Browsing by Author "Penceliah, Yoganandee."

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The association of political will with performance of selected municipalities in South Africa.
(2015) Moshikaro, Asaph Mongwegela.; Penceliah, Yoganandee.
The study aimed to establish the association of political will with performance: a study of selected Municipalities in South Africa in the wake of continued service delivery lapses. The review of literature revealed that there is a paucity of substantial research on the relationship of political will and performance in Municipalities globally and in South Africa. This study sought to fill that knowledge gap. Post-apartheid South Africa faces a major challenge in ensuring that Municipalities provide optimal and professional services to citizens of diverse cultures. A comparative analysis of the four Southern African countries’ service delivery (including South Africa) seems to be a microcosm of a situation that pervades Africa, except for a few exceptions. To study the association of political will with performance: a study of selected Municipalities in South Africa, various qualitative and quantitative research methodologies were employed to collect data, namely, demographic data, opinions, intensity and salience of political will, Municipal performance issues, Municipal experts’ comments, integrated development programmes (IDPs), Annual Reports, Auditor Report (2014), legislative and policy documents and an integrated approach to service delivery at local government level. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of the data under the relevant themes presented an integrated as well as a holistic view of the study. The study’s empirical findings and results revealed that an association between political will and Municipal performance was found to be qualitatively and quantitatively significant, namely, that there is a connection (i.e. from a quantitative perspective) between political will and Municipal performance (56.5%) is a fair positive response that is supported by qualitative findings. In other words, Councillors and Municipal Managers, who are politicians, understood their political will and were accountable for Municipal performance. Among others, as improvement of Municipal performance in the local government matches the rise or increase of the level of political will amongst political leaders, therefore, further studies of cause and effect of these variables are recommended. As the study was limited to only two provinces in South Africa, it is recommended that, inter alia, that further broad studies, perhaps longitudinal, in all South African provinces are undertaken for validation of the findings and results as well as reproducibility of this study.
Attitudes to privatisation with particular reference to the campus protection services at the University of Durban-Westville.
(2003) Duma, Nokulunga Prudence Lungani.; Penceliah, Yoganandee.
No abstract available.
Human resource mangemnet: recruitment, selection and retention of public healthcare specialist in selected hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal.
(2018) Mtshali, Bongani Joseph.; Penceliah, Yoganandee.
This study focuses on the recruitment, selection and retention within the context of human resource management (HRM) in the South African Public Service focusing on the Ngwelezane Regional Hospital, the Lower Umfolozi War Memorial Regional Hospital/Queen Nandi Regional Hospital and the Stanger Regional Hospital. The development of HRM post-1994 in South Africa was highlighted by explaining the statutory and regulatory context that support the implementation of human resource (HR) practice. The introduction of the White Paper on HRM in the Public Service (WPHRMPS) (1997) outlined the need for a change in HRM. The need for change contained the transformation agenda which compelled a transition from Personnel Management (PM) to HRM. The main aim of this study was to determine the factors that influence the recruitment, selection and retention of public healthcare specialists in the selected hospitals. To realise the aim of this study, a conceptual and theoretical framework that influences this HR activity was adopted. A mixed methods research (qualitative and quantitative) was used to addressing the study’s research questions, expanding and strengthening the study’s conclusions and recommendations, consequently contributing to the body of knowledge. Applying a simple random sampling method enabled the study to secure a sample size of 119 (79.3%) for quantitative research. From this figure, five (5) participants were selected through purposive sampling to complete the qualitative instruments. Quantitative data was analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics (2015) and one-way analysis of the variance (ANOVA) method was used. Qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis process to identify the connection between the variables associated with the research aims. Data analysis involved the coding process (themes and concepts). The findings of the study reveal that these hospitals used traditional bureaucratic processes and procedures when conducting recruitment, selection and retention, thereby overlooking an array of legislation governing this HR practice as well as international best practice models. Based on the findings of this study, the development of a model and checklist to assist the hospitals to attract, recruit, select and retain public healthcare specialists, was deemed essential. The study concludes with recommendations for further research into recruitment, selection and retention of public healthcare specialists.
