Development has been used interchangeably amid transformation, of the underdeveloped Third World countries, denoting a shift to meet the standards of the developed First world countries. According to authors, meaningful development requires meaningful involvement of the people being developed. According to the democratic government policies in South Africa, in order to address the needs of the community, the community being developed should be engaged from the planning stages to the implementation stages of the development in order to fully address their needs and to ensure the sustainability of the project. This is supported by literature as stated by Paul (1987) that Involvement of communities in project planning and implementation could become more efficient because of timely beneficiary inputs. The more local people are involved in development projects, the more sustainable the projects will be as the community owns and understands them better. The following study was conducted in order to establish the extent of the involvement of the Inanda, Ntuzuma and KwaMashu (INK) townships community in the Bridge City Project and how they benefit from the project. It looked at the role played by the INK inhabitants and how that fed into the sustainability of the project to sustain people’s lives. A qualitative research methodology was followed in this research project. To gather the needed data, questionnaires were used in conjunction with interviews. The general community, Bridge City employees, INK officials and a councillor were interviewed. The study findings indicated that the local INK people were not well informed about the developments in the Bridge City Project. Qualitative data collected indicates that the community felt that they were not given a chance to be involved in a more meaningful way. Some members were not satisfied about the level of their involvement therefore the issue of ownership of the project by the local community still has to be addressed. Nonetheless, respondents agreed that the project brought back hope and life to them and their future generations. The integrated design of the project addresses most of their needs including: poverty, crime, unemployment, health, education, transport and other necessities. There was an indication that the project would, after completion, provide all the necessary services while addressing the issue of poverty and hopefully, inequalities. The sustainability of this project relies more on the level of involvement of the community. Future research should look at whether the community has ultimately been more involved in a meaningful way and whether they have been allowed to be investors in the development projects in order to make them proper participants. / Thesis (M.Dev.Studies)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.

The negative effects of climate change are contributing to the growing complexity of issues challenging livelihood sustainability and are further threatening already vulnerable communities. In response to these challenges, new means of conceptualising problems needs to be investigated so as to adequately deal with the multi-dimensional issues that arise. Central to this are means of communication and participatory interaction with vulnerable communities in the development of adaptation strategies. Theatre has been identified as an effective means of inspiring change through a process of critical self-reflection and personal empowerment, making it a pertinent tool for climate change communication. This research demonstrated how theatre was used in the process of knowledge translation for climate change adaptation within the community of Amaoti, KwaZulu-Natal. Knowledge was gathered from the community through two processes; a vulnerability analysis that examined five main vulnerability components, and a theatre engagement process that resulted in the production and performance of a play, Fish Out of Water. The vulnerability analysis – conducted through a selection of participatory rural appraisal tools - determined that the community was particularly vulnerable with regards to water. In addition to this, it faced a series of social challenges, including high levels of disunity, high crime rates and poverty. This analysis was central to the development of adaptation strategies, which Fish Out of Water communicated through its performance, contextualised in the translated vulnerability knowledge. Responses to the play were analysed, indicating that the climate change information had been successfully communicated and that theatre itself was an effective means of communication. In addition to this, it was determined that this process had also contributed a greater sense of awareness of social issues and had inspired people to take actions to change their behavioural patterns. New social considerations were made, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of situational dynamics that could inspire change. While positive conclusions were drawn from this with regards to the use of theatre in climate change communication, significant challenges were experienced during the process indicating a series of more fundamental issues that need to be addressed. High levels of apathy, difference of value systems and constraining family-dynamics need to be taken into account if the implementation of such processes is to be successful. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2009.

Abstract not available. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2007.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1996.

The state of the environment in South Africa is deteriorating and the province of KwaZulu-Natal is no exception to the situation. KwaZulu Natal is experiencing soil erosion, has inadequate policies for environmental protection, and current environmental measures lack mass support (Ndimande, 2001 :6). This is so because the beliefs of the past ascribed overpopulation as the main factor for the degradation of the environment and many conservation projects disregarded human needs, rights and dignity. For instance, the establishment of many game reserves meant forced removal and social dislocation of indigenous people (Ngobese and Cock, 1995:17-21). Forced removal and social dislocation in any situation can instigate conflict. Conservation agencies in South Africa, such as Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife (EKZNW) in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), can be very effective in their conservation efforts if they create a platform that allows indigenous knowledgeable communities to participate in the management of protected areas. This participation could be in the form of allowing and encouraging communities abutting protected areas to contribute relevant Indigenous Knowledge (lK) for use to authorities of EKZNW. This effectiveness could be enhanced if the result of community participation will be sustainability in the community. According to Shragge (1993), a community has a heart, and its lifeblood is its authentic culture, its shared experiences of the past and its local ways of doing things (1993:39). Utterances such as the one below by Masuku (1999) do not stand conservation agencies in good stead. ' ...the lack of good understanding of people's way of life by my organizations (EKZNW) in areas that are today recognized as protected areas is occasionally pointed as one of the sources of conflict around conservation issues... (1999: 1), The aim of this study was to explore ways in which EKZNW could position itself to be an integral part of saving the decline of indigenous knowledge, and to nurture and stimulates its production as a starting point towards improving the lives of rural poor communities adjacent to Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park, with specific reference to communities of Mpembeni and Mdletsheni Traditional Authorities. For the purpose of this research, communities' animal and plant indigenous knowledge was chosen as the yardstick for assessment of contribution that communities can make to biological diversity conservation and development. The choice was informed by an understanding that the diversity of plants and animals provide us with a resilient natural system, which in turn provides a crucial life support system such as purification of air and water. On the other hand, poverty drives the rural poor, who also benefit from this life support system, into poaching and unsustainable resource harvesting. These illegalities, although the only option, play a negative role in the viability and sustainability of biological diversity conservation. Research findings revealed that plant and animal indigenous knowledge is present in the communities, and they face a great challenge that there is no systematic documentation of this knowledge, and its oral transmission is inconsistent. It was through the urgent need dictated by the status quo that this research project was conceived. An attempt was made to tap into this knowledge by conducting a study in the two communities and bring it to the forefront of biological diversity conservation, and into development projects funded through community levy fund by EKZNW, in order to uplift the communities' standard of living. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2006.

