Page 38 - DSD ANNUAL REPORT 2022-2

PART B: PERFORMANCE INFORMATION PERFORMANCE BY PROGRAMME

Programme 1: Administration The Department uses matched datasets of the National Student
Financial Aid Scheme, National Senior Certificate, Independent
Programme Purpose Examination Board and Social Grants Pension (SOCPEN) to
produce a number of reports to demonstrate improvement in the
Educational Outcomes of Learners receiving Social Protection
To provide leadership, management and support services to the Services. In this regard, the reports on Educational Outcomes of
Department and the Social Sector.
Learners receiving Social Protection Services, Profile of Grade 8-11
Strategy and Change Management Social grant Beneficiaries, Post Grade 12 tracking tool and report
on the qualitative study to understand challenges and progression
path Post Grade 12 were produced.
The national Department of Social Development has a responsibility
to facilitate the development and alignment of Social Development The Department partnered with National School of Government
Sector Plan, Strategic Plans, Annual Performance Plans (APP) and and DPME, to rollout a customised Social Sector M&E training.
Operational Plans in line with the legislative and result based The first phase of the training, attended by National DSD officials
frameworks. These plans take a que from the National Development commenced during the reporting period and will be completed
Plan Vision 2030, which is implemented through the government in 2022/23. The Department also established collaborations
priorities, MTSF and the Minister’s Executive Agreement. As a with various institutions including UNICEF, CLEAR AA, HSRC and
Department with concurrent functions, the sector developed a University of Johannesburg. These collaborations will assist in areas
sector strategic plan in order to align all the APPs to the sector of research and policy development.
shared vision, mission, impact and outcomes.
Furthermore, terms of reference for seven (7) evaluations
Annual Performance Plans of the provincial Departments of Social (Sustainable Livelihood Programme, youth, impact evaluation of
Development and public entities were assessed and aligned Children’s Act, teenage pregnancy, foster care, IMST strategy and
to Social Development Sector Plan. These assessments were CARA project) were finalised and the evaluations are at various
preceded by the roundtables and Imvuselelo (Revival) workshops stages of implementation. Improvement plan for Social Sector
held with various stakeholders including the private sector and Infrastructure Programme was developed in a workshop with key
the NPO sector to deliberate on the re-invented DSD, and to agree stakeholders. Draft guidelines for M&E policy framework were
on the outcomes for the 2022/23 financial year. This is part of the consulted and revised based on inputs from stakeholders. The Multi-
Department`s approach towards result based planning.
year Research and Evaluation Plan was finalised and presented in
Monitoring and Evaluation various platforms.
Financial Management and Administration
The Department made substantial progress with the development
of the sector-wide Electronic M&E System. The As-Is Reports were The Department continued its efforts of developing, reviewing, and
completed for all provinces as well as for the national DSD. Business implementing effective financial management and administration
and functional requirements reports were also completed for the policies. The Bid Committees (Specification, Evaluation and
Electronic M&E System. Furthermore, M&E Frameworks, Theories Adjudication) continued to perform efficiently and effectively within
of Change, indicators and their descriptions were developed for the Department concerning tenders above the value of R 1 000
all programmes in the Department. A proof of concept for the 000. During the year under review, the Department complied with
Electronic M&E System was developed. The M&E System is now all the Instruction Notes and Circulars received from the National
deployed on the DSDs training platform.
Treasury. Monthly analyses of expenditure trends and financial
compliance was done to ensure that appropriated funds are spent
During the 2021/22 financial year, the Department conducted in line with the Department’s mandate. The Department obtained
various evaluations of priority programmes and interventions. an unqualified audit opinion from the AGSA on its 2020/21 audited
These include amongst others: Annual Financial Statements.
• A rapid assessment study on the implementation and
utilisation of the Special Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress Entity Oversight
Grant was completed during the reporting period. A report
for this study was launched and disseminated through various The Entity Governance and Oversight unit is responsible for the
platforms including a webinar, DSD website and as printed implementation of the Entity Governance and Oversight Framework.
copies.
• Two (2) studies were conducted in collaboration with PACT As part of the compliance responsibilities, the unit ensures that
public entities complies with the prescripts of Government such
SA. The studies focused on the assessment of Government as National Treasury Regulations. The oversight responsibilities
Capacity Building Support (GCBS) Programme and South Africa includes monitoring of performance and governance of entities. The
COVID-19 Vaccination Readiness Assessment. The findings current capacity within the unit limits the ability of the Department
and recommendations of the studies were presented to key to maximally perform its entity oversight functions. Despite the
stakeholders.
• A rapid assessment report to understand the context of the capacity challenges, the following milestones were achieved during
the reporting period:
public violence in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng and how it Interface with Entities: The unit coordinated two (2) Joint EXCO
has impacted on communities, households, individuals, child meetings for the Department of Social Development and the
wellbeing and services was completed.
• The first phase of a Diagnostic Evaluation to understand Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT)
and the two (2) entities that fall within the two (2) departments,
Homelessness in South Africa was completed and a rapid which are; the South African Post Office (SAPO) and SASSA. The
assessment report was produced.

38 DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT ANNUAL REPORT 2021/22