Investigating the challenges of poverty alleviation projects in the Eastern Cape Department of Social Development: a case study on selected projects at Amathole District Municipality (1997 -2009).

Abstract

This study inquired and explored information about the challenges faced by poverty alleviation projects through interactive process with relevant sources. An expedient sample of participants was drawn from strategic positions that deal with poverty alleviation projects in the area of Amathole District Municipality, Eastern Cape Province. The collection of data was done through focus groups, questionnaires, scheduled interviews, unscheduled interviews, observations and review of documents. The results acquired from the analyzed thesis of the study signify that poverty alleviation projects are confronted with diverse challenges that impede their potential growth and long term viability. Key to these constraints are issues pertaining to lack of capacity from project members and the Department of Social Development officials, lack of infrastructure, lack of financial and project management skills, tendencies of misconduct and corruption by government officials and project members; and poor leadership due in the main to failure by stakeholders to understand the concept of community driven development. Disintegration and non-co-operation also characterize the coordination and management of poverty alleviation projects within the intra­and inter-governmental relations, which then neglects the concept of an integrated development approach. The study was useful in exposing the challenges so as to draw logical strength and wisdom to provide lasting solution to the problems facing poverty alleviation projects. At a broader scale, the future of these projects is guaranteed on condition that more effort is done in the areas of leadership, integrated approach, resource provision, capacity enhancement and shared understanding in the conceptualisation of poverty alleviation projects. The research study has revealed that the future of poverty alleviation projects cannot be conclusively perceived as being in absolute collapse. Sisonke Women's Project, as explained in Chapter Four of the study, is a good example to prove that there is potential for these government funded projects to grow and graduate to an extent of becoming self-sustainable. The identified challenges can be resolved provided that, the Department of Social Development, as a champion of poverty alleviation programmes, demonstrates unwavering leadership and acquaintance with the concept of integrated developmental approach. This noble objective can be achieved if other government departments, institutions and spheres are also committed to the cause.