Harnessing local strengths: Asset-based community development and sustainable livelihoods in South Africa

Abstract

This qualitative study explores the challenges in implementing community development interventions in South Africa using asset-based community development (ABCD) and sustainable livelihood (SL) frameworks. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews with 21 purposively selected participants from four development centres in Tshwane, Gauteng. Thematic analysis was employed to interpret responses, ensuring alignment with the study’s focus on empowerment and sustainable growth. Verification was achieved through the triangulation of participant perspectives and theoretical frameworks. Ethical adherence included informed consent, confidentiality and institutional approval. The findings reveal that ABCD and SL approaches foster participatory, relationship-driven change, contrasting with deficit-focused needs-based models. Challenges include a lack of participation, a lack of assets and funds, inadequate capacity building and a lack of sustainability. Participants emphasised the importance of community agency and asset mobilisation over external dependency.
Contribution: The researcher argues that to promote sustainable social change, a shift should take place from focusing on deficiencies and external assets to concentrating on communities’ internal strengths and assets. The focus should be on the discovery and strengthening of community members’ internal assets, capabilities and strengths, thus leveraging these assets with external assets. The implications of the study are that for community development interventions to be sustainable, there is a need to mobilise community participation, strengths and assets of the community members in the quest to empower them to be self-reliant and sustain their livelihoods.