The Ford resource and engagement centre (FREC) programme's contribution to mitigate poverty : perspectives from participants

Abstract

Many South Africans are living in poverty. Poverty is a multidimensional phenomenon that requires well formulated strategies for its mitigation. The goal of the study was to explore the FREC programme’s contribution to mitigating poverty from the participants’ perspectives. The study employed a qualitative research approach and an instrumental case study research design. This applied study was rooted in interpretivism, it had an exploratory purpose and utilised the sustainable livelihoods framework as its theoretical framework. The study population consisted of 10 current FREC programme participants in Mamelodi and Nellmapius in the City of Tshwane, who were selected through nonprobability purposive sampling. The data was collected using one-on-one semi-structured interviews and analysed through thematic data analysis. The findings show that participants joined the FREC programme as they needed physical, human, and financial capital to engage in entrepreneurship and micro businesses in view of mitigating poverty. The findings show that the FREC programme contributes to poverty mitigation by empowering programme participants with skills and knowledge on entrepreneurship, mentoring and funding to successfully operate their micro businesses. The study concludes that poverty is best understood by the people who are experiencing it and that mitigating poverty requires support and access to a wide range of capital. The study recommends that FREC must establish a body that represents the collective interests of township-based entrepreneurs, , improves their bargaining

power, and lobbies for greater governmental legislation and support for entrepreneurs and micro businesses.