Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This project attempts to assess critically the 'dualistic' role of Organised Labour within the complexities of societal transition processes. As observed by Bendix (1976/2000), the Industrial Relations System, and Organised Labour within it, is a generator for societal and political change. At present, the German union federation Deutscher Gewerkschaftsbund (DGB and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) do not only hold prominent positions in their respective collective bargaining systems, but also a considerable amount of political power. In both societies, strict labour legislation and strong social-democratic or even communist factions prevent government from adopting more liberal and flexible labour laws. In this paper, the historical and the present role of Organised Labour in its wider societal, context has been critically examined within the framework of the EQUILIBRIUM CONVERGENCE approach (Willy Bendix, 1979) and the TRADE UNION POLICY MATRIX (Willy Bendix, 1979). Both, the EQUILIBRIUM CONVERGENCE model and the TRADE UNION POLICY MATRIX have been applied to place the Deutcher Gewerkschaftsbund (DGB) and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) into their own societal perspectives in order to establish their role and policy in the societal transition process of their respective countries. In this respect, great similarities between problems, developments and policy formation have been found. Also that, albeit with a historical 'time lag', COSATU appears to follow the structural developments of its German counterpart, the DGB. Perhaps the most salient observation and conclusion is that, while the adaptation of the trade union movement in Germany within this country's societal, industrial transition phases, and particularly in the period of the reunification of East and West Germany, entailing the integration of a communist-socialist system into a social market economy and parliamentary democracy, was of a relatively realistic nature and resulted in a high degree of co operation between the social partners at the highest level leading to 'post modern unionism', South Africa, in its present industrial transition phase, has still to contend with strongly ideologically driven 'fighting unions'. This might hamper an effective economic policy formulation by the government. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie werkstuk is 'n evaluasie van die 'tweeledige' rol van die arbeidsbeweging binne die kompleksiteit van 'n sosiale oorgangsproses. Soos deur Bendix (1996/2000) beweer, is die nywerheidsverhoudingsstelsel met arbeid as hoofakteur daarbinne as 'n dryfkrag, die katalisator vir sosiale en politiese verandering. Die vakbondfederasies Deutscher Gewerkschaftsbund (DGB) end die Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) speel tans nie net prominente rolle in hulle individuele nywerheidsverhoudingsstrukture nie, maar het ook sterk magsbasise in hulle sosiale konteks. In albei samelewings verhinder streng progressiewe arbeidswetgewing en oorweldigende sosiaal-demokratiese, of selfs kommunistiese faksies die regering daarvan om meer liberale en buigbare arbeidswetgewing in te stel. In hierdie skrif word die geskiedkundige en huidige rolle van georganiseerde arbeid ondersoek binne die raamwerk van die EQUILIBRIUM CONVERGENCE Benadering (Willy Bendix, 1979) asook die TRADE UNION POLICY MATRIX (Willy Bendix, 1979). Albei, die EQUILIBRIUM CONVERGENCE model en die TRADE UNION POLICY MATRIX is toegepas om die Deutscher Gewerkschaftsbund (DGB) en die CONGRESS OF SOUTH AFRICAN TRADE UNIONS (COSATU) in hulle samelewingskompleksiteit te plaas om hulle rolle en beleid in hulle eie lande te bepaal. In hierdie proses van ondersoek is 'n groot ooreenstemming tussen hulle ontwikkelinge en posisies gevind, en ook dat, alhoewel met 'n historiese 'time lag', COSATU die pad van strukturele ontwikkelings van sy eweknie in Duitsland, die Deutscher Gewerkschaftsbund (DGB), volg. Miskien die mees belangrikste bevinding en gevolgtrekking is dat, terwyl die aanpassing van die Duitse vakbondbeweging binne die land sy industriele oorgangsfase, en besonders in die periode van die herenigingsproses van Oos en Wes Duitsland, en dus die inlywing van 'n sosialistiese sisteem in 'n sosiale markekonomie en sosiale demokrasie op 'n relatiewe, realistiese basis bewerkstellig was, wat in 'n hoe mate van samewerking tussen die sosiale venote op die hoogste vlak bewerkstellig het, wat na die stadium van 'post modern unionism' voer, Suid Afrika in sy teenwoordige industriele oorgangsfase nog steeds aan die probleem van sterk ideologies gedrewe 'fighting unions' bloot gestel is, wat 'n effektiewe proses van ekonomiese beleidsformulering mag benadeel.

