A golf course or grazing land: using participatory communication as a conflict management tool in community development

The question underpinning this study is why the Tyusha (Evelyn Valley) Development Project, a tourism project in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province, championed by developers, failed to materialize. The starting point of the research was whether, as the classic view suggests, the failure of the project was due to lack of community involvement. The interviews conducted indicated that participation was not the issue. The community had been consulted and were part of the wider formative discussions. What held the project back was conflict amongst the community (or project) leadership group. Given the economic potential of the project for a poor village like Tyusha, one would have expected greater cooperation between community members. This is especially the case when there is willingness and support from private capital and local government. Through a close reading of participatory development critiques, the article finds that conflict is part and parcel of community development work. With communication breakdowns in mind, which can impede project success, the article concludes that participatory development communication is a good vehicle to carry the dual mandate of community empowerment and mediation of conflict.