Thesis (MA (Sociology and Social Anthropology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: South Africa’s natural environment is internationally recognised for its biodiversity, and therefore deep concern exists regarding the significant impact of invasive alien species (IAS) on that biodiversity. To combat the spread of IAS in South Africa, the national Working for Water (WfW) Programme was established in 1995. In addition to the clearing of IAS, the programme has also been designed to provide employment and empowerment to the marginalised sectors of South African society. With regard to the latter, WfW forms part of South Africa’s Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), and can be defined as a workfare programme, since it provides paid employment, rather than welfare payment. Following a contractor development approach, it also intends to create independent entrepreneurial contractors who, ideally, should ‘exit’ WfW, by being absorbed in the broader labour market. However, anecdotal evidence indicates that, since the establishment of WfW, many of its intended beneficiaries have become highly dependent on such employment, and therefore do not wish to “exit” the programme. Also, mounting concern regarding beneficiary dependence on Public Works Programmes in general, has spurred numerous academic debates on welfare dependence, as well as attempts to explain variability in dependence on government support. This thesis reports on a multi-site case study of beneficiary dependence on four WfW projects, which was undertaken in four CapeNature reserves in the Western Cape province of South Africa. Five broad research questions were formulated, which relate to the extent of beneficiaries’ dependence on the projects concerned, as well the sociological factors that may contribute to such a phenomenon. The data collected for this study were analysed with reference to various theories of state dependence. The beneficiaries were found to have become highly dependent, mostly in a financial sense, on the WfW projects studied, but also in regard to expectations of remaining in the WfW Programme in future. Such dependence is largely due to WfW having become engrained in beneficiaries’ social structure to such an extent, that it affects both their choices and their actions. Fearing a return to the conditions of farm labour, or the inability to escape the culture of poverty and/or marginalisation they experienced before joining WfW, seems to have resulted in the “unanticipated consequence” of workers being reluctant to exit from the programme, on which they have become dependent for their income and social standing. In the light of these findings, the thesis also briefly reflects upon South Africa’s EPWPs, with the conclusion of the case study offering at least a partial solution to improving the WfW Programme as an EPWP. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Suid-Afrika se natuurlike omgewing word internasionaal erken vir sy biodiversiteit, en om hierdie rede bestaan daar goot bekommernis oor die beduidende uitwerking van uitheemse indringerspesies (UIS) op hierdie biodiversiteit. Om die verspreiding van UIS in Suid-Afrika te bekamp, is die Nasionale Werk vir Water (WfW) Program in 1995 gestig. Benewens die verwydering van UIS, is die program ook ingestel op werkverskaffing en bemagtiging van die gemarginaliseerde sektore van die Suid-Afrikaanse samelewing. Met betrekking tot laasgenoemde vorm WfW deel van die Suid-Afrikaanse Uitgebreide Openbare Werke Program (UOWP), en kan gedefineër word as ‘n werkswelsynsprogram, met die klem op die verskaffing van werk teen betaling, eerder as bloot net ’n welsynsbetaling. WfW volg ‘n kontrakteur-ontwikkelingsbenadering, waarvolgens kontrakteurs ontwikkel word, wat, ideaal gesien, die program as entrepreneurs kan verlaat en as sodanig in die breër arbeidsmark geabsorbeer kan word. Nietemin, in die praktyk wil dit tans egter voorkom asof die veronderstelde begunstigdes van WfW eerder hoogs afhanklik geraak het van die werk en dit derhalwe nooit wil verlaat nie. Die stygende kommer rakende begunstigde afhanklikheid van Openbare Werke Programme oor die algemeen, het reeds oorsprong verleen aan menige akademiese debatte oor welsynsafhanklikheid, sowel as pogings om verskille in omvang van afhanklikheid van regeringsondersteuning te verduidelik. Die tesis rapporteer oor ’n veelligging gevallestudie oor begunstigde afhanklikheid van vier WfW-projekte, wat geleë is in vier CapeNature reservate in die Wes-Kaapprovinsie van Suid-Afrika. Vyf breë navorsingsvrae is ontwerp, wat verband hou met die omvang van afhanklikheid van hierdie spesifieke projekte, sowel as die sosiologiese faktore wat tot die ontwikkeling van hierdie verskynsel sou kon bydra. Data is ontleed met verwysing na verskeie teorieë van staatsafhanklikheid. Daar is bevind dat begunstigdes hoogs afhanklik geraak het, hoofsaaklik in ‘n finansiële sin, van die bestudeerde WfW-projekte, maar ook verwagtinge het om in die toekoms deel te bly van die WfW-Program. Hierdie afhanklikheid spruit voort daaruit dat die begunstigdes se sosiale struktuur tot so ‘n mate met WfW verweef geword het, dat dit ’n uitwerking het op die werkers se keuses, asook hul optrede. ’n Vrees om terug te keer na die omstandighede van plaaswerk, of die onvermoë om te ontvlug van die kultuur van armoede en/of marginalisering wat hulle ervaar het voor deelname aan WfW, het skynbaar die “onbedoelde gevolg” gehad dat werkers onwillig is om te tree uit die program waarvan hulle afhanklik geraak het vir hul inkomste en sosiale stand. In die lig van hierdie bevindinge reflekteer hierdie tesis ook kortliks oor Suid-Afrika se UOWP, met die gevolgtrekking van die gevallestudie wat ten minste ‘n gedeeltelike oplossing bied ter verbetering van die WfWProgram, as ’n UOWP.