LL.M. (Labour Law) / In this minor dissertation the author argues that the Constitution will fail to uphold its own fundamental values if the rights and obligations which it enforces remains stale and outdated. A supreme body of law needs to be one which is breathing and alive, and which may adapt to fundamental changes in society. In turn, it is will be suggested that, if the Constitution remains ineffectual, labour law (which seeks to uphold its values and vision) will in turn become ineffectual. The minor dissertation will therefore consider the following pertinent question: Will the inability of the judiciary to interpret labour law in a manner that furthers the fundamental values in the Constitution result in such legislation becoming ineffective? It will be submitted that in order to promote economic and labour development one must be mindful of the social fluctuations present in light of a constitutionally supreme state. It is also stated that, in order to avoid a deadlock of complicated and outdated labour legislation which becomes inflexible, the Legislature must allow the Judiciary to develop such law to the extent that is necessary for its continued existence insofar as it complies with the Constitution. Without a strong and adhesive method in developing labour practice, social, economic and technological advancements will fail. Labour legislation must therefore be adaptive and flexible. The judiciary must therefore be adaptive and flexible in their own application of such law. In turn the Constitution is theoretically adaptive too, and its premise is achieved through the promotion of effective labour legislation, specifically.

The inauguration of the Government of National Unity created the necessary conditions for us to start the challenging task of changing South African society for the better. This is what we had set ourselves to do during the years of struggle to rid our country of apartheid. Now South Africans can, under conditions of freedom, work together to make our country the land of our dreams. This means further enhancing the freedoms we now enjoy; improving the security of citizens at home, in the streets and at work; and raising the quality of life of all the people. Reconstruction and development means all these things: to change all aspects of our lives for the better. Among the urgent tasks the government has set itself is to work together with all citizens to improve the provision of education, health services, housing, water supply, land, electricity, refuse removal, roads and so on. This demands of government that we change the manner in which public funds have all along been used. Everything should be done to create conditions in which the economy can improve and provide more jobs. To realise all these objectives requires co-operation among us as hard-working and responsible citizens. Immediately the Government of National Unity was installed, we started the planning required to meet these goals. At the same time, we also launched Presidential Lead Projects aimed at improving the lives of especially the poor, women and children. But this was just the beginning. For, in the end, we should change the allocation of all public funds towards the new priorities. Government should involve the people more actively at all stages of reconstruction and development. We should operate in an open manner guided by the wisdom of the people themselves. From the projects started last year, many of these ideals have started to take shape. But we continue to learn many lessons. This booklet outlines the concrete steps that have been taken thus far, in the long journey towards a better life for all. As this account shows, this task is not an easy one. But, working together, in the spirit of Masakhane, South Africans are more than capable of realising the good things that our beautiful country can offer.

The 1996 constitution of South Africa was adopted as the supreme law of the Republic so as to establish a new society based on democratic values, to 'improve the lives of all citizens and to free the potential of all persons by every means possible' (1996:Section 27). Every person now has certain inherent rights which were denied to most prior to the 1994 elections. All persons have the right to dignity, and the right to have their dignity respected and protected. The State agrees, 'within its resources as outlined in its macro economic strategy GEAR' (Beck 2000: 195) to take reasonable legislative and other measures to achieve the progressive realization of people's rights and to have these rights respected. There is a major shift in the way society is governed. Government legislation reflects the move away from the harsh, discriminatory laws of the past, to a new social order based on democratic principles. Most welfare organizations are willing to embrace the new dispensation and some are well advanced in the transformation process which embraces the developmental approach to social welfare. This research looks at two such organizations within the context of a case study. Its purpose is not to detail the difficulties and tensions faced by the organizations in terms of the implementation of a developmental approach to social welfare, but rather to explore how two groups of people from very diverse backgrounds, politically, historically and economically, learn to work together on a developmental project during a time of monumental change. It details how the two organisations made progress together in spite of their many difficulties and differences, to bring each phase of the Project to fruition during the period October 1997 - October 2001. I use the actual geographical names of the Project during the research but the names of the organisations and the participants have been changed to protect identities. / Thesis (M.Ed.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2003.

