Masters Degrees (Political Science)

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Browsing Masters Degrees (Political Science) by browse.metadata.advisor "Davids, I."

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    Optimalisering van gemeenskapsdeelname in geintegreerde ontwikkelingsbeplanning : 'n Wellington-gevallestudie
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2001-12) Smit, Jacobus Francois; Davids, I.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Political Science.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: South Africans are familiar with apartheid principles and practices. Apartheid principles were not only used as a mechanism that robbed people of their human rights, but it also gave rise to limited or no community participation in government decision-making. South Africa's democratic regime (after 1994) is striving to increase community participation in government decision-making. In this regard, the South African national government is initiating community development policies and programmes such as the Reconstruction and Development Programme (1994), Masakhane programme (1998) and Integrated Development Planning (1997). This research focuses on Integrated Development Planning (lOP) and local government's role in stimulating community participation. Various participation models are highlighted, and the Wellington case is used to illustrate that communities will participate optimally in development activities if their participation will bring about their own empowerment. The research methodology includes interviews, television news programmes, newspaper articles and focus group sessions. Responses from the focus group interviews indicated that the community is easy-going and they expect activities to be undertaken for them. It was also noted that meaningful mechanisms for enhancinq community participation are limited. The community-empowerment model and recommendations are presented to optimise community participation. The following recommendations are made, namely accessibility of development initiatives, mobilising the community, relevant administrative skills of public officials, democratic constitution and legislation, concrete policy relating to community participation, meaningful empowerment of the community, explaining the content of concepts, programmes and projects, training for public officials, awareness of policy implications with regards to community participation and municipal planning in co-operative government.