Rural development regression in South Africa

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

- NALEDI RAMONTJA

Despite progressive policy frameworks (such as the NDP, MTDP, and relevant 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these systems lie abandoned; rusting pipes, crumbling canals, and dry fields are stark reminders of a ‘state’ that has withdrawn its hand from rural development.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 and difficult to pass during rainy days; clinics are understaffed and under-resourced, some communities still lack electricity and water, and access to education remains a challenge. In the rural area of Seabe village, where I come from, 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, fosters mistrust in the justice system, and allows criminal activity to persist unchecked, further eroding public safety and community cohesion.