Challenges facing cooperatives in community development in Graaff-Reinet, Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Nxesi-Noxonya, Fundiswa
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Cooperative societies -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- Research -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/65357 , vital:74094
- Description: Cooperatives are becoming prominent local economic development agents responsible for addressing economic and social problems experienced by communities in developing countries and sustaining livelihoods. Cooperatives in South Africa contribute significantly to poverty reduction and job creation. The purpose of this study was to understand the operations of cooperatives in community development in Graaff-Reinet, Eastern Cape province, so that interventions could be implemented to improve cooperatives' performance in the district. The study used a qualitative approach to enable the researcher to investigate cooperatives' challenges in community development and how these have influenced their operations in Graaff-Reinet. The study adopted a case study design. Individual, face–to–face, semi-structured interviews with 12 participants were conducted. Ten participants were cooperative members, and the other two were government officials. These participants were purposively selected because of their involvement in cooperative support programmes. The study's findings revealed that cooperatives contribute to an increase in household income, food security and job creation and improve the quality of life of members of cooperatives in the Graaff-Reinet community. The study also found that cooperatives can address economic and social problems experienced by communities, such as providing training and counselling to community members. However, the study found that the major challenges are limited training opportunities for members of cooperatives, insufficient funds and the mismanagement of funds. This study advocates for meaningful strategies that may be adopted to promote cooperatives as sources of income, namely, improved project management, self-reliance and commitment, funding, secured premises, the employment of young people and elders and the use of learning networks. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Economics, Development and Tourism, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-04
- Authors: Nxesi-Noxonya, Fundiswa
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Cooperative societies -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- Research -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/65357 , vital:74094
- Description: Cooperatives are becoming prominent local economic development agents responsible for addressing economic and social problems experienced by communities in developing countries and sustaining livelihoods. Cooperatives in South Africa contribute significantly to poverty reduction and job creation. The purpose of this study was to understand the operations of cooperatives in community development in Graaff-Reinet, Eastern Cape province, so that interventions could be implemented to improve cooperatives' performance in the district. The study used a qualitative approach to enable the researcher to investigate cooperatives' challenges in community development and how these have influenced their operations in Graaff-Reinet. The study adopted a case study design. Individual, face–to–face, semi-structured interviews with 12 participants were conducted. Ten participants were cooperative members, and the other two were government officials. These participants were purposively selected because of their involvement in cooperative support programmes. The study's findings revealed that cooperatives contribute to an increase in household income, food security and job creation and improve the quality of life of members of cooperatives in the Graaff-Reinet community. The study also found that cooperatives can address economic and social problems experienced by communities, such as providing training and counselling to community members. However, the study found that the major challenges are limited training opportunities for members of cooperatives, insufficient funds and the mismanagement of funds. This study advocates for meaningful strategies that may be adopted to promote cooperatives as sources of income, namely, improved project management, self-reliance and commitment, funding, secured premises, the employment of young people and elders and the use of learning networks. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Economics, Development and Tourism, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-04
Assessment of capacity building programmes offered to cooperatives in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Salman, Lusanda
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Cooperative societies -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Cooperative societies -- Economic aspects Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43523 , vital:36905
- Description: Cooperatives play an important role in delivering services to those in need within the communities. Capacity building efforts for cooperatives are very crucial in increasing their effectiveness and to redress problems associated with limited administrative and organisational capacity. By providing technical assistance, training, and grant funds, the functioning of the cooperatives is enhanced and ultimately the outcomes are improved. Despite consensus about the importance of capacity-building, little high-quality evidence exists on the impact of capacity-building investments. This research paper presents the findings from the assessment conducted on the impact of capacity- building initiatives offered to cooperatives. The participants of the study were cooperatives from the Eastern Cape, all eight district municipalities were represented and the study included stakeholders working with cooperatives that included various government departments, agencies and the private sector. Findings from the study provide clear evidence that capacity-building efforts increase the effectiveness of cooperatives to plan, organise and manage their organisations. It has emerged strongly from research that cooperatives that have received capacity-building support in any form, have improved in terms of their functioning compared to those that have never been capacitated before. However, cooperatives are still faced with many challenges specifically relating to operational challenges, which include administration, financial, and governance and weak capability in terms of the knowledge and skills they possess.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Salman, Lusanda