Student Number : 9907276D - MSc Dissertation - School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences - Faculty of Science / The broad aim of this study was to measure the ecosystem repair of the Sabie River (which traverses through both the grassland and savanna biomes) riparian environment in Mpumalanga, South Africa, in response to the clearing of alien plants by the Working for Water (WfW) alien plant clearing programme. This was done in order to assess the effectiveness of the WfW clearing on the Sabie River riparian plant community composition and associated environmental factors. Although “effectiveness” can be assessed in various ways, in this study it included determining whether there was a reduction in the invasion intensity (defined as the percentage aerial cover of woody alien plants) after clearing. This broad aim was achieved by studying the impacts of the WfW alien plant clearing programme, as well as the invasion of alien plants, on the plant species composition, diversity and vegetation structure of riparian ecosystems on the Sabie River. Hence, in 2005 40 modified Whittaker nested plots were sampled. The impacts on the Sabie River riparian environment were also assessed by measuring various environmental variables that are likely to change as a result of clearing, such as the ground cover (percentages of exposed soil, rock, litter, herbaceous vegetation and grass), as well as various soil chemical and physical properties. Twenty plots were surveyed along the Sabie River in the Hazeyview region (savanna biome), ten in the Sabie region (grassland biome) and ten in the Graskop region (grassland biome). The response of the Sabie River riparian community to invasive alien plant clearing by WfW (and the alien plant invasion itself) was also assessed over time, by comparing the 2005 study with one done in 1996, which used the same plots. In 2005, a cumulative total of 282 species were found, 222 (79%) of which were indigenous and 60 (21%) alien. The grassland sites had a higher cumulative total of 222 species compared with the 171 species in the savanna sites. A total of 112 (39%) species were common between the biomes, 86 (30%) of which were indigenous and 26 (9%) alien. At the 1000 m2 scale, the indigenous species richness (32.4 ± 1.4 (S.E.)) was significantly higher than the alien species richness (12.0 ± 0.5) (P < 0.001). Of the 60 alien species, 17 (28%) were shrubs and 15 (25%) trees. The grassland sites were more species rich at the 1000 m2 scale (48.8 ± 1.8) and diverse at the 100 m2 scale (Simpson’s index of alpha diversity of 0.90 ± 0.01) than the savanna sites (species richness of 40.0 ± 2.1 and alpha diversity of 0.85 ± 0.02; P = 0.003 for species richness and P = 0.04 for alpha diversity). The Sabie sites were more species rich at the 1000 m2 scale (52.6 ± 2.8) than the Graskop sites (45.0 ± 1.4) (P = 0.12). The higher species richness in the Sabie region contributed to the higher total species richness in the grasslands relative to the savanna sites. At the 1000 m2 scale, the overall beta diversity (Sorenson’s coefficient of community) between the biomes was 0.57, and the species complementarity (the Marczewski-Steinhaus distance) between the biomes was 0.60, indicating that the biomes were not that similar in terms of species composition. Even though the grassland was more rich and diverse in terms of species than the savanna, the overall relative abundances of plant species in each biome was very similar (species evenness (Simpson’s measure of evenness), at the 100 m2 scale, of 0.52 ± 0.03 in the grassland and 0.51 ± 0.03 in the savanna; P = 0.74). The savanna tended to have a higher degree of invasion intensity (aerial cover of woody alien plants of 34.4 ± 4.6% compared to 29.4 ± 4.5% in the grassland; P = 0.44), possibly due to its position lower in the catchment, and hence a sink for upstream alien plant propagules. It was hypothesized that higher plant species richness and/or diversity should enhance community resistance to alien plant invasions, in both the grassland and savanna biomes. In the Sabie (grassland) region, there was a negative correlation between the indigenous and alien species richness, thus indicating that the Sabie region plant community may have been more resistant to the invasion of alien plants than the other two regions. Therefore, the hypothesis was not rejected for the Sabie region. On the other hand, in the Graskop (grassland) and Hazeyview (savanna) regions, there were positive correlations between the indigenous and alien species richness, thus