Page 58 - Research Report 2025.1

Study Objective III
Provide an analysis of governance processes and policy implementation systems for rural livelihoods in South Africa
Overall Theme 3: Governance Processes and Policy Implementation
7. What policies are in place for rural livelihoods and development?
8. How are these policies formulated, implemented, and monitored?
9. What is the level of participation of rural communities in decision-making processes related to livelihood support? 10. What challenges exist in implementing rural development policies and how do they impact livelihoods?
11. What is the role of local government institutions and NGOs in implementing development policies?
12. Recommendations for improving resilience and sustainable recovery from pandemics and disasters.
Study Results
1. What policies are in place for rural livelihoods and development?
Theme 1:
Policies in place for rural livelihoods and development
This theme explores the various policies designed to support rural livelihoods and development, focusing on disaster management and local economic development (LED).
Availability of Disaster Management Policies
Several disaster management policies exist to provide a structured approach to crisis management at both the district and municipal levels. Participant 1 and Participant 4 confirmed the existence of a disaster response strategy and a recently reviewed disaster management plan, which are crucial for structured responses in times of crisis.These policies outline first-responder actions and provide a framework for local governments to handle emergencies like floods, fires, and pandemics. By having updated plans in place, municipalities can respond swiftly and minimise the impact on rural communities. Participant 2 further highlighted that the disaster management framework is available on the district’s public website, and it has been adopted by the council. This ensures transparency and allows residents, businesses, and stakeholders to understand the emergency protocols and response mechanisms available to them. The availability online also supports information dissemination, which is crucial for preparedness.
These frameworks demonstrate the importance of institutional readiness in rural areas that are particularly vulnerable to natural and man-made disasters. However, Participant 4 raised a critical issue regarding accessibility: while policies exist, they are not always written in local languages. This language barrier limits public engagement and community understanding, which in turn can delay or impede the effectiveness of these policies during emergencies. If community members cannot fully comprehend the guidelines or protocols, their ability to actively participate in preparedness and crisis response is hindered, making them more vulnerable during disasters.
Participant 1
We have a disaster response strategy in the municipality,
and we have recently reviewed a disaster management plan, which, stipulates exactly how we should respond as the first respondent before the district, does their thing, before they, whatever particular disaster is declared and all of those, that are stipulated in the the legislative pieces.
Participant 2
There are there is a disaster management framework of the district. . That is available. You would see it from the website as well. It’s there on the website. Okay. And it’s being used, and it was adopted by the council. . It opens, it opens up a platform where the district gets, to say how do we intervene out of our normal ways of doing things considering the fact that this is now a disaster Yes.
Participant 3
The municipality has its own legislations that govern municipality. We have structures act, we have in MFMA Municipal Finance Management Act. You have your Dora. You have your Disaster Management Act.
Participant 4
there are policies available that talk to what can be done, like bylaws. They are sharable. You can get them from the websites. You can get them from from the archives of the municipality, bylaws, policies, even in the offices of the counsellors or those offices, but the council offices. The documents for for for for for whatever that needs to be done to improve their livelihoods, they are there. There are policies available that talk to what can be done, like bylaws. They are sharable. You can get them from the websites. You can get them from from the archives
of the municipality, bylaws, policies, even in the offices of
the counsellors or those offices, but the council offices. The documents for for for for for whatever that needs to be done to improve their livelihoods, they are there. But what I can say is that not all of them are written in Aboriginal languages. Yes, most of them are written in English.
Participant 5
And, also, we do have the fire and rescue policies that are around in response during the seasons of the prevalence of fire disasters. There are many policies. I think there are many policies that we have.
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