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Cooperative societies -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Cooperative societies -- Economic aspects Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43523 , vital:36905
- Description: Cooperatives play an important role in delivering services to those in need within the communities. Capacity building efforts for cooperatives are very crucial in increasing their effectiveness and to redress problems associated with limited administrative and organisational capacity. By providing technical assistance, training, and grant funds, the functioning of the cooperatives is enhanced and ultimately the outcomes are improved. Despite consensus about the importance of capacity-building, little high-quality evidence exists on the impact of capacity-building investments. This research paper presents the findings from the assessment conducted on the impact of capacity- building initiatives offered to cooperatives. The participants of the study were cooperatives from the Eastern Cape, all eight district municipalities were represented and the study included stakeholders working with cooperatives that included various government departments, agencies and the private sector. Findings from the study provide clear evidence that capacity-building efforts increase the effectiveness of cooperatives to plan, organise and manage their organisations. It has emerged strongly from research that cooperatives that have received capacity-building support in any form, have improved in terms of their functioning compared to those that have never been capacitated before. However, cooperatives are still faced with many challenges specifically relating to operational challenges, which include administration, financial, and governance and weak capability in terms of the knowledge and skills they possess.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Co-operatives support programme of the Cacadu District Municipality
- Authors: Kate, Pumelelo Maxwell
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Cooperative societies -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Social status -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5667 , vital:20961
- Description: Despite the efforts by government to support and direct resources and institutions to address high levels of poverty through co-operative programmes, the Eastern Cape Province remains one of the poorest provinces in the country. Even in the relatively more prosperous Cacadu District in the western portion of the Province, the socio- economic landscape is punctuated by pockets of acute poverty. In order to support government policies to promote co-operatives as a means to address past exclusions from the agricultural sector, as well as to promote socio-economic development in one of its poorest local municipalities, the Cacadu District Municipality has been implementing a support and mentoring programme to agricultural co-operatives in the Ikwezi Local Municipality. Furthermore, Ikwezi was selected because it has the highest concentration of co-operatives in the region supported by the District Municipality and by other Sector Departments from the National and Provincial Governments. The relationships between the support that is provided by Cacadu District Municipality to co-operatives and the extent to which supported co-operatives harness these advantages to grow and sustain their enterprises, forms the cornerstone of this research. As such, the hypothesis that will be tested reads as follows: The government support provided by Cacadu District Municipality to co-operatives in its area of jurisdiction has resulted in the growth and sustainability of the co-operative enterprises. The literature review considers the significant role that co-operatives play in local economic development. It provides a historical overview of co-operatives, as well as the policy framework on co-operatives in South Africa. The role of Cacadu District Municipality with regards to co-operatives and local economic development is reviewed, as well as its co- operative support and mentorship programme. An overview of the socio-economic profile of the Ikwezi Local Municipality and the agricultural co-operatives in the area concludes the literature review. The research approach is based on a mixed method between the qualitative and quantitative research families, with a bias towards the qualitative approach. The study placed more emphasis on the data gathered from individual co-operative businesses and the personal experiences of individuals involved in the co-operative sector. This approach requires qualitative techniques such as interviews and observations. The internet was used as a source for the gathering of relevant data related to the stated research objectives. Other relevant information is gathered through documents reviewed and case studies. The study used questionnaires to interview a sample of agricultural co-operatives in Ikwezi. The collected data was analysed and presented according to a set of themes that formed the basis for the analysis. The analysis provided insights into the background and history of the selected co-operatives, the challenges that they face to survive and the support that they require from government and other potential support structures. The analysis furthermore focussed on the perception of the members of the co-operatives of the impact – whether positive or negative – of the Cacadu co-operatives support and, in particular, it’s mentorship programme. The findings revealed that there was overwhelming support from the co-operative members for the intervention and mentorship provided by the Cacadu District Municipality. It became clear that accessing agricultural land and providing funding and inputs to emerging farmers and co-operatives is not enough. There needs to be a building and nurturing of an entrepreneurial spirit and business mentality accompanied by appropriate training and capacity building interventions for the co- operatives to become successful enterprises. This study reveals that this is possible given all the resources at the disposal of the state. In conclusion, the hypothesis that the support provided by Cacadu District Municipality to co-operatives in its area of jurisdiction has resulted in the growth and sustainability of the co-operative enterprises, was found to be valid.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Kate, Pumelelo Maxwell
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Cooperative societies -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Social status -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5667 , vital:20961
