This study examines the role of the church in KwaZulu-Natal as an important part of civil society in reducing poverty in the context of globalization. The population for this study is managers and beneficiaries of the HOPE Empowerment Scheme.
Theoretical Framework
The concept of ubuntu manifests itself in various forms, and social scientists call it social capital. But as defined by Miyakawa (nd:!), social capital refers to "connections between individuals - social networks and the norms of reciprocity and trust that arise from them".
Chapter Two
Poverty in an Era of Globalization 2.1 Introduction
What is Globalization?
In an economically hegemonic and more sinister sense, globalization refers to the new forms taken by the process of accumulation in the world of triad (US, Japan and EU) capitalism (Amoroso, 1998:52). More factors accelerated the process of globalization at the end of the twentieth century than at any other period.
Effects of Globalization
Globalization, Growth and Poverty
Therefore, contrary to expectations that greater inclusion in the global economy would lead to employment growth, it appears to have fallen sharply. In the same vein, the World Bank (World Bank 2002:4) acknowledges that the poorest countries still have problems borrowing on international capital markets.
Globalization and Labour
Khan notes that globalization has not allowed South Asia's progress in poverty reduction to continue at its previous pace. This situation is exacerbated by the hypocrisy of advanced countries, which have chosen to promote only those aspects of globalization that benefit them (New York Times, 2003: 1).
Meaning of Poverty
Lacking material, social and emotional resources is typical of the state of poverty. This becomes more evident when the conditions of the poor degenerate into starvation and malnutrition.
Measurement of Poverty
Lok-Dessallien notes that "this approach defines the phenomenon of poverty as the lack of basic human skills to function at a minimally acceptable level within a society. The poor tend to emphasize factors that are close to their daily lives and that are easy to understand, as defining characteristics of poverty.
Categories of Poverty
Chronic poverty as conceived by Aliber "is transmitted from generation to generation, meaning that children from poor households are likely to become poor adults whose children will be at risk of remaining in poverty". For them, "a deprivation (of ability) for a period of five years or more corresponds to chronic poverty".
Dimensions of Poverty
Transient poverty is experienced only for a short period of time, while chronic poverty is experienced for a long period of time (Lipton and Ravallion). Powerlessness refers to the physical weakness, economic vulnerability and lack of influence of the poor, which subject them to the power and exploitation of others. (Kamers, 1995:21).
Causes of Poverty
An effect in the sense that humiliation stems from the fact of the poor's powerlessness and deprivation. Therefore, solutions to poverty must take into account the different conditions and needs of the poor.
Poverty: A Global Snapshot
Poverty: A South African Picture
The average household income of the next 20 percent of Africans fell by 26 percent and 4 percent respectively over these two periods. A nationwide participatory study recently completed in South Africa shows a surprising consistency in how poverty is perceived.
Poverty in KwaZulu-Natal
In other words, chronically poor households now represent a larger share of the poor than transiently poor households. To make the situation of the poor in the province even worse, the provision of social services was not without problems.
Macro Economic Responses of the State
The motivation to attract foreign investment and deal with unemployment led to the introduction in 1996 of a less popular macroeconomic policy called the Growth, Employment and Redistribution (GEAR) strategy, which is based on the neoliberal economic logic: Washington Consensus (May). , 2003; Epstein, 2002). It was predicted that 1.1 million jobs would be created through the GEAR program (Osborn, 1997:26).
Job Losses Under Gear
Conclusion
Chapter Three
Church's Response to Poverty 3.1 Introduction
- Early Theology
- Theology and its Context
- Liberation Theology
- Liberation Theology in South Africa
- The Church in The New South Africa
- Church's Capacity to Effect Changes
- What The Church Can Do?
- Church Poverty Reduction Strategies in KwaZulu-Natal
- Conclusion
The above views and positions expressed the most important perspectives of church theology during the different eras. It is usually written in the context of the comfort and complacency of the privileged. For example, liberation theology was invented in the context of oppression and suffering of the poor people of the Third World countries.
In the same vein, no government can function without the consent of those being governed (Dwane, 1989: 10). We can only understand liberation theology in South Africa or in the Third World within the framework of the new political consciousness in which it developed.
Chapter Four
The HOPE Empowerment Scheme 4.1 Introduction
A Brief History
- The Conceptual Foundation
- Managers of the Scheme
- Types of Skills Training
- Publicity and Geographical Coverage
There was a combination of both formal and informal institutions in the education of the beneficiaries of the scheme. The church's leadership was keen to spread to the rural communities in the future. In recent times, the media have increasingly taken an interest in the foundation's activities.
For example, five respondents who were not church members knew about the scheme from church members. One respondent said that the manager of the training center in Lamontville told her about the scheme (Interview.
