Browsing by Author "Mazibuko, Eugene Futhi Again"

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    The participation of women from rural areas in development projects for sustainable livelihoods: a case of community groups in Maqongqo Area, KwaZulu-Natal Province
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2017-03) Mazibuko, Eugene Futhi Again; Theron, Francois; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. School of Public Leadership.
    ENGLISH SUMMARY : Since a democratic dispensation was established in South Africa in 1994, the country has been working to level the social, economic, and political playing field for all of its people, particularly those from socio-economically deprived backgrounds and contexts. The purpose of the study was to explore the experiences of women from rural areas participating in selected community development projects. A further aspect of the study was to explore the reasons for non-participation of individuals and/or categories of communities in community development projects, and to understand the role of development stakeholders with respect to community development projects for sustainable livelihoods. The study sought to analyse the interactional dynamics of aspects of the experiences of women from rural areas with respect to community development projects. The research was conducted within a qualitative research tradition, and took the form of a small-scale case study. The data-collection research techniques included focus group discussions with participants of selected community development projects; in-depth semi-structured interviews with development stakeholders; a self-administered questionnaire submitted to those who were not participating in any community development project at the time; and the analysis of key documents that the groups were willing to share with the researcher. Findings of the study revealed that the participation of women in community development projects led to the empowerment and advancement of women in sustainable ways. This was evident from the improvements that the women reported in their lives. Secondly, findings of the study revealed that the reasons for non-participation in community development projects were varied, individual and sometimes structural. Lastly, the study revealed that the role of development stakeholders was quite strong, although people participating in community development projects felt that support from development stakeholders was inadequate. The findings point to the fact that those who participated in community development projects have to consider the interactional dynamics of ideological, political, and economic aspects of participation and development in community development projects. The study troubles conventional conceptions of community development, which are mostly oblivious to the dynamics and intricacies involved in its practice. The recommendation made by the study is for government policy makers and planners to embrace the reality that the project of community development is incomplete at the level of legislative framing and that this legislative framing is only the beginning, as the essence of the project of community development is actually access, participation and growth. The research community needs to point the way by identifying and elevating lessons that are already in existence in many communities where significant progress has been made in order to ensure that community development is not about itself, but rather about people.