Exploring Child and Youth Development: A Case Study of Development Projects Funded by Independent Power Producers (IPPs) in Sutherland, Northern Cape

Through a case study, this MA research examined how Independent Power Producers’ (IPPs) socio-economic contributions intersected with the development of children and school-going youth in Sutherland, a small Karoo town that is home to SALT, SAAO, and several wind farms. While IPPs supported local schools with material resources, persistent challenges to the development of this group raised concerns about the long-term impact of these interventions. Grounded in Sen’s Capability Approach and Redfield’s concept of Band-Aids and Magic Bullets, the study highlighted the limits of material donations in fostering sustainable, meaningful change by exploring how these contributions were perceived and valued.