Impediments to Effective Youth Participation in Rural Community Development

Abstract

This paper is based on a study conducted in Makhado Municipality of Vhembe District, South Africa. It sought to unearth the factors hindering youth participation in community development. In this sequentially integrated mixed methods study, respondents in phase 1 were purposively sampled. Data were collected in reflection circles established considering gender. The results of the first phase were consolidated into a questionnaire requiring responses on a 10 point Likert-type scale. In phase 2 the questionnaire was administered to the same categories of youth in reflection circles. Descriptive statistics and nonparametric tests for significant differences across gender categories and hindering factors were computed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences. No significant gender differences were raised. It was concluded that youth desire opportunities to demonstrate their community leadership abilities. The need for change in leaders’ attitudes regarding the role of youth in development work is evident. Address for correspondence: Simbarashe Kativhu University of Venda Private Bag x5050 Thohoyandou, South Africa Telephone: +27631096440, E-mail: kativhus@gmail.com INTRODUCTION The world youth population was estimated at 50.5 percent and is expected to continue expanding (Euro Monitor International 2012). The population of young people below 30 years is around 70 percent of the total population in SubSaharan Africa (Euro Monitor International 2012). Thus youth are critical population subgroup which can be effectively utilized to increase productivity across the world. The possibility of youth driving community development particularly in under-resourced developing countries is even more apparent (Lucie et al. 2016). However, youth contribution to community development can only be realized through their active involvement in various activities. As such, there is global cognizance of the need to include youth in decision making with regards to development and also acknowledge the value they can add in the process. Participation is broadly viewed as a means to increase the involvement of a country’s residence to enhance their competences. Therefore, it is a vehicle for influencing decisions that influence young people’s lives as well as the communities they reside in (Chess and Purcell 2009). Youth participation in community work is a practical process through which the beneficiaries influence the initiation and management of community development work rather than being passive onlookers (Angba et al. 2009). Nikkhah and Redzuan (2009) further demonstrate that community participation creates an enabling environment for sustainability by allowing community beneficiaries to initiate, guide projects and make decisions about their development projects. Youth active participation is viewed as a critical component of economic development and a critical pillar towards alleviating poverty (Dundumaro and Madulu 2011). Given this background, it is vital to find ways of promoting youth participation in community development work, as a pre-requisite to addressing socio-economic marginalization and poverty in communities. Youth participation in community development work is influenced by various factors. The common factors include personal characteristics and financial capacity (Ovwigho 2004). A study in Nigeria found that education levels determine youth participation in community work (Angba et al. 2009). Bridges et al. (2001) also found that educated youth participated more in rural development programs. Thus, a higher education level is positively linked to participation. Socio-cultural factors that entail communiAnthropologist, 37(1-3): 1-7 (2019) DOI: 10.31901/24566802.2019/37.1-3.1971 PRINT: ISSN 0972-0073 ONLINE: ISSN 2456-6802 © Kamla-Raj 2019 2 HLEKANI MUCHAZOTIDA KABITI, JOSEPH FRANCIS AND SIMBARASHE KATIVHU Anthropologist, 37(1-3): 1-7 (2019) ty values, customs, beliefs and traditions also influence youth engagement in development work (Lucie et al. 2016). In this regard, understanding culture helps to understand the barriers to youth actions, the behavior of community leaders and barriers to participation. Youth are considered to be critical for the future success of any community. Thus, engaging them in community-related issues is an inevitable investment for the future (Campbell and Erbstein 2012). As a result, there is growing support for youth participation in community development work particularly in Africa (Lucie et al. 2016). Various national and international regulations on youth inclusive development have also been established to promote youth participation. These include the African Youth Charter (2006), Commonwealth Youth Charter (2005), Commonwealth Plan of Action for Youth Empowerment (PAYE) 2007-2015. However, most of these initiatives do not reflect youth voices as they were developed using the top-down approach (Kativhu et al. 2017). As such, they often fail to address practical challenges that hinder youth active engagement in community development work. In South Africa, youth are not given enough opportunities to engage in community work as agents of their own broader success (Jobson 2011). Approximately 70 percent of youth do not actively participate in community activities at all levels (Benson 2012). Lucie et al. (2016) concurred that youth participation in communitybased projects remains minimal in South Africa. On one hand, this reflects the youth’s lack of interest to contribute to development. However, Booyens and Crause (2012) argue that there are inadequate prospects for youth to participate in community activities. This clearly shows that the barriers to youth participation in community development work are not well understood. As a result, Benson et al. (2006) recommended that more efforts are required to find ways of involving young people in civic development activities. Theoretical Framework This community youth development theory guided this paper. The theory emphasizes the importance of changing the community environment where youth reside. This encompasses engaging them in the community development process to enhance their holistic growth as well as community objectives (Benson and Pittman 2001). The same scholars further highlight that utilizing the strengths of individuals and the community may lead to positive change. The theory further recognizes youth work as drivers of community development and transformation. Thus, combining youth and community development is crucial especially when taking cognizance of the factors that have weakened the Africa values of interdependence that have been fast replaced by western individualism values (United Nations Commission for the Refugees: UNHCR 2010). This change is credited to changed community structures, changing cultural practices and changed family circumstances. Rhodes and DuBois (2006) argue that these changes impact youth development trajectories, embracement of available opportunities and services, as well as their position in the community. This adversely limits the support base for youth in the community. However, the factors determining youth involvement in community development may differ with location and circumstances. Based on this theory the current paper sought to establish factors hindering active youth involvement in community development work in Thulamela municipality. Finding areaspecific hindrances to participation helps to unlock customized approaches for promoting youth involvement in community activities.