Rural underdevelopment is deliberate injustice

Collapse of support systems leave many trapped in cycle of neglect

- NALEDI RAMONTJA

THREE decades into democracy, a sobering reality persists: many rural communities remain trapped in the same cycles of neglect and underdevelopment.

Despite progressive policy frameworks (such as the NDP, MTDP, and municipal development frameworks) and constitutional promises, rural development has not only stagnated; it has regressed.

One of the most visible and alarming indicators of this decline is the collapse of agricultural support systems, particularly state-sponsored systems.

These schemes were lifelines for small-scale farmers, enabling food security, local job creation, and rural economic activity. Today, many of these systems lie abandoned; rusting pipes, crumbling canals, and dry fields are stark reminders of a 'state' that has withdrawn its hand from rural development.

We all know that agriculture is a cornerstone of rural economies, and its neglect has ripple effects on food production, local employment, and household incomes. Without support, many local farmers have been forced to abandon farming altogether, which has led to food insecurities, poverty, and increased dependence on government social grants.

Infrastructure development in rural areas tells a similar story. Roads remain poorly maintained; hospitals and clinics are understaffed and under-resourced, some communities still do not have electricity and water, and access to education remains a challenge.

In the rural area of Seabe village, there is still no police station, no home affairs, and only one clinic that serves the entire community.

As a result, many crimes go unreported, simply because reporting them requires transport money to another village with a police station. The ongoing lack of resources leaves communities feeling vulnerable, and allows criminal activity to persist unchecked.