The relationship between community participation and the sustainability of CSR Projects : the case of the Grootegeluk Coal Mine in Lephalale Local Municipality

Abstract

The developmental challenges that South Africa faces are such that no single sphere of society can address them alone. It is thus important that all of society participate in contributing to development. The private sector is expected to play its role under the ambit of corporate social responsibility, which is an expectation for companies to mitigate their negative impacts on society and contribute to the betterment thereof. Within the post-apartheid South African context and given the negative consequences of mining on the environment and communities close to mining operations, mines are legislatively required to actively mitigate their negative impacts and to contribute to the development of the communities that they operate in. For the development of communities, the mines are expected to participate in local economic development, through the implementation of community projects which address community needs. The communities in which mines are located are often highly underdeveloped, and thus the mines can play a significant role when resources are utilised in a manner that supports development. This study investigated the relationship between the participation of community members (beneficiaries of projects) and the sustainability of community development projects using two of Grootegeluk Coal Mine’s community development projects as case studies. More specifically, whether the participation of beneficiaries throughout the project life cycle influenced the sustainability of projects. This was done by establishing if beneficiaries participated in the project process, at what level they participated and where in the project process they participated. The study then explored the sustainability of projects (personal, community and project sustainability), guided by the three dimensions of sustainability. The study also explored how other factors such as the provision of support and training, monitoring after project implementation and proper project planning may have impacted on project sustainability.