The bilateral agreement on youth development in community arts centres in post-apartheid South Africa: an impact assessment of the Batsha-Jeugd programme

OUTPUT TYPE: Research report- client
PUBLICATION YEAR: 2010
TITLE AUTHOR(S): GModisha, G.Hagg, J.Muzondidya, P.Wamucii, F.Rakate
KEYWORDS: COMMUNITY ARTS CENTRES, DEVELOPMENT, POST APARTHEID SOUTH AFRICA, YOUTH
DEPARTMENT: Developmental, Capable and Ethical State (DCES)
Print: HSRC Library: shelf number 6328
HANDLE: 20.500.11910/4284
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11910/4284

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Abstract

This report is divided into five main sections. In this section we look at the background to the study and the research method utilised in collecting the information required to answer the research questions. Section two outlines the conceptual framework used in analysing the data gathered for the study. In it we look at the concepts used in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Batsha-Jeugd programme, and the conceptualisation of youth development, social cohesion and moral regeneration as related to Batsha-Jeugd, both as a programme and as a youth development model. The second section demonstrates that although the overall concept of youth development in South Africa and its meaning is in line with both South African and international theory and practices on the issue, their usage in the MoU lacked a full understanding of their implications for the South African situation. Section three discusses the research findings. The first part shows that the way in which the MoU was initiated and formulated resulted in major problems during the implementation stage. The second part of that section demonstrates that successful implementation of the programme has to a large extent been hampered by the challenges facing the programme due to the Bi-lateral Agreement (BLA) and/or the MoU between the governments of South Africa and Flanders. Nonetheless, this should not hide that fact that there have been some pockets of success, particularly pertaining to the opportunities given to young people attached to the assigned community centres. Following on from this, section four looks at the lessons to be learned based on the research findings. In section five, the researchers discuss the recommendations emanating from the research conducted for this study. Overall, the researchers recommend consolidation and expansion of the Batsha-Jeugd model in South Africa as many young people have benefited and continue to benefit from it. Nonetheless, it is further recommended that the challenges that engulfed the Batsha-Jeugd programme need to be studied individually as pertaining to their context in order to deal with them effectively. Lastly, as this type of project and its arts and culture orientation seems to fit the mandate of the national Department of Arts and Culture (DAC), it is recommended that the department be given the opportunity to run the Batsha-Jeugd programme within its overall programmes of social development and youth development.

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