Community work programme (CWP) agriculture sector participants' views and experiences to its contribution to rural development and livelihoods

Data was collected from 48 participants. Two of the participants were government officials who work and also part of the implementing team for the Community Work Programme (CWP) agriculture sector in the Eastern Cape province. Five of the participants were CWP agriculture sector site supervisors, and 41 were the CWP agriculture sector beneficiaries. The data was collected through semi-structured interviews where the researcher explored the role of the CWP agriculture sector in rural development and bringing social change in rural areas' former homelands. Data was analyzed through thematic analysis. Participants believed that CWP has provided them with food and improved their lives; although their stipend is not enough, but they can afford to support their families. There are different CWP homesteads and communal gardens where they grow vegetables to support vulnerable groups and support learners' feeding schemes. There are challenges, such as participant's lack of uniforms, seeds, training, and work tools.