indicating that these plant communities may not have been as resistant to the invasion of alien plants. Therefore, the hypothesis was rejected for both the Graskop and Hazeyview regions. When considering the biome scale, the hypothesis was not rejected as the increase in total species richness with increasing invasion intensity in the grassland (which was more diverse than the savanna) indicated that it may have been more resistant to the invasion of alien plants than the savanna, which had a total species richness that decreased with increasing invasion intensity. In 2005, exposed soil, litter and grass covers tended to be slightly higher in the savanna (14.4 ± 1.6%; 43.5 ± 3.0%; 21.8 ± 1.7% respectively) than in the grassland (12.1 ± 2.5%; 43.2 ± 4.2%; 20.1 ± 2.3% respectively) (P = 0.43, 0.96 and 0.56 respectively). Rock and herbaceous covers were higher in the grassland (4.3 ± 1.6% and 20.3 ± 1.7% respectively) than in the savanna (0.8 ± 0.2% and 19.5 ± 2.2% respectively), but only rock cover was significantly different (P = 0.04) (P = 0.76 for herbaceous cover). These patterns in ground cover may have been a response to the slightly higher invasion intensity in the savanna. The hypothesis that the lower the degree of alien plant invasion, the higher the understorey vegetation cover, which may result in reduced cover of exposed soil and litter, in both the grassland and savanna biomes, was not rejected as the grassland tended to have a lower degree of alien invasion (although not significant), a higher cover of herbaceous vegetation, and corresponding lower covers of exposed soil and litter. The biomes (in 2005) did not differ significantly in soil pH (grassland pH: 4.6 ± 0.1; savanna pH: 4.8 ± 0.1; P = 0.34). However, the grassland soils were generally more fertile than the savanna soils, i.e. higher organic matter (4.5 ± 0.2% versus 3.3 ± 0.4%; P = 0.01) and total nitrogen (0.3 ± 0.02% versus 0.2 ± 0.02%; P = 0.03). The concentrations (mg/l) of most of the nutrients were also higher in the grassland. The lower fertility of the savanna soils may have been related to the higher litter cover of the savanna immobilizing a larger amount of available nutrients than the grassland; another possibility may have been slower rates of soil organic matter decomposition in the slightly cooler (higher altitude) grassland regions. The soils of the grassland sites tended to be more compacted (0.8 ± 0.1 kg/cm2) (but not significantly) than those of the savanna sites (0.7 ± 0.1 kg/cm2) (P = 0.43), and the savanna plots were on significantly steeper ground (12.8 ± 1.7º) than the grassland plots (4.8 ± 1.1º) (P < 0.001), which may have also contributed to lower fertility through greater leaching and erosion losses. From the detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) of the species by plot data, there were no distinct plant communities separating out between the biomes and regions. This is probably because the Sabie River riparian environment essentially supports a riparian forest/woodland, rather than reflecting the species typically found in the adjoining (more upland) grasslands and savannas. Hence, the species composition of the riparian environment was fairly uniform throughout the study area. The canonical correspondence analysis (CCA), which also incorporates the environmental variables, showed that altitude, exposed soil cover, soil pH, organic carbon content and slope steepness were the variables that most closely (and significantly) correlated with the species composition, and two of these variables relate directly to soil fertility, and the other three are indirectly related to soil fertility. Of the original “treatments” of the 1996/1997 study, namely (A) biome (grassland versus savanna), (B) invasion intensity (high (> 50%) versus low (< 50%)), and (C) clearing (cleared versus uncleared), the legacy of the latter two did not persist over time, as there was little or no clear overall relationship between the 1996 and 2005 data when analysed by ANCOVA. The cumulative total species richness sampled in the 40 plots increased from 163 species in 1996, to 282 in 2005 (42% increase). Mean species richness (at the 1000 m2 scale) was 24.1 ± 1.0 in 1996 and 44.4 ± 1.5 in 2005 (P < 0.001). Trees increased from 28 species in 1996 to 46 in 2005 (39% increase), shrubs from 44 to 82 (46%), herbaceous plants from 71 to 121 (41%), and grasses from 20 to 33 (39%). However, even though the species richness of each growth form increased over time, the proportion of each growth form remained approximately the