DVA3701 ASSIGNMENT 2 - 5 2026 (OPTIONS)
DUE SEPTEMBER 2026
(i) Explain what is meant by popular initiatives in development.
"Popular initiatives" refer to actions undertaken by ordinary people in civil society to
develop their welfare, community, and/or society. These are development initiatives
which do not originate from government or development professionals. They include
actions which are not formal development activities and which may not even be
undertaken for the purposes of development, but which nevertheless help the
development of a particular group of people and a particular country. This concept
highlights how ordinary people can become actors for development. These initiatives
are often participatory, community-driven, and aim to empower local populations.
(ii) Give examples of popular initiatives in development.
Examples of popular initiatives in development include:
Initiatives started by grassroots organisations
Environmental actions
Informal sector activities
Popular opposition to oppression (e.g., by women's organisations against gender
oppression)
Social movements
Social movement unions
Empowerment groups
The influence of certain economic classes on development
Community-driven development programmes
Participatory budgeting
,(iii) Define social movements.
A social movement can be defined as "an organised set of constituents pursuing a
common political agenda of change through collective action". Social movements are
collective enterprises that have their inception in conditions of unrest and seek to create
a new order of life. They are sustained, organised, and collective challenges to existing
power structures, social norms, or policies.
(iv) Give ten examples of social movements that are found in South Africa.
(Bhattacharjya, Birchall, Caro, Kelleher and Sahasranaman (2013: 279) and
Madlingozi (2007: 84, 86-87) in your E-reserves). (10 marks)
Abahlali baseMjondolo - A shack dwellers' movement advocating for housing and
land rights.
#FeesMustFall - A student-led movement demanding free education and the
reduction of university fees.
Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) - Advocates for access to HIV/AIDS treatment
and healthcare rights.
#RhodesMustFall - A campaign calling for the removal of colonial statues and
addressing institutional racism.
The Total Shutdown Movement - A movement against gender-based violence,
advocating for women's rights and safety.
Black First Land First (BLF) - A movement addressing land reform and economic
justice for black South Africans.
South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) - A labour movement advocating
for workers' rights and better working conditions.
, Marikana Campaign – A movement seeking justice for the victims of the Marikana
massacre and advocating for miners' rights.
The Green Connection – Focuses on environmental justice and sustainable
development.
The Social Justice Coalition (SJC) – A grassroots movement promoting participatory
democracy and community engagement in governance.
Other examples include the Black Sash, the Anti-Privatisation Forum, and the Soweto
Electricity Crisis Committee (SECC).
(v) Read Study Unit 7 and give ten (10) examples of issues or problems that social
movements in South Africa seek to address. (Study Unit 7, Mpofu 2023: 55). (10
marks)
According to Study Unit 7 (Mpofu 2023: 55), social movements in South Africa seek to
address a wide range of issues, including:
1. The effects of neoliberalism and globalisation
2. The housing crisis in urban areas
3. Access to service delivery
4. HIV/AIDS and health conditions
5. Working conditions
6. Unemployment
7. Issues of democracy, transparency and accountability
8. Corruption
9. Poverty
10. Crime, the economy, drought, racism, sexism, xenophobia, and access to education
(vi) Read Study Unit 7 and define grassroots movements. Give examples to
support your answer. (Study Unit 7, Mpofu 2023: 54). (10 marks)
DUE SEPTEMBER 2026
(i) Explain what is meant by popular initiatives in development.
"Popular initiatives" refer to actions undertaken by ordinary people in civil society to
develop their welfare, community, and/or society. These are development initiatives
which do not originate from government or development professionals. They include
actions which are not formal development activities and which may not even be
undertaken for the purposes of development, but which nevertheless help the
development of a particular group of people and a particular country. This concept
highlights how ordinary people can become actors for development. These initiatives
are often participatory, community-driven, and aim to empower local populations.
(ii) Give examples of popular initiatives in development.
Examples of popular initiatives in development include:
Initiatives started by grassroots organisations
Environmental actions
Informal sector activities
Popular opposition to oppression (e.g., by women's organisations against gender
oppression)
Social movements
Social movement unions
Empowerment groups
The influence of certain economic classes on development
Community-driven development programmes
Participatory budgeting
,(iii) Define social movements.
A social movement can be defined as "an organised set of constituents pursuing a
common political agenda of change through collective action". Social movements are
collective enterprises that have their inception in conditions of unrest and seek to create
a new order of life. They are sustained, organised, and collective challenges to existing
power structures, social norms, or policies.
(iv) Give ten examples of social movements that are found in South Africa.
(Bhattacharjya, Birchall, Caro, Kelleher and Sahasranaman (2013: 279) and
Madlingozi (2007: 84, 86-87) in your E-reserves). (10 marks)
Abahlali baseMjondolo - A shack dwellers' movement advocating for housing and
land rights.
#FeesMustFall - A student-led movement demanding free education and the
reduction of university fees.
Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) - Advocates for access to HIV/AIDS treatment
and healthcare rights.
#RhodesMustFall - A campaign calling for the removal of colonial statues and
addressing institutional racism.
The Total Shutdown Movement - A movement against gender-based violence,
advocating for women's rights and safety.
Black First Land First (BLF) - A movement addressing land reform and economic
justice for black South Africans.
South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) - A labour movement advocating
for workers' rights and better working conditions.
, Marikana Campaign – A movement seeking justice for the victims of the Marikana
massacre and advocating for miners' rights.
The Green Connection – Focuses on environmental justice and sustainable
development.
The Social Justice Coalition (SJC) – A grassroots movement promoting participatory
democracy and community engagement in governance.
Other examples include the Black Sash, the Anti-Privatisation Forum, and the Soweto
Electricity Crisis Committee (SECC).
(v) Read Study Unit 7 and give ten (10) examples of issues or problems that social
movements in South Africa seek to address. (Study Unit 7, Mpofu 2023: 55). (10
marks)
According to Study Unit 7 (Mpofu 2023: 55), social movements in South Africa seek to
address a wide range of issues, including:
1. The effects of neoliberalism and globalisation
2. The housing crisis in urban areas
3. Access to service delivery
4. HIV/AIDS and health conditions
5. Working conditions
6. Unemployment
7. Issues of democracy, transparency and accountability
8. Corruption
9. Poverty
10. Crime, the economy, drought, racism, sexism, xenophobia, and access to education
(vi) Read Study Unit 7 and define grassroots movements. Give examples to
support your answer. (Study Unit 7, Mpofu 2023: 54). (10 marks)
