SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Diploma in Public Management 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
96866  Diploma in Public Management 
ORIGINATOR
Mangosuthu University of Technology 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Diploma (Min 360)  Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies  Public Administration 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  360  Not Applicable  NQF Level 06  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2027-06-30   2029-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose should describe the context of the qualification and what it is intended to achieve in the national, professional and/or career context.

The purpose statement should capture what the qualifying learner will know and be able to do on achievement of the qualification. The Exit Level Outcomes must be linked to the purpose of the qualification. Graduate and occupational attributes may be used where appropriate.

The National Diploma Public Management is meant for official working in the Public Sector or aspiring to work in government. Through this qualification the learners will acquire the necessary skills and competencies to carry out the expected administrative tasks and enhance the management abilities thereby contributing to improved service delivery. South Africa is part of the globe therefore it is important that identify and close the gaps in the critical skills which this qualification seeks to address for this country to meet International standards.

The Exit Level Outcomes of this qualification addresses the critical skills needed for the public officials in this country to carry out their tasks.

This Diploma target officials who:
  • Have completed their Level 5 or any relevant qualification, who want to pursue a higher qualification in the field of Public Administration.
  • Have been in the government employ for years but have not acquired a formal qualification.
  • Have been employed in the Public Service but need peculiar skills and managerial expertise unique to their position.

    The qualifying learner will be able to apply the relevant management functions, skills and competences to ensure efficient and effective service delivery in the public sector environment.

    It adds value to the learner as it provides for:
  • Employment possibilities as public officials in the public sector.
  • Marketability in terms of the competencies as in the specified outcomes.
  • Recognition by the Professional Bodies.
  • Contribution to the economy through employment or self - employment.

    Rationale:
    The public officials in South Africa operate in a wide variety of roles within the Public Administration and Management structures. They often work in diverse operating and service delivery circumstances.

    The sustainability of South Africa's democratic process and developmental governance are strongly linked to capacity building within the three spheres of government, ie. The national, provincial and local spheres of government. It is of great national importance that public officials receive a relevant and respected Public Administration and Management qualification that recognises the knowledge and skills which South Africa's public service require.

    To fulfil their roles, public sector officials need to have excellent awareness and understanding of the changing needs of today's public service delivery systems. Furthermore, since the South African public sector seeks to strive for global standards in its service delivery, it is imperative to address critical skills areas in line with the strong public sector focus displayed internationally. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    Socio-economic conditions in the Republic of South Africa prior to 1994 and, some would argue, subsequent to 1994 as well has prevented some South African citizens from engaging in formal education to a level commensurate with their innate abilities. South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) expressed the sentiments of the country as a whole in framing an RPL policy which seeks to address the past injustices in response Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) formulated a policy to address these inequalities. This qualification therefore seeks to implement this policy in order to widen access to education through assessment and recognition of previously acquired learning regardless of where, when and how it was acquired in order to facilitate leaner mobility and progression within education, training and career path.

    This Qualification can be achieved wholly or in part through the Recognition of Prior Learning.

    Evidence can be presented in a variety of forms including inter alia: work records, portfolios, reports, local qualifications, testimonials indicating functions performed, videos of practice, performance reports.

    This evidence will be judged according the principles of assessments and in line with the University RPL policy.

    Entry Requirements:
  • National Diploma: Public Management.

    Admission Requirements:
    National Senior Certificate with ratings codes:
  • English Home Language.
    Or
  • English First Additional Language.

    Total Minimum Points (excluding Life Orientation).

    Applicants who meet the minimum requirements may be subjected to a further selection process as determined by the Department. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
  • Public Service Delivery 1, 167.
  • Public Office Management 1, 167.
  • Self-Management 1, 167.
  • Public Decision Making 1, 167.
  • Public Information Services 1, 167.
  • Public Resource Management 1, 167.
  • Procurement and Logistics Management 2, 167.
  • Public Financial Management 2, 167.
  • Public Human Resource Management 2, 167.
  • Public Information Practice 2 (Module 1), 084.
  • Project Management 2, 167.
  • Public Information Practice 2 (Module 2), 084.
  • Management of Information 3, 167.
  • Programme Management 3, 167.
  • Policy studies 3,167.
  • Public Financial and procurement Management 3, 167.
  • Intergovernmental Relations 3,167.
  • Public Management Practice 3 (Module 1), 072.
  • Public Management Practice 3 (Module 2), 072. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Apply communication skills to ensure effective management in the public sector.
    2. Apply public financial management skills according to relevant legislations and regulations to ensure accountability.
    3. Manage human resources and systems to ensure effective and efficient service delivery.
    4. Execute public policy according to relevant legislation and regulation. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 1:
  • Implement sound communication principles to ensure effective and efficient institutional management.
  • Negotiate with external and internal stakeholders to establish and maintain sound relations.
  • Manage information for managerial and administrative purposes.
  • Maintain and enhance inter, intra and extra governmental relations to ensure inter-sectoral collaborations.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 2:
  • Manage and access sources of revenue to deliver an effective public service and ensure accountability.
  • Compile and execute budgets in accordance with the business plans to achieve the objectives of the institution in an effective, efficient and economical manner.
  • Implement and improve internal control measures to ensure accountable financial management.
  • Maintain an effective procurement system within the policy framework of provisioning administration.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 3:
  • Implement and maintain performance management system to achieve predetermined objectives.
  • Manage human resources responsibilities and functions to ensure operational effectiveness.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 4:
  • Formulate policies and develop procedures in order to set clear objectives on administrative and operational level.
  • Implement administrative policies and procedures to ensure that institutional objectives are met.
  • Monitor and evaluate administrative policies and procedures to ensure effective service delivery.

    Integrated Assessment
    In subscribing to the principles of assessment and integrating theory and practice a range of formative and summative assessments methods should be used by the moderators and assessors. They should ensure that the outcomes, embedded knowledge as well as the critical cross field outcomes are assessed.

    In the context of this Diploma the term integrated assessment implies that both the theoretical and practical components should be assessed together. To this end case-studies, simulations, practical projects, tests, examinations, presentations are used in assessing the learners The following formative and Summative assessments will be used in assessing the learners:
    Formative Assessments:
  • Written or Oral tests.
  • Field Work/experiential training.
  • Simulations.
  • Mentors.
  • Tutorial Exercises.
  • Assignments.
  • Peer Evaluation.
  • Case studies.
  • Portfolios.

    Summative Assessments:
  • Written or Oral examinations.
  • Project.
    State the assessment undertaken to determine the learners' applied competence and successful completion of learning in the qualification. This could include reference to formative and summative assessment; ratio of assignment work to academic examinations; the role of work integrated learning; other forms of integrated learning; and its assessment. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification has been compared to equivalent level public administration qualifications in:
  • Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries (Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland).
  • Unit standards for Public Administration.
  • United Kingdom. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification articulates vertically and horizontally with the following qualifications:
  • Generic Management (Level 5 and 6).
  • Financial Management ( Level 5 and 6).
  • Advanced Diploma: Public Management.
  • Supply Chain Management.
  • Financial Management.

    A statement describing the horizontal, vertical and diagonal articulation possibilities within the relevant Sub-framework and between Sub-frameworks, must be provided, where appropriate. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced qualification.
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. Mangosuthu University of Technology 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.