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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Poverty Alleviation through Community Participation: Realism or Idealism?
Author:Wassermann, IngeISNI
Year:2001
Periodical:South African Journal of Ethnology
Volume:24
Issue:4
Pages:171-178
Language:English
Geographic term:South Africa
Subjects:community development
rural development
popular participation
poverty
Economics and Trade
Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups)
Development and Technology
Abstract:Underlying most of the ideas on development and poverty alleviation during the past three decades are the notions of community participation and sustainability. To date little attention has been paid to defining the intended beneficiaries of development programmes and projects. This paper debates the feasibility of participation by 'communities' on the basis of recent experiences in the field of both academic research and development facilitation in several rural communities in South Africa. The greatest part of the data was obtained during field research on food garden projects in 18 communities in the Giyani District of Northern Province. The author's experience in a community in the Madikwe District of North West Province is also reflected in the discussion. Five contentious assumptions about communities that underlie the views found in the literature (communities consist of harmonious interest groups; all community members desire change; all community members have the self-confidence to participate; all community members may take free, democratic decisions; community leaders necessarily serve community interests) are exposed. Finally, a more selective approach to community participation is proposed. Bibliogr., sum. in English and Afrikaans.
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