Thesis (MPA)--Stellenbosch University, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Government of South Africa introduced the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) as a means of addressing the sub-standard, living conditions many underprivileged and disadvantaged societies were experiencing in the country. That gave community development impetus. The RDP, as a government policy, presupposed that public institutions would be responsible for its implementation. That implied that public officials, inter alia, would have to facilitate community development. This change agent status of public officials also implied that they would have, out of necessity and demand, to acquire or to demonstrate knowledge of project and community development management skills. Management sciences argue that an organisations' effectiveness is, amongst other, the result of interplay between the internal capacity (inputs), outputs (production) and outcomes (impacts). Internal capacity includes, among others, the training of personnel for the achievement of goals. This study, as stated in the research question, seeks to explain the relationship between project management training and effective community development. It seeks to establish whether there are a significant number of public officials who are trained in project management for community development. The study focuses on the Province of the Eastern Cape, especially the Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, with special reference to cultural officers. The study further presents the Willowvale Case Study to demonstrate in a practical way the relevance of project management skills to the implementation of community development programmes. This case study also serves as base to launch arguments in favour of trained public officials. The research results suggest that public officials, especially cultural officers, lack project management skills. These findings presuppose that the implementation of some community development projects may be flawed, delayed or postponed. The study recommends that the Province of the Eastern Cape consider setting up an interdepartmental body for the purpose of establishing an integrated project and community development training policy, in consultation with relevant tertiary institutions for support and advice. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Suid-Afrikaanse regering het die Heropbou- en Ontwikkelingsprogram (HOP) ingestel as instrument om die substandaard lewensomstandighede wat verskeie minderbevoorregte en agtergestelde gemeenskappe in die land ervaar, aan te spreek. Die HOP, as regeringsbeleid veronderstel dat openbare instellings verantwoordelik is vir die implementering daarvan. Dit impliseer dat openbare amptenare, onder andere, gemeenskapsontwikkeling moet fasiliteer. Hierdie veranderingsagent status van openbare amptenare impliseer dat hulle as 'n noodsaaklikheid vaardighede in projekbestuur en gemeenskapsontwikkeling moet bekom of oor beskik. In die bestuurswetenskappe word geargumenteer dat organisatoriese effektiwiteit onder andere die resultaat is van 'n verwantskap tussen interne kapasiteit, uitsette en uitkomste. Interne kapasiteit fokus onder andere weer op opleiding vir die bereiking van doelwitte. Hierdie studie poog om die verhouding tussen projekbestuursopleiding en effektiewe gemeenskapsontwikkeling te verklaar. Die studie probeer bepaal of 'n saakmakende hoeveelheid openbare amptenare opgelei is in projekbestuur vir gemeenskapsontwikkeling. Die studie fokus op die Provinsie van die Oos-Kaap, spesifiek die Department van Sport, Ontspanning, Kuns en Kultuur, met spesiale verwysing na kultuurbeamptes. 'n Gevalstudie van die Willowvale gemeenskap demonstreer op 'n praktiese wyse die relevansie van projekbestuursvaardighede vir die implimentering van gemeenskapsontwikkelingprogramme. Die gevalstudie verskaf ook 'n basis vir argumente ten gunste van opgeleide openbare amptenare. Die resultate van die studie suggereer dat openbare amptenare, veral kultuurbeamptes projekbestuursvaardighede kortkom. Hierdie bevindinge dui daarop dat die implementering van sekere gemeenskapsontwikkelingsprojekte beperkinge het, vertraag word en selfs gestaak kan word. Die studie beveel aan dat die Provinsie van die Oos-Kaap dit oorweeg om 'n interdepartementele liggaam te vestig. Die doel hiervan moet wees om 'n geïntegreerde Projek- en Gemeenskapsontwikkeling Opleidingsbeleid in konsultasie met relevante tersiêre instellings in te stel.