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

Caitlin’s MA research explores how Independent Power Producers’ (IPPs) socio-economic contributions intersect with child and school-going youth development in Sutherland, a small Karoo town that is home to SALT, SAAO, and more recently, several wind farms. While IPPs have supported local schools with material resources, persistent challenges to the development of this group raise 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 highlights the limits of material donations in fostering sustainable, meaningful change by exploring how these contributions are perceived and valued.

Keywords: Sutherland, Child Development, Education, Independent Power Producer (IPP), Renewable Energy