Evaluation as a mechanism to foster an equitable society in the Global South

Volume editor

Steven Masvaure

Volume editor

Takunda J Chirau

Volume editor

Tebogo Fish

Volume editor

Samukelisiwe Mkhize

Volume editor

Candice Morkel

Synopsis

This scholarly book is Volume 2 of a duology that seeks to stimulate conversations among development evaluators, commissioners of evaluations and development programme decision-makers about the role of evaluation in addressing inequality and fostering an equitable society in Africa. The book chapters explore the following questions: (1) Take stock of what we know about inequality – what inequality is in the African context, and how does it affect the lives of the citizens of African countries? (2) What does equitable evaluation mean? How can the concept of equitable evaluation be adopted in evaluation practice? (3) What lessons can be learnt from evaluations of interventions that address inequality at various levels (sectoral, programmatic and project) levels? (4) What epistemological transformation in evaluation practice is needed to achieve an equitable society? and (5) How have issues of inequality manifested within evaluation practice through organisations, institutions and international development?

This book’s target audience is academics engaged in the field of developmental programmes in sub-Saharan Africa.

Chapters

Overview of the book

Steven Masvaure, Takunda J Chirau, Tebogo Fish, Samukelisiwe Mkhize, Candice Morkel
Chapter 1
Elusive equitable development?

Steven Masvaure, Tebogo Fish, Samukelisiwe Mkhize
Chapter 2
Africa’s inequality cannot be solved by evaluation systems alone

Caitlin Blaser Mapitsa
Chapter 3
System thinking for evaluators to enhance gender equity and transformation in Africa

Madri Jansen van Rensburg
Chapter 4
(De)paternalising evaluation: ‘Equity and equality’ – the missing ‘vocabulary’ in Zimbabwe

Umali Saidi
Chapter 5
Equality of opportunity and non-discrimination as an evaluand: The case of private sector and financial system development in German development cooperation

Candice Morkel, Jan Tobias Polak, Angela Heucher, Lena Taube, Lea Smidt
Chapter 6
Equitable evaluation through the triple lens: Commissioner, Evaluator and wider benefiting community, to what extent do we espouse the trio in the African evaluation practice?

Rose Cathy Azuba
Chapter 7
Gender and equity responsiveness in evaluation: The case of South Africa

Stanford Muhomba, Khumo Pule, Lungiswa Zibi
Chapter 8
Current epistemological challenges in evaluation perpetuating inequality in Africa

Tebogo Fish, Vongai Chibvongodze
Chapter 9
Cash-based transfers – transfers a double-edged sword: Lessons for evaluators

Andiswa Neku, Tebogo Fish, Steven Masvaure
Chapter 10
In quest of equitable evaluation

Steven Masvaure, Tebogo Fish, Samukelisiwe Mkhize