The dissertation examines the levels of service delivery in Philippi through Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) and it suggests this model as a model that can be used to confront the challenges of underdevelopment, the mobilisation and sustaining of local economic development.The research investigates theoretical and practical approaches to address the developmental problems embedded in dependency theory utilised by government and non governmental organisations (NGOs) in the Philippi community.The research clarifies the important role of developmental stakeholders in depoliticising development processes and its endeavours to address issues of development ownership in Philippi.It suggests the employment of the Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) approach which will focus on building Philippi from the inside out, utilising the available human capital, people’s expertise, formal and informal talents.The research employed both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies. These methodologies rely on literature search, questionnaires, interviews, and observation as methods of data collection. At the end of the study, workable recommendations will be made informed by the research findings.The main findings of the research are:· There is a high degree of “quick-fix” developmental approaches used in pursuing community development programmes and projects in this area.· There is a need to improve the existing asset-utilisation for development programmes through the empowerment of the capacity of small businesses and the re-engineering of the existing physical infrastructure such as roads.· There is a need to improve the level of service delivery in the community through skills capacity building, establishment of public private partnership.· There is need to strengthen community leadership capacity through the utilisation of capacitated and skilled young people and the recognition of existing formal and informal experiences, talents, skills, and capacities of the local people.· That to sustain local economic development in Philippi, there is a need to empower emerging entrepreneurs, ensure financial capital accessibility for small, medium and micro enterprises and ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of local Real Enterprise Development (RED) Door resources.· There is limited involvement of community citizens in developmental affairs and initiatives that leads to completes of partial failure of development programmes.· There is more centralisation (control) than facilitation of community development processes.· There are power differences that compromise the potential for genuine Asset-Based and community-driven development, which indications suggest are caused by political intolerance in the community.· There is a lack of stakeholder relations/partnerships which results in disjointed community development in the area.· There is a lack of political will and leadership that is capable of stimulating a sense of belonging and seizing the developmental opportunities in the area.· There is a lack of a strong base of social relations, internally and externally for integrated development.· There is a lack of sound social activism, patriotism and community mobilisation.· There is an inability to identify and exploit the existing multiple types of resources, such as human, financial, physical, social, and natural resources for the benefit of the community.· There is a failure to produce an enabling environment in terms of the formulation of community service related policies, supporting institutions and processes.· There is a lack of local decision-making participation in community development policy processes.The study presents nine (9) recommendations to resolve developmental constraints in Philippi.
