The effectiveness of Community Development Workers (CDWs) as change agents in their pursuit of a holistic approach to development : a case study of CDWs in the Western Cape

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Since its inception the Community Development Worker Programme (CDWP) seeks topromote cooperative governance within the context of the Intergovernmental RelationsFramework. In pursuit of a holistic approach to development Community DevelopmentWorkers (CDWs) strive for effectiveness in their role as change agents.This case study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of CDWs as change agents inpursuit of a holistic approach to development in the Western Cape. This was a qualitativestudy using participatory action research as a CDW in the West Coast; semi-structuredinterviews with Dedicated Officials from municipalities in the Cape Winelands Region, Cityof Cape Town and West Coast Region; focus groups with community members andstakeholders from Kayamandi in the Cape Winelands Region, Eerste River in the City ofCape Town and various towns in the West Coast Region; focus group and semi-structuredinterviews with Supervisors from the City of Cape Town, West Coast Region and CapeWinelands Region. Questionnaires were completed by Regional Coordinators from the WestCoast Region, City of Cape Town, Overberg Region and Central Karoo Region; andquestionnaires were completed by CDWs from the City of Cape Town, Cape WinelandsRegion, West Coast Region, Central Karoo Region and Overberg Region in the WesternCape.The findings of the research reveal that the CDWP has made tremendous progress since itsinception. Regional Coordinators, supervisors and CDWs have a very good grasp of what isexpected of them as change agents. The responses from the community also revealed muchappreciation and support for the work done by CDWs in their role as change agents. Theeffectiveness of CDWs in their role of change agents in pursuit of a holistic approach todevelopment is rated to be between 6-8 on a scale of 1-10; with ten being the highest. There isroom for improvement however as the findings indicate that there are several cases whereCDWs experience isolation and frustration and are challenged in their pursuit of holisticdevelopment as they are hampered by a lack of adequate resources; a lack of access tobudgets; a lack of support, cooperation and political interference from ward councillors andpoliticians; a lack of understanding, appreciation, cooperation and support from local government and a sense of belonging at local municipal level in many instances amongstothers.Although the research reveals that the province is effective in its pursuit of a holistic approachto sustainable community development on the part of CDWs as change agents, the researcherwishes to argue that improved collaboration needs to take place amongst the various levels ofgovernments, government departments, development agencies and the beneficiaries ofdevelopment themselves to further maximise the efforts and effectiveness of CDWs in theirrole as change agents. The building blocks of development and the Batho Pele Principles mustalso be more consistently applied and attentively addressed and diligently implemented by allthe stakeholders in the development process in order to improve service delivery and enhancemore effective community development to the benefit of the community at grassroots whilstmeeting local, national and provincial development targets.The challenge to each of us as change agents is therefore to do our all towards reconstruction,community development and equal opportunities for all. We all have to be accountable andanswer the question as to what we are doing concerning community development, namelyeducation; poverty relief; service delivery; etc. in our own communities. We need toacknowledge where we have come from, where we are now and where we are going. Muchprogress has already been made despite a lack of funding, facilities and resources. Moresacrifices must still be made however to ensure a better life for all. The issue is aroundrespect, irrespective of who you are dealing with.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University