Based on the author's thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Minnesota, 1998. / Caption title; description based on t.p. screen of 2009-09-06. Originally published by Gutenberg-e: www.gutenberg-e.org. Includes bibliographical references.

Master's thesis. / Format: PDF. Bibl.

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published_or_final_version / Public Administration / Master / Master of Public Administration

During the 1990s the South African state began to reform the education system in an attempt to resolve the crisis resulting from apartheid policies. The challenge was to develop new policies free from the stigma of the discriminatory apartheid regime, and consistent with the principles of equality, democracy, and social justice. However, the legitimate capacity and power of the state to manage this reform was severely questioned by the liberation movement, which demanded alternative policy pathways in education. The early 1990s marked the beginning of the negotiation process towards eradicating the apartheid regime in South Africa. This occurred at the time when the world was experiencing the rise of the special type of NGOs called 'organisations for policy advice' or 'think tanks'. When the Government of National Unity assumed power in 1994, it planned to develop an education system that would benefit the entire South African community, regardless of gender, age, race, ethnicity, etc. This dissertation looks at the contribution that two NGOs, the Education Foundation and the Education Policy Unit made in the education policy development process of this country immediately before and after the democratic elections. A qualitative case study approach is used to show how particular NGOs located themselves in the policy process. In each of the two organisations, key informants were interviewed and documents were reviewed as a way of gathering data. Consideration was also given to the challenges that these organisations faced in playing their role. It was then concluded that despite the challenges that face NGOs they do impact on the policy-making process in a considerable way. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2003.

The biggest pandemic that the Sub- Saharan Africa is faced with is HIV / AIDS. This research examines the experience and challenges of living with HIV / AIDS; as well as how people living with HIV / AIDS use religious/spiritual coping mechanisms and the effect on their quality of life. In addition, it examines the perceived role and effect of Faith-Based Organisations in enabling or impairing coping with their HIV challenges. A qualitative methodology was adopted and semi-structured interviews conducted with ten individuals living with HIV / AIDS. A thematic analysis of these transcripts revealed that most of the interviewees used religious/spiritual coping methods, which generally led to improved quality of life. However, results also showed that religious beliefs/practices could also be a hindrance to coping. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, PIetermaritzburg, 2006.

This dissertation is an evaluation of the programme of World Vision Tanzania. It examines the work of the Mpunguzi Area Development Programme (ADP) in the Dodoma region in two ways. Firstly it looks at it from the perspective of WVT itself, through reading the reports and minutes of the organisation and interviewing key informants. Secondly it looks at it from the perspective of the local people in Mpunguzi, through a series of interviews and group discussions. It is clear that the ADP has made a good contribution that is appreciated by local inhabitants in the areas of primary health, primary education, agriculture and animal husbandry, water and sanitation, the environment, gender inequity, income generating activities, spiritual development, advocacy on child rights and leadership development. However, there were concerns expressed about a range of on-going life and livelihood struggles that the ADP is not able to address. These issues include housing, storage and marketing of agricultural produce, conditions of loan facilities, lack of other skills and employment, drought, lack of alternative livelihoods, gender issues and the impact of HIV/AIDS. The dissertation argues that World Vision Tanzania and the ADP approach will need to make some changes to the development approach in order to meet these concerns. Four important issues are then identified and explored. These are:(i)participation of the poor in shaping their livelihoods; (ii) promotion of Asset Based Community Development; (iii) advocacy in terms of public policy; and (iv) a deeper theological understanding of development. The hope of the research and dissertation is to enable World Vision and other Christian groups continue to make a lasting difference in the lives of the poor in Tanzania. / Thesis (M.Th.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2005.

This study seeks to investigate the impact of the state and the donors on Second Generation NGOs. The study argues that the state and the donors have an impact on Second Generation NGOs which tend to change the basic intentions of the latter. If the state is supportive of democratic social reform, it may have a positive impact on the civil society. If it is against democratic reform, it may have a negative impact on the civil society. As the NGO sector is part of the civil society, its behaviour can be influenced by the way the state relates to the civil society. Donors influence the behaviour of the NGOs through the conditions which they impose when they provide their funds. This study argues that such conditions have, to a large extent, a negative impact on the behaviour of the NGOs, though in some cases they are necessary due to the need to control the opportunistic behaviour of NGO officials. The study concludes that the state, the NGOs and the donors must work together as mutual partners whose main intention is to develop and enhance the welfare of grassroots people. The partnership must include the grassroots people because true development is participatory. The meaningfulness of such partnership is grounded in Christian ethical values of community life. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1999.

This article analyses the aid chain and north-south power relations with regard to INGO programming strategies. CARE USA's Household and Livelihood Security (HLS) programming framework is examined, as case study, from the headquarter level to country offices in South Africa and Lesotho as well as partner organizations. HLS is discussed in relation to participatory methodology, management tools, the project cycle, donors and direct versus partner implementation. The paper argues that using HLS to combine people centred development ideas with northern-based management techniques has led to inadequate success in the field. Furthermore, the unequal power relations between the north and the south ultimately sabotage development success. HLS is a promising programming framework for development pratictioners. However, many of the past programming failures continue to impede HLS. Additionally, new programming failures are being created through the dissemination and implementation of HLS programming as it currently exists. / Thesis (M.Dev.Studies)-University of Natal, Durban, 2002.

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.