1. NC O&M Programme 2004 – 2009 Summary Lessons Inputs gathered on 21 st August @ Municipal Training Institute, Kimberley

2. Stakeholder Advocasy & Programme Management Collaboration difficulties Reference groups (Leadership mobilisation) were events and not having sustained impact The programme had to carry lots of ‘passengers’ Leadership shifts (challenges) have held back the programme

3. Development of Handbooks Excellent input gathering and synthesis Excellent content for broad use – particularly within targeted services (Swedish) Excellence in publication Spronsors now found for Hand-books to reduce cost prices SAICE now playing an expanding role

4. Research and Evaluation Limited application (not really comprehensive) Evaluation still outstanding due to budget squeezes. (SIDA activities)? Knowledge still to effectively penetrate municipalities Overcoming ‘willingness’ Denial still exists

5. O&M District-centred Support Units Resources still largely in-sourced Selection conflicts for DM unit staffing Inexperienced staff were still appointed No access to experienced mentors Inability to formalize agreements FBDM has remained the champion DM Not enough incentives for O&M

6. Training and road shows SIDA Project Facilitator was exceptional far beyond normal role SAQA not initially aligned into programme Broad accreditation difficulties Too few “Training Champions” Vulindlela relations never really aligned

7. NC Provincial Management Unit and Info. Systems System project added from Nat. DEAC Unit Planned but not fully established DWA has appended their own personnel resource person Many implementation challenges remain

8. Other primary lessons Unbalanced funding between partners ‘complicated’ matters with little recourse. Many more ‘drivers’ needed, especially at leadership levels. The project was broadly under-resourced. Municipalities are broadly ‘not yet on board’ Organizational culture for O&M remains problematic.