Can a 'child raise a village'? : a case study of South Africa's Community and Individual Development Association (CIDA) City Campus

Abstract

This thesis is an exploratory study of the Community and Individual Development Association (CIDA) City Campus: the first 'virtually free' university in South Africa. Considered a potential solution to the crisis in tertiary education in South Africa, it provides an accredited BBA degree to economically disadvantaged students. Situated against a literature review that traces the emergence of 'hybrid' organizations and management approaches which challenge the public/private distinction, findings of a mixed-mode survey of 2004-2006 graduates suggest that CIDA not only fulfills an 'access role', but also supports students in ways necessary for them to proceed through their degree. Whilst indicating the strengths of the CIDA model, including employment outcomes, graduates also signal areas for improvement. Importantly, the study also explores the 'externalities' of a CIDA degree. Findings demonstrate graduate support of extended families as well as a large commitment to community-based initiatives in areas such as youth resilience and education.