Diversity management is of strategic importance in all organisations throughout the world. Its importance is derived from the belief that workplaces by nature consist of diverse employees, who in one way or another are different in terms of race, gender, religion, or any other difference that may have an impact on the business and its employees. The differences among people need to be managed. This study investigated the influence of diversity management initiatives on business and social outcomes in South African businesses. Literature reviews on diversity management and multicultural education in various parts of the world have revealed an impact on the influence of diversity management initiatives on business and social outcomes. However, existing South African literature on diversity management does not conclusively expose the effects of diversity management on business and social outcomes, hence the need for this study. The study was based on a conceptual framework, which included variables on diversity management initiatives, diversity management models, institutional development theory and business and social outcomes. Hypotheses for the study were also developed and tested. In testing the hypotheses, the empirical data collected was subjected to a series of statistical tests, using STATISTICA version 13. MANOVA tests were conducted to determine the existence of differences among variables and the extent to which the variables differed was measured by means of ANOVA tests. Tukey post hoc tests (Tukey HSD) were used to determine practical significance among variables. The study was also subjected to Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient analysis tests to ascertain the existence of relationships between all diversity management initiatives and business and social outcome factors. The analysis was concluded by conducting an exploratory factor analysis. An exploratory factor analysis was conducted to confirm or reduce the number of factors and the number of factors was subsequently reduced. A Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient test was also done for the extracted factors, after which a regressions analysis test was conducted to confirm the existence of relationships between the extracted diversity management initiatives factors and business and social outcomes factors. This formed the basis for the development of a proposed diversity management model. The model of the implementation of diversity management initiatives is an important contribution to the study because it shows the different aspects that guide the process of implementation. The model is based on the implementation of a formal diversity management change strategy and programme of action; employment equity plan and strategy; and the recruitment and empowerment of women and people living with disabilities. The study was not without limitations. Challenges with regard to access to respondents were experienced and this was one of the delays in data collection. Another challenge experienced was that the study did not include qualitative research approaches, which could have been used for in-depth responses. The study provides an important milestone for the use of diversity management initiatives in South African companies.

In light of the cyber-activist simulated incidences dubbed Occupy Wall Street in New York City, New York, USA and the mirrored Occupy JSE movement in Johannesburg, South Africa, the internet and its social media networking sites have been instrumental in facilitating both the dissemination of information as well as facilitating a mediated environment for activists to coordinate online and offline protest action. This research examines the extent to which activists for social change have used social media sites such as Facebook, YouTube, web blogs and other online forums to garner support for their cause as well as generate social mobilization by creating awareness of the economic disparities in their respective societies. Established theories of social presence have been used to explain the relevance and role of social media tools in instigating social mobilization whether online or offline. This discussion focuses on the Occupation Movements staged in various countries globally and to what extent social media played in facilitating social change. It is important to note that the video footage and other social media data under analysis is specifically that which was uploaded onto YouTube and the subsequent URL links posted on Facebook. By scrutinizing these videos and calls for action as well as the comments posted by the international online community, this research elucidates the ‘trickling down effect’ of this type of cyber-activism on the behavioural patterns of contemporary South African society, and further argues that this process is indicative in the resultant Occupy JSE movement.

