticipated results. Through the qualitative approach, interviews and focus groups were used to collect data from the purposely selected sample of Ministry of Health employees. In addition, documents relating to the Performance Management System in the Ministry of Health have been used as data collection methods. Among other reasons, the study found that the Performance Management System (PMS) in the Ministry of Health in Lesotho is not producing the expected results because of lack of knowledge about the PMS by lowerlevel employees, absence of individual work plans, lack of feedback and lack of integration of Performance Management systems. In conclusion, the study found that the core reason for PMS not producing the anticipated results in the Ministry of Health in Lesotho is its misapplication and a lack of adherence with the legal framework on PMS. The study identified a series of concepts related to performance management, such as the setting of the organisational goals, planning, ii monitoring, evaluation, feedback and rewards, and improvement programmes. However, it has been discovered that in the Ministry of Health in Lesotho, some performance management concepts such as feedback and improvement programmes are not used, whereas some, such as performance evaluations and rewards, are wrongly applied. The theoretical and conceptual implication of this for the study is that there is little integration between the PMS processes and employees’ activities in the Ministry of Health in Lesotho / GR2018

The study focuses and explores citizen participation in the policy and planning process in local government in Lesotho. The study argues that citizen participation in the policy and planning process is important. This is because it is through citizen participation that the government is rendered accountable and responsive to the needs of the local community. Secondly, citizen participation is important in that it helps in the deepening of democracy. In Lesotho, citizen participation has been encouraged by the different governments since the era of Moshoeshoe to the present regime. Lesotho held the first democratic local government elections in 2005. One of the objectives of introducing local government is to foster citizen participation in policy and planning processes. The interviews conducted reveal that citizen participation is taking place even though at a minute degree. Several challenges exist in local government that hinder active and effective citizen participation in local government in Lesotho. One of the major challenges impeding citizen participation is the statutory framework regulating citizens’ participation in local government. This study has found that there is no direct legal or policy framework regulating or enforcing citizen participation in local government. Coupled with this challenge is another crucial challenge relating to the structure and mechanisms that are used for citizen participation. The study reveals that the structures and mechanisms are not adequate to enhance and encourage citizen participation. Pursuant to this, the study proposes some reforms with a view to improving citizen participation in Lesotho. Firstly, the study proposes that the policy and legislative frameworks be improved so as to provide enough scope and space for citizen participation. These frameworks should provide for adequate structures, mechanisms as well as processes and areas that can improve citizen participation in local government. Secondly, crucial instruments for community participation in planning such as the IDP, budget process and the performance management in South African context can be designed with specific cognisance of the structures established. Thirdly, the government must encourage, educate and sensitize citizens to actively take part in local government, through capacity building programmes. It can take the advantage of the NGOs already working with the communities and citizens as a strategy to enhance citizen participation. / Public Administration & Management / M. Admin. (Public Administration)

The study focuses and explores citizen participation in the policy and planning process in local government in Lesotho. The study argues that citizen participation in the policy and planning process is important. This is because it is through citizen participation that the government is rendered accountable and responsive to the needs of the local community. Secondly, citizen participation is important in that it helps in the deepening of democracy. In Lesotho, citizen participation has been encouraged by the different governments since the era of Moshoeshoe to the present regime. Lesotho held the first democratic local government elections in 2005. One of the objectives of introducing local government is to foster citizen participation in policy and planning processes. The interviews conducted reveal that citizen participation is taking place even though at a minute degree. Several challenges exist in local government that hinder active and effective citizen participation in local government in Lesotho. One of the major challenges impeding citizen participation is the statutory framework regulating citizens’ participation in local government. This study has found that there is no direct legal or policy framework regulating or enforcing citizen participation in local government. Coupled with this challenge is another crucial challenge relating to the structure and mechanisms that are used for citizen participation. The study reveals that the structures and mechanisms are not adequate to enhance and encourage citizen participation. Pursuant to this, the study proposes some reforms with a view to improving citizen participation in Lesotho. Firstly, the study proposes that the policy and legislative frameworks be improved so as to provide enough scope and space for citizen participation. These frameworks should provide for adequate structures, mechanisms as well as processes and areas that can improve citizen participation in local government. Secondly, crucial instruments for community participation in planning such as the IDP, budget process and the performance management in South African context can be designed with specific cognisance of the structures established. Thirdly, the government must encourage, educate and sensitize citizens to actively take part in local government, through capacity building programmes. It can take the advantage of the NGOs already working with the communities and citizens as a strategy to enhance citizen participation. / Public Administration and Management / M. Admin. (Public Administration)