A reflection on the partnership between government and South African Monitoring and Evaluation Association

Terrence Beney,Jabulani Mathe,Ray Basson,Stanley Ntakumba,Mike Leslie,Victor Naidu

doi:10.4102/aej.v3i1.164

Terrence Beney, Jabulani Mathe + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4102/aej.v3i1.164

Copy DOI

Abstract

Established in 2005, the South African Monitoring and Evaluation Association (SAMEA) is celebrating its tenth anniversary as a voluntary organisation for professional evaluation (VOPE). This VOPE occupies a special space in South African society as an independent and credible voice of monitoring and evaluation practitioners, drawing its membership from individuals working for government, academia, civil society, consultancies, donor agencies and private sector foundations, including students and the international community. As the biggest user of evaluations, government has become a natural partner for SAMEA since its first conferences organised in partnership with the Public Service Commission. The establishment of the Department of Performance (now Planning,) Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME) in the Presidency of South Africa in 2010 created new impetus for the institutionalisation of evaluation in government through the establishment of the National Evaluation System (NES). In 2012, DPME entered into a formal partnership with SAMEA to enhance monitoring and evaluation (M&E) capacity and continuous professional development. Working with the PSC and the DPME as well as other key partners like universities and development agencies, the role of SAMEA has been enhanced via the establishment of provincial associations, direct input to the development of government policy, evaluation standards, competencies and training – and co-hosting of high-profile conferences and workshops. The partnership between SAMEA and the government of South Africa is extremely useful for ensuring evaluation capacity development and institutionalisation of the practice in government and society. There have been tensions, especially as government’s role in evaluation has strengthened. However, the significance of the partnership between SAMEA and the DPME has gained international interest and appreciation because of its structured nature, mutual respect, collaboration on capacity development and practical implementation of innovative projects.

Highlights

Established in 2005 as a non-profit organisation in terms of Section 21 of the Companies Act number 61 of 1973, the South African Monitoring and Evaluation Association (SAMEA) is celebrating its tenth anniversary in 2015, which is the International Year of Evaluation
This paper discusses the formative years of SAMEA as an association, the early partnership with the Public Service Commission (PSC) in relation to hosting conferences, the more recent partnership with the DPME and joint delivery of projects such as debate and study regarding the options for professionalising evaluation in South Africa, establishment of provincial associations, evaluation awards, as well as implementation of international initiatives like the IOCE/EvalPartners Peer-to-Peer programme
As a result SAMEA, the DPME and the PSC have co-hosted evaluation workshops in collaboration with provincial monitoring and evaluation (M&E) forums, and in the case of Eastern Cape Province this has become a provincial chapter of SAMEA

Summary

Introduction

Established in 2005 as a non-profit organisation in terms of Section 21 of the Companies Act number 61 of 1973, the South African Monitoring and Evaluation Association (SAMEA) is celebrating its tenth anniversary in 2015, which is the International Year of Evaluation. Key to the evolution of SAMEA is its strong partnerships with the South African government, especially the Public Service Commission (PSC) and the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME).

Results

Conclusion