Abstract:
This study provides a theoretical foundation for researchers to investigate the effects 
of rural development non-governmental organisations’ governance on societal 
transformation. The research also assessed the mission statements from a non-profit 
organisation perspective, considering their operational activities in trying to address 
NGOs’ governance. Although, historically, these statements have been used almost 
exclusively in a management context. The nine components of a mission statement 
provide direction for the researcher to examine statements and practitioners to 
create and modify the statements. This study marries the rural development non governmental organisations’ governance and societal transformation literature. 
Creating a fruitful new area for marketing research and practice. The 
recommendations will hopefully give guide and recommend tools for aligning NGOs 
operational activities with their mission statements to promote good governance 
practice. The study investigated the effects of rural development non-governmental 
organisations’ governance on societal transformation. The aim was to investigate the 
types of rural development actions and role players in Elansdoorn Moutse, to 
analyse the governance of the actions of rural development role players, to examine 
the scales and profiles of NGOs acting in rural development, to delineate the effects 
of rural development NGOs’ governance on societal transformation, and to propose 
measures for improved governance of actions and enhancement of societal 
transformation credential of rural development NGOs in developing countries. The 
study found that if rural development NGOs were well governed, they would have the 
power and potential to transform the society.