Facilitating or hindering social cohesion? The impact of the Community Work Programme in selected South African townships

Date

2016-03

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Institute for Security Studies, Pretoria, South Africa
Centre of Criminology, University of Cape Town, South Africa

Abstract

While social cohesion may be considered necessary to prevent violence, some studies show that the concept may also be a source of division, intolerance and violence. This article analyses tensions and contradictions within the Community Work Programme (CWP), and how the programme can facilitate, as well as hinder social cohesion in communities. The primary purpose of the CWP is to provide an employment safety net to unemployed people so they can obtain a basic stable income. However, if not implemented in a consultative participatory manner, the CWP may be a source of conflict rather than of social cohesion.

Description

Keywords

COMMUNITY WORK PROGRAMME, VIOLENCE PREVENTION, SOCIAL SAFETY NETS, LOCAL GOVERNANCE, COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION, UNEMPLOYMENT, SOUTH AFRICA, SOUTH OF SAHARA, VULNERABLE GROUPS, GANGS, URBAN VIOLENCE

Citation

Langa, M., Masuku, T., Bruce, D., & van der Merwe, H. (2016) South African Crime Quarterly, (55), 41-48. http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/2413-3108/2016/v0n55a159

DOI