A development model for middle-managers in the Sedibeng district council : a case study

Abstract

This research shows that the current municipal management in South Africa does not provide for the future. An alternative is suggested that will provide a framework for the future of municipal management development model in South Africa. One of the major aspects of this work is that it is founded on the basic assumption of inherent change in South Africa. It is this change and the historical socio-political issues that refute the hypothesis that current management are providing for the future. The literature study exposed the need for a new municipal management development approach in South African municipalities, the nature, scope, and major aspects of management development. Furthermore, management development approaches techniques and methods as well as guidelines for a new holistic approach are described. The investigation into the municipal management development practices for municipal managers exposed advanced levels in this regards in the UK and USA (Western countries) and South Africa is focusing on a holistic approach, with a significant step taken being, the establishment of the South African Local Government Association (SALGA). The empirical study consisted ofa structured questionnaire (and interviews) distributed to a sample population of 284 municipalities and to municipal managers, 4 538 executive managers and IO 375 heads of departments (through SALGA) to investigate their management development needs, experiences and activities. Main findings revealed a lack of training for municipal management, uncoordinated management development programmes, with existing ones being reactions to crisis situations, and ill-defined management roles for municipal middle managers. Municipal managers seem solely responsible for municipal management, thus exposing a need for a municipal-based management development approach. The Management development model recognises the participatory management vision of the new municipal system, includes stakeholder involvement in municipal management development, and provides municipal managers with a model that employs South African Local Government Quality Assurance Framework, This research is not definitive by any means, it merely shows that there are problems in the field of municipal management, and it provides an alternative management development paradigm for South African municipalities.