Department of Public Management and Economics

Rural development is a topical issue in South Africa. Several studies, policies and strategies as regards rural development are discussed at various levels and platforms. However, despite the efforts made by government and nongovernmental bodies, rural communities such as the Mtubatuba community situated in the north-east region of KwaZulu-Natal and many other rural communities still wallow in poverty. In consonance to the high prevalence of poverty and stagnation of subsistence farming, the paper aims to suggest other approaches to addressing the cyclical poverty and defunct subsistence farming in this community. To accomplish this aim, a mixed research approach was used; as elements of qualitative (interviews) and quantitative (questionnaire) research approaches were used to obtain relevant information. The study reveals that water shortage has adversely undermined the development and growth of subsistence farming in this poor community. Furthermore, the difficulties experienced b...

The once thriving subsistence farming community of Machibini is currently defunct due to water shortages, inadequacy of governmental support and better livelihood in urban communities. This community alongside its neighbouring communities is characterized by poverty. A variety of strategies and initiatives has been initiated to address the cyclical poverty amongst these communities. This paucity has driven the youths to urban centres as a means of securing a better livelihood. More so, the constant ebb of mass rural-urban migration has created voluminous challenges. As an agendum to creating a viable farming community in Machibini and “instigating an urban-rural migration”, the paper recommends the reallocation of the surplus budgets of this community to the investment of water resource management as a strategy of transforming the subsistence into commercial farming, thereby creating employment opportunities for the unemployed rural, as well as urban dwellers, while reducing poverty...

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the role water resources management can play in improving subsistence farming in rural South Africa, as well as reducing poverty. The study followed a mixed research approach where attributes of qualitative and quantitative methods were used. This paper indicates that due to water scarcity experienced amongst subsistence farmers in case study area, several farmers have opted out of farming. This has a negative consequence on food security and poverty among many subsistence farmers. The paper suggests the pathways for sustainable subsistence farming aimed at creating an economically viable rural community while addressing poverty through the implementation of an efficient water resources management practice. As highlighted in this paper, development is a gradual process, and water resources management can possibly be the first step in creating an economically viable community while alleviating poverty among subsistence farmers in water scarce r...

The European migrant crisis has been accentuated as the most momentous challenge that the European Union has faced since its establishment in 1993. The magnitude of this migration crisis is been amplified by political instability in the Middle East, wars, limited economic opportunities, and climate change. Migration analysts have viewed this "polycrisis" from an optimistic and pessimist perspective. The paper however pursues that of optimism and explores how the integration of skilled political migrants can be integrated into shrinking Latvian communities with an agendum to transforming the economically stagnated rural communities into viable rural spaces. The researcher interviewed 91 immigrants from nine countries to gain an insight into perception of political migrants amongst other variables. Furthermore, inductive and deductive approaches were used in synthesizing pertinent information from official records and reports on the above subject matter. A core emphasis of the paper was that the shrinking population of Latvia will adversely impede its future economic development. Hence, the paper advocates a systematic integration of skilled political migrants into the Latvian rural economy as an agendum to accelerating rural development.

Considering the skills shortages in the South African health sector, this study explores the possibility of integrating foreign medical doctors into the under-staffed South African health sector. In achieving this aim, semi-structured interviews were conducted amongst 37 medical doctors, alongside three business entities who recruit skilled migrants. More so, textual analysis and review of audited documents in alignment with this papers theme are reviewed. The study emphasises that no assertive policies or stratagem have been enacted or devised by the South African government or non-governmental entities in integrating such foreign doctors. In furtherance to this, no comprehensive documentation of migrants’ competence has been considered at the port of entry by the Department of Home Affairs which, on its own, represents a missed opportunity. As an agendum to integrating foreign medical doctors regionally, nationally, or locally, the study advocates a comprehensive compilation of mi...

The Mgobodzi community of the Nkomazi Municipality is perceived as one of the most poverty-stricken and under-developed communities in South Africa. As an agendum to alleviating poverty, the government has employed a variety of developmental initiatives to accelerate development within this community. Despite the enormous investments and concentrated developmental interventions, little improvement has been noticed in regard to the state of poverty within this community as compared to the situation prior the kick-starting of these governmental interventions. In consonance, this study aims to propose an alternative developmental trajectory for this community through the ‘Endogenous growth theory’. The novelty of this research lies in its plausibility and dependence on insights from experienced rural development stakeholders, alongside beneficiaries of this community. The study found that the current rural development trajectory lacks crucial insights into the fundamental demands of th...

