Beyond Survival: Leveraging Social Grants for Sustainable Community Economic Development
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25159/2708-9355/19565Keywords:
social grants, asset-based community development, lekgotla method, community economic development, indigenous research framework, participatory action researchAbstract
South Africa faces persistent poverty and unemployment, with many households relying on social grants as their primary income. While these grants meet essential needs, their potential to support community-led economic development is underused. This study explored how grant spending could be redirected towards local economic opportunities through a participatory, community-driven process. The research used a participatory action approach based on the lekgotla method. Community members worked as co-researchers, jointly exploring grant use, economic leakages, enterprise opportunities and barriers to participation through facilitated dialogue. The participatory process led to the creation of a community-owned two-year action plan, which outlines steps for building financial and business skills, strengthening communication across generations, developing climate-resilient agricultural activities, forming cooperatives, improving community safety and mobilising local investment. These actions reflect the community’s priorities and represent the initial phase of a longer-term participatory development process. The study concludes that when communities are engaged as co-researchers and knowledge holders, social grants can be reframed as developmental resources. The results highlight the need to continue the participatory cycles through implementation, reflection and adaptation. Recommendations include expanding participation as readiness increases, advancing the identified economic initiatives, strengthening skills development and formalising partnerships with government and local organisations. The research demonstrates the value of participatory action processes in supporting community-driven economic resilience.
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