Discuss the concept of participatory development approach and critique with an example from the south African context:

One of the alternative theories to development is participatory development. It was pronounced in humanistic approaches since the late 1070’s. The approach enables the society to build their own capacity and self-reliance. The must become partners to develop their community. Everyone in the community is involved in the development.

The theory applies in two ways:

1. Participatory organizations whereby community groups themselves to be involved in the development’s efforts such as the community food drives which serve food to the poor and needy.

2. Participatory as empowerment whereby participation comes in form of structural change and access to resources as an empowerment strategy such as rehabilitation center for the drug addicts and Alcohol Anonymous meetings for those who are unable to control their alcohol intake.

The community groups meant for development may end up being hijacked or taken over by local elites therefore they may end up not participating to development initiatives using their own ideas and initiatives but using the ideas and initiatives of the local elites. These organisations have limited success records, especially in Africa. In south Africa due to our rate of corruption, the approach will be criticised because the powerful and connected elites would use the organisations to benefit at the expense of the poor and vulnerable. We are not a united nation and the inequality in communities because of race or class. The limited technology in the rural areas and strong culture of poverty.