Learning Activity 8

Discuss the concept of participatory development approach and critique each with example from South Africa context 

Participatory Development

People’s participation became more pronounced in humanist approaches since the late 1970s, the development process involves the participation of the beneficiaries from the inception stage to implementation of the development intervention.

E.g. One of the key problems slowing human development in South Africa is the absence of engagement of developing communities in the creation and execution of policies and programs that influence their lives (GCIS 2009) In this case participation is not used as a passive process i.e. the government, NGOs to only garner for information, people in a position to question the existing structures. Recognizing South Africa as a developing country draws attention to suitable strategies and approaches to change mobilization.

Participatory development (aided by Communication for Participatory Development) this approach enables the society to build their own capacity and self-reliance

The approach allows grassroots people to become partners in the development process

Participation is used as a way to collaborate and provide information between community members and all stakeholders involved