Abstract
This article provides an overview of some developments, internationally, regionally and in the SADC, in relation to development, that may be expected to influence the South African government’s response to the development needs of the people in the country. An overview is provided of the somewhat haphazard way in which the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 refers to the need for and objective of development (including rural development) in the country. Through their explanatory outline of three distinct phases in South African rural development law and policy: 1994–2000 (the Reconstruction and Development Programme and related documents and their implementation); 2000–April 2009 (the Integrated Sustainable Rural Development Strategy and its implementation) and April 2009+ (the Comprehensive Rural Development Programme and related documents), the authors review some of the historical strengths and future prospects related to rural development in South Africa. Based on an assessment of historical trends, a number of recommendations are made for government’s way forward in the implementation of the constitutional objectives, law and policy relevant to rural development in the country.
Highlights
In April 2009, with the advent of the Zuma Presidency, rural development became one of the key priority programmes for the five years (2009-2014)
The above overview and assessment of (a) the international development framework, (b) the key post-1994 constitutional, policy and implementation frameworks as regards sustainability, development and rural issues, and, (c) the three post-1994 phases relating to rural development provide the backdrop for the identification of the most crucial areas that need to be addressed by the South African Government
It is argued that some of the key challenge areas not addressed or addressed in an insufficient manner by the Integrated Sustainable Rural Development Strategy (ISRDS) inform the context within which the new post-April 2009 approach to coordinated rural development must function in order to bring about enduring sustainable rural development
Summary
In April 2009, with the advent of the Zuma Presidency, rural development became one of the key priority programmes for the five years (2009-2014). Development Programme and related documents and their implementation); 2000–April 2009 (the Integrated Sustainable Rural Development Strategy and its implementation) and April 2009+ (the Comprehensive Rural Development Programme and related documents) Critical evaluation of both the contents and the implementation of the first two South African rural development policy frameworks indicates that there is a serious need for a radical new approach as regards the coordinated planning and implementation of rural development in South Africa. This need is currently being addressed by the post-April 2009 government; significant challenges as regards the coordination and alignment of other existing development-related programmes still have to be resolved, both at the levels of conceptual and of execution. The conclusion (section 9) consists of a summary of some key observations pertaining to the constitutional, policy and implementation frameworks relating to rural development, as well as a number of focused recommendations
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