The general paucity of evaluation of development initiatives, particularly in the African context, demands that the role of evaluation in the development process is promoted. In essence, this follows when a sound understanding of development issues and the dynamics of evaluation have been acquired. After setting out the general parameters of development and evaluation and giving a brief description of the wider church's involvement in development, three church-related development projects are evaluated. A Rapid Rural Appraisal of the development proposals for the farms, Springvale and Modderspruit, belonging to the Anglican Diocese of Natal, highlights issues inhibiting the intended development process. A summative evaluation of basic human needs illustrates the impact that Africa Cooperative Action Trust (ACAT) has had on the Emzumbe district and recommends necessary extensions to its present programme. These three evaluations serve to accentuate the role evaluation ought to have in the development process. / Development Studies / M.A. (Development Administration)

The general paucity of evaluation of development initiatives, particularly in the African context, demands that the role of evaluation in the development process is promoted. In essence, this follows when a sound understanding of development issues and the dynamics of evaluation have been acquired. After setting out the general parameters of development and evaluation and giving a brief description of the wider church's involvement in development, three church-related development projects are evaluated. A Rapid Rural Appraisal of the development proposals for the farms, Springvale and Modderspruit, belonging to the Anglican Diocese of Natal, highlights issues inhibiting the intended development process. A summative evaluation of basic human needs illustrates the impact that Africa Cooperative Action Trust (ACAT) has had on the Emzumbe district and recommends necessary extensions to its present programme. These three evaluations serve to accentuate the role evaluation ought to have in the development process. / Development Studies / M.A. (Development Administration)

Thesis (M.Dev) --University of Limpopo, 2011 / Projects will do well, sustain and function effectively if the people and communities for whom they are established understood them better and took charge of their implementation. The integrated development planning is, by its nature and purpose appropriate and proves a better tool for community development. It is already showing some fruits and will, undoubtedly continue serving the purpose as long as its implementation is based on the peoples' own analysis of their own problems and perceived solutions. The aim of this research was to evaluate on the level of community participation in the integrated development planning conducted by the Molemole municipality in the villages, more especially, Mokomene which is under Kgosi Ramokgopa. It has also been the objectives of the research to assess and measure the level of participation by members of the community in this area.lnterviews, questionnaires and observations were used to carry out the research.While many people in this area supported the introduction of the IDP in the communities, these recommended strongly for its correct implementation. The results of the research indicate a substantial number of people who still believe education and orientation on IDP matters should be given to the communities.

Developments since the 20th century indicate that the wellbeing of communities makes for healthy national welfare in strong countries. Community wellbeing is thus a priority for policy makers and service providers. Conceptualization of a meaningful, holistic multidimensional measurement of community wellbeing at micro (community) level has been lacking. Such a concept and its measurement are essential when addressing social exclusion and development issues in the enhancement of community wellbeing is to produce worthwhile results. There is growing recognition that earlier understanding of community wellbeing failed to address development needs and processes at community level. Outsider stakeholder driven top-down one-dimensional community wellbeing (‘silo’) measurements did not address human development needs at community level. Meaningful measurement requires integrated frameworks addressing multidimensional issues conceptualizing wellbeing measurement at community level. Such measurement needs to be combined with the integrated inclusion of social capital influence through ‘insider-outsider’ partnerships. The research study purpose was to develop a community driven holistic, integrative wellbeing assessment model. This model could assist ‘insiders’ (community members) and ‘outsiders’ (policy makers, service providers and community development practitioners) in developing and implementing community driven initiatives towards improved wellbeing. The two main research questions were: 1) which macro level wellbeing assessment factors to consider in an aligned micro level wellbeing assessment? and 2) what is the associative relationship between wellbeing and social capital? Two descriptive sample surveys were conducted utilizing a structured questionnaire. Primary data findings contributed to finalization of a community level wellbeing assessment model. This model would enable estimation of the potential (push and pull) factors that influence the targeted success of suggested community development processes. The assessment model is community driven and owned, with spider and quadrant diagram graph tools indicating first the status of community wellbeing and social capital, then the associative relationships of wellbeing and social capital in ‘insider-outsider’ initiatives for wellbeing enhancement. / Development Studies / D. Phil. (Development Studies)