Abstract
M.A. (Development Studies)
During the past decade, non-governmental organisations
(NGOs), featured increasingly in development thinking as
possible roleplayers in the development process. Initial
optimism however, made way for a more realistic view of
their abilities and possible contribution to the development
effort. The main goal of the study could be identified as
the investigation of the possible contribution of NGOs to
the development process and especially community
development, in terms of the optimised role of NGOs as
development agents.
To facilitate the analysis and evaluation of the development
role of NGOs, a theoretical framework of reference was
constructed by presenting an overview of the main
development theories. The social development-management
approach - one of the most recent development approaches offers
excellent opportunities for the application of NGOs
in the development process.
Diverse historical reasons for the or~g~n and growth of NGOs
in the First - and Third World as well as South Africa can
be discerned. Although South African NGOs can be compared
with similar organisations in the First - and Third World,
unique social and political influences led to the formation
of NGOs with a distinct character and highly politicised
nature. The politicised nature of South African NGOs
excluded any possibility of cooperation between the South
African government and local NGOs. However, if the
potential development role of governments, NGOs and the
private sector is analysed, it becomes clear that all
development actors need to fulfil a limited albeit
complementary role in the development process...