The experiences of community development practitioners in their implementation of community development strategies in rural areas in Swaziland

Abstract

This research was a case study which adopted a qualitative research paradigm. It sought to establish the experiences of community development practitioners in their implementation of community development strategies in rural Swaziland. Using Purposive sampling one focus group discussion took part in this study. Data was collected through a focus group discussion involving seven (7) community development practitioners. Data was recorded on a DVD and later a verbal transcription was made. The data analyzed manually using the thematic approach and presented in descriptive narrative form and a table reflecting on the thematic areas addressed. Major findings of the study were: that community development strategy are very helpful in alleviating poverty; Empowerment, citizen participation, mobilization and self reliance emerged as the most effective community development strategies in reducing poverty in rural areas; Implementation of community development strategies adds value to uplifting the livelihoods of people living in rural communities. Major challenges of practitioners were: the imposition of the community development programmes by the government, lack of local ownership of programmes, disputes at chieftainship levels, lack of regulatory policies and a negative mindset among the beneficiaries. It is recommended that a clear policy framework should be developed by the Government to regulate the implementation of community development programs. Different strategies should be used in compliment with each other in order to come up with context specific strategies. Swaziland government should refrain from using topdown approach in bringing community development initiatives since it jeopardize the ownership of the beneficiaries. Further studies are to look at conducting other focus group discussion in other Regions of the country.