Abstract
M.Cur.
The establishment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) in 1994 was coupled
with problems for all the members that were integrated into the new defence force. The
perception exists that members of the former non-statutory forces are receiving preferential
treatment to the members of the old South African Defence Force. These perceptions create a
spirit of negativity amongst members of the former statutory forces. On the other hand members
of the former non-statutory forces are frustrated because they feel that top management in the
SANDF is resistant to change. The South African Medical Health Service (SAMHS) is an
integral part of the SANDF, and therefore the changes that took place in the last five years have
had a direct effect on the members of the service, inter alia, the nursing staff It seems as though
nursing service managers in the South African Military Health Service are suffering from a lack
of motivation. At the moment they are also unable to motivate their subordinates. The
following research questions were posed:
What are the perceptions of the nursing service managers in the SAMHS with regard to
their own level of motivation?
What problems do the nursing service managers in the SAMHS encounter with regard
to the motivation of their subordinates?
Which factors motivate nursing service managers in their work setup (SAMHS and
SANDF)?
Which factors demotivate nursing service managers in their work setup (SAMHS and
SANDF)?
Which strategy must be developed to enhance the motivation of the nursing service
managers in the SAMHS?