In light of the cyber-activist simulated incidences dubbed Occupy Wall Street in New York City, New York, USA and the mirrored Occupy JSE movement in Johannesburg, South Africa, the internet and its social media networking sites have been instrumental in facilitating both the dissemination of information as well as facilitating a mediated environment for activists to coordinate online and offline protest action. This research examines the extent to which activists for social change have used social media sites such as Facebook, YouTube, web blogs and other online forums to garner support for their cause as well as generate social mobilization by creating awareness of the economic disparities in their respective societies. Established theories of social presence have been used to explain the relevance and role of social media tools in instigating social mobilization whether online or offline. This discussion focuses on the Occupation Movements staged in various countries globally and to what extent social media played in facilitating social change. It is important to note that the video footage and other social media data under analysis is specifically that which was uploaded onto YouTube and the subsequent URL links posted on Facebook. By scrutinizing these videos and calls for action as well as the comments posted by the international online community, this research elucidates the ‘trickling down effect’ of this type of cyber-activism on the behavioural patterns of contemporary South African society, and further argues that this process is indicative in the resultant Occupy JSE movement

Text in Afrikaans / Die navorsingsonderwerp van hierdie proefskrif is ondersoekende joernalistiek en die moontlike of waarskynlike invloed wat die spesifieke joernalistieke praktyk op die proses van sosiale verandering kan uitoefen. Daar word van die aanname uitgegaan dat koerantberigte weens ondersoekende joernalistiek in sommige gevalle kan lei tot die bewusmaking van ongeregtighede en/of onregmatige dade in die samelewing en dat die joernalistieke praktyk 'n bydraende faktor of soms 'n katalisator tot optredes van owerhede en uiteindelik sosiale verandering kan wees. Om die aanname toe te lig, word eerstens gekyk na die betekenis van sosiale verandering. Antwoorde word onder meer gesoek op vrae soos: (i) Wat is sosiale verandering? en (ii) Wat is die invloed van die media op sosiale verandering? Tweedens word daar gekyk na wat ondersoekende joernalistiek behels en hoe dit verskil van veral die konvensionele joernalistieke praktyk. Derdens word 'n profiel van Vrye Weekblad gegee ten einde die koerant as gevallestudie te regverdig. Vierdens word 'n model vir die kwalitatiewe inhoudsontleding van voorbeelde van ondersoekende joernalistiek geformuleer. Vyfdens word die model empiries getoets op ondersoeke wat deur Vrye Weekblad gedoen is. Laastens word gepoog om die teoretiese perspektiewe oor sosiale verandering en die invloed van die media te versoen met die empiriese ontledings van die voorbeelde van ondersoekende joernalistiek in Vrye Weekblad. / The research topic of this thesis is investigative journalism and the possible or probable influence that this specific journalistic practice may have on the process of social change. The study proceeds from the assumption that investigative newspaper reports can in some instances lead to an awareness of injustices and/or illegal actions in society. This form of journalistic practice could therefore be a contributing factor, and in some cases, a catalyst for government action and ultimately social change. To elaborate on this assumption, attention is firstly given to the meaning of social change. In this respect answers to the following questions are sought: (i) What is social change? and (ii) What is the influence of the media on social change? Secondly, attention is given to the characteristics of investigative journalism and how this practice differs from conventional journalism. Thirdly a profile of Vrye Weekblad is offered in order to justify the case study. Fourthly a model for the qualitative content analysis of instances of investigative journalism is formulated. Fifthly this model is tested empirically on investigations undertaken by Vrye Weekblad. Finally an attempt is made to reconcile the theoretical perspectives on social change and the influence of the media with the empirical analyses of investigative journalism in Vrye Weekblad. / Communication Science / D. Litt et Phil. (Kommunikasiekunde)

Thesis (MTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of the study is to gain clarity on the conflict that occurs around the minister in the congregation. The following questions will be asked: Why did the conflict occur, what caused it and how was this conflict handled? If there was a better understanding of the cause of the conflict, it can be better managed in the future. The following research question is formulated: What were the biggest hurdles in the missional transformation process in the Dutch Reformed Congregation Op-die-Berg en how was this unlocked? The notion of members of what the essence of the essence and being of the church is and what they expect of the minister play a very important part in the changing context in which the congregation try to discover her missional vocation and actually live missionally. For the purpose of the study the work was done within the field of practical theology on the basis of Richard Osmer’s (2008) model of practical theology. He explored four questions that guided our interpretation and our response to the situation. The four questions are: What is going on? Why is this going on? What ought to be going on? How might we respond? Answering these questions is the four tasks of practical theological