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 purpose of this study was to explore the learning strategies that are used by successful science students. In addressing this purpose, a mixed methods approach was adopted in which both quantitative and qualitative methods of data production were used. The participants were both successful and less successful high school science students from grades ten to twelve inclusive. Quantitative data was collected through questionnaires and analysed. The qualitative data was collected through individual semistructured interviews and focus group interviews. This was analysed using a qualitative thematic approach. The research questions were first about the learning strategies that successful science students seemed to use in order to do well academically, and secondly the question of the factors which influenced these successful students. The findings are that there are differences in the use of strategies between the successful students and their less successful counterparts. The successful students in general reported using more learning strategies more often than the less successful students. Successful students also reported that they engaged in strategies for regulating the effort they applied to work on difficult or boring tasks. They engaged more in cognitive strategies that involved deep processing of information, while the less successful students relied more on rehearsal and more superficial strategies like text underlining. Successful students also engaged more in self-regulatory activities that allowed them to monitor and regulate the way they learn. The findings also revealed that the successful students reported that they are influenced in their studies more by such factors as family support, the love of the subject and their goals or ambitions. / Thesis (M.Ed.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2010.

Government computers are generating enormous volumes of e-records such as e-mails, word processed documents and databases. The immediate challenge of the public sector is therefore to preserve these digital records and make them accessible to future generations. The present study was conducted to investigate the management of e-records in the public sector in Lesotho. The objectives of the study guided the researcher to find out what IT infrastructure and resources existed. The study looked at which records were currently being created and strategies and policies used in managing those records. The archival legislation was reviewed to assess how it affected e-records. An e-records model suitable for managing e-records in Lesotho was suggested. The study adopted the descriptive research by utilizing the case study approach. Interview schedules were employed for data gathering, together with observations. The literature review guided the content of the interview schedule. Data was analyzed according to the objectives of the study. The overall findings revealed that the public sector in Lesotho was not managing its e­-records satisfactorily. The public sector did not have legislation that specifically dealt with managing e-records, there were no written policies, strategies and guidelines were non-existent. The study also revealed that there were no qualified personnel with expertise and skills in the management of e-records in the public sector. The study's conclusions and recommendations were that the public sector be allocated more resources and IT infrastructure. Staff should be trained, policies should be formulated, legislation should be amended to accommodate e-records and, lastly, the study recommended that the public sector in Lesotho should adopt the South African e­-records management model. / Thesis (MIS)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2004.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2002.

This dissertation is an attempt to understand shopping leakage from Maseru to Bloemfontein and Ladybrand. It investigates the patterns of shopping leakage and factors that contribute to the leakage. Theories were understood to prove the on going shopping leakage from Maseru. The rentral plare theory was explored to show how a hierarchy of plares influenres retail and shopping activities. Other location theories such as theory of tertiary activities was utilised to explore the impact of income, types of employment and buying power on retail location and shopping activities. Rationality theory was employed to verify the rational in the shopping movement from Maseru to Bloemfontein and Ladybrand. The study was based on focus groups, interviews and observation. The patterns of shopping from Maseru to Bloemfontein and Ladybrand are mainly for higher order goods and specialised goods such as quality clothes, shoes, jewelleries, and furniture. However some people who have cars buy groreries from Ladybrand that is closer to Maseru than Bloemfontein. The shopping trips were multi purpose activities. A shopper combines shopping with two or more activities such as banking recreation, hospital checkups, salon and tourism. Maseru does not have enough thresholds for some high order goods and services, and this leads to the shopping leakage. Although the employment rate in Maseru is high, income is generally lower. Shopping leakage was trared to rertain aspects of consumer behaviour, the characteristics of the shopping trip, retail facilities and types of shops available. Socio-economic factors also influenre shopping pattern, as do entertainment activities. Government and corporate bodies such as banks, through their regulations and laws created an impact on the shopping leakage from Maseru to Ladybrand and Bloemfontein. It is assumed that topography and burning of retail buildings in Maseru in September 1998 also limits the retail facilities in the town. Finally, the growth of Maseru is slow and steady, therefore it can be implied that retail trading in Maseru is following the same sequenre as the growth of the town. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2005.

