Advancing M&E Practices: Key Lessons on Decolonisation, Professionalisation, and Insights from the SAMEA 9th Biennial Conference

Blog by Chepape Makgorometja – Emerging Evaluator at SAMEA (2024)

The South African Monitoring and Evaluation Association 9th Biennial Conference, held from 7–11 September 2024, provided a valuable platform for exploring the most pressing themes shaping the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) field. With the theme “VUCA-VUKA! Catalysing Change Through Monitoring and Evaluation”, the conference tackled topics such as decolonisation, professionalisation, and innovative approaches to virtual evaluation.

This blog outlines my key takeaways and reflections from the sessions and workshops I attended. These insights have significantly informed my thinking as an emerging M&E practitioner, reinforcing the importance of adapting to new tools, methodologies, and approaches to better address the complexities of today’s M&E environment.

I participated as both a scribe and an active workshop participant, engaging in sessions that covered Just Transition, the professionalisation of M&E, and the decolonisation of evaluation practices. I also attended the workshops “Mastering Virtual Evaluation” and “Equity x Design x Impact: Africa”, which offered powerful insights into innovative approaches to evaluation.

Key Themes and Takeaways

1. M&E for Just Transition

As someone currently working on the Just Transition project, this session deepened my understanding of key documents such as the Just Energy Transition Investment Plan and the Just Energy Implementation Plan. These were discussed in detail, clarifying the scope and progress of each.

One standout moment came during an exercise facilitated by Ms Cara Hartley, who asked participants to reflect on their personal role in the Just Transition. We were encouraged to share our reflections and display an image of a child close to us—symbolising the future we are working to protect.

This experience was profound, reminding me of the personal responsibility evaluators carry and the potential impact of our work on future generations.

2. Competencies for M&E Practitioners

During a session led by Ms Morakane Segopolo, I gained valuable insights into the role of evaluation standards in advancing the professionalisation of M&E.

The key message was that professionalism in M&E extends beyond academic credentials. It requires consistent norms and standards that enhance credibility, accountability, and responsible practice, especially within the public service.

As a scribe in this session, I came away with a deeper understanding that formalising standards is essential for establishing a respected, accountable, and impactful M&E profession.

3. Decolonisation of Evaluation Practices

The plenary session led by Prof. Bagele Chilisa and Dr Mamphela Ramphele was both eye-opening and transformative.

Dr Ramphele cautioned against political loyalty that can bias evaluations, highlighting how such dynamics can limit accountability and hinder development. Prof. Chilisa introduced the concept of “unbleaching our minds”—challenging the colonial ideologies that shape many evaluation frameworks.

This session inspired deep personal reflection. I am now reading books recommended by Prof. Chilisa and reconsidering how my professional identity as an evaluator must evolve to centre African worldviews, tools, and methodologies.

4. Workshops: “Mastering Virtual Evaluation” and “Equity x Design x Impact: Africa”

Mastering Virtual Evaluation

This workshop helped me realise that I had more experience with virtual evaluations than I initially thought. While challenges such as reliability and internet access exist, the session showed that when thoughtfully applied, virtual methods can reduce costs and increase flexibility.

I overcame some of my scepticism around digital tools and appreciated learning about platforms like Miro for mind mapping and Kobo Toolbox for data collection. I left with practical strategies and increased confidence in applying virtual techniques to my work.

Equity x Design x Impact: Africa

This session emphasised the importance of creativity and embracing complexity in evaluation. Through an engaging scenario exercise, I had to grapple with difficult trade-offs that had no simple solutions.

It was a powerful reminder that effective evaluation requires imagination, ethical reflection, and the ability to navigate ambiguity.

Conclusion: Reflections and a Call to Action

The conference affirmed that M&E is evolving, but serious challenges remain—particularly within government and NGOs.

In government, a lack of accountability often stems from fear and hierarchy. Evaluators may hesitate to report critical findings, resulting in diluted reports. We must ask ourselves: How can we hold power accountable when evaluators are marginalised within institutional structures?

Additionally, M&E practitioners are too often excluded from the planning phase of programmes. This leads to missing baseline data and undermines the effectiveness of evaluations. We need to be involved early and meaningfully to influence strategy, budgeting, and policy.

In the NGO space, funder influence can threaten the independence of evaluations. When evaluators feel pressured to align findings with donor expectations, the integrity of our work is compromised.

The Way Forward

As M&E practitioners, we must:

• Advocate for our involvement in programme planning

• Push for the adoption of African-context-specific evaluation solutions

• Champion accountability and objectivity, even when it’s uncomfortable

• Call out bias and influence that distorts evaluation findings

• Create safe platforms for honest dialogue between practitioners, donors, and decision-makers

We are catalysts for change—not just observers. Let’s keep the conversation alive and work together to build a more credible, inclusive, and impactful M&E practice.