Padayachee, Vishnu.Elliott, Lucy M.2011-02-042011-02-0419991999http://hdl.handle.net/10413/2519Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1999.The primary goal of development is to alleviate poverty, and thus improve people's lives. Co-operatives around the world are becoming used more regularly as a vehicle for such development. However, as a result of economic pressures, co-operatives have changed over the years, reflecting a more business-like approach in order to compete in a competitive market. As a result certain types of co-operatives come under the banner of 'new wave' co-operatives. This dissertation examines two such co-operatives and analyses what social and economic benefits accrue to individuals as a result of participating in rural co-operatives. It also reflects upon the 'managed' status of the co-operative and its implication for members.enCooperative societies--KwaZulu-Natal.Producer cooperatives--KwaZulu-Natal.Employee ownership--KwaZulu-Natal.Rural development--KwaZulu-Natal.Theses--Development studies.Thesis