Muziwakhe Mbatha

I'm a purist, a hedonist, an empiricist

My interest and capability for research got enhanced when I was doing Honours in politics with a focus on South African political issues, with a deep dive on opposition politics, the role of the ANC, and how it affects other opposition parties particularly the EFF, COPE, DA and Inkatha Freedom Party. I joined Citofield Development Consulting in 2018 as an Assistant Researcher. I was responsible for supporting various M&E studies, i.e. the Baseline Evaluation of Black Citrus Growers; and the Design and Implementation Evaluation of the A2Pay Spaza Shop Programme. This is when I learnt a lot in terms of research methodology and got first-hand experience with sampling, data collection, analysis and stakeholder engagement and management. As I was working more and more in research…I got introduced to M&E. I started enquiring what the difference was. I started participating in the design of the evaluations, drafting research/ evaluation instruments; developing and assessing the Theory of Change; Logical Framework, conducting key informant interviews, data analysis and report writing. 

As I was eager to enhance my knowledge and skills within M&E In 2019, an opportunity arose at the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME) within the Evaluation Unit. My key contributions at DPME was my involvement in the review of the National Evaluation Policy Framework (NEPF); supporting the development of templates and guidelines, Evaluation Capacity Development Strategy, embedding quality assurance mechanisms, conducting research, collecting and analysing data, producing M&E frameworks, plans) NEP, PEP, DEP & reports, engaging stakeholders (MP, Limpopo, Western Cape and Northern Cape  OTPs, monitoring of Improvement Plans (IP), providing technical support in the implementation of the IP. This is where I felt like I always wanted to be.

I was again appointed by Citofield Development Consulting in July 2021 as a Monitoring and Evaluation Practitioner responsible for the administration, management and implementation of large monitoring and evaluation projects as well as supporting and participating in various learning networks. Operation Phakisa and Research on Women in Sports)

In January 2022 I was appointed on contract as an Assistant Director, Monitoring & Evaluation Unit: The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities I was a lead evaluator and a project manager on the implementation of a Rapid Evaluation on Government's Implementation of the preferential public procurement policy towards women, youth and persons with disabilities. Responsible for producing concept documents, develop evaluation terms of reference, produce a document and literature review, develop a theory of change, logic model and evaluation framework, develop data collection instruments, conduct interviews and focus groups (data collection), data analysis and report writing. Produce technical quality reports on M&E findings and prepare presentations as required. Disseminate results from the evaluation through stakeholder engagements; present on internal and external meetings when required to and conduct ad-hoc data analysis per business needs. Moreover, I ensured the use of evaluation findings through the Improvement Plan System: develop a Management Response and Improvement Plan to action the implementation of evaluation recommendations. Institutionalise gender mainstreaming across government departments at national and provincial level.

• I have recently completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Monitoring & Evaluation Methods from Stellenbosch University. Also, I hold an Honours Degree in Politics majoring in Research, South African politics and Formal Logic; and a Bachelor of Arts Degree (Human and Social Studies) majoring in Philosophy, Politics and Economics. My choice of study was based on my strengths and interests as I have a deep passion for research, development, monitoring and evaluation. I have extensive experience in the social research, monitoring, evaluation and reporting which I attained through acquiring my qualifications and work experience.. I see research, monitoring and evaluation as tools to affect change and add to the body of knowledge. I am planning to enrol for a Master Degree in Monitoring and Evaluation.