The Power of Perseverance and Vision: The Dr Prashina Mohangi Story

In the Province of KwaZulu Natal stands Dr Prashina Mohangi’s testament: The Power of Perseverance and Vision. Her graduation not only signifies her journey to earning a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degree from MANCOSA, but the transformative impact her research promises for South African local government.

Dr Mohangi’s thesis addressed a pressing issue within South African municipalities focusing on the effectiveness of Performance Management Systems (PMS) in ensuring accountability and efficient service delivery. Her mixed-methods study delved into the employees’ perceptions, from senior managers to ground-level staff to unravel the complexities of PMS implementation.

She discovered that the existing PMS at KwaDukuza primarily catered to senior managers, leaving a significant portion of the staff disengaged from performance enhancement processes. This disparity highlighted a critical gap in the system, underscoring the need for a more inclusive approach across all levels of the municipal workforce. Her study proposes actionable interventions aimed at broadening the scope of performance management to include all employees fostering a culture of shared accountability and continuous improvement. Her work inspires significant reforms in local government practices for service delivery that meet the needs of every community.

Beyond the rigorous research and intellectual engagements, Dr Mohangi’s doctoral journey was also a deeply personal experience. She spoke warmly of the solidarity and support she found in her cohort at MANCOSA.

“I think the most precious thing about the DBA programme at MANCOSA is the cohort supervision model. It’s a fantastic way of teaching,” she shares.

Starting her journey in 2020, amidst a diverse group of driven individuals, she found motivation and a shared sense of purpose. This collective spirit helped her navigate the complexities of her research and reinforced her confidence.

Dr Mohangi’s story is not just one of academic achievement but one of personal and community impact. She emphasises

“It is not only my accomplishment, but also an accomplishment for my husband, my children, my parents, my siblings, my community of Shaka’s Kraal, and for local government in South Africa in totality”. She acknowledges that this “is a journey of humility and gratitude shaped by a myriad of influences”.

As a Senior Advisor at the Built Environment and Planning division of the South African Local Government Association (SALGA), Dr Mohangi is already translating her research insights into practical solutions. Her work is helping to bridge the gap between theory and practice in local government. She inspires a new generation of leaders committed to fostering better governance and service delivery in South Africa.

In Dr Prashina Mohangi, we see the convergence of academic rigour, community service, and a ‘from dreams to the legacy’ personal story, a beacon of hope story in the local government reality.