Evaluating non-profit organisations in alleviating unemployment in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa “a case study of the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, 1997-2017”
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Date
2022
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University of Zululand
Abstract
In developing countries such as South Africa, Non-profit Organisations (NPOs) are regarded as promising initiatives that can be used to alleviate unemployment. Consequently, NPOs have been incorporated into development and conservation policies and strategies in many countries. This incorporation has put more pressure on NPOs to deliver on their mission and vision, but most importantly, to deliver on their mandate to alleviate poverty and create jobs that can alleviate unemployment. The study aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of Non-profit Organisations in alleviating unemployment in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa between the periods from 1997 to 2017. A Sustainable Livelihoods Approach was employed. The research methodology employed was the qualitative research design and data was collected using a workshop and interviews. The data was analysed by employing a thematic data analysis system. The findings showed that firstly, most NPO participants did not believe that the environment in which Non-profit Organisations operated was conducive to creating jobs that could alleviate unemployment. Secondly, the findings showed that the Department of Social Development was not accessible to NPOs and their involvement is seen only on established NPOs. Thirdly, the findings showed that one of the greatest challenges experienced by these NPOs was a lack of financial support. Fourthly, the findings showed that the four NPO sectors selected for the study provided programmes that were in line with the government’s programmes. Sectors included in the study were Development and Housing, Culture and Recreation, Education and Research, and Social Services (some). Lastly and fifthly, the findings showed that NPOs could be used as an effective tool to create jobs if they were recognised as vehicles of change.
Description
A dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirement for the Degree of Master of Arts in the Department of Anthropology and Development Studies, Faculty of Arts, at the University of Zululand, 2022