
The 2-day national consultative indaba, hosted by the
NLDTF on 21st and 22nd June, which was a culmination of several provincial consultative engagements by the fund with civil society. With about 700 delegates present, the aim of the Indaba was to garner inputs on the overall governance, structure and opertaions of the fund.
The format of the indaba started with a historical overview of the fund, its structure, model, challenges and achievements.
This was followed by breakaway commissions according to the following sub-topics:
1) Where should the money go for Maximum Impact? Policy, Priorities & Reach
2) How should it be done?
3) Managing Risk, Governance & Sustainability.
These commissions were then reported on the following day, followed by seven (7) resolutions proclaimed by the CEO.
• The bulk of the challenges and frustrations experienced by users, fall in the area of administration e.g inexperienced and untrained staff, negligence relating to applications, poor filing systems etc. The lack of sound and proper systems was starkly apparent, an area that lies squarely within the function of the C.O.O. This reflects a high level of inefficient on the funds part, and surely the use of performance targets and associated punitive measures to tighten up the operations would be very beneficial.
• Need for greater alignment with national priorities. Minister Davies acknowledged this area as a current shortcoming and reflected on the relationship to the 12 outcomes as set out by the M&E Ministry. The revised funding model should be more tightly aligned to these outcomes, as part of the broader developmental agenda.
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