The impact of social entrepreneurs on community development in the Cape Metropolitan area (Western Cape South Africa)

Abstract

Social entrepreneurship is well positioned in tackling socio-economic problems in poor communities. Besides transforming the market, the impact of social entrepreneurship is becoming more important for the world to improve social challenges and provide social innovation solutions that are sustainable and effective. Regardless of the positive performance of activities implemented by social entrepreneurs in tackling socioeconomic issues in the Cape Metropolitan area, their impact on community development remains unknown and is negatively perceived by the communities. This study sought to develop an understanding from communities of how social entrepreneurship impacts their development and to determine its social impact. The study investigated the impact of social entrepreneurship on community development in order to improve interaction among stakeholders. The research questions were: What impact do social entrepreneurs have on communities? How can social entrepreneurship improve development in communities? What forms of support do social entrepreneurs need in order to effectively develop communities? A mixed method approach (qualitative and quantitative) was used to collect data through semi-structured questionnaire and interview to determine the needs and capture the views of stakeholders regarding the impact of social entrepreneurs on community development. Social entrepreneurship is a tool that can tackle deprived communities’ problems, especially in the Cape Metropolitan areas of Khayelitsha and Gugulethu where socioeconomic problems such as health, education, and others are increasing. Social entrepreneurs’ activities are laid to develop the community as they provide comprehensive care, support the most vulnerable communities and strive to improve the quality of health, education and unemployment. It was found that improvements through training, educating and facilitating communities’ engagement in different activities such as home-based care and developing children mentality in creating space for every person to develop their needs is what could promote and impact community development. However, it was also found that social entrepreneurs sometimes use resources or methods of monitoring that are deemed useless to attain their objectives.