Abstract
Beneficiaries’ participation is a rich concept that varies with its application and definition. The way participation is defined, depends on the context in which it occurs. For some scholars, it is a matter of principle; for others, a matter of practice; for even more it is an end in itself. Hence, in this paper a South Africa perspective on the definition of participation will be discussed in relation to subsidised low-income housing beneficiaries. The data used in this research were derived from secondary sources only; through a detailed review of related literature on the subject in order to meet the research objectives. The study is a South Africa perspective on the definition of participation. From the review of the extant literature, it was found that participation is a stereotyped word like children use Lego pieces. Like Lego pieces, the words fit arbitrarily together and support the most fanciful constructions. They have no content but do serve a function. As these words are separate from any context, they are ideal for manipulative purposes. Hence, it was found that ‘Participation’ belongs to this category of word. Therefore, because involvements in projects and other ventures gives people a better understanding of their interests and the interests of others, and, in some cases, brings them to see what would be best for the entire group, this study thus contribute to the body of knowledge in the conceptualisation of subsidised low-income beneficiary participation in South Africa.