Implementation of the integrated quality management system policy in public schools in the Ugu District.
(2010) Van der Watt, Peter Gregory.; Penceliah, Yoganandee.
With the advent of democracy in South Africa in1994, a plethora of old pieces of legislation and policies have either been revised or new ones promulgated to address the gross inequalities of the apartheid state. In the context of education new policies were designed to improve the standard of education across public schools in the country. One such policy is the Integrated Quality Management System intended to support teachers in achieving quality education. Policy Design and Policy Implementation are separate concepts and it is well known that the intentions of the policy are not always achieved during implementation. It is clear that the State President, Jacob Zuma was cognizant of the disconnection between Policy and Policy Implementation when he stated at a meeting with school Principals in 2009 that “our wonderful policies that we have been implementing since 1994 have not essentially led to the delivery of quality education for the poorest of the poor”. He questioned as to why the policies have failed to deliver excellence and what should be done about it. Further, the Basic Education Minister, Angie Motshekga in her maiden Budget Speech asserted that: “The findings of Professor Jonathan Jansen’s committee on National Education Evaluation and Development Unit (NEEDU) confirms what we all know, what the view is outside there and reasons for a general lack of public confidence in our education system”. The study explores the extent to which the implementation of the Integrated Quality Management System has indeed led to the delivery of quality education. The Policy was also intended to restore public confidence in the education system and the study aims to explore the extent to which this has been achieved. The Integrated Quality Management System was intended to ensure that the State is obtaining value for the money expended on education, the largest portion being allocated to the salaries of educators. It would appear not to be the case. In this regard, a Report issued by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD 2008) found that international studies have shown that the “returns to investment” in teacher education, or the quality of performance one might expect from learners in return for money spent on educators, is very low in South Africa, to the extent that “low educator productivity has been cited as the main reason for South Africa’s relatively poor performance” It is for the above reason that the National Policy on Whole School Evaluation which includes the Integrated Quality Management System, designed to address the problems of educator performance and poor learner attainment were put under the spotlight. The success of Policy Implementation, and the possible adaptation of existing policies to ensure that the desired results are achieved are also investigated in the study. Recommendations are made as to how policy might be reviewed or changed.
Implementing the national curriculum statement : a case study of FET history educators in the Umlazi District, KwaZulu-Natal.
(2012) Pillay, Gengatharen.; Penceliah, Yoganandee.
The study focused on education within a public administration paradigm. It highlights the development of curriculum policy in South Africa after 1994 by detailing the theories and models used in analysing public policy. Specific reference is made to the implementation of education policy, inter alia, the National Curriculum Statement: A case study of FET History in the Umlazi District, KwaZulu-Natal. An attempt at transforming South Africa’s education policy post-1994 came with the implementation of the policy model known as Curriculum 2005 (C2005), which was officially launched on 24 March 1997. The principles of C2005 signalled a new era for education policy-making and implementation in South Africa. During the implementation of the C2005 policy, there was a groundswell of disconcert among educators regarding the complexities and the concomitant difficulties in effecting the new modes of assessment. In 1999, former Minister of Education, Professor Kader Asmal, embarked on a ‘listening campaign’ out of which emerged his ‘Call to Action’. A Review Committee was subsequently appointed to investigate the structure and design of C2005. It recommended a policy shift referred to as the Revised National Curriculum Statements (RNCS) for the General Education and Training (GET) and Further Education Training (FET) phases. In 2006, the interim policy referred to as Report 550, was replaced with the new policy known as the National Curriculum Statement (NCS) for the FET phase. The essence of the NCS emphasised the development of a high level of knowledge and skills for all learners. The training of educators and implementation of the NCS policy occurred between 2006 and 2008 across all public schools in the Republic of South Africa. The first cohort of learners matriculated under the new NCS in 2008 and the results were less than satisfactory, leading to widespread criticism. Arguably, the implementation of the NCS led to a decline in the percentage pass rates of learners writing the National Senior Certificate examinations (Grade 12). In 2009, the national pass percentage was 60.6% while in KwaZulu-Natal the pass percentage was 61.1%. Education stakeholders