Perceived success of a rural economic development initiative in South Africa
Date
2011-03-25
Authors
Cassim, Shehnaz
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Abstract
Poverty and poverty reduction has received much attention in research and
social policy formulation (Hagenaars and De Vos, 1988; Carter and May, 1999;
Klasen, 2008). The poor in South Africa are likely to be black, living in rural
areas with findings indicating a sixty-three percent poverty rate in these
communities (Woolard and Leibbrandt, 1999).
NGOs are a visible and acknowledged stakeholder in the development arena
(Edwards and Hulme, 1992; Tandon, 2000). The Buffelshoek Trust was set up
with the sole purpose of creating a fund whereby the proceeds would be utilised
to assist disadvantaged people in located in the rural Manyeleti communities in
the Mpumalanga province, South Africa (Buffelshoek Trust, 2001).
The purpose of this study was to identify the factors possibly leading to poverty
in these communities. In addition, the study aimed to establish the level of
success of the “Dust Dreams” initiatives undertaken by the Buffelshoek Trust in
these communities from the perspectives of the donors, the NGO’s
management team and the communities’ members themselves. Respondents
from within the communities were classified into three groups – community
leaders, Headmasters and teachers and the learners in order to enable a more
detailed analysis.
The most frequently identified factors that possibly led to poverty in these
communities include the lack of employment opportunities, the lack of education
facilities and facilities for skills development and the lack of access to
healthcare. Findings suggest that the Trust is meeting its stated aim of
“Empowerment through Education”. Furthermore, the initiatives are perceived to
be promoting economic development in these communities by the majority of
the respondents. The perceptions of the learners however, differ significantly.
Recommendations include the provision of skills development training for adult
members of these communities, assisting community members to lobby policymakers
and initiate programmes to promote gender equality. The issue of HIV/
AIDS needs to be addressed. The need for better communication between
NGOs, the beneficiaries and donors is also highlighted.
Description
MBA - WBS
Keywords
Rural economic development, Economic development, South Africa