South African rural areas are amongst the poorest in the world, as there is still a wide gap in terms of development with their urban neighbours. With an estimated 6.4 million South Africans falling below the national poverty line in 2010, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) remains the province with the highest number of poor people. The majority of rural dwellers in South Africa and KZN rely on subsistence farming, while others depend on government grants or family members living and working in urban areas to sustain a living. However, the income received is often insufficient to cater for their daily needs. In consonance with the high prevalence of poverty and the stagnation of subsistence farming, this study aims to examine the role of water supply in rural agricultural development in the Ward 19 area of Mtubatuba Municipality, which is situated along the north eastern region of KZN. To accomplish this aim, a mixed research approach with elements of qualitative (interviews) and quantitative (qu...

Prior to China’s reform, the poverty count surpassed that of the whole African continent. However, within five years, the Chinese could reverse this narrative. Between 1980 and 2020, China lifted a staggering 800 million citizens out of poverty. By February 2021, the Chinese declared that the war on ‘absolute poverty’ had been won when measured using the standard equivalence of $2.30 a day per person. In consonance with the Chinese feat on poverty, the study examines the strategy adopted in defeating poverty and highlights fundamental lessons that rural developmental stakeholders in South Africa may embrace in achieving a similar feat. To achieve this aim, the study adopted a literature review alongside a desktop analysis in deducing critical lessons from the Chinese war on poverty that may apply to rural developmental stakeholders in South Africa. Hence, an extensive assemblage of earlier studies on Chinese poverty alleviation strategies was looked into systematically. The study hi...

The dimensions of poverty are most egregious from a rural South African perspective. This study takes a deeper insight into the major causes of poverty 28 years after the expiry of the apartheid rule. It carefully examines if the cause of poverty may be largely attributed to intellectual fatigue or resource constraint, whilst shedding light on other instigators to poverty. To give precision to this paper, it is streamlined to three poverty stricken rural communities in South Africa. The nature of this study warrants the input of several stakeholders who are main drivers of poverty alleviation initiatives alongside their beneficiaries. Thus, the article adopted a Multiple Case study in order to obtain emic perspectives. Document analysis was also imperative as it served as a means of triangulation. Inferences from the study participants alongside views of commentators thus suggest that communities understudy are on an ineluctable path to failure, that which will continuously entrap t...

The dimensions of poverty are most egregious from a rural South African perspective. This study takes a deeper insight into the major causes of poverty 28 years after the expiry of the apartheid rule. It carefully examines if the cause of poverty may be largely attributed to intellectual fatigue or resource constraint, whilst shedding light on other instigators to poverty. To give precision to this paper, it is streamlined to three poverty stricken rural communities in South Africa. The nature of this study warrants the input of several stakeholders who are main drivers of poverty alleviation initiatives alongside their beneficiaries. Thus, the article adopted a Multiple Case study in order to obtain emic perspectives. Document analysis was also imperative as it served as a means of triangulation. Inferences from the study participants alongside views of commentators thus suggest that communities understudy are on an ineluctable path to failure, that which will continuously entrap these rural communities in poverty. Undoubtedly, the major cause of poverty in the communities of Gunjaneni, Lusikisiki Mcobothini and Mgobodzi is arguably not due to resource constraint, but partly due to the absence of intellectual acumen among key developmental stakeholders. The paper also argues that electoral victory attained through majoritarianism, and not that by the degree of competence or resourcefulness of candidate is often at the expense of the poor.

The South African Constitution has often been adjudged one of the most progressive constitutions ever written. However, transforming the theoretical content of the Constitution into a reality has proved to be a challenge. Considering that, the NDP 2030 is widely acknowledged as a well-thought-out and structured plan, the converting of the NDP 2030 vision into reality is discussed amongst cynics, who often consider it as an unrealistic vision based on the current circumstances and timeframe. In consonance with the afore-narrative, this paper explores the current circumstances of the Agricultural sector within the UMzimkhulu Municipality and gauges against the agricultural agenda set forth in the NDP 2030. To unravel this nexus, the paper pursues a qualitative approach wherein face-to-face interviews were conducted amongst 63 farmers. Prior to the interview, a pretest was conducted to ascertain the suitability of the instrument. The professional personnel were from the Department of A...

