Abstract
There is slow service delivery in the South African rural areas and they are experiencing a high level of poverty, unemployment and poor social infrastructure. In response to this, the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR) implemented the Comprehensive Rural Development Programme (CRDP) in 2009 as a way to improve rural livelihoods and influence rural development. The programme focused on the most disadvantaged rural areas in various provinces. For this study the focus is on Makgolokweng, one of the poor rural areas of QwaQwa, Free State. However, the concern was that the CRDP did not successfully promote rural development in Makgolokweng because the community is still without basic social infrastructure though this programmes was implemented. The community of Makgolokweng is still poor and faced with the challenges of underdevelopment. This study used a qualitative research approach. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with research participants. The study used a purposive sampling and thirty beneficiaries of the CRDP were randomly selected and four municipal officials who were part of the implementation of the programme. The study made use of research technique such as observations to collect supplementary data. The findings showed lack of skills, unclear functions understanding about the programme from the municipal sphere. The findings revealed the lack of community participation, all these led to poor implementation of the CRDP. On the contrary, there were few areas of progress achieved in Makgolokweng such as the provision of RDP houses, clinic and community hall. In overall, the CRDP failed to provide adequate social infrastructure and failed to promote rural development in Makgolokweng. It is recommended that local municipalities adopt an effective bottom-up approach for development and ensure community participation in the programmes. This assist in promoting development in rural areas. To reach the sustainability of programmes, it is recommended that rural development initiatives be consistent with the monitoring system.
M.A. (Development Studies)