interpretation. These tasks are: The descriptive-empirical task; gathering information that help us discern patterns and dynamics in particular situations and contexts. The interpretive task; drawing on theories of the arts and sciences to have a better understanding of and explain why these patterns and dynamics are occurring. The normative task; using theological concepts to interpret particular situations and constructing ethical norms to guide our responses. The pragmatic task: determining strategies of action that will influence situations in ways that are desirable and entering into a reflective conversation. Together, these four tasks constitute the basic structure of practical theological interpretation. A metaphor to describe this process will be that of a spiral and not a circle. Chapters two to six is a discussion of these questions en tasks. The hermeneutical lens of the research is the question of the missio Dei and the role of the Trinitarian God in the transformation process. The research want to help members to answer the question: How might we respond? Thus, they will be able to understand the four questions of Osmer, but will also be able to live with spiritual discernment. The study describes a paradigm shift which the congregation experienced during the past twenty years. The influence of the Christendom paradigm as well as the influence of the business model of running an organization, in which most of the members operate, is challenged by the theology that developed from the missio Dei and the Trinity concepts. The study described the process in a rural community which changed its identity and culture. The influence of the ever-changing context was discussed. Postmodern society challenged the influence of patriarchy. The community and its relationships form the backdrop in the research. This study shows that transformation can’t happen if the minister is not willing to be transformed. The practice of faith-forming habits played an important role. Leadership had to lead through spiritual discernment. The changes that happened doesn’t happen because of a program, but is discovered on a journey of spiritual discernment. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van die studie is om helderheid te verkry oor die konflik wat in die gemeente rondom die persoon van die leraar ontstaan het. Wat het daartoe aanleiding gegee en hoe is dit ontlont? As die faktore wat daartoe aanleiding gegee het, beter verstaan kan word, kan dit ook in die toekoms beter hanteer word. Die volgende navorsingsvraag is geformuleer: Wat was die moeilikste hekkies in die missionale transformasieproses in die Nederduitse Gereformeerde Gemeente Op-die-Berg en hoe is dit ontsluit? Lidmate se kerkbegrip en die rolverwagting van die leraar speel ʼn wesentlike rol in ʼn veranderende konteks waarin die gemeente strewe om sy missie nie net te ontdek nie maar ook uit te leef. Dit is ʼn prakties teologiese studie aan die hand van Richard Osmer (2008) se model waarin vier vrae gevra word. Osmer het vier vrae ontwikkel wat ons interpretasie en reaksie op die situasie begelei. Die vier vrae is: Wat is aan die gebeur? Hoekom gebeur dit? Wat behoort te gebeur? Hoe behoort ons daarop te reageer? Om hierdie vier vrae te beantwoord, is die basis van prakties teologiese interpretasie. Die take wat voortvloei uit die vrae kan as volg beskryf word. Die deskriptief-empiriese taak: Hierdie taak behels die insameling van inligting sodat patrone en dinamika in gegewe situasies en kontekste geëvalueer kan word. Die interpretasie-taak: Die taak behels om deur middel van wetenskaplike metodes en teorieë beter te verstaan en te kan verduidelik waarom die spesifieke patrone en dinamika na vore kom. Die normatiewe taak is om met die hulp van teologiese konsepte die praktiese situasie te interpreteer. Etiese norme word daar gestel om die respons te begelei. Die pragmatiese taak ontwikkel strategieë wat die situasie positief sal beïnvloed en om oop reflekterende gesprek moontlik te maak. Die dinamiese interaksie en invloed van bogenoemde take op mekaar, ( vergelyk dit met die werking van ʼn spiraal in teestelling met die van ʼn sirkel), onderskei praktiese teologie van ander wetenskaplike navorsing. Veral die normatiewe en pragmatiese take is tot die wese van praktiese teologie. Die vier vrae en take word in hoofstuk twee tot ses bespreek. Die hermeneutiese lens van die navorsing, is die vraag na die missio Dei en die rol wat ʼn Trinitariese Godsbegrip in ʼn transformasieproses speel. Die studie wil lidmate help om die vraag te beantwoord: Hoe behoort ons te reageer op die situasie? Lidmate kry nie net in die studie ʼn verstaan van die vrae van Osmer nie, maar veral hoe om geloofonderskeidend in ʼn klein gemeente te lewe. Die studie beskryf die paradigmaskuif waardeur die gemeente van Op-die-Berg die afgelope twintig jaar beweeg het. Die invloed of houvas van die Christendom paradigma asook die uitwerking van die besigheidsmodel waarbinne meeste lidmate opereer, is uitgedaag deur ʼn nuwe verstaan van die missio Dei en die Triniteit. Die studie beskyf die proses en stryd wat ʼn klein plattelandse gemeente deurloop het tydens die skuif in identiteit en kultuur. Die invloed van die konteks word ook deeglik bespreek. Mens kan ook sê dat die postmoderne samelewing implikasies het vir patriargale sisteme. Die studie toon aan hoe sodanige verskuiwings baie van die predikant vra en dat dit net kan gebeur as die geestelike leiers van die gemeente leer om geloofonderskeidend te leef, veral deur die beoefening van geloofsgewoontes. Die gemeenskap en die onderlinge verhoudinge (koinonia) is die hele tyd op die spel. Die verandering wat gebeur het, is nie deur ʼn geïmplementeerde program bewerk nie, maar is op ʼn geloofsonderskeidende reis ontdek.

