- Title
- Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and poverty reduction strategies in Zimbabwe: The case of the Catholic Development Commission (CADEC) in the Binga district
- Creator
- Mhaka, Walter M
- Date Issued
- 2014
- Date
- 2014
- Type
- Thesis
- Type
- Masters
- Type
- M Soc Sc (Sociology)
- Identifier
- vital:11958
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015409
- Description
- The main objective of this study was to explore non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and poverty reduction strategies in Zimbabwe through an assessment of the activities of the Catholic Development Commission (CADEC) in the Binga district in the Matabeleland North province. The research method used was triangulation and the theoretical framework combined insights of both the Basic Needs Approach and the Capability Theory. The core argument which has emerged is that despite criticisms levelled against NGOs that they cater for immediate relief and basic needs, the operation of CADEC in Binga shows in contrast that NGOs can operate in such a way that the capabilities of the participants can be enhanced or expanded such that the Binga district can be capable of independently engaging in sustainable livelihoods and development. This study argued that participation in projects has enabled CADEC to realise and expand people’s capabilities and participation was identified as a means of gaining a sustainable livelihood. To achieve the objectives of the study the researcher collected data using a survey questionnaire and in-depth interviews. The study was framed within the concept of Fundamental Human Needs by Manfred Max-Neef and the Capabilities Approach of Amartya Sen. The concept of Fundamental Human Needs argues that human needs do not change but the ways of satisfying the needs do change and unsatisfied needs results in poverty. The Capabilities approach on the other hand, sees poverty as caused by the deprivation of human capabilities. These theories were utilized for this study because they complement each other. Max-Neef believed that development should focus on promoting community agency where beneficiaries are the primary actors for development. Development for him is people-centred, participatory and environmentally sound whilst the Capability Approach of Sen is of the view that development is about developing or expanding human potentials. Being anchored on these two theories this study found out that CADEC use supplementary feeding, sustainable projects such as gardens and livestock production, educational initiatives, the provision of shelter and participatory development as strategies to alleviate poverty in the Binga district. CADEC’s long term projects that focus on farming practices and sustainable livelihoods have enabled Binga people to respond to their poverty. Thus, the results of this study substantiated the views on Max-Neef and Sen since CADEC does not only provide for basic needs but also enhances the capabilities of the people in Binga. However, even if the majority of the respondents believed that CADEC has managed to reduce poverty in Binga, a lot still needs to be done since poverty is still the main problem in the district.
- Format
- 236 leaves; 30 cm
- Format
- Publisher
- University of Fort Hare
- Publisher
- Faculty of Social Sciences & Humanities
- Language
- English
- Rights
- University of Fort Hare
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