Abstract
Orientation: As a result of poor performance in 2013, five departments in the Limpopo
province were placed under administration in terms of Section 100 (1) (b) of the Constitution
of the Republic of South Africa.
Research purpose: The main purpose of this study was to investigate the importance of the
individual level of performance when diagnosing performance issues in the public sector by
focusing on the mediatory role of motivation in the relationship between leadership and public
sector performance.
Motivation for the study: The diagnosis conducted focused more on the analysis of
administrative and operational systems. The solutions were based on normalising financial
statements and systems to improve performance.
Research design, approach and method: The study took a positivist approach as the
philosophy of the study. Using quantitative methods, a cross-sectional survey was used to
collect data from 65 employees working in one of the departments that were affected by the
intervention.
Main findings: The study confirmed the existence of a relationship between leadership and
performance in the public sector. It was also found that Public Sector Motivation plays a
mediatory role between Perceived Leadership Styles and Individual Job Performance.
Practical/managerial implications: The findings imply that it is important that the Limpopo
Provincial Government makes an effort to employ and retain employees who are readily
showing high levels of Public Sector Motivation.
Contribution or value additions: The study focused on an overlooked area in the study of
performance in the public sector. The study was able to produce a tool that should be able to
provide information to assist managers to make better performance improvement strategy
decisions.