ABSTRACT
The literature is rich with discussion and research around issues of participation by community members in development activities. But literature that focuses on the processes of creating and maintaining partnerships at the community level is virtually absent. Such problems have led to the realization that partnerships are of critical importance for developers and the community. Community partnerships are usually coordinated by NGOs, which work in close collaboration with donor agencies, whether public or private. In the Mangaung University Community Partnership Program, respondents said that though they had not been permitted to select their partners, the goal-setting and visioning process of the partnership was driven largely by the results of a consultative needs analysis. The Mangaung University Community Partnership Program is a registered organization with a full-time staff of nine. It is overseen by a board of governors and a management committee on which each of the partners is represented.
