South African universities have embarked upon a wide range of initiatives to
foster and acclimatise to new social development needs of the society. A
significant area of change involved implementation of employment equity.
This study investigated the manner in which universities manage
employment equity.The composition of staff in higher education institutions
fails to reflect the demographic realities of South Africa.As a result, black
people and women are still severely under-represented, especially in senior
academic management positions. Universities are slowly, but steadily
redirecting their student bodies and staff to reflect the demographics of
South African society applying fragmented effort and piecemeal approach.
The “as is” statistical reports obtained from the Department of Labour were
used to substantiate the progress being made in the selected universities.
Quantitative research methods were employed to collect data. University of
Pretoria, University of Witwatersrand, and Free State University were
selected as the population and the academic managers (Heads of
Departments, Directors of Schools, and Deans of Faculties) as the sample
of the study.
The study finds that white males still dominate in the universities and white
females are adequately represented, particularly in the professional and
academic categories. The academic managers responded less positively on
retention strategies for academic staff, especially for the designated groups
and the functionality of employment equity awareness campaigns. The
study also outlined the success of employment equity factors that the
academic managers indicated, such as their loyalties to the institutions,
prospects of career development, and collegial relations.
The study recommended proficient leadership to drive the employment
equity process, development of employment equity strategy with
reasonable goals, diversity management, retention strategy, and vigorous
employment equity awareness. / Educational Leadership and Management / D. Ed. (Education Management)
Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:unisa/oai:umkn-dsp01.int.unisa.ac.za:10500/8839 |
Date | 05 1900 |
Creators | Kola, Malose Isaac |
Contributors | Pretorius, Stephanus Gert |
Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
Language | English |
Detected Language | English |
Type | Thesis |
Format | 1 online resource (xi, 216, [16] leaves) : ill. |
Rights | University of South Africa |
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