same, i.e. in 1996, 17% of the species were trees, 27% shrubs, 44% herbaceous and 12% grasses; whereas in 2005, 16% were trees, 29% shrubs, 43% herbaceous and 12% grasses. The greatest increase over time was for category 1, 2 and 3 weed species, namely 25 in 1996 to 50 in 2005, a 50% increase. Although mean alpha diversity was higher in 2005 (0.9 ± 0.01 compared to only 0.3 ± 0.03 in 1996 (at the 100 m2 scale); P < 0.001), overall beta diversity over time (a change from 1996 to 2005) was relatively low, indicating a small change in overall species composition, despite the increase in species richness. The invasion intensity (percentage aerial cover of woody alien plants) was similar between the years, i.e. 30.0 ± 4.6% in 1996 and 31.9 ± 3.2% in 2005 (P = 0.73). When comparing the invasion intensity between the three original treatments over time, the invasion intensity of the 1996 grassland and savanna plots remained unchanged. The invasion intensity of the 1996 high invaded plots also remained unchanged over time, however the low invaded plots had a significantly higher invasion intensity in 2005 (P = 0.004). The invasion intensity of the 1996 uncleared plots remained unchanged over time, whereas the cleared plots had a significantly higher invasion intensity in 2005 (P = 0.03). These results clearly show that the legacy of the original invasion intensity and clearing treatments measured in the 1996/1997 study did not persist over time, whereas the inherent differences between the biomes did. The hypothesis that higher plant species richness and/or diversity should enhance community resistance to alien plant invasions was rejected, as both the 1996 and 2005 plant communities were not that resistant to the invasion of alien plants, even though there was a significantly higher species richness and diversity in 2005 than in 1996. It is concluded that because of both the similar growth form composition and invasion intensity over time, the WfW clearing efforts are not succeeding in the primary aim of controlling aliens, particularly woody alien species. However, there was a considerable decrease in the aerial cover of large alien plants, namely (a) alien plants > 5 m decreased from 15.8 ± 4.1% in 1996 to 5.8 ± 1.2% in 2005 (P = 0.02), and (b) those between 2 – 5 m tended to decrease from 13.3 ± 2.8% in 1996 to 11.1 ± 2.4% in 2005 (P = 0.55). However, these decreases were balanced by a considerable increase in the aerial cover of alien plants < 2 m in height, which increased from 3.9 ± 1.0% in 1996 to 15.0 ± 2.1% in 2005 (P < 0.001). This therefore showed that the WfW clearing programme is succeeding, to some extent, in removing most of the larger alien plants but not in controlling the regenerating plants, which recover through post-clearing resprouting and/or newly established seedlings. Exposed soil, rock and litter covers were higher in 2005 (13.3 ± 1.5%; 2.5 ± 0.8%; 43.3 ± 2.5% respectively) than in 1996 (2.1 ± 0.5%; 0.9 ± 0.3%; 16.4 ± 2.7% respectively) (P < 0.001 for soil and litter covers, and 0.07 for rock cover). Herbaceous and grass covers were significantly higher in 1996 (47.8 ± 2.8% and 32.8 ± 2.6% respectively) than in 2005 (20.0 ± 1.4% and 20.9 ± 1.4% respectively) (P < 0.001 for herbaceous and grass covers). These differences in the ground covers between the years may have partially been a response to the major February 2000 flood event, which cleared a large proportion of the vegetation, resulting in much greater rates of erosion and deposition of soils. The WfW clearing operations also removed a significant proportion of the vegetation, and disturbed much that remained, thus modifying the environment. The increase in litter cover may have also been due to the slightly higher invasion intensity in 2005 than in 1996. Soil pH remained unchanged over time (both years had a pH of 4.7 ± 0.1; P = 0.99), indicating that pH was unaffected by the invasion and subsequent clearing of alien plants, as well as the 2000 flood event which moved a tremendous amount of sediment. The hypothesis that the lower the degree of alien plant invasion, the higher the understorey vegetation cover, in both 1996 and 2005, was not rejected as the plots in 1996 had a lower degree of alien invasion (although not significant), a higher cover of herbaceous vegetation, and corresponding lower covers of exposed soil and litter. Along the Sabie River, the alien tree and shrub species with the greatest densities were Rubus cuneifolius (American bramble) (1828 plants/ha), Lantana camara (Lantana) (1760), Solanum mauritianum (Bugweed) (838), Indigofera