The contribution of community participation in housing construction in a selected area of Cape Town

Abstract

Community involvement in development projects empowers individuals by allowing them to develop their skills and talents to discuss their demands in the face of circumstances that frequently appear to stymie and dismay them. The primary responsibility of local governments is to build and promote community involvement through the creation of systems and tactics that help people to understand their role in community development initiatives. This study examined the role of community participation in housing construction in the Khayelitsha Site C Ward 87, Cape Town, South Africa and what can be done to improve community participation. To collect data, a mixed-method approach was used that combines qualitative and quantitative approaches. Semi-structured questionnaires and open-ended interviews were used, and ethical protocols were followed. This study revealed that there seems to be a vacuum between the community of Site C Khayelitsha generally and the local government. The community of Site C Khayelitsha perceive the housing projects negatively that are being implemented by the local government since most respondents confirmed that they are not included in any stage of the projects and that the local government brings to them the finished projects and imposes them on the communities. Other factors that deter the people from participating was their literacy levels, lack of knowledge and how the government does not communicate adequately with residents. These assertions, however, are in direct opposition with the findings from the local government official, who indicated that community members are involved at every level of project implementation as they are the custodian of the area. Various examples were given of projects in which communities participate overwhelmingly. This study suggests that the efforts of local government and residents should be coordinated for development to occur in an area. This achieves community development and, at the same time, prevents the alarming protests that are frequently happening in South Africa.