SOCIAL ASPECTS OF SUSTAINABLE RURAL DEVELOPMENT—A CASE STUDY IN LEPELFONTEIN

Abstract

ABSTRACT Investigation of domestic water inadequacy on the South African West Coast in 1995 identified Lepelfontein as a settlement with an insufficient supply of fresh water, initiating a pilot study on fog harvesting aimed at improving the fresh water supply and water security. The success of the pilot study suggested its extension into a development initiative where the introduction of more fog collection screens would launch a community gardening project as a form of small-scale agricultural activity to promote socio-economic development. However, experience with rural development initiatives in South Africa and elsewhere has shown that these projects are often compromised by social issues that do not receive due attention during project planning and implementation stages. An extensive social survey indicated that a number of needs exist in the community, of which electricity was the most important, followed by water and a need for community leadership. Specific areas of concern pose challenges to the sustainability of the project and could impact adversely on the success of the development initiative. These included the lack of life-skills training relating to the fog harvesting process, the occurrence of deviant behaviour as a result of the pilot fog screen, the lack of co-operation in the community, and the need to use existing local knowledge in any development initiatives. It offers further evidence that rural sustainability is best attained by well-planned and properly implemented initiatives that address the social, physical and economic facets of the environment in an integrated and participatory approach.