Thesis (MPA (Public Management and Planning))--University of Stellenbosch, 1999. / 130 leaves single sided printed, preliminary pages i-x and numbered pages 1-75 includes bibliography and digitized at 300 dpi (OCR), used Bizhub 250. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The basic premise of this study is that a curriculum for Theology and Community Development would provide theological institutions with a social purpose in their theological education program. This is necessary for the Church's involvement in social transformation, particularly in the South African context with its alarmingly ever-increasing proportions of unemployment, poverty, violence and crime. The research attempts to provide, as an outcome, theological institutions with a social development purpose by means of curriculum design. The reason for this is based on the conviction that the Church as a community-based organisation, particularly amongst the marginalised poor, can be an effective vehicle for community development. This is due to the Church's Biblical commission and commitment to the poor, its capacity, in terms of resourcefulness, viz. its members and capital, its understanding and experience of social realities and the holistic nature of its activities. The design of the curriculum is aimed at unlocking the Church's resources and building its capacity to become an agent or catalyst for substantial people and societal development. It is presupposed in the study that the Church, although it has a long history of mission and diaconic work, is more and more lacking in capacity to meet the challenges and need of the post-modern society and subsequently cannot effect social transformation - yet it undoubtedly has the potential. The reason for this incapacity can be ascribed to the nature of theological training, which has as a ministerial-formation model a managerial approach to organisation and maintenance of congregational ministry from inside the institutional structure. As the Church finds itself confronted with enormous community needs, the leaders feel inadequate to deal with the "demo-crisis" of society for there is little in their seminary background that could have prepared them to equip the members for ministries incorporating community development. It is argued in this study, based on an analysis of the Church as a community called by God, the essence of community development and the people-centred participatory development process, that the Church as a community-based organisation is essentially best served in effecting social change by orientating itself according to the people-centred participatory development approach. This approach is embedded in the theoretical assumptions of the Humanitarian school of thought combined with the Social Development school. In theological education a new theological paradigm in which theory re-orientates itself to a "new paradigm of humanity" is inevitable. According to this paradigm, the Church should align itself with the humanitarian focus of development because development is ultimately about a new vision for society, about a new humanity, empowerment of the people to experience full life as given by God in full respect of creation. Only in developing a theological understanding of development and in assisting to equip people for development, will it be able to answer to its calling - will it continue the process which was started by God in creating the Church as the "first fruits" of the new humanity. A curriculum for Theology and Community Development, based on the challenges of development, the sources of theology in the teaching tradition of the Church, the realities of the South African context and the principles of the People-centred Participatory Development Approach is designed to empower the Church to be an effective agent and/or catalyst for social transformation, particularly in South Africa. