Higher Certificate in Community Development and Leadership

Purpose

The programme has been offered since 1990 under the guidance of the Department of Social Work.

This programme is aimed at equipping students with the competence in the acquisition and application of methods and principles in the field of people-centred participatory development facilitation, with focus on the asset-based community development (ABCD) approach. Government, faith-based, non-profit organisations, community-based organisations etc. have shifted to a more holistic development approach, with emphasis on the initiating of sustainable and even profitable community projects or programmes. Within today’s developing communities there are also schools and corporate groups who either are, or wanting to become involved in community development. Most service providers are, however, not equipped to meet these demands.

Social workers who complete this course will receive 20 Continuous Professional Development (CPD) points.

Curriculum

The programme comprises the following five modules:

Module 1 – Personal and professional leadership

Module 2 – Management in community development

Module 3 – Community development process

Module 4 – Elements for sustainable community development projects

Module 5 – Social business entrepreneurial skills

Each module will be presented in a two/three full day workshop every month or second month starting in March, by means of participatory action and experiential learning techniques. Students are required to do field work and present a portfolio of evidence of their practice. After each workshop students are required to complete an assignment. Students will be evaluated in the middle of the programme and in October/November. A time table and final arrangements will be provided prior to registration.

Admission Requirements

Students who would like to enroll must have a matric or a post-matric qualification and relevant experience in community work. Students need to be able to negotiate permission from an agency in their community or at their workplace to facilitate a small scale community project over three months with a group of community members.

Personal requirements entail that prospective applicants must have a general responsiveness towards people, especially deprived people, and a willingness to strive towards the empowering of people within the communities.

Selection Process

Selection will be made based on the academic merit.

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