complained about the inadequate subject-specific training and the demanding administrative workload. The primary aim of this study was to ascertain the levels of efficacy of the implementation of the NCS policy with specific reference to FET History in the Umlazi District, KwaZulu-Natal. In order to corroborate the hypothesis of this study an empirical investigation was undertaken which consisted of quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. Data gathered was analysed using the Predictive Analytic Soft Ware (PASW) Statistics version 18.0. The findings of the research study reveal specific trends and scenarios. Generally, FET History educators and Curriculum Specialists from the Umlazi District and from other districts within the province of KwaZulu-Natal, indicate the NCS was not effectively implemented because of the following key reasons: · All role players were not adequately consulted. · The FET training workshops lacked depth, were inadequate and often poorly co-ordinated. · There were far too many and often-contradictory policy documents which led to an increased administrative burden on FET educators. · The lack of effective monitoring and evaluation of the NCS implementation across the grades in the FET band. · Inadequate provision of relevant resource materials such as textbooks, and where available, these were not effectively used. · Content overload, especially in Grade 12. · Ambiguous and unattainable assessment requirements. · Insufficient and poorly trained Curriculum Specialists. The job description of Curriculum Specialists needs urgent and swift clarification. Based on these findings several detailed and practical recommendations were suggested. In addition, a curriculum implementation model has been developed to assist FET History educators specifically with any further curriculum-related matters.
Interviewing in public personnel administration.
(1985) Penceliah, Yoganandee.; Coetzee, W. A. J.
No abstract available.
Management of the Expanded Public Works Programme in the Department of Public Works : KwaZulu-Natal Province.
(2014) Mfuzi, Zanele Enough.; Govender, Krishna Kistan.; Penceliah, Yoganandee.
No abstract available.
Monitoring and evaluation systems enhancing corporate governance in local government : a case study of KwaZulu-Natal.
(2011) Govender, Ivan Gunass.; Penceliah, Yoganandee.
The study focuses on the effects of Monitoring and Evaluation (M & E) on corporate governance in municipalities in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. It considers the strategic and tactical perspectives of M & E systems in Local government due to South Africa having not fully implemented the Government Wide Monitoring and Evaluation System (GWMES), while the provinces have implemented the Province Wide Monitoring and Evaluation System (PWMES) which are different to each other and not aligned to the GWMES. Municipalities have not progressed to the level of implementing a systemic and holistic Municipal Wide Monitoring and Evaluation System (MWMES) to enhance governance and focus on the management of programmes and projects within various departments and units thus undertaking M & E functions in a fragmented manner. While there is Voluminous literature on country wide, programme, policy and project M & E there is a dearth of information documented on systemic MWMES. Therefore the study reviews the existing literature and adapts it to recommend guidelines and models for the planning, implementation and sustaining of MWMES. The current state of the municipalities‟ performance and M & E activities are influenced inter alia by the historic, institutional, financial, human resources, capital, leadership and M & E specialist skills. Historically, Local Government was structured according to the apartheid principles which marginalised the previously disadvantaged race groups, created unsustainable local service delivery institutions and service delivery backlogs. The new government instituted a radical transformation of the public sector but was still straddled with these challenges and did not possess the capacity and financial resources to immediately rehabilitate the inequitable service delivery. During the transformation process, citizens were also informed of their rights to basic services and demanded more and better quality services. The communities dissatisfaction with level of service delivery led to service delivery protests in many municipalities that are faced with unskilled and inexperienced staff; political interference; misaligned organisational structure; poor financial management; and poor performance culture. Collectively, these challenges led to poor service delivery and governance requiring the National and Provincial Governments to intervene to protect the legitimacy of Local Government thus creating a demand for M & E systems. Councillors, Provincial and National Governments; and communities are the main stakeholders that create the demand for M & E systems in municipalities. The inclusion of the following instruments, namely, IDP; SDBIP; operational plans; annual budgets; legislation; and incentives in the M & E system would enhance corporate governance. There is a lack of incentives from both National and Provincial Governments for municipalities to implement an M & E system and to pursue excellence. The lack of incentives to implement an M & E system could be the key factor for not implementing