Beneficiaries Of the Scheme
Apparently, the method of publicity must have excluded some people, especially non-church members, from benefiting from the scheme from the start. But the absence of people of other faiths in Empowerment projects may not be the result of deliberate exclusion as they had benefited from other Foundation schemes. As Pastor Dube noted that many of the people who benefited from the foundation included people who were not Christians (Interview.
It also suggests that the majority of those who were unemployed in the church were people in the above age groups. Some of the respondents would not have minded the low pay if they had permanent, secure jobs.
Impact of the Scheme
- Job Creation Capacity
- Spiritual and Emotional Dimensions
For example, one of the respondents had started a tuck shop for her mother and siblings. Secondly, this study found that none of the beneficiaries of the scheme had so far managed to employ other people. According to most respondents, the scheme has helped reduce their dependence on other people.
For example, 50 percent of respondents were dependent before going through the scheme. The potential for multiplier effect of the benefits of the scheme appears to be very substantial.
Sustainability of Projects
- Support Facilities
- Collaboration and Synergy
Those who had already benefited from the scheme, especially those who had established their own businesses, formed another plan on the sustainability of the scheme. As discussed earlier, some of the beneficiaries were already training people in the same jobs they did. Skills training alone without support in terms of equipment and finance cannot go far in addressing the poverty situation of the beneficiaries.
The beneficiaries' ability to start and maintain a business depended on their ability to raise sufficient start-up capital. Unfortunately, not many of the beneficiaries had as much savings or families that could support them with equipment or money.
Problems
Lack of equipment and finances was also a major factor hindering the activities of the training center in Lamontville. The scheme co-ordinator agreed that the scheme was not run for profit. This meant that the training and other activities of the center would be secondary to church activities.
Also, the training center's scarce equipment and materials may be damaged during church services. The Coordinator of the Empowerment Scheme stated that the focus has been on training and sending them abroad.
Conclusion
There were other Christian organizations in the field of development with which the Scheme could exchange ideas. There does not appear to be any cooperation between the scheme and Diakonia, or other Christian organizations offering similar services. This lack of co-operation may deny the scheme the opportunity to use facilities and expertise which may be available in other Christian organisations.
However, the beneficiaries of the scheme who enjoyed the benefits of their training were those who were apprenticed to private employers to whom the scheme had sent them. The impact of the scheme had also been felt in the incomes of the beneficiaries.
Chapter Five
Evaluation, Recommendations and Conclusion 5.1 Introduction
- The Problem of Poverty
- Liberation Theology and Poverty Reduction
- HOPE Empowerment Scheme
- Conceptual Foundation
- Types of Skills Training offered by the Scheme
- The Beneficiaries of the Scheme
- Impact of the Scheme
- Sustainability of Scheme's Projects
- Problems
- Recommendations
- Conclusion
Inability to provide financial support to the beneficiaries was another limitation of the scheme. The impact of the scheme is also felt by relatives and close relatives of the beneficiaries. The scheme will expand the scope of the skills taught at the training centre.
The scheme can organize fairs where the products of the beneficiaries can be displayed to the public. This will serve to advertise not only the beneficiaries but also the activities of the scheme.
Germond, P.A liberation Theology: Theology in the Service of Justice" in Villa - Vicencio (red) Theology and Violence: The South African Debate. UNDP The State of Human Development in South Africa: Key Indicators of Development and transformation" South Africa: Transformation vir Menslike Ontwikkeling.
Journals
Reports, Papers and Projects
World Economy: A Refonn Proposal for South Africa" A Paper Prepared for The Public Finance and Monetary Policy Chamber of the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) Johannesburg, Sydafrika. 1994) Together in a New Land - Sydafrika: Rapport af det første rundbordsbord i det nye Sydafrika. Habib, A og Kotze Civilsamfund, Governance and Development in an Era of G10balization" Upubliceret, University of KwaZu1u-Nata1, Durban, Sydafrika. Dokument 105/46 endelig. ed) Rural Poverty Challenges the Church: Report of Northern Transvaal Churches' Workshop and Background Materials, s.41 - 49.
Paper prepared for the pilot training course on poverty reduction for Sida staff, Solstrand, Norway, 13-17 January Globalization and Democratization in South Africa: A Case Study of the Clothing Sector in KwaZu1u-Nata1", An Unpublished Master's Thesis, University of KwaZu1u-Nata1 , Durban.
Periodicals
The Deaconess Council of the Churches (2003b) Imshoji, December. 2002) Imforzi, Newsletter from the Diakonia Council of Churches, December 2002.
Internet Sites
2002) Challenge, Diakonia Council of Churches Bulletin, December's Christian Revolution in Latin America: The Changing Face of Liberation Theology - Part I" in Christian Research Journal, Winter 1991;. Are the managers of this program only church members or do they include non-church people Are the participants only from the church or are non-church members welcome to participate.
Is there any focus in this program on the spiritual and emotional needs of the people. How are you connected, in dozens of partnerships with other organizations/churches with a similar vision.
