Local perception of the impact of corporate social responsibility of the mining companies on local community development in Fetakgomo-Tubatse Local Municipality, Limpopo Province

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyse the local perception of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) of the mining companies on local community development in Fetakgomo-Tubatse Local Municipality, Limpopo, South Africa, adopting a qualitative research method. Interview transcripts and field notes represented the primary data from which thematic analyses, labelling and organising evidence in themes and categories as they emerged out of the data rather than being imposed on research participants prior to data collection and analysis. The findings revealed that mining companies are partially contributing to the development of the communities where they do their operations and their impact is minimal. Their CSR projects lack sustainability and are not primarily changing the lives of the people due to high levels of under-development, illiteracy levels, lack of skills, unemployment and structural abject poverty in their mining communities.