macrophylla (640), Eucalyptus grandis (Saligna gum) (560), Caesalpinia decapetala (Mauritius thorn) (403), Agrimonia odorata (Agrimonia) (220), Lilium formosanum (St. Joseph’s lily) (218), and Populus x canescens (Grey popular) (125). Focusing the clearing efforts on these species will help to reduce the frequency of re-invasions, reduce costs, and increase ease of clearing. The primary aim of the WfW programme is to increase water supplies by controlling woody alien plants. Therefore, it is concluded that the WfW clearing along the Sabie River has been partially successful, as there has been a significant decrease in the invasion intensity of large (> 5 m) alien trees (which tend to have the highest transpiration rates) over time from 1996 to 2005. In 1996, these large alien trees were represented mainly by Eucalyptus spp. However, the WfW programme was not effective in terms of ecosystem repair, as the invasion intensity increased slightly from 1996 to 2005, largely as a result of the significant increase in the aerial cover of smaller alien shrubs (< 2 m). If left unchecked, these will probably in time result in even higher levels of invasion intensity when the individual plants increase in size and cover. Furthermore, the growth form composition remained relatively unchanged over time, and more than half of the alien species found in 2005 were tree and shrub species. Therefore, little or no ecosystem repair has occurred along the Sabie River. In order to improve the effectiveness of the WfW programme, various detailed recommendations are included, which largely revolve around improvements in follow-up treatments.

In the context of the post-apartheid era and under the new Government of National Unity, the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) was initiated in 1994. To assist in the realisation of the goals of this programme the macro-economic strategy, Growth, Employment and Redistribution (GEAR), was implemented in 1996. It was within these frameworks that the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) launched its Working for Water (WFW) programme in October 1995. This programme was based on three pillars, namely: enhancing water supply and water security; creating jobs, building communities and improving quality of life and; conserving ecological functioning and biological diversity. Since October 1995 the Working for Water Programme has created 42 059 jobs, 220 884 hectares have been cleared with follow-up clearing in 55 731 hectares as part of the programme strategy to enhance water supply. Investment has been made in 240 projects, with a budget of R365 147 259 as at 31 March 1998. The impact of the Turn Table Trust WFW Project, a sub-project of the Central Umkomaas WFW Project, was examined in terms of fuelwood supply and household income of three small rural communities, namely: Xosheyakhe, Intabamakhaba and Mkhohlwa, referred to in this dissertation as the Rural Bulwer community. The research was carried out by means of questionnaire interviews and a workshop held at the Pholela Tribal court. The results of this study indicate that the Bulwer community depend on four energy types, in order of importance; wood, paraffin, dung and electricity. Many of the households perceive that, since the Turn Table Trust WFW Project began in the area in November 1995, there is less wood available and trees which are used for fuelwood are being cleared. Certain areas have felt the impacts of the clearingprogramme. People who have access to electricity still rely on fuelwood as they can not afford to use electricity exclusively. Indigenous forests are important as a source of fuelwood and for the harvesting of medicinal plants. The indigenous forests could be put under severe stress if wattle becomes unavailable forfuelwood purposes. The impact of the Turn Table Trust WFW Project on the fuelwood supply of the Bulwer community is small at present, but likely to increase. Households that have members employed by the Project, rely on this income to cover most household expenses. These households struggle to survive if or when employment by the Turn Table Trust WFW Project is periodically terminated. The businesses in Bulwer have also come to rely on the income earned by those employed by the Project. The Working for Water programme has far reaching implications for a local community and its surrounds and these need to be taken into account when both beginning and, importantly, ending a project in an area. / Thesis (M.Env.Dev.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1999.

