GETTING THE MOST OUT OF OUR EXPERTISE
It has been a very busy start to the year at Southern Hemisphere! Our current work has optimized the wide-range of expertise we have in research, facilitation, training, planning, monitoring and evaluation, and organisational development.
Some of our highlights include research on models of support for Early Childhood Development, a social impact assessment for Eskom’s Ankerlig Power Station and an evaluation for Tshikulu Social Investment.
Early Childhood Development (ECD) has been identified as a critical area for improving life chances and , much emphasis is being placed on ECD in South.
The Human Sciences Research Council is conducting a broader study on scaling up the ECD sector 0 – 4 years, and they have asked us to look at different forms of structural support for ECDs such as Social Franchising, and Mentoring and capacity building models.
Liezl Coetzee has conducted a Social Impact Assessment (SIA) for the conversion of Eskom’s Ankerlig Power Station at Atlantis from Open CycleGas Turbine to Combined Cycle Gas Turbine technology. This includes the assessment for the proposed transmission line from Ankerlig to the proposed Omega substation.
In July 2007, Nana Davies did a presentation to the Tshikululu Social Investmment on Monitoring and Evaluation. The Tshikululu Social Investments are the Corporate Social Investment (CSI)I fund managers for some of South Africa’s leading corporate CSI programmes including the De Beers Fund. Nana, Liezl and Wilma are currently also conducting an evaluation for one of the De Beers funded programmes which is supporting the work of the Social Change Assistance Trust in the Northern Cape.
Following the assistance in the development of a Monitoring and Evaluation Framework, the Cape Action for People and the Environment (C.A.P.E.) requested Southern Hemisphere to develop the Monitoring and Evaluation System through a participatory process. The Southern Hemisphere team has consulted with various C.A.P.E partners to define the indicators, gather baseline and actual data, set 2020 targets, document the methodology and develop the relevant forms / tools to ensure that the right data is gathered and reported.
Our relationship with Labour Research Services (LRS) continues into 2008. Last year Nana Davies facilitated an end of year Strategic-and Programme Evaluation and Planning Workshop for the LRS and Dena is leading a research project on gender conditions in the workplace focusing on small and large companies also for LRS. > Tamarie Magaisa has project managed an evaluation of the HIV and AIDS decentralisation Project in Local Government in South Africa for the Centre for Municipal Research and Advice (CMRA) which took place in seven municipalities across South Africa. Our associates Reckson Luvhengo and Andries Mangokwana have also been involved in this evaluation, and Reckson has been assisting with the development of a monitoring and evaluation framework and plan for the Premiers Office of the Limpopo Provincial Government.
OUR NEW TEAM MEMBERS
Liezl Coetzee joined the Southern Hemisphere team as a Senior Consultant at the end of last year. She has worked as a Social Science Researcher and development practitioner since 1999. She holds a BA in Humanities (cum laude) and a BSc in Mathematical Sciences from the University of Johannesburg (formerly RAU), and is currently completing an MPhil in Anthropology (Organisations and Public Cultures) at the University of Stellenbosch. She brings with her extensive experience in social science research methods as well as her expertise in public /stakeholder participation. Liezl also enjoys being outdoors and hanging in nature as well as electronic music.
Thokozani Mhlambi joined Southern Hemisphere as a Projects Officer at the beginning of March. He holds a Bachelor of Music (with distinction) 2006 from the University of Cape Town and is a Master’s in Public Culture (African Studies) candidate. His main research interests have been in the field of youth, music and culture in South Africa. Highlights in his life include the publication of his article on Kwaito, in 2004. Prior to joining the Southern Hemisphere team, Thokozani was an intern at the Human Sciences Research Council where he worked on youth development projects and in South Africa’s Peer Education Programmes report. Thokozani also likes listening to house music and is an active performing musician.
TRAINING
From the 3rd to 7th of March, Nana Davies and Liezl Coetzee ran the 5-day public training course in Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation in Cape Town. The course was attended by a diverse range of individuals in the private and public sectors from South Africa as well as Mozambique. The feedback from participants was very positive and everyone, including the trainers, seemed to have enjoyed the course. The next Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation course will take place in Gauteng, from the 18-22 August 2008. Details of this and more can be found on our website at southernhemisphere.co.za.
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