Page 22 - Research Report 2025.1

Participant 6
We have units like local economic develop department like local economic development. It’s a key it’s a KPA for local government and is allocated within the municipality. Yeah. To change the lives of the people, who make the community participate in the changing of their lives. Yeah. We have programs in place. I have already mentioned LED. Yeah. We have programs, how to how to how to involve our people in changing their lives.
5. Considering rural local government frameworks, what are the main challenges and prospects for advancing rural development and sustainable livelihoods?
Theme 1:
Challenges for advancing rural development and sustainable livelihoods
This theme focuses on the obstacles that rural areas face in achieving sustainable livelihood development, particularly in terms of infrastructure deficits, corruption, limited community participation and environmental challenges like natural disasters.
Focus group Participant
It is legislated in section 152 of the constitution, under sub-section 1, promoting local economic development and the rest of the activities. Its there to local livelihoods. If you are strong on agriculture its there to support agriculture or in mining then you supported in mining. Ya based on that. And also ensuring that Budgeting and funding is available for the implementation of such support.
No of participants
No of references
Infrastructure Development Challenges Coordination Challenges
Human Resource Issues
Limited Job Opportunities
Infrastructure Development Challenges
4 7 1 1 1 3 1 3
Budget and Financial Limitations
3
3
Corruption
1
1
Limited Community Participation
1
2
Natural Disasters
1
1
The findings revealed that rural development is significantly hindered by infrastructure challenges, with participants underscoring the need for more robust political leadership to address these issues. Participant 2 stressed that political leadership plays a pivotal role in overcoming rural infrastructure deficits, particularly in road development, which is critical for unlocking economic potential. Comparing the Eastern Cape (EC) and KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), they noted that despite geographic proximity, the EC lags in infrastructure development. This under-development limits the ability to fully explore and capitalize on the economic zones within the province. The participant argued that strategic investments in road infrastructure could enhance interprovincial trade and stimulate economic activity in rural regions.
Participant 6 further highlighted the challenges of unreliable electricity and poor internet connectivity, particularly in areas such as Ntabankulu, which restrict residents’ ability to engage in essential modern activities like online meetings. These infrastructure deficits not only isolate rural communities but also limit their participation in broader economic and educational opportunities.
Adding to these concerns, a Focus group participant discussed the sparsely populated nature of rural areas, explaining that the distance between households makes infrastructure projects, such as road construction, both costly and inefficient. The participant also emphasised the barriers that rural students face in accessing higher education, particularly traveling long distances to educational institutions and the persistent lack of electricity in some villages. Additionally, a focus group participant highlighted the limited access to Wi-Fi in rural areas, which forces students to travel to urban centers to access free internet services offered by companies like Standard Bank.This situation not only creates logistical challenges for students but also exacerbates educational inequalities.
20 | STUDY OBJECTIVE I