Exercising leadership in a dynamic context : the interface between political and administrative leadership.
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Date
2011
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Abstract
The legislatures of South Africa are responsible for passing laws, exercising oversight over the
executive arm of government and ensuring that the public is involved in the legislative processes
of government. Arguably, the legislatures are the vanguard of democracy as it is in the
legislatures that the public is represented through their public representatives. Accordingly, to
ensure that the legislature is effective, it must be effectively led by both the political leadership as
well as the administrative leadership at an institutional level. .
The study focused on the leadership issues in relation to the Speakers and Secretaries in the
legislative sector, whilst at the same time considering the impact of various portfolios and
leadership positions in relation to addressing impediments or support for leadership The study
was conducted under a qualitative research paradigm and considered leadership qualities of
political leaders and administrative leaders in the legislatures of South Africa and the
constitutional, legislative and operational environment in relation to whether it was conducive to
exercising effective leadership within legislatures.
The research showed that the environment is turbulent and leadership has developed organically
in the legislatures, with political leaders being elected into positions and administrative leaders
being appointed into positions. Administrative leaders are reliant on political leaders for setting
institutional policy, whilst arguably; administrative leaders are responsible for implementing
policy. Findings revealed that there exists some disconnect between the understanding of the
roles and functions between the two groups exercising leadership in the legislature and the
mechanisms and structures that are utilized to do so.
Findings revealed that theories of leadership have been exercised by default rather than design,
but that the political leadership displays a large capacity for consultation on issues whilst
administrative leaders display a largely mechanistic approach and on average, do not display an
understanding of political nuances that impact on administrative decisions.
Findings revealed that leadership is an emerging concept with a distributed form of leadership as
well as an informal delegated form of leadership amongst political leaders which in instances
impacts on the administrative leadership of the legislature.
Findings exposed barriers, which negatively impacted on political and administrative leaders’
motivation to perform effectively at a leadership level. These barriers included the lack of a
proper legislative framework that clarifies roles and functions of specific office bearers and
enables the legislature to act independently of the executive. In addition, budgetary constraints as
well as party politics impacts largely on the leadership roles in the legislature.
Recommendations include, inter alia, passage of legislation that addresses the separation of
powers and recognizes the role of the legislature, continuous emphasis of leadership roles and
functions to transform political organizations and participants in the sector by deepening
understanding of leadership at all levels.
Description
Master of Commerce in Leadership Studies. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville 2011.
Keywords
Political leadership--South Africa., Government executives--South Africa., Leadership--South Africa., Theses--Leadership and management., Administrative leadership.