The relationship between community participation and the sustainability of CSR Projects : the case of the Grootegeluk Coal Mine in Lephalale Local Municipality
Abstract
The developmental challenges that South Africa faces are such that no single sphere of society
can address them alone. It is thus important that all of society participate in contributing to
development. The private sector is expected to play its role under the ambit of corporate social
responsibility, which is an expectation for companies to mitigate their negative impacts on society
and contribute to the betterment thereof. Within the post-apartheid South African context and
given the negative consequences of mining on the environment and communities close to mining
operations, mines are legislatively required to actively mitigate their negative impacts and to
contribute to the development of the communities that they operate in. For the development of
communities, the mines are expected to participate in local economic development, through the
implementation of community projects which address community needs. The communities in
which mines are located are often highly underdeveloped, and thus the mines can play a
significant role when resources are utilised in a manner that supports development.
This study investigated the relationship between the participation of community members
(beneficiaries of projects) and the sustainability of community development projects using two of
Grootegeluk Coal Mine’s community development projects as case studies. More specifically,
whether the participation of beneficiaries throughout the project life cycle influenced the
sustainability of projects. This was done by establishing if beneficiaries participated in the project
process, at what level they participated and where in the project process they participated. The
study then explored the sustainability of projects (personal, community and project sustainability),
guided by the three dimensions of sustainability. The study also explored how other factors such
as the provision of support and training, monitoring after project implementation and proper
project planning may have impacted on project sustainability.