Abstract
Cooperatives are pivotal instruments for inclusive development, especially in economically constrained regions like Rustenburg, South Africa. Despite their potential to combat unemployment, inequality, and poverty, limited localized research has hindered tailored, evidence-based support for their sustainability. This study bridges that gap using a cross-sectional mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative surveys from 262 cooperative members with qualitative interviews from 10 stakeholders. Analytical methods included IBM SPSS (v30), thematic analysis, regression modelling, and application of the Sustainability Balanced Scorecard. Findings confirm cooperatives’ contributions to job creation, income generation, and community empowerment. However, sustainability remains challenged by limited market access, leadership capacity gaps, inadequate funding, and fragmented regulatory support. Environmental practices are emerging yet underdeveloped. Grounded in Institutional and Social Capital Theory, the study offers a holistic understanding of cooperative dynamics, where external pressures and internal relationships converge to shape organizational outcomes. Evidence-based recommendations include strengthening governance, improving access to finance, expanding strategic adaptability, and reforming policy frameworks advancing cooperatives as resilient drivers of sustainable development in under-resourced contexts.