This research is concerned with the development of independent contractors within the Working for Water Programme over a twenty-four month period. The meaningful participation of previously disadvantaged South Africans fall within the ambit of black economic empowerment. The Government Gazette (1997: No. 1820) defines black economic empowerment as a deliberate programme to achieve the meaningful participation of disadvantaged South Africans in the mainstream economy as managers, owners of capital and employees. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the contractors within the Western Region of the Eastern Cape, in order to assess how they have developed as independent contractors within the developmental framework provided by the Working for Water Programme. This developmental framework takes place over a 462-day period or roughly 24 months. The evaluation aimed to determine whether the two-year development period sufficiently prepared contractors for competition in the open market and if contractors had acquired the necessary skills to run a successful business. A formative programme evaluation was used as a tool of analysis to identify areas of weakness and establish priorities for improvement. A qualitative research approach was followed, guided by an adapted version of the Context, Input, Process and Product approach to evaluation (Parlett and Hamilton cited in Calder, 1995, p.25). Using structured interviews comprising of closed and open ended questions, data was gathered from thirty contractors, five managers and one Senior Executive Officer within the Western Region of the Eastern Cape. An interview was also conducted with the Regional Programme leader of the Eastern Cape. Further data collection techniques included documentary research. Data was analysed using qualitative data analysis techniques described by Thorne (1997, p.118), as relying on inductive reasoning to interpret and structure the meanings that can be derived from the data. Passages of interest were marked so that the data could be reduced to a manageable size as described by Seidman (1991, p.91-1 01) and various categories were developed that had commonalties and thematic connections. The Working for Water Programme aims to exit contractors successfully after a twenty-four month developmental period. The Working for Water Programme has formalised its development framework through a training matrix in which the required training at contractor level is outlined. The finding of the research is that the current contractor development programme do not adequately prepare contractors for independence and entrepreneurship in a competitive market. There is no co-ordinated development of predetermined skills. Contractors are not able to articulate what their plans are after exit from the WFW Programme. No concrete evidence of actively pursuing alternative contract opportunities was evident from contractors who were about to exit the Programme and there is no person to champion the cause of meaningful post exit opportunities. The main recommendations from this research are that contractors be selected via an application system rather that appointment through steering committees. Selected contractors must be medically fit and at least have a matriculation certificate. Contractors should be assessed on a 6-monthly basis and contractors not achieving a minimum competency level must be removed from the programme. Managers should also have basic competency levels in order to facilitate skill transfer through a mentorship process. The charge out rate of equipment should be revised every six months. The charge out rates should also be increased significantly to cater for the harsh conditions under which contractors are operational. A "champion" needs to be appointed which will actively seek exit opportunities for trained contractors. This person will also seek to develop functional partnerships with various private and government institutions to create opportunities for exited contractors.

