"The Government-Wide Monitoring and Evaluation System: A publication for Programme Managers is the first comprehensive initiative monitoring and evaluation guideline after the cabinet of the Republic of South Africa approved a process to plan a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system for use across government in 2004. The purpose of this publication is to contribute to improved governance and enhance the effectiveness of public sector organisations and institutions in South Africa. It was written to support the improvement of the collection and collation, analysis, dissemination and application of information on the progress and impact of programmes in order to ensure transparency and accountability and to promote service delivery improvement and compliance with statutory and other requirements, as well as a learning culture in the public sector.

Recently the Monitoring and Evaluation Learning Network at The Presidency published the following reference documents:

"Development Indicators Mid-term Review"

The released, for the first time, of a set of development indicators by government, reflects progress in establishing a government-wide monitoring and evaluation system. The publication is available on Government Online (http://www.info.gov.za/otherdocs/2007/developmentindicator/development_indicator.pdf).

This set of key development indicators provides pointers to the evolution of our society up to the middle of this government's term, two-and-half years after the April 2004 elections. In addition to promoting effective planning and implementation, the publication of the indicators is intended as a contribution to public discourse on the progress South Africa is making towards the ideals inscribed in the Constitution.