News that connects our vibrant community
Find SAMEA news, announcements, and press releases here.
|
In the Spotlight
Loading News.....
REGISTRATION FOR THE 9TH BIENNIAL CONFERENCE IS NOW OPEN! EARLY BIRD TICKETS AVAILABLE.
This year, our conference will take place at the Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre in Gauteng from the 7th to the 11th of October 2024.
This year’s theme, “Vuca-Vuka! Catalysing Change through Monitoring and Evaluation”, will highlight the necessity of proactively responding to our world’s volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) nature. The uncertainties and volatilities of the last several years call for us to wake up – Siyavuka sisebenzele ikusasa elingcono! Our hope is that the SAMEA Conference will inspire and capacitate participants to implement an adaptive, collaborative and innovative approach to their M&E practice that will help us collectively steer South Africa toward equitable and sustainable development.
We invite you to participate in the 9th Biennial SAMEA Conference!
Early bird cut-off date: 6 September 2024.
This year's conference is structured with 3 days of conferencing from the 7th to the 9th of October, followed by 2 days of post-conference capacity building workshops from the 10th to the 11th of October.
We aim to “unconference” this conference by integrating elements that foster co-creation, peer-to-peer learning, and community-building. To enrich the conference with an indigenous African heartbeat, the conference will also be infused with the art of storytelling as critical knowledge sharing.
The conference will feature a mix of presentation formats, including:
– Oral presentations
– Panel discussions
– World Café sessions
– Poster presentations
– Lightning talks
The post-conference capacity building workshops offer a wide range of topics on M&E methods, tools and techniques.
Learn more about conference and workshop ticket prices, sponsorship opportunities and more on the CONFERENCE WEBSITE.
Dear SAMEA Community,
Conference year is upon us and it looks like we are going to have one for the books! Have you blocked off the 7th-11th of October yet? Save our date!
This year’s conference theme is VUCA-VUKA! Catalysing change through monitoring and evaluation. We dare to respond to this volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous nature of the current times by rising up (siyavuka) and taking collective action towards sustainable and equitable development and transformation in South Africa. Our values of sharing knowledge, innovating, adapting strategically, collaborating and empowering - have never been more pertinent.
To celebrate the richness of African culture while promoting academic excellence and collaboration, the conference will embrace storytelling and prioritise principles of co-creation, inclusivity, and mutual respect, to pave the way for a more vibrant and impactful monitoring and evaluation community. We want to hear your stories and learnings on the opportunities and challenges of working in a VUCA world. We hope you can carve out the time to step back, reflect, reconnect, and revive your practice and passion for the important work we do.
You can learn more about the conference themes and submit an abstract here: https://sameaconf.co.za/ If any of the planned themes resonate with you or your organisation and you’d like to support, reach out to [email protected] to hear how you can get involved, and don’t forget to share our conference posts widely.
Over the past month, in addition to conference planning, the SAMEA board and secretariat have been hard at work updating the strategic priority areas, building partnerships, kicking off Communities of Practice, revamping the SAMEA website, onboarding new Young Emerging Evaluators, as well as hiring a new Knowledge and Communications Manager!
If you’d like to get more involved with different learning communities, visit our website to learn more about the Communities of Practice (CoP) and Topical Interest Groups (TIG). You’ll find the relevant contacts who can provide more information. We invite you to get plugged in, network and build together!
I would be amiss not to mention that this association would not be what it is without the numerous volunteers who dedicate time and expertise to growing this community. Thank you to all the CoP and TIG leads and members, the capacity builders, and the board members, for your continued support. I am also reaching out to extend an invitation to members of the community with a paid subscription to participate in our upcoming board elections for 4 open seats. The board elections present an opportunity for you to contribute to the strategic decision-making process, advocate for important issues, and collaborate with fellow board members to drive positive change within our organisation and community. More details can be found in the following pages.
Last and by no means least, a hearty congratulations to our partners at the Independent Evaluation Office (IEO) on reaching their second year anniversary! Your embracing collaboration and diversity is setting the tone for other communities of practitioners, and we look forward to more collective endeavours!
In service,
Mutsa Chinyamakobvu
Deputy Chair | SAMEA
Exercise your right as an active SAMEA member by nominating and voting for four new Board Members this year. For more information about the voting process, see the 2024 voting process HERE.
See below some important dates to note:
Elections are open to SAMEA members only however if you wish to participate, register online and become a member today.
We are thrilled to introduce you to Vongai Chibvongodze, a powerhouse in Cohort 2 of Emerging Evaluators! Currently hosted by Data Innovators and SAMEA, Vongai holds an Honours in Economic Science from the University of Witwatersrand. Her passion lies in data management and processing for impactful research.
In her journey with the Emerging Evaluator (EE) Programme, Vongai aspires to become an all-rounded researcher. Her vision includes mastering the art of project and client management in the next 5 years . With a keen eye on the future, she's set to contribute significantly to the realms of evaluation and development.
Join us in celebrating Vongai's ambition and dedication to crafting a dynamic career that transcends boundaries!
We're thrilled to welcome Andiswa Neku who is based at CLEAR-AA and comes with a robust educational background encompassing a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations & Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Witwatersrand, Andiswa brings a unique blend of analytical skills and legal acumen to the table.
She's passionate about applying evaluation principles to real-world projects and is keen on developing expertise in specific evaluation methodologies such as program evaluation or policy evaluation.
She joined the EE Programme to explore opportunities to practice evaluation skills and in the near future is looking forward to advancing to a mid-level position within the field with increased responsibilities and leading evaluation teams.
