Together with SAMEA (the South African Monitoring and Evaluation Association), we recently gathered to celebrate two milestone anniversaries, ours of 25 years at Southern Hemisphere, and theirs at 20 years. It was fitting that this was a joint celebration as Southern Hemisphere and SAMEA have a shared history, a shared vision to build capacity and … Read more
Creating learning organisations is at the heart of what we do At Southern Hemisphere, we’ve spent the last 25 years walking alongside organisations, helping them navigate change, reflect deeply, adapt thoughtfully, and grow with purpose. Through this journey, we’ve seen the learning organisation shift from being a conceptual ideal to an embodied, lived practice. In … Read more
You will often hear those in the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning space speak of Reflective Techniques and we’re no different. At Southern Hemisphere, we use the term regularly but a recent question has prompted us to expand on what exactly they are and when and where they are most useful In this blog, we look … Read more
Stories as Data For millennia, stories have been told throughout the world but those of us who live and work throughout Africa know the specific meaning and importance of storytelling on this continent. Throughout Africa, stories don’t only transmit information, they also preserve culture, connect communities, and validate experiences. Now through the use of Causal … Read more
With over 25 years and more than 500 engagements across the continent, Africa continues to teach us. It stretches our thinking, refines our practice, and deepens our respect for humanity. While no one can ever claim to fully understand its complexity, our experience has yielded valuable insights and practical tips for those undertaking evaluations across … Read more
Made in Africa evaluation (MAE) is often critiqued for not having implementation methods, approaches and tools. Much discussion has been focused on building Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) to inform the implementation of MAE. What possibilities does IKS have for developing types of data collection and analysis methods? Let us explore this idea. As part of … Read more
We were never in the dark Africa has long been painted with broad strokes, we are often seen as the “dark continent”, a place of unending challenge. And yes, we do know hardship. You could argue that the ubiquity of struggle has toughened us and has potentially made us more adaptable. But even by those … Read more
It is easy to feel adrift but the strength of our connections and the depth of our shared knowledge offer a way forward. Community support becomes a steady force to build our resilience. A time of upheaval At the moment it feels like unpredictability has become the only constant. We have a global crisis that … Read more
In the townships of Cape Town, where challenges often overshadow opportunities, Cikizwa—affectionately known as Ciki—has built a thriving culinary business against the odds. Her journey is one of resilience, determination, and the crucial role of funding in helping entrepreneurs take their first steps towards success. Southern Hemisphere has been so inspired by Ciki’s Graceland Cafe’s success … Read more
Beyond monitoring and reporting: Building empowered and capable teams Embedded learning in action A recent project for Frontline Aids has got us thinking about the work we do and how we do it. While it’s a given that donors and organisations require data and insights to assess the impact of their investments, MEL is about … Read more
Gethwana Mahlase is a renowned storyteller, HIV and AIDS activist, and the founder of a HIV and AIDS NGO called Targeted AIDS Interventions (TAI). Her work reflects an inspiring blend of resilience, vision, and determination. “I had no office, no equipment, no computer, no chair, nothing. But I had something very powerful. I had the … Read more
Over the last few months we have been focusing a lot on what it takes to help the helpers, to inspire the inspiring. We want to strengthen the groups that are creating social justice in all areas where it’s still needed. How do you capacitate and upskill individuals within organisations that are at the coalface … Read more