1. Developing Rural Economies in South AfricaBy
Dr Maria Motebang
Presented at INCA Summer School Oct 2005
Litsebi Consultants (Pty) Ltd

2. 1. Outline Defining rural development Approaches to Rural Devt
History of RD in SA
RD Policy framework
The ISRDS/P
Challenges
Way forward

3. 2. Defining Rural Development
Multifaceted attempts aimed at improving the provision of services & infrastructure
Increasing opportunities for income generation
Local economic development
Active representation in political processes
Social cohesion
security

4. 3. Approaches in Rural Development
Community Development
Integrated Rural Development
Basic Needs
Public Participation

5. 4. History of RD in SA
Aimed at promoting minimum living standards (Homelands)
Uniqueness of rural population in SA high density population and dislocated settlement
Migration has resulted in a high level of interdependence btn rural communities and large cities
Estimated at 51%

6. 5. Rural Devt Policy Framework
RDP
GEAR
Rural Development Strategy 1995
Rural Development Framework 1997
Rural Development Initiative

7. 6. The ISRDS
Launched in 2001
Creative and ambitious attempt to address institutional weaknesses
Deepen the impact of delivery
Bolster local capacity for participation
The core tool for delivery is the IDP

8. Vision
To attain socially cohesive and stable rural communities with viable institutions, sustainable economies and universal access to social amenities, able to attract and retain skilled and knowledgeable people who are equipped to contribute to growth and development

9. 6.1 Framework for Delivery
INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS
LONG RANGE PLANNING
KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT
CO-ORDINATION OF DELIVERY
STAKEHOLDER MOBILISATION

10. 6.2 Implementation Phases
Phase The pilot phase and evaluation
Phase Implementation and Medium Term Review
Phase upscale, full implementation and exit strategy for external agencies

11. 6.3 Coordinating Institutions
DPLG
The IDT
The Inter-departmental Task Team
Provincial IDTT
Political Champions
Provincial Government

12. 7. Performance so far ISRDP has all the essential elements of IRD
The challenge is to ensure that decentralization, planning, resource definition and people’s participation are met
Some of these elements are sometimes sacrificed for the sake of accelerated delivery

13. 8. Challenges Structural requirements: Land Reform
Lack of understanding of the ISRDP & inefficient coordinating mechanism
Prioritization – Re-orientating/ ruralizing IDPs & LEDs
Capacity
People’s participation and stakeholder mobilization.

14. 8.1 Ruralizing IDPs Pro-active rural saving schemes
Mindset shift in IDPs
Less industrialised but more agro-based
Engaging traditional leadership
More labour based activities
Activities that will increase productivity

15. 8.2 Agro-based economies LED Natural resource based tourism
Twining of tourism endeavours
Improved rural lending schmes
Accelerated water resource management for agriculture
IRAP (Integrated Rural Access Plans)
Agri-based stakeholder mobilization

16. 8.3 Local Institutional Capacity Building & Municipal capacity
Support Community Based Devt Planning
Use of CDWs
Conduct municipal capacity audit
Short term training in rural development

17. 9. Conclusion
There are fewer rural based and driven initiatives taking place
Emphasis has been on infrastructure & services that not necessarily devt’al
For SD to occur there has to be a balance in both rural and urban growth