The role of non-governmental organizations in promoting sustainable livelihoods at Evaton in Emfuleni Local Municipality
Abstract
Development has been one of the highly contested phenomenons yielded by various conflicting perspectives on what it entails, how it should be implemented and who should be its delivery agents and beneficiaries. Against this backdrop, various local and international institutions have engaged in discussions at various levels since 1994 to ensure that the strives benefit the poorest and vulnerable sectors of society who live in conditions of abject poverty, some deprived of access to even basic resources thereby adopt a shift in approach from a welfarist to social development perspective. The latter was based on the premise that in developing countries, the challenge is to establish a people centered framework for social development and to respond to the immediate needs of those who are affected by human distress. As a result, evolution of school of thoughts within the development fraternity unfolded and various method and approaches to implement the process were borne. At the center of these approaches was the sustainable livelihood approach, which is an integrated development method that brings individual approaches together to achieve sustainable development. It also involves an assessment of community assets, adaptive strategies and technologies contributing to livelihood systems, and the analysis of cross-sectoral policies
and investment requirements to enhance livelihoods. Such a framework provides a basis for working with people, not only on issues of local concern, but also when developing wider programmes and policies that will impact on communities and civil society organizations. The role of NGOs as a role player in the promotion of sustainable livelihood has never been as critical as it is today. South Africa is continuously faced with stark inequalities across the spectrum. Poverty, social pathologies and community dependency syndrome on welfare service delivery continues to be major indicators that a large percentage of NGOs is still behind with the promotion of sustainable livelihood approach in their deliverance of services to their beneficiaries. This study was undertaken in order to investigate the role of NGOs in promoting sustainable livelihood in Evaton at Emfuleni municipality. For the purpose of this study, the hypothesis is formulated that :NGOs play a very important role in promoting community development through provision of services to the communities in Evaton; yet their service delivery approaches seem trapped in the previous historical evolution of developmental efforts marked by provision of relief as opposed to sustainable livelihood services. In support of the empirical research, use and analysis of a theoretical study of development and sustainable development was undertaken. The analysis showed amongst other things: * The recognition of the need to promote the goals of sustainable development
through the newly negotiated people centered approach based on the strengths of an individual, group or community thus recognizing their capacity for growth and development. * The role of NGOs cannot be overemphasized in the achievement of this goal given the general belief that NGOs have become very important and permanent institutions in the implementation of development programmes and projects. * All stakeholders viz: NGOs, private sector and all spheres of government involved in the deliverance of services to the community have to commit resources to ensure that policies, strategies, and programmes are devised in order to improve the quality of life of all people by tackling poverty from all sides through the application of sustainable livelihood approach. • Welfare services and developmental welfare strategies at local level have not been approached in the same way by all social service NGOs. The study ends with recommendations for improvement of NGO service delivery.