Abstract
The aim of the study was to explore the challenges experienced by community development practitioners (CDPs) in Capacity Building Programmes at a community nutrition and development Centre (CNDC). The aim of the capacity building programmes that are facilitated at the CNDCs is to develop beneficiaries holistically and to explore livelihood options for them to become economically active. The objectives of the study were to explore the views and challenges that CDPs encounter when working with CNDCs. Understanding the challenges and how CPDs overcome the challenges that they experience with capacity building programmes was the main aim of the research. The researcher also explored how the CDPs perceive the capacity building programmes. The study was conducted in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda district in the Northwest province in all three sub districts. The qualitative explorative descriptive research approach was applied, and the interpretive phenomenological analysis research design were applied. The data was collected using semistructured in-depth interviews with five CDPs working with the five CNDCs in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District. The purposeful sampling technique was used to select the participants for the study. The CDPs who participated in the study are all employed by the Department of Social Development (DSD) and are working with the CNDCs which are all funded by the DSD. The study used the Weyers Community Development Practice Model to describe and explore the challenges experienced by CDPs working with capacity building programmes at the CNDC. The data was analysed using interpretive phenomenological analysis. The study created an understanding of the challenges experienced by CDPs working with capacity building programmes at a CNDC and the impact of the challenges on the programmes. Four main themes emerged during the analysis of the data; these are listed below. • The views of the CDPs with regards to the capacity building programmes • Challenges experienced by CDPs with the capacity building programmes • Self-reliance • The support received from DSD management. A few recommendations include ensuring that all government departments understand the mandate of the CNDCs, CDPs should strive to apply a participatory approach to their interventions, and future research should focus on the experiences of beneficiaries at CNDCs.
M.A. (Community Development)