Co-operatives in South Africa

Summary

Co-ops as Alternative Project Models for NGOsCo-operatives provide an alternative model for the implementation of sustainable, community-based initiatives within South Africa. Government actively advocates the use of this model for social upliftment projects. However, the reality is that, up until now, many of these projects have failed to be sustainable in the long term.

According to a recent media statement released jointly by the National Development Agency (NDA) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI): “Cooperatives and collective ownership schemes are important vehicles to meet the economic goals of development, broad individual empowerment, and sustainable livelihoods for communities.”