Abstract
As an intervention mechanism to improve service delivery, the concepts of Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) is recently growing in popularity among countries, including South Africa. To this end, questions are posed in this article to establish the effect of making use of M&E in the South African public service. These are posed in view of the fact that South Africa has established a number of sound regulatory frameworks in the past, which should serve as a ‘fertile’ environment for effective service delivery. On this basis, attempts are made to investigate the answers to such questions, and then the body of knowledge through literature review was consulted so as to contextualise and conceptualise arguments and recommendations that could be made at the end of the article. Monitoring and Evaluation could be seen as a critical tool for government institutions to be effective towards achievement of their goals and objectives, as well as making an impact on the lives of South African citizens. In view of this, much needs to be done to several unresolved issues, particularly issues around the organisational/operational culture, peculiar public servants’ attitudes, inefficiency and incompetence, as well as non-compliance with relative legislation. Recommendations with regard to the required actions and behaviours in the public service are, therefore, proposed for consideration.
Highlights
In recent years, Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) is growing in popularity among the developed countries, including South Africa. The cue to this practice is drawn from many international organisations, such as the United Nations, the World Bank group and the Organisations of American States, which have been practicing it for so many years
Horton et al, (1993) in Ijeoma (2011:1288) put the concept of M&E concisely by saying that it is ‘an integrated process of observation, information gathering, supervision, and assessment’. This brings a question to one’s mind: “In what way could M&E bring improvement into the South African public service which could lead to the achievement of efficient and effective service delivery?” To this question, National Treasury (2007:1) states that any institution is likely to perform well, if it knows that its performance is being monitored
The outcomes approach; Delivery Agreements; Developmental state; ‘Batho Pele” principles; the introduction and the legal context of M&E in South Africa are investigated; and lastly, findings from the literature review are highlighted, which lead to recommendations of some actions and behaviours that could be complied to, which should create a conducive environment for the implementation of M&E in the South African public service, an issue which forms part of service delivery challenges in the public service
Summary
In recent years, Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) is growing in popularity among the developed countries, including South Africa. Horton et al, (1993) in Ijeoma (2011:1288) put the concept of M&E concisely by saying that it is ‘an integrated process of observation, information gathering, supervision, and assessment’ This brings a question to one’s mind: “In what way could M&E bring improvement into the South African public service which could lead to the achievement of efficient and effective service delivery?” To this question, National Treasury (2007:1) states that any institution is likely to perform well, if it knows that its performance is being monitored. The outcomes approach; Delivery Agreements; Developmental state; ‘Batho Pele” principles; the introduction and the legal context of M&E in South Africa are investigated; and lastly, findings from the literature review are highlighted, which lead to recommendations of some actions and behaviours that could be complied to, which should create a conducive environment for the implementation of M&E in the South African public service, an issue which forms part of service delivery challenges in the public service
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