an M & E system although majority of the municipalities are currently in a position to plan and implement an M & E system. The main challenges faced by the municipalities to implement an M & E system are the lack of M & E specialists; statistical skills; and evaluation capacity development. The National and Provincial Governments, through their oversight roles could support and capacitate the municipalities to overcome these challenges. In conducting their oversight roles in managing the performance of the municipalities, both the National and Provincial Governments interventions were ineffective, although the Provincial Government performed better than the National Government in this regard. Monitoring and Evaluation systems improve corporate governance through aiding better service delivery; achievement of strategic goals; decision making; financial management; and accountability. The effects of M & E on capacity development are the placement of competent staff; training and motivation of staff; better resource allocation; and participation of all the stakeholders. While there are no incentives for municipalities to achieve excellence, a systemic M & E system should be used as an alternate performance measurement tool to the Balanced Scorecard to pursue excellence in municipalities. The initial intervention of the National Government was to enact legislation that mandated every state department and organ of state to implement an M &. The Treasury drove the process and focussed mainly on compliance, rather than both M & E, by utilising the logical framework comprising of inputs; activities; outputs; outcomes; and impacts. The components of the logical framework are hierarchical resulting in a linear relationship among the components. The logical framework has limited capacity to explain the multi-faceted causal relationships among the numerous transactions and entities that interact and are interrelated in the municipal environments. The study recognises the municipality as a complex adaptive system and to overcome the limitations of the Logical Framework a Systemic Performance Analysis Model (SPAM) is proposed where the components of performance are viewed as interdependent and interrelated subsystems that are linked by transfer of knowledge and feedback. Monitoring and Evaluation initiatives have been criticised for their complexity and misalignment between the GWMES, PWMES and the current municipal M & E activities. The study proposes the Monitoring and Evaluation Alignment Model (MEAM) that clarifies interrelationships among the different municipal environments, namely, the common factor of the three spheres of government; organisational factors required for the planning and implementation of an M &; factors required to institutionalise the M & E system; and impacts of the M & E system. The MEAM recognises the municipality as a complex adaptive system; uses a systemic approach for the implementation of an M &; and provides a bird‟s eye view of the micro and macro public management systems environment. Public and private institutions undertake the generic management functions, namely, planning, organising, leading and controlling to achieve its objectives. Monitoring and Evaluation is considered a higher order management function since it analyses the effectiveness and efficiency with which the organisation undertakes its generic management function. The study proposes the Municipal Wide Monitoring and Evaluation System Model (MWMESM) which incorporates the boundaries, perspectives and interactions between the various systems; among the systems and subsystems; among the subsystems itself; and with the municipal environments. The systems and sub-systems within the municipality should create its own Monitoring and Evaluation System (MES). The information from the individual MESs is combined to create a Political Monitoring and Evaluation System (PMES) and an Administrative Monitoring and Evaluation System (AMES). Information from the PMES and the AMES is incorporated into the Municipal Performance Management Information System (MPMIS) to generate performance reports. The performance reports are submitted to the relevant parties and feedback is captured in the MPMIS. Due to the absence of MWMES in the KwaZulu-Natal municipalities and the poor performance of municipalities, the study proposes a process for planning and implementation of a systemic MWMES. Since each municipality is unique in terms of size, demographics, organisational culture, socio-economic development, financial viability and political and administrative leadership, the process should be adapted to suite its particular circumstances. Municipalities in KZN have qualified and experienced senor administrative staff who understand the importance of M & E as a management tool to improve corporate governance and performance of the municipality in pursuit of excellence. There is a great and sustainable demand for M & E systems with a large number of municipalities ready to plan and implement M & E systems. Many municipalities require the National and Provincial Governments to support, capacitate and guide its efforts in implementing M & E systems. Therefore it is incumbent on the National and Provincial Governments, as part of their oversight roles, to provide the necessary leadership and resources to the municipalities for the enhancement of corporate governance through M & E systems.