There is a belief that economic resources are growing at a slow pace such that they fail to meet the demands made by an increase in population. Because of the critical contribution fertility makes to the high growth rates of a nation it is important to understand factors behind its change. This study seeks to contribute to such an understanding by providing an assessment of fertility and its proximate determinants in Lesotho. It utilises data from the 2001 Lesotho Demographic Survey and the 2002 Lesotho Demographic Survey Supplementary Enquiry. The study reveals a moderate decline in fertility between 1977 and 2002 (from 5.8 to 4.5). This decline in fertility is attributable to a rise in contraceptive prevalence and an increase in non-marriage. The index of marriage declined by 27.5 percent between 1977 and 2002, from 0.69 to 0.50 and the singulate mean at marriage increased from 20 years to 24 years among females. Thus making non-marriage the greatest fertility- reducing factor in 2002. While, the index of contraception decline by 30.1 percent from 0.93 to 0.65 and the national CPR increased from 23.2 percent in 1991/92 to 43.9 percent in 2002. As a result contraception became the second greatest inhibitor of fertility. Though the actual effect of postpartum infecundability could not be determined due to non-availability of data, the study shows that in 1977 and 1991/92 the index of postpartum infecundability had the highest fertility-reducing effect in Lesotho. Moreover, the effect of sterility and abortion on fertility decline in Lesotho was found to be small. However, further research needs to address these factors as their effect could be masked by non-availability of data. It seems that further decline in fertility in Lesotho will be a result of an increase in contraceptive use and age at marriage. To promote these two the government should: 1) show a strong commitment both politically and financially, to limiting population growth through family planning 2) expand women's educational and economic opportunities. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2003.

This dissertation presents a descriptive analysis of theological education in the Lesotho Evangelical Church, focussed largely on the work of Morija Theological Seminary. The dissertation provides an historical overview of the Lesotho Evangelical Church‘s work of theological education, and describes analytically various elements of and the roles of participants in preparation for the ordained ministry in the Lesotho Evangelical Church. This project proceeded as an organisational case study, and employed enthographic tools such as participant observation, documentary research, focus group interviews, and semi-structured individual interviews over the course of approximately two years between 2005 and 2007. Specific areas of investigative concentration included Campus Life and General Course of Study; Contextual Applicability of Pastoral Skills and Knowledge; Field Education; Christianity in Culture; Poverty; and HIV and AIDS. This dissertation presents data and discussion related primarily to findings in the first of these areas, and investigates data related to worship life, governance, and interpersonal relationships at Morija Theological Seminary as they relate to the educational task of the institution and its role within and connectedness to the history, life, and organisational structure of the wider Lesotho Evangelical Church. Findings are presented in conversation with Michel Foucault‘s presentation of the development of ―delinquency‖ in Discipline and Punish: The Birth of the Prison, and within the context of assertions about normative relationships within Christianity and theological education, including Craig Dykstra‘s suggestion that theological seminaries should be "communities of faith and learning." The descriptive analysis and accompanying research data are presented as the first step of what Don Browning has called "fundamental practical theology." / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2010.

