Workplace Skills Plan a Critical Instrument for Leadership Capacity Building and Organisational Performance: A Case for Municipalities in South Africa

Description

Page: 379-385

Thabo Saul and M.C. Maleka (Department of Public Affairs, Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa)

Municipalities in the Republic of South Africa (RSA) face significant operational challenges, evident in weakened administrative functions, unmet service delivery targets, a lack of public trust, deficient accountability systems, a poor work ethos, and inadequate governance, largely due to alleged skill gaps among personnel. To address these issues, Workplace Skills Plans (WSPs) are essential for bolstering leadership capacity and organizational performance, enabling municipalities to deliver effective services to the community. This study aims to investigate the persistent operational challenges and examine how adherence to legislative mandates on skills development can support WSPs, aligning training and development efforts within municipalities. A well-developed WSP can significantly improve organizational effectiveness and foster leadership potential in South African municipalities. The study utilizes a qualitative approach, employing textual analysis (document analysis) to understand WSP processes as vital tools for leadership capacity building and enhancing organizational performance. It is grounded in various legislative and policy frameworks that guide skills development across municipalities. The insights obtained from this study will aid in enhancing leadership capacity and organizational performance through WSPs initiated by the RSA government. The study’s findings underscore the importance of implementing WSPs in South African municipalities as a strategic measure to improve leadership capacity and overall municipal performance. Furthermore, it is essential to create a depoliticized work environment to support an HRM system that fosters a culture of compliance, accountability, and good governance.