ACHIEVEMENTS SO FAR

So far, NARDEP has designed two models. One is the Social Facilitation Model which assists communities to build solid in-reach social infra-structure support platforms for enterprise development. The other a Revenue Generating Profit Share Scheme, known as Buntu Village Market. The village market is a catalyst for economic development. NARDEP combines two models, a social facilitation which ensures meaningful and holistic participation of the communities and a profit share scheme which introduces an income generation component to ensure self support for the programme, long after social investment partners have gone.

The Social Facilitation Inreach-Outreach Model

It has already been mentioned that the Social Facilitation Model was tested through a pilot programme in 4 Municipal Wards, 2 in the Sikhukhuni District Municipality, Makhudutamaga and Fitagomo Local Municipalities, Limpopo; and 2 in Amathole District Municipality, Buffalo City and Amahlathi Municipalities, Eastern Cape.

This model had a major impact on government policy and contributed to the design and planning of the ‘Community Development Workers Programme’ launched in October 2003. NARDEP received wide recognition for its innovative work especially the introduction of In-reach -Community Development Practitioners to bridge the gap between marginalised communities and the social responsibility stakeholders especially government.

The Buntu Village Model

NARDEP has also designed the Buntu Village Market. Like any other local market, it is a trading post where local and other producers, sellers and buyers converge in one place on a regular basis to trade in locally produced and imported commodities at market related or acceptable prices.

The Buntu Village Market is a practical means and catalyst for local economic development. It stimulates economic growth and unleashes hidden opportunities. It is an overlooked activity around which various economic activities can be mobilized and tap into their traditions and resources to optimize benefit from available forms of social investment.

The Buntu Village Market offers an opportunity to the community as a whole, to participate meaningfully in production, provision of services and supplies that can impact poverty, ensure return on investment and sustain them long after the social investors have gone. It is distinguished from other markets of its kind in that it is people centered (Buntu) while the others are often profit centered. The Buntu element is achieved through the combination of the Social facilitation and the Buntu Village Market Models.

NARDEP worked with the following organizations:
  • Department of Provincial and Local Government and the Department of Public Service and Administration used NARDEP as a resource agency in its workshops and planning sessions for implementation of the Community Development Worker’s Programme introduced in July 2003
  • The South African Women in Dialogue (SAWID) used NARDEP as a resource in its annual conferences and in designing its model for community development, the CARAVAN
  • The Walter Sisulu University identified the NARDEP as one of the leading participants in the Programme of the Centre for Rural Development. In particular NARDEP participates as a Community Development Resource Agency in the “Annual Rural Development Conference” as well, leading one of the Commissions, for the last five years, i.e. the Community Development Practitioners Commission