Abstract
This study is an exploration and description of the perceptions of household contractors on the contribution that the Household Contractor Programme has made in addressing poverty in their rural community since the receipt of the stipend in 2002. The Fundamental Human Needs that were identified by Max Neef (1991) were adopted as the theoretical framework for understanding the participants’ views on how the stipend has contributed to the alleviation of poverty. The perceptions of ten beneficiaries of the stipend of the community of Tolofiyeni, King Williams Town in the Eastern Cape provided the data for this study. The Household Contractor Programme is an Expanded Public Works Programme that is being implemented by the Department of Roads and Public Works in the Eastern Cape. It is one of the poverty alleviation strategies that was designed by the South African government to fight poverty and unemployment. These beneficiaries are responsible for maintaining the province’s rural roads network by means of labour-intensive road maintenance techniques. The participants received a monthly stipend and it is expected to assist them in improving their financial situation and the life chances of their children through access to training, better nutrition, human dignity and further economic activities. A qualitative research approach with a phenomenological design was used because the researcher described the lived experiences of individuals about a phenomenon as described by participants. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with the ten household contractors. The views of the ten participants were captured and data was analysed and interpreted according to Max-Neef’s Fundamental Human Needs approach. The benefits of receiving a stipend were positive and the fundamental human needs were identified as existing in the community. The female participants of this study illustrate that the road to transformation is achievable through perseverance determination, opportunity and assistance. The exclusion of females from participating in certain traditional rituals is scope for further research. There can be further research on the area of gender discrimination in relation to culture and some customs practiced in the community.
M.A. (Community Development)