Knowledge Management Africa (KMA) exists to facilitate ongoing knowledge exchange through structures and platforms created by the participants. Knowledge is a valuable resource that holds the potential for sound governance, socio-economic development and service delivery in Africa.
KMA’s goal is to establish knowledge management platforms, create access to and augment existing knowledge networks and forums and facilitate the sharing and utilization of knowledge across the African continent.
The biennial conferences of KMA bring together policy- makers, development institutions, donors, international agencies, academics, sector professionals, and civil society organizations for knowledge dissemination and exchange to shape the future of Africa.
The Inaugural Conference KMA 2005 “Knowledge to address Africa's development challenges was held in the city of Johannesburg, South Africa from 28th February to 1st March 2005. This conference was inspired first and foremost, by the timely call by a new generation of African leaders who are convinced and dedicated to a new beginning in Africa. This was a successful conference which led to the production of the first KMA Conference proceedings, institutionalisation of KMA and strengthening of relationships between and amongst African countries. One of the significant outcomes of this gathering was to highlight an urgent need for the creation of endogenous knowledge solutions for the development agenda of Africa.
The Second Biennial Conference KMA 2007 was hosted by the Ministry of Planning and National Development, Government of Kenya, in partnership with the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), the University of the Witwatersrand and was supported by a number of other agencies and institutions. It was held in Nairobi on the 17th – 19th July 2007 and deepened KMA’s role as a mediator in the sustainable transfer of knowledge through knowledge communities and electronic infrastructure.
The Conference focussed on exploring practical implementation strategies and examining working models and theories that advance the way in which Africa harnesses its knowledge potential. This conference culminated in signing of the Nairobi Declaration, which aimed to institutionalise KMA in the continent, the KMA 2007 Book, which captured all the proceedings and resolutions of the conference.
Present: DST: Dr. Seleti, Dr. Ntsoane, Ms. Rodolo, Ms. Van Wyk and DBSA: Dr. Masoga, Ms. Mkalipi
Welcome: NWU: Prof. Kaya
1. Opening
Meeting was opened by Dr. Séleti and all present were welcomed.
Purpose and agenda of the workshop
1. Re-affirmation of timelines
2. Steps to deliver on mandate
3. Incorporating DST/KM as part of the DBSA KMA initiative
2. Issues tabled from DBSA
1. Take up discussions that took place at the KMA in Nairobi
2. DBSA Mandate: (I) To. be visible and alleviation of poverty, and inequality (ii) Institutionalisation of KMA- and integration and set up regional nodes
3. Briefing on KMA 2007
1. Prof Kaya briefed the meeting on KM-A 2007 (See Annexure —copy of presentation)
2. It was endorsed that KM-A should be seen not as a South African Project, but as an Africa Project
3. It will be most appropriate to include people with very senior designations at various institutions in this project
Project for KMA 2009 and implementation plan
4. Projects were identified on regional basis with Southern Africa to do IKS
5. Prof Kaya was commissioned to write a paper on the KM-A 2007 experience..
DBSA TO COORDINATE THE MEETING OF TASK TEAM
3. MOA
1. Dr. Ntsoane gave the background with regards to the existing MOU between DBSA and DST.
2. The following aspects were mandated in the existing MOU: Running a project on IKS KMS databases,
3. It was decided that the existing MOU was a short term and that a new MOA need to be drafted. This MOA will take into consideration the 10 yr plan vision of DST and input from internal units of the DST, Regional integration, etc.
MOA WILL BE DRAFTED BY NIKSO TAKING THE LEAD. And will be part of the back-to-back workshop
Way forward and closing
1. It was decided that in order for the timelines for the KM-A 2009 to be fast tracked: The following action need to beinstituted:
i) A Meeting to be scheduled for the 23rd January 2008. The objectives of the meeting are to plan for the envisaged workshop which aims at presenting the final Working plan on implanting the KM-A 2007 recommendations; initiating the process of the opening of the Southern African Chapters and do detail planning in terms of business planning as well as budget plan.
TASK TEAM
ii) A task team was established to effectively execute the planning phase, which comprises Prof. Seleti (Task Team coordinator), Prof. Kaya, Dr Ntsoane and Ms Mkalipi.
iii) DBSA was assigned to organize the venue and meals. NIKSO
iv) DST/NIKSO volunteered to transport Prof Kaya due to budgetary constraints from NWU side.
v) The minutes taken by DST/NIKSO at the meeting of 11 January 2008 to be circulated to the meeting delegates.
vi) DECISION RE THE WORKSHOP: The workshop to be held over three days with the following actions: Day 1 AND 2: Will be on consultation discussion on IKS KMS database report and Prcject plan Day 3 on MOA and Business plans for KM—A 2009
vii) Process action: The action and business plan should be presented at the workshop to enrich or to give purpose to the meeting. This plan needs to be circulated to members I week before the workshop.
TASK TEAM
viii) Timeframes: Middle February 2008
ix) Task team need to look at’ the business plan for day 2 at the 23 meeting
x) MOA; NIKSQ will initiate the drafting of the MOA. NIKSO
NIKSO/DBSA/NWU MEETING RE KMA 23 JANUARY 2008
VENUE: DBSA OFFICES
1. Opening and Welcome:
Meeting was opened by Dr. Ntsoane (acting Chair) and all present were welcomed.
