The design and review of an integrated asset-based community-led and sustainable livelihoods practice model for poverty alleviations

After more than two decades of democracy, South Africa is still battling with issues of poverty, inequality, unemployment, and hunger (Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), 2018). The estimates on poverty by Stats SA in their report on the Social Profile of Vulnerable Groups in South Africa (2014) reveal that many South African households are still severely affected by poverty. This is an indication that more still needs to be done to address this scourge, especially considering that the current intervention is more of a needs-based approach that is top-down. Poverty is spreading like wildfire and must be extinguished. To ensure community participation and sustainability in the achievement of project outcomes, there is a need to adopt a holistic approach in addressing community issues, focusing on their strengths and assets to attain sustainable livelihood. This means that all factors at play such as social, economic, physical, political, social and natural assets need to be considered when tackling development issues. United, focused and collective efforts need to be encouraged from the grassroots level with an emphasis on the strengths and assets of the community members. This calls for a shift from concentrating on local deficiencies and external assets towards concentrating on the strengths and assets of communities.