Assessing Income Generating Projects as a Strategy to Enhance Livelihoods in Rural Areas. Umzimvubu Local Municipality, Eastern Cape Province
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Date
2020
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Publisher
University of Zululand
Abstract
Income generation comprise activities focused at developing opportunities for productive use of available resources to create communities or households that are self-sufficient and not reliant on the state for livelihood generation. The aim of this study was to assess income generating activities as one of the strategies to enhance livelihood in rural areas of Umzimvubu Municipality, Mt Ayliff. The purposive and convenience sampling techniques were used to select the sample whereby a total of 46 participants were selected within the projects and out of the projects. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were used as techniques for data collection. The content analysis method was used to analyse the data. The findings of the study revealed that income generating projects do have a positive impact in the rural livelihood. The projects do serve as a strategy to enhance livelihoods, but the contribution is minimal in that it does not make a huge difference in the lives of community members. Various challenges were identified such as the need for training, financial support, conflicts among participants in the projects, mismanagement of funds generated and theft of products. The study found that there is little consultation between government departments, the Department of Social Development and Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, as they are directly working with communities in income generation projects. The two departments have to collaborate in an effort to support income generating projects. Entrepreneurial training sessions need to be provided to ensure that the projects immensely contribute towards livelihood generation.
Description
A thesis submitted in fulfillment of the academic requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Anthropoloy and Development Studies in the Faculty of Arts, University of Zululand, 2020
Keywords
Income Generating Projects, Sustainable livelihoods, Rural develoopment