Rural development is a topical issue in South Africa. Several studies, policies and strategies as regards rural development are discussed at various levels and platforms. However, despite the efforts made by government and nongovernmental bodies, rural communities such as the Mtubatuba community situated in the northeast region of KwaZulu-Natal and many other rural communities still wallow in poverty. In consonance to the high prevalence of poverty and stagnation of subsistence farming, the paper aims to suggest other approaches to addressing the cyclical poverty and defunct subsistence farming in this community. To accomplish this aim, a mixed research approach was used; as elements of qualitative (interviews) and quantitative (questionnaire) research approaches were used to obtain relevant information. The study reveals that water shortage has adversely undermined the development and growth of subsistence farming in this poor community. Furthermore, the difficulties experienced by the marginalized people of Mtubatuba are typical of many rural areas which have not fully benefitted from transformation in a post-apartheid South Africa. To address this concern, the study suggested the reallocation of the municipalities surplus budget to the investment of water resource management with the intent of transforming the subsistence farming into commercial farming; thus improving the standard of living and reducing poverty to a reasonable extent.

The once thriving subsistence farming community of Machibini is currently defunct due to water shortages, inadequacy of governmental support and better livelihood in urban communities. This community alongside its neighbouring communities is characterized by poverty. A variety of strategies and initiatives has been initiated to address the cyclical poverty amongst these communities. This paucity has driven the youths to urban centres as a means of securing a better livelihood. More so, the constant ebb of mass rural-urban migration has created voluminous challenges. As an agendum to creating a viable farming community in Machibini and "instigating an urban-rural migration", the paper recommends the reallocation of the surplus budgets of this community to the investment of water resource management as a strategy of transforming the subsistence into commercial farming, thereby creating employment opportunities for the unemployed rural, as well as urban dwellers, while reducing poverty to a reasonable extent.

The European migrant crisis has been accentuated as the most momentous challenge that the European Union has faced since its establishment in 1993. The magnitude of this migration crisis is been amplified by political instability in the Middle East, wars, limited economic opportunities, and climate change. Migration analysts have viewed this "polycrisis" from an optimistic and pessimist perspective. The paper however pursues that of optimism and explores how the integration of skilled political migrants can be integrated into shrinking Latvian communities with an agendum to transforming the economically stagnated rural communities into viable rural spaces. The researcher interviewed 91 immigrants from nine countries to gain an insight into perception of political migrants amongst other variables. Furthermore, inductive and deductive approaches were used in synthesizing pertinent information from official records and reports on the above subject matter. A core emphasis of the paper was that the shrinking population of Latvia will adversely impede its future economic development. Hence, the paper advocates a systematic integration of skilled political migrants into the Latvian rural economy as an agendum to accelerating rural development.

The Mgobodzi community of the Nkomazi Municipality is perceived as one of the most poverty-stricken and underdeveloped communities in South Africa. As an agendum to alleviating poverty, the government has employed a variety of developmental initiatives to accelerate development within this community. Despite the enormous investments and concentrated developmental interventions, little improvement has been noticed in regard to the state of poverty within this community as compared to the situation prior the kick-starting of these governmental interventions. In consonance, this study aims to propose an alternative developmental trajectory for this community through the 'Endogenous growth theory'. The novelty of this research lies in its plausibility and dependence on insights from experienced rural development stakeholders, alongside beneficiaries of this community. The study found that the current rural development trajectory lacks crucial insights into the fundamental demands of this deprived community. The time of realism has set in for stakeholders to make more proactive interventions in addressing the awful specter of under-development and poverty epitomised amongst this community. Such realism is advocated in this research through the 'conceptualisation of the endogenous growth theory'.

