Demand and Readiness for Monitoring and Evaluation in a Developmental State: A Case Study of KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa

The aim of the paper is to report on the demand and readiness of municipalities to plan and implement a municipal-wide monitoring and evaluation system. The case study approach and a mixed method methodology was used to collect data through questionnaires and interviews. The results indicated that despite many municipalities possessing the necessary resources, only a small proportion of the municipalities are ready to implement a monitoring and evaluation system. Key stakeholders in planning and implementation were councillors and local communities, while an effective information system, a formal policy and dedicated staff with specific skills are required for planning and implementing a monitoring and evaluation system. The study recommends that a participatory organisational self-assessment be undertaken to establish the extent of readiness and demand for M&E. This paper is important to practitioners, policymakers and evaluators as monitoring and evaluation demand and readiness could enhance the outcomes of the developmental interventions.