- Description: Despite the efforts by government to support and direct resources and institutions to address high levels of poverty through co-operative programmes, the Eastern Cape Province remains one of the poorest provinces in the country. Even in the relatively more prosperous Cacadu District in the western portion of the Province, the socio- economic landscape is punctuated by pockets of acute poverty. In order to support government policies to promote co-operatives as a means to address past exclusions from the agricultural sector, as well as to promote socio-economic development in one of its poorest local municipalities, the Cacadu District Municipality has been implementing a support and mentoring programme to agricultural co-operatives in the Ikwezi Local Municipality. Furthermore, Ikwezi was selected because it has the highest concentration of co-operatives in the region supported by the District Municipality and by other Sector Departments from the National and Provincial Governments. The relationships between the support that is provided by Cacadu District Municipality to co-operatives and the extent to which supported co-operatives harness these advantages to grow and sustain their enterprises, forms the cornerstone of this research. As such, the hypothesis that will be tested reads as follows: The government support provided by Cacadu District Municipality to co-operatives in its area of jurisdiction has resulted in the growth and sustainability of the co-operative enterprises. The literature review considers the significant role that co-operatives play in local economic development. It provides a historical overview of co-operatives, as well as the policy framework on co-operatives in South Africa. The role of Cacadu District Municipality with regards to co-operatives and local economic development is reviewed, as well as its co- operative support and mentorship programme. An overview of the socio-economic profile of the Ikwezi Local Municipality and the agricultural co-operatives in the area concludes the literature review. The research approach is based on a mixed method between the qualitative and quantitative research families, with a bias towards the qualitative approach. The study placed more emphasis on the data gathered from individual co-operative businesses and the personal experiences of individuals involved in the co-operative sector. This approach requires qualitative techniques such as interviews and observations. The internet was used as a source for the gathering of relevant data related to the stated research objectives. Other relevant information is gathered through documents reviewed and case studies. The study used questionnaires to interview a sample of agricultural co-operatives in Ikwezi. The collected data was analysed and presented according to a set of themes that formed the basis for the analysis. The analysis provided insights into the background and history of the selected co-operatives, the challenges that they face to survive and the support that they require from government and other potential support structures. The analysis furthermore focussed on the perception of the members of the co-operatives of the impact – whether positive or negative – of the Cacadu co-operatives support and, in particular, it’s mentorship programme. The findings revealed that there was overwhelming support from the co-operative members for the intervention and mentorship provided by the Cacadu District Municipality. It became clear that accessing agricultural land and providing funding and inputs to emerging farmers and co-operatives is not enough. There needs to be a building and nurturing of an entrepreneurial spirit and business mentality accompanied by appropriate training and capacity building interventions for the co- operatives to become successful enterprises. This study reveals that this is possible given all the resources at the disposal of the state. In conclusion, the hypothesis that the support provided by Cacadu District Municipality to co-operatives in its area of jurisdiction has resulted in the growth and sustainability of the co-operative enterprises, was found to be valid.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
The challenges faced by the Masizame bakery as a co-operative in Steynsburg aimed at alleviating poverty
- Authors: Loni, Sisanda
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Cooperative societies -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9167 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020093
- Description: This study investigated the challenges faced by the Masizame Bakery as a cooperative in Steynsburg. The co-operative sector, tracing back to the 1800s, has become recognised as a key vehicle for community development and poverty alleviation. According to the Department of Trade and Industry (2012), international practices show that countries which have achieved economic development also have a vibrant and a dynamic co-operative sector, contributing substantially to the growth of their economies. The sector’s international success and foundations in agriculture have found resonance with the post-apartheid government in achieving social transformation and alleviating poverty in South Africa. The co-operative model in South Africa proved a success during the apartheid era in the agricultural sector with a turnover of about R22.5 billion. Post-1994 the government hopes to achieve the same level of success through the sector to transform the country’s socio-economic landscape. The co-operative sector’s principles of self-help and self-reliance have become synonymous with democratic South Africa’s government plea to active citizenry in development – Vuku’zenzele. Some South Africans have responded to this call to change their economic conditions through co-operatives. However, investment in the co-operative sector has found varying degrees of success and failure across South Africa’s provinces, with the Northern Cape, the Eastern Cape, and Free State experiencing the highest mortality rates. The areas’ rural hinterland has been attributed to this high failure rate, thus posing the need to investigate the challenges faced by co-ops in small towns such as Steynsburg. The study provides an overview of the sector’s history, including its growth in countries across the world. The role of co-ops in poverty alleviation has also been discussed. This role was interrogated in discussions held through interviews and focus groups with both members of the Masizame Bakery and other projects in the area, including public officials involved in both community.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Loni, Sisanda