Thesis (MPA (School of Public Management and Planning))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009 / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to conduct a process evaluation of the Working for Water Social Development interventions as determined in the Medium Term Strategic Plan for 2003-2007. The study focused on the two projects namely Great Letaba and Mamathola projects within the Tzaneen Management Area in Limpopo. The study focused on whether the recruitment and selection process, followed within Working for Water, fosters the employment of equity targets as determined in the Expanded Public Works Programme Guidelines and the Ministerial Determination for Special Public Works Programme. The study also evaluated the process followed in the implementation of HIV and AIDS programmes as a Social Development intervention. Lastly, the study evaluated the processes followed during the implementation of the Skills Development and Training programme within Working for Water. The theoretical background focused on the Social Development theories as well as evaluation theories. In addition the study used the Working for Water Norms and Standards, HIV and AIDS policy, Skills Development and Training Guidelines as the basis for the process evaluation. Data was collected from three Working for Water job categories namely, the Contractors, HIV and AIDS Peer Educators and Workers by means of questionnaires. The responses were analysed by using the Moonstats statistical software where findings revealed gaps in the planning, monitoring and evaluation processes of Social Development interventions. Furthermore, the study recommended that there be improvements in the implementation processes of Social Development interventions particularly in planning, monitoring and evaluation. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doelstelling van hierdie studie was om die proses van die Werk vir Water se Sosiale OntwikkelingIntervensie te evalueer soos gestipuleer in die Middel termyn Strategiese plan vir 2003-2007. Hierdie studie het op twee projekte gefokus naamlik, die Groter Letaba en Mamathola projekte in die Tzaneen Bestuursarea in Limpopo. Die fokus van die studie was of die werwing en seleksieprosesse wat binne die Werk vir Water Program gevolg word, wel gelyke werksgeleenthede en kwotas bevorder soos uiteengesit in die riglyne vir Uitgebreide Openbare Werke Program en die Ministeriele Determinasie vir Spesiale Openbare WerkeProgam Die studie het ook die proses geevalueer wat gevolg was in die implementering van MIV en VIGS programme as ‘n Sosiale Ontwikkeling intervensie. Laastens, het die studie die prosesse ge evalueer wat gevolg was tydens die implementering van die Opleidingsen Vaardigheids Ontwikkelings program binne die raamwerk van die Werk vir Water Program. Die teoretiese agtergrond het gefokus op die Sosiale ontwikkelingsteorieë sowel as die evalueringsteoriee. Verder het die studie gebruik gemaak van die Werk vir Water Norms en Standaarde, MIV en VIGS beleid en Vaardigheidsontwikkeling en Opleidingsriglyne as basis vir die evaluasieproses. Data was dmv vraelyste ingewin vanuit drie Werk vir Water poskategorieë naamlik, die Kontrakteurs, MIV en VIGS Eweknie Opvoeders en Werkers. Die inligting was geanaliseer deur gebruik te maak van Moonstats Statistical Software. Die bevindings het leemtes uitgewys in die beplanning, monitering en evalueringsprosesse van die Sosiale Ontwikkelingsintervensies. Verder het die studie aanbeveel dat daar verbeteringe gemaak moet word in die implementeringsprosesse van Sosiale Ontwikkelingsintervensies. Klem moet veral gelế word op die gebiede van beplanning, monitering en evaluering.

There is little understanding of the implementation efficiency and effectiveness of restoring plant invaded landscapes within operational contexts. South Africa's Working for Water (WfW) programme is arguably the most ambitious alien plant control programme in the world, yet little is known about its cost-effectiveness and the challenges it faces in linking poverty and environmental objectives. My first aim was to assess the cost-effectiveness of invasive plant removal, and the factors that underpin its effectiveness over large spatial and temporal scales. The second aim was to compare the accuracy of evidence-based findings with managers' experience-based beliefs, and to assess whether managers are willing to change their beliefs after being exposed to it. The third aim was to assess the costs and benefits of removal versus removal followed by active native re-vegetation. My final aim is to assess the challenges and lessons learnt by managers linking ecological restoration with poverty alleviation objectives, specifically within the public works model. My study area was focused primarily on two WfW river catchment projects in the western region of the Eastern Cape province. I adopted an interdisciplinary approach drawing from a range of methods such as observational studies, statistical modelling and interviews with managers. The key findings were that control efforts in the two catchment projects are largely inadequate owing to many sites being re-invaded and not enough resources being allocated to the catchments. It would take between 54 and 695 years to clear the respective catchments. In terms of cost-effectiveness, my results exceeded previous estimates by 1.5 to 8.6 times for each catchment project. After being exposed to the evidence-based findings, the managers did not change their beliefs when it came to forecasting the future effectiveness. I found that active native re-vegetation after removal of invasive plants is very costly and that priority should be given to understanding the effectiveness of the removal treatments on native species recovery. The managers cited significant challenges in effectively and efficiently meeting the programmes dual objectives. Based on a broader review of the public works literature I recommend WfW re-examine the type of public works they currently use.