​This week, the Gauteng Department of Social Development hosted a two-day Non-Profitmaking Organisation (NPO) Monitoring Indaba, aimed at standardizing monitoring and evaluation (M&E) processes across the department.

The initiative sought to review existing monitoring practices, close operational gaps, and clearly define roles and responsibilities to ensure improved fairness, integrity, and consistency in how the Department works with NPOs. Ultimately, this will translate into better service delivery outcomes for the people of Gauteng.

Opening the session, Deputy Director-General Onkemetse Kabasia emphasized the significance of the gathering. “This is not just another event on the calendar. It is a critical moment to reflect, align, and recommit to a task that sits at the very heart of our work: Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E),” she said.

Kabasia highlighted the Department's responsibility beyond merely transferring funds to NPOs. “Our duty is to ensure that this funding is used effectively, that the services provided meet quality standards, and most importantly, that lives are truly improved,” she explained.

He further stressed that programmatic and financial monitoring are fundamental pillars of the Department's mandate. “When done correctly, M&E allows us to see what works and what doesn’t. It helps protect resources, improve service quality, and builds public trust by enabling evidence-based decision-making. But when M&E fails, non-compliance goes unnoticed, public funds are wasted, audit outcomes suffer, and, worst of all, vulnerable people are left behind.”

The Indaba covered critical topics including compliance matters, standard operating procedures, and administrative guidelines. Due to robust discussions on these key areas, the workshop was extended and will conclude next week.