The majority of the South African rural populace is directly or indirectly engaged in agricultural practices to earn a livelihood. However, impediments such as climate change, water shortages, and inadequacy of institutional support have undermined these once thriving subsistence farming communities. Furthermore, poor leadership in hydrology, coupled with a lack of depth in skills at all government levels to facilitate the understanding of the importance of groundwater, has made it near impossible for subsistence farmers to benefit optimally from groundwater. The 2012 drought experienced in South Africa paralysed several subsistence farming communities in KwaZulu-Natal. To revamp subsistence farming and assist these farmers across South Africa, the Department of Water and Sanitation launched interventions, but despite the enormous resources expended, indicators (e.g. unsustainable farming practices, poor crop yield, pitiable living conditions, and poor standards of living) provide evidence that these interventions have not yielded the desired results. This paper seeks to suggest practicable interventions aimed at reducing the vulnerability of subsistence farmers in KwaZulu-Natal. The study pursued a qualitative approach in that it solicited the views of experts on groundwater and in related fields to gain an in-depth perspective. Some of the core challenges undermining the sustainability and growth of subsistence farming in the study area were found to be the inadequacy of experts on groundwater, water shortages, institutional deficiencies, lack of political will, and lack of coordination among stakeholders. Pragmatic recommendations are made to address these challenges, among other things to encourage a South African-Chinese partnership in the hydrology sector.

Prior to China's reform, the poverty count surpassed that of the whole African continent. However, within five years, the Chinese could reverse this narrative. Between 1980 and 2020, China lifted a staggering 800 million citizens out of poverty. By February 2021, the Chinese declared that the war on 'absolute poverty' had been won when measured using the standard equivalence of $2.30 a day per person. In consonance with the Chinese feat on poverty, the study examines the strategy adopted in defeating poverty and highlights fundamental lessons that rural developmental stakeholders in South Africa may embrace in achieving a similar feat. To achieve this aim, the study adopted a literature review alongside a desktop analysis in deducing critical lessons from the Chinese war on poverty that may apply to rural developmental stakeholders in South Africa. Hence, an extensive assemblage of earlier studies on Chinese poverty alleviation strategies was looked into systematically. The study highlights potential challenges the South African rural developmental stakeholders may face in an attempt to replicate the Chinese stratagem. The study thus concludes with practical steps rural developmental stakeholders in South Africa may adopt to create viable rural spaces devoid of egregious forms of poverty.