In attendance: DST: Dr. Seleti, Dr. Ntsoane, Ms. Rodolo, Ms. Van Wyk NWU: Prof. Kaya DBSA: Dr. Masoga, Ms. Mkalipi, Mr Coburne, Ms Chiloane, Ms Musi
Apologies: Dr. Seleti will be arriving late due attending to business matters at DST.
The minutes of the previous meeting was adopted.
1. Discussing the business plans and budget for the envisaged workshop.
2. Workshop: IKS KMA Consultation workshop (Mid February 2008)Dr. Ntsoane will meet with the research team who are conducting the desktop report on Friday, 25 January 2008. They will look at the report and make suggestions on i) issues which constitute the report to be represented at the workshop, ii) wrap up and comply to the existing contract.
1. Invitations: Prof Kaya prepared a list of people whom will be invited to participate in the workshop. It was requested that an official invite be generated by the DBSA.
1.1 The rationale of the workshop was discussed and the following were agreed upon re invited participants: i) the people invited are active in the major continents such as NEPAD; ii) the invitees are involved in projects that centres on IK within the specific regions.
2.2. It was agreed that two levels of invitations are needed, i.e. specifically focused on people who are active in IK projects, and people from various Chapters
2.3. An agreement was reached that the people invited who are involved in the IKS database project will be paid for and include DBSA Advisory Committee members incl. Prof Gumbi
2.4. It was recommended that the role of each delegate coming to the workshop must be defined.
3. Budget:
3.1. Venue: It was proposed that the venue for the workshop should be in Gauteng because: i) electricity load shedding in the country, ii) Executive from DBSA (packed program).
3.2. Logistics: A task team was selected to arrange the accommodation and flights. This task team comprises of the following people: Ms Chiloane, Ms Musi and Mr. Coburn (DBSA), Ms. Carol Van Wyk (DST)
3.2.1. The budget as drawn up by Prof Kaya was discussed and it was agreed that the Prof Kaya will re-work the budget proposal with the following changes: i) 5 participants from North, East, West and Central Africa, ii) 7 IK Management researchers, 19 delegates from South Africa which includes: 2 Advisory Committee members incl. Chair person from DAKAR and Prof Gumbi, 6 staff from DBSA, 5 Officials from DST, 6 staff (Incl. students) from NWU. The total of invitees tallies 31 delegates.
3.2.2. It was agreed that staff from DBSA and DST will not be paid for accommodation and transport.
3.3 Workshop Materials: It was proposed that marketing and promotional material form part of the material package. Provision must be made for a total of 40 delegates.
Official invitation letters will be generated by DBSA Prof Kaya will forward the list of invitees by latest Monday, 28 January 2008 to DBSA and DST
Prof Kaya to re-work the budget
3. Projects/ Programmes for 2008-09
1. Strategic Goals for KM-A 2009 was discussed including: there nee to be a sense of how IKS is positioned in the KM-A.
2. Programme 1: Concept paper on SADC KM-A Chapter should be discussed at the workshop and the programme might derive from that incl. strategic objectives.
3. Programme 2: The multi-media hub exists and the server is hosted in Los Angeles (USA). DBSA will look into carrying the costs which is $480.00 p/m. This program includes training, creating access and feeding information to the hub. The multi-media hub should be discussed at the consultative meeting on how it could be utilised.
4. Programme 3: It was recommended that DBSA commission a survey on IKS through the Chapters to research the status quo of IKS. This work need to be done before the KM-A 2009.
3. Report of KM-A 2007 DBSA requested to make the report available.
4. Way forward and closing
1. Meeting to discuss the complete conference package will be held on the 4th February 2008 at the DST.
2. DST’s 10 year plan, Chapter Concept document and declaration needs to be re-visited to identify what has been done before (the programmes the bank intended to do and to build on what is existing). This document should be available at the workshop.
3. The project/ programmes is considered to be the basis for the report of KM-A and specific IKS workshop.
Logistics task team: Ms Chiloane and Ms Musi (DBSA), Ms. Carol Van Wyk (DST): Venue, Accommodation, invitations, travel and budget
4. Programme 1: Program task team: Ms. Yolisa Mkalipi (DBSA), Ms. Shumikazi Rodolo (DST), Dr. Makhubela (DBSA), Prof. Gumbi (Unizulu): Peruse Southern Africa report and come up with items for 2009. Group should meet and come up with the programme for the workshop. Items for the programme should be measurable and have impact. The task team should look at the 3 reports prior to the meeting.
5. Programme 2 task team: Multi media hub task team: Mr. Gordon Coburn (DBSA), Prof Kaya (NWU) and Dr. Ntsoane (DST. Task team need to focus on the following: Put down specific goals for 2009, e.g. (what, when, how will content be posted on the hub. The hub should be activated to show the on-coming workshops) Will all reports be hosted jointly, etc.
6. Programme 3 task team: Commissioning of Papers task team: Dr. Masoga (DBSA), Ms. Helen (DBSA), Prof Kaya (NWU), and Dr. Ntsoane (DST). It was recommended that the group take consideration of 1 or 2 people who were part of the IKS Nairobi Conference.
DST, NWU and DBSA to fwd list of invitees and contact details to Logistics task team