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Cooperative societies -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9167 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020093
- Description: This study investigated the challenges faced by the Masizame Bakery as a cooperative in Steynsburg. The co-operative sector, tracing back to the 1800s, has become recognised as a key vehicle for community development and poverty alleviation. According to the Department of Trade and Industry (2012), international practices show that countries which have achieved economic development also have a vibrant and a dynamic co-operative sector, contributing substantially to the growth of their economies. The sector’s international success and foundations in agriculture have found resonance with the post-apartheid government in achieving social transformation and alleviating poverty in South Africa. The co-operative model in South Africa proved a success during the apartheid era in the agricultural sector with a turnover of about R22.5 billion. Post-1994 the government hopes to achieve the same level of success through the sector to transform the country’s socio-economic landscape. The co-operative sector’s principles of self-help and self-reliance have become synonymous with democratic South Africa’s government plea to active citizenry in development – Vuku’zenzele. Some South Africans have responded to this call to change their economic conditions through co-operatives. However, investment in the co-operative sector has found varying degrees of success and failure across South Africa’s provinces, with the Northern Cape, the Eastern Cape, and Free State experiencing the highest mortality rates. The areas’ rural hinterland has been attributed to this high failure rate, thus posing the need to investigate the challenges faced by co-ops in small towns such as Steynsburg. The study provides an overview of the sector’s history, including its growth in countries across the world. The role of co-ops in poverty alleviation has also been discussed. This role was interrogated in discussions held through interviews and focus groups with both members of the Masizame Bakery and other projects in the area, including public officials involved in both community.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Assessing the role of cooperatives in poverty alleviation in the Eastern Cape: a the case of Amathole district municipality
- Authors: Vellem, Babalwa Faith
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Cooperative societies -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Human services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employees -- Training of -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employees -- In-service training -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11669 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007113 , Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Cooperative societies -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Human services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employees -- Training of -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employees -- In-service training -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The study Assess the role of Cooperatives in Poverty Alleviation in the Eastern Cape Case Study of Amathole District Municipality how cooperatives are conducted in the Amathole District Municipality and establishes the perceptions of staff and members of the public about the service rendered by the municipality, and developing the mechanisms that can be used to identify cooperatives activities and how to improve the services rendered by the municipality, and if there are any challenges, they must be resolved. The research was also to look at how the support from government and other government agencies are used to enhance the cooperatives governance. Lastly, the research was to find the best model for cooperative development and what needs to be done to enhance the capacity of the cooperatives. The literature indicates that staff must be equipped with necessary skills; however it is evident that training and development is essential for the members of the cooperative. Questionnaires and interviews were used as a method of collecting data from the respondents. In this study, both qualitative and quantitative methods were used to analyse the data. The research assumption was that cooperative development is a viable tool for economic development of the rural areas. This can help many South Africans and many communities come out of poverty. However, there are limitations that were caused by the inability of government to co-ordinate cooperative development. Despite the role that cooperatives play in South Africa, cooperatives still experience a number of challenges. These challenges are, amongst others, lack of access to finance, lack of access to market, lack of business skills, lack of infrastructural facilities and lack of knowledge about the cooperative. In view of the challenges facing the cooperatives, the government instituted a number of state departments and parastatals for funding and other necessary support. These are DTI, DEDEA (in the Eastern Cape), ECDC, South African Development Agency (SEDA), Department of Labour and municipalities. The objectives of these support institutions are to provide necessary support needed by cooperatives and to ensure that cooperative development is sustainable.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Vellem, Babalwa Faith
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Cooperative societies -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Human services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employees -- Training of -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employees -- In-service training -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11669 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007113 , Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Cooperative societies -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Human services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employees -- Training of -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employees -- In-service training -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The study Assess the role of Cooperatives in Poverty Alleviation in the Eastern Cape Case Study of Amathole District Municipality how cooperatives are conducted in the Amathole District Municipality and establishes the perceptions of staff and members of the public about the service rendered by the municipality, and