Organisation development in the military: A South African perspective

Abstract

African military organisations can be studied in their unique socio-historical and socio-political contexts. Furthermore, these military organisations should not be viewed as closed systems, but as open systems interacting with other subsystems within the larger society. To illustrate these views a description is given of the military-civilian interface in South West Africa (Namibia). The process of interaction between the military and its environment has become a focal point as the above-mentioned country is moving towards independence. Organisational development principles and techniques were implemented to enable the military- and civilian subsystems to cope with the fast rate of change characteristic of contemporary South West African (Namibian) society. The various organisational development interventions are extensively described as a paucity of reports on military organisation development exits.

Opsomming
Militêre organisasies in Afrika, wat as oop sisteme tipeer kan word, moet binne hul unieke sosio-historiese en sosio-politiese konteks bestudeer word. 'n Kort beskrywing van die militêre - siviele intervlak in Suidwes-Afrika (Namibië) word verskaf om bogenoemde beskouing te illustreer. Die interaksieproses tussen die militêre organisasie en sy omgewing vorm tans 'n brandpunt namate die land na onafhanklikheid beweeg. Organisasieontwikkelingsbeginsels en - tegnieke is geïmplementeer ten einde die militêre- en siviele subsisteme in staat te stel om die snelle pas van verandering, kenmerkend van kontemporêre Suidwes- Afrika (Namibië) effektief te hanteer. Die verskeidenheid van organisasie-ontwikkelingintervensies, wat oor 'n twee jaar termyn toegepas is, word uitvoerig beskryf.