Framework for the development of an annual development report for the National Development Agency (FDADR) 2013: All provinces in South Africa

Description:
This is a qualitative study which conducted a total of 5 in-depth interviews. Organisations have been selected as respondents based on their experience and knowledge of development work in South Africa.
Abstract:
The National Development Agency contracted the Economic Performance and Development Unit, HSRC, to undertake a study that would offer a blueprint for the NDA's Annual Development Report, which would include amongst other things a report outline, target audiences etc. Hence the objective of this study was to find and understand the process, approach, principles and best practice experience in the production of an annual development report to be used to develop an NDA Annual Development Report.

It did this by exploring the human development reporting process and investigates ways through which this type of reporting can be done to address South Africa's many developmental issues; hence it also comes up with a framework for a state of development report for the country. The first part of this investigation looked at development reporting both at the national and international level and the second part of this process comprised a qualitative research methodology that involves a key informant survey that includes a small sample of key players in South Africa's development and development reporting arenas. This survey was therefore undertaken in order to gather and provide up to date perspective on the need for development information in the country.

Five key informant telephonic interviews were conducted and these included development practitioners from:

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in South Africa

The South African Women in Dialogue (SAWID)

Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME), the Presidency

Atlantic Philanthropies (previously at Interfund)

Democracy, Governance and Service Delivery (DGSD), the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC).

The following are the main research questions posed in the survey:

Sources of Development Information

Importance of communicating information on the state of development in a country

The need for an Annual State of Development Report for South Africa and gaps that it would need to fill

Processes and approaches to be followed in the development of such a report

Partners in collaboration in the development of the report and the Institutionalisation of the development report

Target audience for the development report

Dissemination of the report