The significance and status of Social Impact Assessment (SIA) in a South African context

Abstract

Social Impact Assessment (SIA) identifies the intended and unintended impacts that proposed projects or developments are likely to have on a community or individuals and suggest mitigation measures to prevent these impacts and enhance the positive impacts. The main aim of this dissertation is to explore the significance and the status of SIA in a South African context. EIA is currently in its third era of mandatory practice and with an increasing number of SIAs, it is essential that the practice of SIA should be investigated. The aim of this dissertation was firstly reached by exploring the perspectives of SIA practitioners in South Africa through a questionnaire. The practitioners’ perspectives showed that despite distinct weaknesses in the practice of SIA, i.e. the lack of a fixed set of guidelines and a shortage of SIA skill in the practitioner community, SIA practice has improved since 1997 with the promulgation of ECA, although there is still room for improvement. Secondly a quality review was conducted on a sample of SIARs in South Africa using an adapted review package. The results revealed relatively weak report quality compared to EIA report quality, but with an improvement, in report quality since 1997. The quality review findings appear to confirm the perspectives of the practitioners regarding the state of SIA practice in South Africa. Despite the weaknesses in the SIA process, it appears that the SIA practitioner community is driven by best practice considerations, and that SIA practice is in line with international trends. It appears therefore that despite the observed weaknesses, SIA practice in South Africa is relatively healthy. It is recommended that instead of seeking to strengthen SIA practice by means of regulation and guidelines, SIA practitioners should rather ensure that SIA delivers what it is intended to deliver by ongoing pursuance of best practice, and by improved training and skills development.