Primary health care delivery : a case study of KwaZulu-Natal with special reference to physiotherapy.
(2009) Nadasan, Thayananthee.; Penceliah, Yoganandee.
The delivery of primary health care (PHC), as promulgated by the World Health Organization (WHO) and in South Africa, is of fundamental importance. Physiotherapy is an essential component of the health care delivery system and must promote PHC during clinical training and practice. In KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), PHC service delivery has been a problem for various reasons such as the history of the country (apartheid era pre- 1994), financial constraints, lack of human resources, physical infrastructure and time constraints. Service delivery within the health sector is reported frequently in the media as physiotherapists and radiographers embarked on a strike latter part of 2009 in KZN due to a discrepancy in the Occupation Specific Dispensation (OSD). Physiotherapists have highlighted that they were overworked, carrying the strain of vacancies, due to frequent resignations to migrate to the private sector. The aim of the research was to explore the promotion of PHC delivery in KZN. The objectives explored the empowerment of students and staff in the Health Science Disciplines to PHC service delivery. In addition, managers at provincial and local levels were included in the study. Barriers and factors that enhance the promotion of PHC were identified. The research design comprised of a survey, a quantitative and qualitative case study of KZN, using questionnaires or semi-structured interviews. The findings indicated that the physiotherapy staff lacked PHC training (p=0.000) and 48.7% of the Disciplines in Health Sciences indicated that the rural needs were not being addressed with regards to PHC service delivery (p=0.018). Each discipline operated within its own silo, without any consultation and inter-disciplinary collaboration, to the detriment of effective delivery of PHC services. Fragmentation and duplication of PHC services existed between Provincial and Local Governments as indicated by 46% of the managers, which is disconcerting post 15 years of democracy in South Africa. The main objective of the National Health Plan and Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) was to readdress the inequalities and fragmented health services. Numerous recommendations are made which will improve the journey towards transformation, comprehensive PHC service delivery, and the quality of life of all citizens
Strategic training and development in private sector employment in South Africa with special reference to Pick 'n Pay.
(2005) Moodley, Chantal Micaela.; Penceliah, Yoganandee.
This study focuses on the strategic employee training and development initiatives of private sector employment as a means to develop employees in gaining a competitive advantage in the market. This study takes a theoretical and descriptive stance as it draws from the work of authors in the field of human resources and strategic training and development. There is a strong focus on human relations and the transformation of human resources in South Africa that brings to light practices of human resource management. Furthermore, the concepts training, education and development are defined and discussed as cornerstones to the employee growth process. Theories, techniques and models are used as a tool in highlighting the needs analysis and designing of training programmes in the South African private sector. Business strategy and its connection to training and development are expanded upon as this topic entails a strong future-oriented approach. Pick In Pay was chosen as a case study as it is a South African company. The company's training and development policies and procedures are discussed, unstructured interviews were conducted with Jackie Suhr who is the Senior Human Resource manager, Ravi Naidoo who is the Area manager at Durban North as well as staff members from Pick In Pay. The information gathered will be discussed to evaluate the effectiveness of the company's training and development initiatives as a means to empowering, developing and positively reenforcing their employees.
Sustainable development in South Africa through research in the National System of Innovation.
(2014) Gachie, Emily Wanjiru.; Dassah, Maurice Oscar.; Penceliah, Yoganandee.
