Research plays a critical role in the overall work of the RBN. The RBN’s approach to formulating, implementing, and documenting its policies and programmes is “data driven.” This means that decisions about the broad strategic objectives of the Nation, about the specific interventions used to reach those objectives, and about the structures and systems that enable those interventions, are all informed by research. The RBN therefore generates research throughout the organisation on an on-going basis.
The Research & Knowledge Management (R&KM) Department’s role is to conduct, facilitate, coordinate, present and disseminate this research in two key areas:
History & Heritage
- To document Bafokeng History and Heritage so that it can be locally owned and accessed
- To preserve Bafokeng History and Heritage for the education of current and future generations
- To support the continuous evolution of Bafokeng culture and customs in the contemporary context
Current Socio-Economic Questions
- To enable the design and prioritisation of RBN programmes to develop the Nation
- To enable the monitoring and evaluation of RBN programmes in terms of fulfilling established community-impact targets
- To enable RBN to benchmark its progress against other areas (within South Africa and globally) by studying relevant external practices and documenting and disseminating the RBN model to the rest of the world
The current RBN Research Agenda (2013/2014) sets out key research themes and questions identified directly relevant to current RBN information needs. It is derived from the RBN’s long-term planning frameworks (the Masterplan and the Scorecard), from priorities identified by RBN governance bodies and administrative departments, and from an assessment of potential future opportunities and risks.