Abstract
The failure of the government to prioritise rural development threatens to negatively impact the development of growth of rural areas. Rural-urban migration in South Africa has negatively affected socio-economic development in rural areas. By strictly analysing relevant literature related to rural-urban migration in South Africa, it became evident that rural provinces have been witnessing a huge outflow of people destined for urban areas, predominately to Gauteng and the Western Cape province, this has robbed rural areas of skills and innovation, which has prolonged the cycle of underdevelopment. The influx of people to urban areas has also strained government resources, increased population-growth and increased housing infrastructure challenges. The government has been slow react in addressing the problem and as a result, numerous skilled professionals have left rural areas, crippling service delivery. Frequent cooperation with local leaders and more investment in rural areas are needs to fight rural-urban migration.
Highlights
South Africa’s urban population is reported to be growing at alarming rates and it is projected that by 2050, a staggering 80 percent of the population will be residing in urban areas and this will surely have significant implications for rural development and growth
Between 2001 and 2011, South Africa’s urban population increased from 57 to 63 percent, and cities such as Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg have witnessed a significant increase inflow of people from across the country (Angelopulo, 2017: 65-69), because rural areas lack the critical infrastructure needed for rapid development, they are too a great extent disconnected from development that happens in urban areas, with limited development, people opt to go in search of opportunities
Limpopo remains the lowest with R56 000 per year (Donnelly, 2012). With provinces such as Western Cape and Gauteng growing rapidly, people will surely continue to engage in migration, mainly in search of better economic opportunities in these provinces and regrettably, if the government fails to rapidly prioritise rural development, South Africa will continue witnessing huge volumes of people migrating from rural areas to urban areas, leaving the developmental aspects of rural areas in tatters
Summary
South Africa’s urban population is reported to be growing at alarming rates and it is projected that by 2050, a staggering 80 percent of the population will be residing in urban areas and this will surely have significant implications for rural development and growth. Between 2001 and 2011, South Africa’s urban population increased from 57 to 63 percent, and cities such as Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg have witnessed a significant increase inflow of people from across the country (Angelopulo, 2017: 65-69), because rural areas lack the critical infrastructure needed for rapid development, they are too a great extent disconnected from development that happens in urban areas, with limited development, people opt to go in search of opportunities. Limpopo remains the lowest with R56 000 per year (Donnelly, 2012) With provinces such as Western Cape and Gauteng growing rapidly, people will surely continue to engage in migration, mainly in search of better economic opportunities in these provinces and regrettably, if the government fails to rapidly prioritise rural development, South Africa will continue witnessing huge volumes of people migrating from rural areas to urban areas, leaving the developmental aspects of rural areas in tatters. Implications for rural-urban migration in South Africa Undoubtedly, the outflow of people from rural to urban areas will have far-reaching implications for both rural and urban areas and with government slow in reacting to the growing problem, rapidly developing provinces will surely continue witnessing a significant increase in the inflow of people seeking a better life
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