THEME 3 GOVERNACE FOR SUSTAINABLE RURAL DEVELOPMENT AT ALL LEVELS Presenter. Prof. N. Luswazi

PRESENTATION BACKGROUND Case Study (Alfred Ndzo & OR Tambo Municipalities) Role of Developmental Universities as part of a System of Local Government Capacity Universities as Centers for rural development work with local municipalities. Need for Research and development of Indigenous knowledge systems for rural women Research through Interviews conducted to rural women on Indigenous knowledge systems (e.g. Soap making, fruit preservation, fruit canning, maize harvesting & storage techniques) support rural women co-operatives in these rural industries Indigenous Knowledge Management

Do Municipalities have capacity to implement National Policies? PRESENTATION BACKGROUND Case Study (Alfred Ndzo & OR Tambo Municipalities) cont…….. Municipalities ensure provision of services promote socio and economic development, democratic development and participation of communities Capture and institutionalise the energy of community participation particularly rural women for rural development and economic development. Do Municipalities have space to facilitate Rural development or are the just implementers of National Policy? If so Do Municipalities have capacity to implement National Policies?

ISSUES & CHALLENGES Lack of Access to Income Generating Opportunities and Means of production Lack of access to Education Women serve as representatives and electorates in local government structures but not as equal decision makers Diminishing of indigenous knowledge in communities Home/Rural industries that are run based on race especially in rural towns (Rural impoverished rural women) Lack of capacity within Rural Municipalities (Both Administrators & Councillors) Lack of Access to agricultural water

ISSUES & CHALLENGES cont….. Lack of participatory Planning in the budgeting and IDP processes. Social exclusion/oppression & absence of autonomy on decisions about matters affecting “self”. Role of labor Department in skilling and empowerment of rural women for purpose of poverty reduction not clearly defined. Lack of understanding of other critical role players e.g. CGE Lack of Access to Markets for agricultural produce

ISSUES & CHALLENGES cont….. Lack of productive Rural infrastructure for rural development e.g. State. Land Transport and Markets for local co-operatives is still a huge challenge, “Rural Women need Implements (Tractors) to fully utilise Land @ their disposal” Lack of access to Information sharing and dissemination Women in communal areas issues of tradition and custom and the patriarchal nature of governance Too many regulatory requirements for access to economic opportunities resulting in limiting access Access to State Land by Rural Women

WHY IMPORTANT Rural Women want to participate in decision making about issues that affect them Indigenous knowledge shared amongst women relates to a number of issues including farming systems and needs to transfer to generations to sustain self reliance Opportunities for enterprise development and incomes are critical to rural women Need to be assisted in development initiatives supported/initiated by Municipalities

WHY IMPORTANT cont…… Rural Women need to lobby for resources and agenda for their development Rural Women need to have a voice in all structures of development at all levels Rural Women need to have access to Community based skills development programmes in partnership with labour Department Need to Consolidate engagement with Rural Women in terms of rights to available resources monitoring and evaluation Rural Woman key to sustainable rural development and poverty reduction (MDGs)

WHY IMPORTANT cont…… For effective engagement in Government processes For creation of enabling environment for rural women to participate in all development processes as well expression of their freedom

Other challenges not related to governance Government social grants literacy level amongst women in rural areas Lack of access to production credit by women. Lack of access to production credit by women

Other challenges not related to governance Burden as young girls/women are now sacrificing their education to having children. Ability to operate from an informed basis Environment not conducive for them to establish sustainable enterprises

Other challenges not related to governance Provide food parcels and seeds so that they could work on the field. Education and empowerment of women Establishment of Women’s credit facilities

SUGGESTED INTERVENTIONS Formation of women co-operatives for their participation in ward and local decision making Running Rural Development Conference where rural women should have their voice in relation to governance for rural development Mentorship to expose rural women on rural development Establishment of strategic partnership between public private and community institutions for development. Sharing of knowledge and skills between rich cosmopolitan municipalities and impoverished small rural municipalities and capacity building for Municipalities.

SUGGESTED INTERVENTIONS cont….. Establishment of radio schools for women all over Africa to discuss issues affecting women. Establishment of National Women Research and Development Institute. Women to prioritize their developmental needs to ensure that they are integrated in all the Developmental Planning Processes within Municipalities Access to information to reduce the gap between the municipality and the community by training women’s institutions and CDW.

SUGGESTED INTERVENTIONS cont….. Continuous mobilization of women at all levels for political development economic emancipation and social development Understanding and Review Municipal Finance Act to allow municipalities to deliver services Vigorous Implementation of Integrated Rural and Sustainable Development Plan Rural Information Centers government services and offerings documents available in all official languages as per area Develop storage facilities, processing and market facilities at rural areas owned by co-operatives

SUGGESTED INTERVENTIONS cont….. Education of Women on current Legislations as well as their rights. Establishment of National Institute for Local Government for training and capacity building for councilors.

Thank U………