This research examined the role of research commercialisation for Sustainable Development (SD) in South African National System of Innovation (NSI) within the context of public administration. The introduction has provided the research objectives, problem statement and the research questions. It should be noted that the theoretical perspective served as a ‘reference dictionary’ that informs the rest of the research, the literature has also examined the role of research commercialisation for SD in the African region from an international perspective. Further, the pragmatic research design adopted provides the basis for undertaking mixed-method research, namely: quantitative followed by qualitative, supplemented by secondary documents and the methodological data analysis triangulation technique has facilitated the achievement of a ‘whole greater than the sum of the parts’. In addition, the research methodology assessed the role of higher education institutions (HEIs) research commercialisation for SD. The findings identifying the HEIs as an important source of research for SD resulting in the findings showed that the HEIs face considerable constraints that hinder research commercialisation for SD, which include human resource capacity gaps, infrastructure and funding. The findings also identified HEIs-private sector collaboration as an important alternative avenue for research commercialisation for SD as a consequence the recommendations proposed that improving research commercialisation for SD should be high among the triple helix policy agenda. Finally, the recommendations also emphasised the importance of consolidating NSI gains, including efficiency in disseminating research results, efficient exploitation of new knowledge and technology transfer, leveraging the central role of the private sector in the NSI, effective application of intellectual property rights, broadening NSI actors’ participation, simplification of policies and procedures and efficiency of allocation of funding.
The use of world wide web technologies for course delivery at tertiary institutions in South Africa.
(1999) Pather, Shaun.; Penceliah, Yoganandee.; Erwin, G. J.
As the world perches on the dawn of a new millennium, the strides humankind has made in the advancement of information and communications technologies such as the World Wide Web (WWW) and Internet, have surpassed even the greatest of expectations. Technology is a force that is reshaping the way we live. In the field of Public Administration it is being given increased prominence as a social restructuring force which has immense potential to assist with the delivery of public services. One of the areas in which it is having a notable impact is in the field of education. This study investigates the role of World Wide Web (WWW) technologies in the delivery of education at South African Tertiary institutions. An overview of the experiences of practitioners in the higher education arena in using Web-based technologies is provided. Both the problem-areas as well as positive aspects of Web-based teaching are reviewed. Specific emphasis is placed on the benefits of using the WWW to support resource-based, student-centred learning as envisaged in the Education White Paper 3: A Programme For The Transformation Of Higher Education and Technology-Enhanced Learning in South Africa: A Strategic Plan. Lecturers from fifteen South African tertiary institutions were surveyed. From the results of the survey the extent of usage (currently and in the immediate future) of specific WWW features for course delivery are determined. Possible problems that exist in our institutions, which may be impeding the implementation of Web-based courses, are also highlighted in the analysis of the survey. Lastly, the survey provides some insights into the key aspects of Web-based courses that are important in supporting student-centred learning. The following recommendations are suggested, bearing in mind the limited sample size with which the survey was conducted: • Lecturers designing Web-based courses should make a concerted effort to move away from the use of the Web to merely support delivery of lectures and to incorporate WWW features that would support a more dynamic, interactive, student-centred approach to course delivery. • Management at the departmental, faculty and institutional level should be encouraged to create the possibility for and invest in adequate training of both academic and support staff to support WWW-based course delivery. • Heads of academic units (Departmental Heads) should support lecturers in the adoption of WWW technologies by creating a psychological and physical space to experiment and try out new ideas. • Tertiary institutions should investigate possible collaboration with external partners in the private sector, e.g. vendors of information and communication technologies as a means of alleviating the high financial costs associated with implementing Web-based courses. • The design of Web-based courses should be based on a student-centred learning approach in which the learner is able to select an individualized path in the learning process, and achieve the learning objectives at his/her own pace. Further, the Web course should include the following features to support such an environment: Hosting of students' Web pages; interactive platforms to promote synchronous communication; online drill and testing; course management functions; tracking facilities; and features to provide a secure environment to maintain integrity of students' work and other confidential information.