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TO ALL MEDIA, EDITORS AND JOURNALISTS
25 SEPTEMBER 2025
DPME AND UNIVEN SIGN MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING TO STRENGTHEN COLLABORATION BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND ACADEMIA
On 22 September 2025, the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME) and the University of Venda (UNIVEN) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance collaboration in research, knowledge sharing, and capacity building in the field of planning, monitoring and evaluation.The MoU was signed by the Acting Director-General of the DPME, Adv. Melanchton Makobe, and the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of UNIVEN, Professor Bernard Nthambeleni. The agreement formalises cooperation aimed at bridging the gap between theory and practice while strengthening state capacity.Key areas of collaboration include:• Joint research projects and publications on mutually agreed topics.• Co-hosting knowledge-sharing platforms such as guest lectures, conferences,seminars, and workshops.• Incorporating policy-relevant case studies into curricula to link academic learning withpractice.• Facilitating opportunities for student participation in professional bodies.
• Building technical capacity to support government-wide planning, monitoring, and evaluation systems.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Adv. Makobe emphasised the significance of the partnership: “Our role as a department is to promote coherence in government through planning, monitoring and evaluation, and to strengthen state institutions. The NDP Vision 2030 calls for a capable, ethical, and developmental state. This partnership with UNIVEN will help ensure that the skills, knowledge, and expertise of both government and academia contribute to better services for all South Africans.”The signing took place on the sidelines of the South African Association of Public Administration and Management’s (SAAPAM) 24th Annual Conference in Thohoyandou, Limpopo. The conference, themed “Building State Capacity – Prospects and Challenges”, underscores the importance of linking academic research with government priorities.Through this agreement, DPME and UNIVEN commit to convening steering committee meetings and developing practical initiatives to sustain and strengthen collaboration between government and academia.
ENDS
For media enquiries relating to the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, please contact Mr Tom Nkosi, Departmental Head of Communications on 079 907 9016 or email TomNkosi@dpme.gov.za
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ISSUED BY THE MINISTER IN THE PRESIDENCY: PLANNING, MONITORING AND EVALUATION
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