To strengthen democracy, the South African government established the ward committee system in accordance with Sections 72-78 of the Municipal Structures Act, 1998. The objective was to improve service delivery by bridging the gap between the respective communities and the municipal structures. Ward committees should be able to enhance participatory government. Public participation is essentially a process that engages communities from the planning to the implementation and the evaluation phases of a particular activity or a project. The ward committee structure should focus on increasing the involvement of the municipal communities when decisions are made within the local government sphere. The primary objective of this research was to establish the role of ward committees in enhancing local governance, with particular reference to Maphumulo Municipality. The objectives of the study were to provide an overview of the new mandate for future ward committees and trends in local governance affairs; review the roles of ward committees and transformation processes with particular reference to Maphumulo Municipality; and evaluate the concept of ward committees in the context of participatory developmental local government and the mandate enshrined in the Constitution. The study employed both qualitative and quantitative approaches to understand the scope and nature under which ward committees operate to enhance local governance. The research has established that there are still important aspects regarding the roles of ward committees and community participation on which Maphumulo Municipality has still to improve. The municipality structures, particularly the Public Participation Unit, should work closely with the ward committees so that they will be able to drive community initiatives. / Thesis (MPA)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2011.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2010.

This dissertation investigates the approach and process employed to both water delivery and capacity building in two distinct KwaZulu-Natal schemes within Mapumulo and Ngwavuma - the Masibambisane Water Project and the Shemula Community Water Supply Scheme, respectively. The principal concern of the study is whether capacity building may proceed alongside service delivery. The context of the study is established in exploring several theories of rural development, the role of power structures, the state and development agents, as well as the Reconstruction and Development Programme, in relation to rural development. Furthermore, the concept of capacity building is examined in terms of theory and practice in order to conceptually locate the schemes under consideration. The central argument of the dissertation is that effective management of the delivery process, from investigatory work through to implementation and maintenance of the product, enables capacity building to proceed apace. The primary research conducted around the respective schemes offers support to the argument and further highlights the centrality of extensive community consultation and participation within the delivery process. It is further argued that capacity building is not simply a desirable, but essential component of community-based development initiatives, particularly where the role played by community members subsequent to project implementation is critical to the sustainability of the product. In addition, a comprehensive and grounded understanding of the development context and of the needs and aspirations of the beneficiary community are advanced as being indispensable in seeking to successfully deliver a service in a manner that is appropriate and sustainable. Finally, the role of the state, funding institutions and delivery agents within the rural development context may prove highly effective in facilitating fundamental positive changes in the quality of life experienced by rural people. However, it is argued that in order for such development to proceed, such agents need to adopt a self-critical approach and adapt their current policies, practice and perceptions in accordance with the constraints and opportunities of the development context. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1995.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1998.

The practice of contracting out services to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) has spread worldwide during the 1990's, and has significantly reshaped the relationship between government and NGOs. Within this dissertation, I explore the trend towards contracting at the international and South African levels. I argue that with the outsourcing of support services becoming an important performance strategy at an international level, there is no reason why NGOs in South Africa cannot start to perform a similar role. However, conclusions drawn from the experience of developed countries in relation to contracting should be treated with caution in South Africa. The continuing reform of the public sector in South Africa since 1994 has opened the window of opportunity for NGOs which have a record of valuable achievement in undertaking development work, and can demonstrate their capacity to establish contractual relationships with government and communities. The case study of the Association for Rural Advancement (AFRA) suggests that the practice of contracting NGOs in South Africa is still relatively new and therefore imperfect, because of severe capacity constraints. The major finding of this research is that evidence is mixed on the effects and outcomes of involving NGOs in contracting, but if used carefully contracting is a viable palliative for the existing fundraising shortage facing NGOs and can, more importantly, extend services to the majority of South Africans. / Thesis (M.Dev.Studies)-University of Natal, Durban, 2002.