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)

Social sustainability provides a meaningful approach for industry practitioners wishing to establish a platform to engage communities within enterprise development. It can be said that sustainability requires much more than environmental and fiscal achievements and, with an increased awareness of issues such as equity and power sharing, more corporates are incorporating their strategies in line with social responsibility values. This study therefore takes a closer look at how the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company, integrates this important concept of social sustainability in its business practices. The tourism industry has in fact grown to such an extent that global economists estimate the progress of international growth at between three and six percent annually. However, this growth can only be measured when businesses take social responsibility factors into consideration. According to the UNWTO (2011, p 1) UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon, opened the Fourth UN Conference on Least Developed Countries stating that the majority of: “…least developed countries (LDCs) are rich in resources. All have young and vibrant populations. These men and women need decent jobs, education, training, so they can make the most of their country’s assets - minerals and other commodities, farmland, rich stores of biodiversity and tourism potential”. This study therefore focuses on current and future issues pertaining to socially sustainable tourism at the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company in Cape Town, South Africa. In addition, it presents solutions for reducing the negative impacts of tourism, whilst at the same time embracing the benefits of tourism for the area and its local communities. The outcome of the study found that the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company added little value to social responsibility objectives. The company has made a significant effort in marketing their product through the mass media. However, there is an overall corporate responsibility barrier. Much still needs to be done to ensure accountability for social responsibility issues, not just within this particular company, but also throughout the tourism industry. / Environmental Sciences / M. Sc. (Environmental Science)

Social entrepreneurs seek to create social value in various ways in the community. Notably, they encounter not only enabling factors but also face and attempt to deal with a variety of challenges in their endeavor to start and run social ventures. This academic paper adopts a single case study approach with the aims to explore challenges and attempts to deal with them, as well as enablers, in how Dr Govender sought to create social value within the community of Gelvandale in Port Elizabeth in South Africa. Famhealth Medipark was chosen because it is unique and has been considered as an example of successful social entrepreneurship in Port Elizabeth. In the light of this, there has not been any previous study particularly focusing on its challenges and enablers in adding social value in the community through a multi-disciplinary venture. This research is valuable as it builds our understanding of how social entrepreneurs create social value. This qualitative study uses a single case study to focus on incidents of challenges and enabling factors as experienced, recollected and expressed by Dr Govender as a social entrepreneur. A variety of data, such as interview data collected through sampling incidents in nine in-depth initial and follow-up interviews, documents, audio documentaries and emails, were used. Open coding and constant comparison was used to analyze data and induce themes. Findings depict that Dr Govender as a social entrepreneur was propelled by four enablers: (1) strong enthusiasm to create positive change in others within a community, (2) network to resources, (3) a nurturing world view, and (4) consistent self-sacrifice. Dr Govender also revealed that he faced four types of challenges in setting up and operating Famhealth Medipark (FHM) as a vehicle with the sole purpose of creating and adding social value to the community of Gelvandale. Predominantly, (1) limitation of finance, (2) overwhelming effect of multiple roles, (3) negative effects of the non-accredited status of the care-giver training programme, and (4) the predominance of a destructive mindset entrenched within the Gelvandale community were key challenges he faced and attempted to deal with in setting up and operating a social venture to ultimately create social value. Although other types of data have been used, the predominant reliance on primary data collected through in-depth interviews is one of the major limitations of this qualitative study. However, this qualitative and exploratory study provides insights into our understanding of not only challenges encountered by social entrepreneurs but also the various drivers that sustain their social mission. Recommendations were then made, based on the findings from the research conducted.