Assessment of the Maphepheni Communal Property Association's contribution towards members' livelihoods

Abstract

The Maphepheni Communal Property Association (CPA) was formed around 1997; initially, the association had a beneficiary list of about 286 households. It was formed in line with section 17 of the CPA Act 28 of 1996 and they formed a committee with five individuals in line with the Communal Property Association act 28. The association is based in Maphepheni, which is an informal semi-rural settlement with approximately 400 households. It is a settlement situated in Mpumalanga Province, Gert Sibande District under Mkhondo Local Municipality. The purpose of this study was to assess Maphepheni Communal Property Association’s contribution towards its members’ livelihoods. All participants were purposefully selected based on maximum period of their membership, years of experience and portfolio. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews from the key informants and a questionnaire with open-ended questions which responded to by ten general members of the Communal Property Association (CPA). All the data were analysed thematically. The study’s key findings suggest that there are varying experiences and observations regarding the ability of the association to contribute to the improvement of members’ livelihoods. While there was a general notion that this CPA did not initiate any strategies to improve members’ livelihoods, some members reported positive experiences. Businesses were created which promoted food production. A partnership between this CPA and a private company brought good infrastructure such a borehole which provided water to the members and a bursary which has a potential of yielding better livelihood strategies and a stadium that benefits its members and the community in general through job creation. The study’s findings reveal that there are squabbles resulting from misuse of the assets of the association by non-members. Differences between youths and old members led to some dysfunctionality in the association, this is because CPA members expressed that TLBs, and other inputs went missing and there has not been any action taken. Although according to the constitution of the association, members are expected to report and take accountability on the association’s assets, this has never happened. Weak governance

system, not holding meetings regularly, and lack of financial reporting system have significantly contributed to the inefficiency of the association. The committee members seem not to adhere to the constitution of the organisation. It is recommended that the CPA committee members should start keeping clear, precise, and concise records of equipment bought with the organisation’s money as well as activities carried undertaken by members. This may only materialise if they stick to the decisions taken by the association. The study recommends that the MCPA committee members should find a method of reporting to members of the CPA and the funders. This could either be weekly, quarterly, or monthly. This may give them a platform to position themselves accordingly within the broader spectrum of management of finances and assets of the association. In addition, there should be proper reporting on financial spending received from any funder. Both government and private sector should support the association through workshops that will largely focus on reporting and management skills. Moreover, the study recommends that committee members should be exposed to conflict resolution and communication workshops where they can acquire some skills that they can use in the organisation. The committee members should create a complaints box at the office such that the members may write and drop their complaints. This will allow the committee members to receive them on time and respond promptly without having to wait for a meeting to be organised.