developing the mechanisms that can be used to identify cooperatives activities and how to improve the services rendered by the municipality, and if there are any challenges, they must be resolved. The research was also to look at how the support from government and other government agencies are used to enhance the cooperatives governance. Lastly, the research was to find the best model for cooperative development and what needs to be done to enhance the capacity of the cooperatives. The literature indicates that staff must be equipped with necessary skills; however it is evident that training and development is essential for the members of the cooperative. Questionnaires and interviews were used as a method of collecting data from the respondents. In this study, both qualitative and quantitative methods were used to analyse the data. The research assumption was that cooperative development is a viable tool for economic development of the rural areas. This can help many South Africans and many communities come out of poverty. However, there are limitations that were caused by the inability of government to co-ordinate cooperative development. Despite the role that cooperatives play in South Africa, cooperatives still experience a number of challenges. These challenges are, amongst others, lack of access to finance, lack of access to market, lack of business skills, lack of infrastructural facilities and lack of knowledge about the cooperative. In view of the challenges facing the cooperatives, the government instituted a number of state departments and parastatals for funding and other necessary support. These are DTI, DEDEA (in the Eastern Cape), ECDC, South African Development Agency (SEDA), Department of Labour and municipalities. The objectives of these support institutions are to provide necessary support needed by cooperatives and to ensure that cooperative development is sustainable.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
The impact of the new co-operative act on employment and poverty reduction: a case study of sorghum producers in the Eastern Cape province
- Authors: Manciya, Sixolise
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Sorghum industry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poor -- Employment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agriculture, Cooperative -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Cooperative societies -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Farmers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Economic conditions , Job creation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11180 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1001026 , Sorghum industry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poor -- Employment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agriculture, Cooperative -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Cooperative societies -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Farmers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Economic conditions , Job creation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: In general, traditional co-operatives suffer from free-rider, horizon, portfolio, control and influence problems that starve them of both equity and debt capital. Evidently, the factors which constrain agricultural development also inhibit co-operative development in the former homelands. These factors include socio-economic as well as political factors operating in the environment of the cooperatives. In addition to these external factors, co-operatives have several internal problems such as inefficient management and lack of understanding of the co-operative concept and principles. The New Cooperative Act No. 14 of 2005 was an attempt at addressing these fundamental problems. The purpose of this study was to analyze the extent towhich cooperatives organized on the basis of this new Act have performed and to ascertainwhether or not they have met the expectations of the policy makers. In order to address these issues a structured questionnaire was used to interview 100 farmers. Farmers were divided into two groups, one group consisting of fifty members and the other fifty non-members; all these farmers were randomly selected from Ndonga and Maqhashu in Lady frère. The study investigated and profiled the socio-economic situation of the communities of Ndonga and Maqhashu with particular emphasis on the employment and poverty situations, as well as the income earning opportunities in the communities. It also undertook a comparison of the members and non-members of the co-operatives in terms of their production results under the sorghum production programmes in the two communities.The data were analyzed by means of descriptive and inferential statistics which explain some measures of central tendency and dispersion as well as levels of significance. A t-test of independent samples was used to compare the means for the sorghum yields and revenues for non-members and members of the co-operative. Gross margin analysis was also used to determine the financial implications of cooperation for the smallholders. In addition, a multiple regression model and a discriminant function were fitted to determine the factors explaining the differences in performance of members and non-members of the cooperative society. The Gross Margin analysis shows that the cooperatives are operating at a loss, meaning they produce less with high production costs. However, the results also show that the Ndonga and Maqhashu sorghum co-operative did not benefit only its members but the whole community through significant job creation for the local population.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Manciya, Sixolise