South African rural areas are amongst the poorest in the world, as there is still a wide gap in terms of development with their urban neighbours. With an estimated 6.4 million South Africans falling below the national poverty line in 2010, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) remains the province with the highest number of poor people. The majority of rural dwellers in South Africa and KZN rely x Table of contents Abstract iii Declaration v Dedication vi Acknowledgements vii List of figures xvii List of tables xviii Chapter 1: Introduction and background of the study 1.1 xi 2.4.2 Rural development 2.4.2.1 Role of government in promoting rural development 2.4.2.2 Importance of rural development 2.4.2.3 Subsistence farming 2.4.2.4 Need for subsistence farming in rural areas 32 2.4.2.5 Water resource management as an imperative for rural development and subsistence farming 2.4.2.6 Legislation and policy guiding rural development 2.4.2.7 Developmental support strategies by the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government 47 2.4.2.8 Other initiatives by the provincial government in KwaZulu-Natal 2.4.2.9 Challenges affecting rural development 2.5 Case of Kwazulu-Natal 63 2.5.1 Rural areas and development in KwaZulu Natal 2.5.2 Role of subsistence farming in rural KZN 2.5.3 Impediments to subsistence farming 2.6 Water resource management 2.6.1 Definition 2.6.2 The importance of water resource management in rural South Africa 2.6.2.1 Requirements for successful water resource management 2.6.2.2 The major threats to water resources in South Africa 2.6.2.3 Challenges for water resource management 2.6.2.4 Effects of poor water resource management 2.6.3 The importance of water resource management for subsistence farming and rural development 2.6.4 Water resources in South Africa xii 2.6.5 Water policy in South Africa 94 2.6.5.1 Legislation impacting on water resources management 98 2.7 The role of the Department of Water Affairs 2.7.1 Challenges facing the Department of Water Affairs 2.8 Integration between rural development, water resources and agriculture 2.9 Conclusion Chapter 3: Water resource management in Ward 19 3.1 xiii 3.9.7 Education profile in Mtubatuba Municipality 134 3.10 Water availability in Ward 3.10.1 Water conservation techniques used in Ward 19 136 3.11 Farming projects in Mtubatuba Municipality 138 3.11.1 Hlaneni Landscape Project and the impact of water scarcity 3.11.2 Similar agricultural projects and the impact of water scarcity 3.12 Conclusion Chapter 4: Research methodology 4.1 Introduction 142 4.2 Objectives of the study 4.3 Research approach 143 4.4 Research design 4.4.1 Sampling strategy 4.4.2 Sample 145 4.5 Data collection 4.5.1 Interviews 4.5.2 Questionnaire 4.5.2.1 Questionnaire design and format 4.5.2.2 Pre-test of questionnaires 4.6 Use of IsiZulu translator in the study 4.7 Inclusive and exclusive criteria 4.8 Confidentiality and anonymity 4.9 Ethical clearance 4.10 Data analysis 152 4.11 Reliability and Validity xiv 4.12 Limitations of the research 153 4.13 Conclusion Chapter 5: Statement of findings, interpretation and discussion of the primary data 5.1 5.7 Proposed regression model 183 5.8 Conclusion Chapter 6: Conclusions and recommendations 6.1 Introduction 188 a. General introduction b. Research objectives c. Water conservation techniques from a global perspective d. Water conservation techniques used in the area under study 6.2 Conclusions 194 6.2.1 Main source of livelihood 6.2.2 Constraints to the development of subsistence farming in Ward 19 6.2.3 Proximity of river to farming communities (water demand and supply) 6.2.4 High incidence of poverty in rural areas of KwaZulu-Natal 196 6.2.5 Integration between rural development, water resources and agriculture 196 6.2.6 Assessment of water resource management in Mtubatuba 6.2.7 Disconnection from reality 198 6.2.8 Predominance of women in area under study xvi 6.2.9 Superstitious belief versus water scarcity 6.3 Recommendations 6.3.1 Affirmative and comprehensive policies 6.3.2 Training in water conservation techniques 6.3.3 Institutional partnership with local municipalities 6.3.4 Women empowerment and skill acquisition 6.3.5 Underpinning rural development through subsistence farming in Ward 19 6.3.6 Water resource management as an imperative for rural development and subsistence farming 6.4 Recommended water conservation techniques for area of study 6.4.1 Water Conservation Technique 1 206 6.4.2 Water Conservation Technique 2 208 6.5 Recommendation for further study 6.6 Conclusion References

This study paints an unambiguous reflection of contemporary South African rural communities. That which depicts a rhetoric epitomised by abject poverty, underdevelopment, inequality and marginalisation. Such an awful depiction is synonymous with the communities of Mgobodzi, Lusikisiki Mcobothini and Gunjaneni, which are yet to benefit fully from the transformation of the post-apartheid era. As an agendum to alleviating poverty amongst these poverty-stricken and underdeveloped communities, the government instituted rural developmental initiatives such as the RDP, GEAR, ACGISA and CRDP, amongst a host interventionist approaches to alleviate poverty amongst these poverty-stricken communities.

This chapter ambiguously paints a picture of some of the most vulnerable among the OIC member states. It highlights their plights, rationale and the urgency of establishing the Refugee Zakat Fund as a means to alleviating the plights of these vulnerable individuals. The impact of the Refugee Zakat Fund in bridging the heightened social inequalities amongst the most vulnerable populace within the OIC is casually discoursed. Herein, the widespread and far-reaching impact of wealth redistribution is accentuated. Based on the impactful nature of the Refugee Zakat Funds within OIC, the chapter explored the feasibility of replicating such Islamic social finance mechanism or wealth distribution model (Zakat) amongst vulnerable populace found within selected Hindu, Catholic, Buddhist and Christian countries with a significant population of citizens living below the poverty line. The aim of this chapter is to assess the feasibility of bridging the social inequality gaps amongst a select non-OIC member state through a replicate of the Zakat-model. To achieve this aim, the chapter adopted a desktop analysis and qualitative content analysis stratagem. Invariably, such wealth distribution model may possibly serve as a stepping stone to begin to narrow the social inequality gaps amongst the cited people of concern.