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die basiese uitgangspunt van hierdie studie is dat 'n kurrikulum vir Teologie en Gemeenskapsontwikkeling teologiese instellings sal voorsien met 'n sosiale doelwit in hul teologiese opvoedingsprogram: Dit is noodsaaklik vir die Kerk se betrokkenheid by sosiale transformasie, veral wat die Suid-Afrikaanse konteks aanbetref met sy ontstellende, steeds toenemende, mate van werkloosheid en die daarmee gepaardgaande spiraal van armoede, geweld en misdaad. Die navorsing voorsien as uitkoms, aan teologiese instansies 'n sosiale ontwikkeling doel deur middel van kurrikulumontwerp. Dit is gebaseer op die oortuiging dat die Kerk as 'n gemeenskaps-gebaseerde organisasie, in besonder onder die gemarginaliseerde armes, 'n effektiewe instrument kan wees vir gemeenskapsontwikkeling, gebasseer op die Kerk se Bybelse opdrag en toewyding aan die opheffing van die arme, sy verstaan en ondervinding van sosiale werklikhede en die holistiese natuur van sy aktiwiteite. Die kurrikulum is gemik op die ontsluiting van die Kerk se bronne en die bou van sy kapasitiet sodat die Kerk 'n effektiewe agent of katalisator van substantiewe mense- en sosiale ontwikkeling kan wees. Dit word in hierdie studie op grond van onderhoude en verslae voorveronderstel dat die Kerk, alhoewel hy 'n lang geskiedenis van Sending en Diakonie het, nie paraat is en nie die kapasiteit het om die uitdagings en nood van die post-moderne samelewing volgens die vereistes van sosiale transformasie die hoof te bied nie en gevolglik nie sosiale transformasie kan bewerkstellig nie. Dit terwyl die Kerk ongetwyfeld die potensiaal het. Die rede vir hierdie onvermoë kan herlei word na die Kerk se teologiese opleiding, wat as opleidings model 'n bestuursbenadering tot organisasie en instandhouding van gemeente bediening van binne die institusionele strukture het. Terwyl die Kerk gekonfontreer word met enorme gemeenskapsbehoeftes, voel die leiers onbevoeg om die demo-krisis te hanteer omdat daar baie min in hul teologiese opleiding was wat hulle kon voorberei om die lidmate vir bediening toe te rus wat gemeenskapsontwikkeling insluit. Dit word in hierdie studie geargumenteer, gebaseer op 'n analise van die Kerk as 'n alternatiewe gemeenskap geroep deur God en die wesenlikheid van gemeenskapsontwikkeling binne die verskillende benaderings in die ontwikkelingsproses, dat dit die Kerk as 'n gemeenskaps-gebaseerde organisasie wesenlik die beste sal baat indien dit sosiale verandering wil bewerkstellig om sigself volgens die mens-gesentreerde deelnemende,ontwikkelingsbenadering te orienteer. Hierdie benadering is ingebed in die teoretiese beginsels van die Humanitere Skool gekombineer met die Sosiale Ontwikkelingskool. 'n Nuwe teologies paradigma vir teologiese opvoeding waarin die teorie sigself herorienteer word tot 'n "nuwe paradigma van humaniteit" is onvermydelik. Dit word volgens hierdie paradigma op grond van eksegetiese studie voorveronderstel dat die Kerk erns maak met ontwikkeling omdat ontwikkeling uiteindelik gaan om 'n nuwe visie ten opsigte van die samelewing, 'n nuwe humaniteit - omdat dit gaan oor die bemagtiging van mense om die volle lewe met volle verantwoordelikheid teenoor die skepping te beleef wat deur God gegee is. Slegs deur 'n teologiese begrip van ontwikkeling te ontwikkel en deur saam te werk met ander instansies om mense toe te rus vir ontwikkeling, sal die Kerk in staat wees om waarlik te beantwoord aan sy roeping - sal dit die proses voortdryf wat deur God begin is toe Hy die Kerk as die "eerste vrugte" van die nuwe humaniteit in die lewe geroep het. Vir hierdie doel word die kurrikulum vir Teologie en Gemeenskapsontwikkeling ontwerp, gebaseer op die uitdagings van ontwikkeling, die bronne van teologie in die onderwys-tradisie van die Kerk, die realiteite van die Suid-Afrikaanse konteks en die beginsels van die Mens-gesentreerde Deelnemende Ontwikkelings benadering - om die Kerk te bemagtig om 'n effektiewe agent en/of katalisator vir sosiale transformasie, besonders in Suid-Afrika te wees.