Reconciliation, peace and sustainable development: a case study of the African National Congress’ participatory democracy in Kwazulu Natal Province, 1994 -2009
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Date
2025
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University of Zululand
Abstract
The study explores the relationship between reconciliation, peace building and sustainable development regarding participatory democracy spearheaded by the African National Congress (ANC) in the KwaZulu-Natal province from 1994 to 2009. It starts with a historical context, explaining the genesis of the political violence that characterised this province in the 1980s and early 1990s. The study critically analyses some discussions, reflections, and findings on the research conducted into reconciliation and the consequences of conflict between the ANC and IFP in KwaZulu-Natal. It attempts to answer the questions on political conflict in parts of the KwaZulu-Natal province and how the ANC-led government worked with civil society organisations, community bodies, and NGOs to broker peace, foster reconciliation, and bring about sustainable peace and development in the post-apartheid era. This study attempts to answer the following questions: How and in what ways have the programs and policies of the government of the province of KwaZulu-Natal, after the 1994 democratic elections, contributed to reconciliation, peace, and development after the conflict? How has social and economic development within the democratic dispensation in the territory been addressed? And what national reconciliation policies were adopted by the democratic dispensation to build peace, avert conflict, and prevent state collapse? The study is an effort to apply a unique five-dimensional theory of change model that specifies agriculture, culture, governance, economic well-being, and social well-being as key characteristics of peaceful and sustainable communities. It explains reconciliation and peace as outcomes of interventions and examines the impacts of chosen development projects through evidence.
Description
Thesis submitted to the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Arts in the Department of Anthropology and Development Studies at the University of Zululand, South Africa [2025].