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Sorghum industry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poor -- Employment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agriculture, Cooperative -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Cooperative societies -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Farmers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Economic conditions , Job creation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11180 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1001026 , Sorghum industry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poor -- Employment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agriculture, Cooperative -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Cooperative societies -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Farmers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Economic conditions , Job creation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: In general, traditional co-operatives suffer from free-rider, horizon, portfolio, control and influence problems that starve them of both equity and debt capital. Evidently, the factors which constrain agricultural development also inhibit co-operative development in the former homelands. These factors include socio-economic as well as political factors operating in the environment of the cooperatives. In addition to these external factors, co-operatives have several internal problems such as inefficient management and lack of understanding of the co-operative concept and principles. The New Cooperative Act No. 14 of 2005 was an attempt at addressing these fundamental problems. The purpose of this study was to analyze the extent towhich cooperatives organized on the basis of this new Act have performed and to ascertainwhether or not they have met the expectations of the policy makers. In order to address these issues a structured questionnaire was used to interview 100 farmers. Farmers were divided into two groups, one group consisting of fifty members and the other fifty non-members; all these farmers were randomly selected from Ndonga and Maqhashu in Lady frère. The study investigated and profiled the socio-economic situation of the communities of Ndonga and Maqhashu with particular emphasis on the employment and poverty situations, as well as the income earning opportunities in the communities. It also undertook a comparison of the members and non-members of the co-operatives in terms of their production results under the sorghum production programmes in the two communities.The data were analyzed by means of descriptive and inferential statistics which explain some measures of central tendency and dispersion as well as levels of significance. A t-test of independent samples was used to compare the means for the sorghum yields and revenues for non-members and members of the co-operative. Gross margin analysis was also used to determine the financial implications of cooperation for the smallholders. In addition, a multiple regression model and a discriminant function were fitted to determine the factors explaining the differences in performance of members and non-members of the cooperative society. The Gross Margin analysis shows that the cooperatives are operating at a loss, meaning they produce less with high production costs. However, the results also show that the Ndonga and Maqhashu sorghum co-operative did not benefit only its members but the whole community through significant job creation for the local population.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
The sustainability of rural co-operatives within the Eastern Cape with reference to Mbhashe Local Municipality
- Authors: Ndawule, Luvuyo
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Cooperative societies -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9126 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1018555
- Description: Mbhashe Local Municipality is part of eight local municipalities that make up Amathole District Municipality. The study is conducted in Mbhashe local Municipality where two co-operatives have been sampled. The purpose of the study was to investigate the challenges faced by co-operatives in achieving its intended purpose (i.e. alleviating poverty, creating employment and generating income). It is the intention of the researcher to investigate the socio-economic role played by co-operatives in this afore mentioned local municipality. For the research to be able to examine and analyse the performance and challenges faced by co-operatives around Mbhashe certain key aspects were extensively taken into consideration. These aspects are co-operative leadership, management structures, external support from different stakeholders, like different government departments, communities where co-operatives are located, and the role of NGO’s. It was the intention of the researcher to analyse the type of support given by each of the above mentioned stakeholders. It was through the study that the research was able to deduce whether the support given by these various stakeholders was enough or not in ensuring viability and sustainability of co-operatives. In conducting the research a qualitative approach was used whereby various instruments were used to collect data. It was through the variety of instruments used that the researcher managed to capture the challenges faced by co-operatives. Apart from the challenges which were the main focus of the researcher, the findings also reveal that co-operatives play a vital role in socio-economic development. This is more evident in rural areas such as those at Mbhashe Local Municipality. There is undisputed evidence shown by co-operatives that community members do benefit from the produce created by co-operatives. If co-operatives can receive the type of support they deserve, poverty in rural areas can be put to absolute minimum.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Ndawule, Luvuyo
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Cooperative societies -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9126 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1018555
- Description: Mbhashe Local Municipality is part of eight local municipalities that make up Amathole District Municipality. The study is conducted in Mbhashe local Municipality where two co-operatives have been sampled. The purpose of the study was to investigate the challenges faced by co-operatives in achieving its intended purpose (i.e. alleviating poverty, creating employment and generating income). It is the intention of the researcher to investigate the socio-economic role played by co-operatives in this afore mentioned local municipality. For the research to be able to examine and analyse the performance and challenges faced by co-operatives around Mbhashe certain key aspects were extensively taken into consideration. These aspects are co-operative leadership, management structures, external support from different stakeholders, like different government departments, communities where co-operatives are located, and the role of NGO’s. It was the intention of the researcher to analyse the type of support given by each of the above mentioned stakeholders. It was through the study that the research was able to deduce whether the support given by these various stakeholders was enough or not in ensuring viability and sustainability of co-operatives. In conducting the research a qualitative approach was used whereby various instruments were used to collect data. It was through the variety of instruments used that the researcher managed to capture the challenges faced by co-operatives. Apart from the challenges which were the main focus of the researcher, the findings also reveal that co-operatives play a vital role in socio-economic development. This is more evident in rural areas such as those at Mbhashe Local Municipality. There is undisputed evidence shown by co-operatives that community members do benefit from the produce created by co-operatives. If co-operatives can receive the type of support they deserve, poverty in rural areas can be put to absolute minimum.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Gender and development: a study of the impact of selected cooperatives in the Eastern Cape Province