Andiswa is excited about the journey ahead. She expects to grow, change, and gain a deeper knowledge and expertise that would allow her to become more proficient in conducting evaluations across various sectors.
Join us in welcoming Andiswa to the EE Programme!
We are excited to introduce you to Ruvimbo Gombakomba, one of our Cohort 2 Emerging Evaluators who is passionate about big data and evaluation. Ruvimbo is currently hosted by Data Innovators, a data science and analytics company based in Johannesburg .
During her 12-month work immersion she will be learning from and contributing to various evaluation activities such as, data collection, analysis, visualization, and reporting. She will also be mentored by an experienced and qualified evaluator, who will provide her with feedback and support
Ruvimbo is eager to develop her skills and competencies, and to make a positive impact on the evaluation field in Africa. Join us in welcoming and celebrating Ruvimbo
Introducing Storm Van Boom, a valued member of our Emerging Evaluators Programme!
With a deep-rooted passion for understanding the interplay of social and psychological phenomena through evaluation, Storm is currently stationed at the National Association of Social Change Entities in Education (NASCEE).
Holding a BA Honours degree in Psychology from the University of the Witwatersrand and nearing the completion of her Master's in Social and Psychology Research, Storm brings a wealth of knowledge to the table.
Storm's decision to join the EE Programme stems from her desire to delve into the intricacies of Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E). She aims to leverage this knowledge to enhance the impact of social change initiatives, including hands-on experience in crafting and implementing effective theory of change models.
Beyond her individual journey, Storm is keen on networking with fellow EEs and mentors. Her intention is to contribute insights and best practices to the M&E community.
We are delighted to welcome Storm to our EE Programme and eagerly anticipate supporting her professional development. Please join us in extending a warm welcome and wishing her success on this learning journey!
We are thrilled to spotlight Dineo Madiba, an Emerging Evaluator based at JET Education Services. Dineo is a dynamic early-career professional with a robust background - a degree in Public Health from Monash University, a Postgraduate Diploma in Public and Development Sector Monitoring and Evaluation, and recently earned Masters specializing in Governance and Management from Wits University.
Dineo's passion lies at the intersection of healthcare and education, where she channels her energy into leveraging partnerships, research, and monitoring and evaluation strategies to design and implement sustainable and impactful projects.
Recognizing a professional need for comprehensive exposure to diverse monitoring and evaluation strategies, Dineo has embarked on the Emerging Evaluator (EE) Programme. She aims to refine her skills and gain hands-on experience in the development and application of critical monitoring and evaluation techniques - pivotal for a successful career in the social and development field.
Join us in welcoming Dineo to the EE Programme! Her commitment to creating positive change, coupled with her multidisciplinary expertise, is sure to make waves in the realm of social impact. Let's support Dineo on her journey to mastering the art of monitoring and evaluation for sustainable development.
We're delighted to welcome Natefo Mothupi, an up-and-coming evaluator with a bright future ahead, to the Emerging Evaluators Programme!
Currently based at Southern Hemisphere and completing her Master of Philosophy degree in Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Methodologies under CREST at Stellenbosch University, Natefo brings a unique blend of academic rigor and practical experience to the table.
Her passion for M&E lies at the intersection of health, human rights, and social development, with a strong focus on advocating for the rights of women and children. This commitment is evident in her decision to join the Emerging Evaluator Programme, where she aspires to deepen her understanding of using M&E strategically to accelerate social progress in South Africa.
Natefo's goals include gaining insights into the implementation of M&E at national and international levels, particularly in empowering African countries to lead their own development. Her vision is ambitious and inspiring - a future where M&E become not just a technical tool but a powerful driver of positive change across Africa.
We are thrilled to welcome Natefo to the Emerging Evaluators Programme, and confident that her passion, dedication, and vision will be invaluable contributions. Let's extend a warm welcome to Natefo and embark on this exciting journey of learning, growth, and impact together!
We are excited to welcome Lisebo Tséhlana to the Emerging Evaluators Programme!
Lisebo is an Emerging Evaluator based at EduConservation and brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to the programme. With a background in Economics (National University of Lesotho) and a certificate in Results-Based Project Management (University of Witwatersrand), she is currently awaiting her post-graduate diploma in Monitoring and Evaluation methods from Stellenbosch University, and already has an offer for their Master of Philosophy.
Lisebo is deeply committed to quality assurance, ensuring data's credibility, and effectively communicating findings to stakeholders for impactful programme implementation. That's why she joined the EE Programme - she sees it as a springboard to broaden her expertise in M&E, particularly in integrating it seamlessly with project management cycles.
We're thrilled to have Lisebo on board and please join us in welcoming her to the community!
We thrilled to introduce Nelisiwe Maseko, an Emerging Evaluator with a passion for making a positive impact through research in evaluation.
Nelisiwe is currently based at Capacitate, where she brings her experience and determination to support programmes and initiatives achieve their intended outcomes and contribute to the betterment of communities. She joined the Emerging Evaluator (EE) Programme to further align her experiences with her dedication to development through robust research.
Driven by a passionate commitment, Nelisiwe is eager to gain exposure and hands-on experience collaborating with private companies and NGOs. Her goal is to enhance her evaluation skills while contributing to initiatives that create meaningful change.
Join us in welcoming Nelisiwe Maseko to the EE Programme! Her enthusiasm, coupled with her educational background and commitment to positive outcomes, promises an exciting journey ahead.