This study is an exploration of participants' experiences of being pregnant as young women. The study attempts to respond to the following set of questions: What are the issues that surround young women's pregnancy in general? How has history shaped the construction of womanhood, family, sexuality, motherhood and young women's pregnancy? What are the beliefs, perceptions and policies surrounding young women's pregnancy and that underlie responses to it and how might they (beliefs, perceptions and policies) be changed? How do issues of sexually transmitted infections and HIV/AIDS among young women interact with issues of pregnancy? What are the ways in which schools, students and pregnant young women handle the issue of pregnancy, the continuation of pregnancy while schooling, and the implications or impact on the women's career trajectories? What are the experiences of women who have been pregnant at young ages with regard to their education (including the implications for it)? The study utilized a feminist research methodology to interact with women who have been pregnant while schooling. In addition, the study employed feminist research to establish the way in which the Basotho construct young women's pregnancy and to decipher the basis for the way this is constructed. A survey questionnaire was used to generate baseline data on the current interactions of school and young women's pregnancy. The storied lives of pregnant women have been shared in the study in their Lesotho context, a small mountain Kingdom completely land locked by South Africa. In-depth interviews were conducted with eight previously pregnant women while some past pregnant women were accessed by the use of focus group interviews. Additional interviews were conducted with principals, parents, siblings, proprietors, and partners of past pregnant young women. The researcher’s autobiography as a previously pregnant young woman was also used. The data in the study was analyzed at different levels. The first level was a narrative analysis of the eight stories, including the autobiography, which have been presented as their stories. Data from the focus group interviews was analyzed by picking up themes from the interviews and presented by discussing the themes together with some of the direct words of the participants to reinforce the discussion. A cross sectional narrative analysis was done for principals, parents, siblings, proprietors and partners. A narrative analysis was also done for a separate principals ' survey. At the final stage the study brings together information that relates to the research questions. The analysis of the experiences of young woman's pregnancy has been illuminated by the interrogation of who constructs these experiences, what the constructions are and what they are based upon. Each story in the study is unique and not dependent on another however, it is interesting to note that the way young women's pregnancy interacts with the family, partner, school and religion has much to do with the social construction. The sudden altering of context of "good girl" to "bad girl" causes a sharp shift of the pregnant young woman's experiences, thus the fluid nature of social construction is observable. The negotiations that occur as individuals struggle to handle pregnancy are brought forward. The study has not gone without observations on the challenges faced. The study has also moved from the context based possibilities to the way forward. / Theses (Ph.D.) - University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2005.

This is a dissertation on the socio-economic impact of poverty reduction in Lesotho. The major thrust of the study was to address the problem of low community participation inherent in development activities. This was triggered off by the high incidence of poverty in Lesotho. The researcher had prior belief that this was a result of low levels of community participation. The study was meant to contribute to knowledge and test research hypotheses and theories. It was proposed that various programmes or initiatives can improve the socio-economic condition of the rural poor through enhanced community participation. Interviews, questionnaires and focus group discussions were used to elicit data from the respondents. Qualitative and quantitative techniques were employed in the collection and analysis of data. The research focused on three villages in rural Lesotho. These are Liphiring, Majapereng and Qhalasi, all found at Taung in the Mohale's Hoek district. Also, development professionals in government and voluntary agencies were consulted for information. The total sample of 158 respondents was used for the study. The results of the study indicate very low levels of socio-economic development in the three villages. Unemployment was found to be at the head of all malaises. It is strongly demonstrated that government programmes have failed to ameliorate the situation. The failures of subsistence agriculture and limited non-farm activities have led to greater dependence of the villagers on government aid. The study has noted poor organizational capacity resulting in political conflicts in the villages. In addition, the study unearthed poor co-ordination and lack of collaboration between government and other development agents in the anti-poverty project. Finally, the study uncovered that programmes respond poorly to villagers' needs. The majority of households are of one mind that government programmes need to be restructured in order to better serve their needs. In the main, the study has noted very little achievement in poverty reduction. This research has shown that this resulted from low levels of community participation and poor implementation of policies by the government. / Thesis (M.Dev.Studies)-University of Natal, Durban, 2004.

Voluntary Counselling and Testing for HIV is an effective and important strategy for prevention, care and support. The study examines factors affecting utilization of VCT among pregnant women in Lesotho. A combination of quantitative and qualitative methods was employed. The quantitative part of the study utilized the 2004 Lesotho Demographic and Health Survey data and the qualitative study drew on data from focus group discussions among women attending antenatal clinics in Maseru and Leribe. The majority of pregnant women have never been tested for HIV/AIDS. Married women were less likely to go for VCT as compared with those who are not married. The study also established that place of residence, education and marital status were significantly associated with knowledge of HIV/AIDS and ever been tested for HIV. Stigma and discriminations and fear associated with HIV testing were highlighted as the main factors hindering the use of VCT services among pregnant women. However, knowing one’s status in order to access early treatment was the main reason for utilizing VCT. The VCT promotion programme for pregnant women in Lesotho has to focus on enhancing positive perception of VCT and alleviating perceived barriers related to the use of VCT services. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2009.