- Sithole, Noluthando Victoria
- Authors: Sithole, Noluthando Victoria
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Cooperative societies -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Women in development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Women in cooperative societies -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- South Africa -- Easttern Cape , Gender identity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M SW
- Identifier: vital:11752 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/194 , Cooperative societies -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Women in development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Women in cooperative societies -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- South Africa -- Easttern Cape , Gender identity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: In 1994 South Africa took a new direction towards democratic governance. This led to a change of government principles and approaches in leading the country. The people became the centre of the country’s development, resulting in the adoption of people-centred development and people-driven strategies. A special focus highlighted women as in the category which had endured poverty the most in South Africa. The South African government, through its various departments, has a responsibility to improve the lives of South Africans, and the Eastern Cape Provincial Department of Social Development is one of the departments which has committed itself towards changing the lives of women in the community. As a strategy to implement community development, the Provincial Department of Social Development is funding women cooperative programmes. Women cooperatives are a relatively new endeavour to address poverty within the democratic South Africa. The study supports the notion and attempts to show the impact that women have on community development. The researcher began studying the trends and realized that the funds allocated and the funding process of community development programmes by Provincial Department of Social Development is not working towards empowering communities. A purposive sampling method was used to select two women cooperative programmes in the Chris Hani District Municipality to explore the role of women in community development in the current context of democracy and social welfare transformation in South Africa; to explore the impact of gender through women cooperatives on community development and to explore strategies for the empowerment of women through community development intervention. The design of the study is qualitative, exploratory and descriptive in nature. The study also adapted evaluation and gender analysis methods to verify the effectiveness of women programmes. The study recommends that women be empowered with skills, knowledge, resources and opportunities to enable them to be more effective in community development.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Sithole, Noluthando Victoria
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Cooperative societies -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Women in development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Women in cooperative societies -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- South Africa -- Easttern Cape , Gender identity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M SW
- Identifier: vital:11752 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/194 , Cooperative societies -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Women in development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Women in cooperative societies -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- South Africa -- Easttern Cape , Gender identity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: In 1994 South Africa took a new direction towards democratic governance. This led to a change of government principles and approaches in leading the country. The people became the centre of the country’s development, resulting in the adoption of people-centred development and people-driven strategies. A special focus highlighted women as in the category which had endured poverty the most in South Africa. The South African government, through its various departments, has a responsibility to improve the lives of South Africans, and the Eastern Cape Provincial Department of Social Development is one of the departments which has committed itself towards changing the lives of women in the community. As a strategy to implement community development, the Provincial Department of Social Development is funding women cooperative programmes. Women cooperatives are a relatively new endeavour to address poverty within the democratic South Africa. The study supports the notion and attempts to show the impact that women have on community development. The researcher began studying the trends and realized that the funds allocated and the funding process of community development programmes by Provincial Department of Social Development is not working towards empowering communities. A purposive sampling method was used to select two women cooperative programmes in the Chris Hani District Municipality to explore the role of women in community development in the current context of democracy and social welfare transformation in South Africa; to explore the impact of gender through women cooperatives on community development and to explore strategies for the empowerment of women through community development intervention. The design of the study is qualitative, exploratory and descriptive in nature. The study also adapted evaluation and gender analysis methods to verify the effectiveness of women programmes. The study recommends that women be empowered with skills, knowledge, resources and opportunities to enable them to be more effective in community development.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
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