An institutional framework for sustainable rural development aimed at addressing poverty in South Africa: selected cases

Abstract

From 1994, democratic South Africa waged a war on poverty. This is reflected in the types of policies adopted by government aimed at poverty eradication. Significant government efforts are already aimed at addressing poverty and ensuring a better life for all. The South African government's policy orientation has been targeted at the poorest of the poor. However, there is still much that needs to be done. The study sought to propose an institutional framework for the effective and efficient implementation of sustainable rural development programmes aimed at poverty eradication. The study undertakes a qualitative research located in New Public Management Theory. Data collection methods used in this study were focus group discussions and face-to-face interviews. The international best practices in sustainable rural development were also considered as lessons in the context of South Africa. A thematic analysis of the data was used to identify challenges in the implementation of sustainable rural development programmes aimed at poverty eradication. The empirical research revealed that although various programmes and strategies for poverty eradication were implemented, there are gaps within the implementation framework. The findings revealed that there is a lack of: coordination of the sustainable rural development programmes, active community participation that involves decision-making from the design and planning of the programmes, adequate funding of the sustainable rural development programmes, poverty and beneficiary profiling, empowered public officials and utilisation of ICT and intergovernmental relations. The study proposed an institutional framework for the effective and efficient implementation of sustainable rural development programmes aimed at poverty eradication. In addition to the proposed institutional framework for the implementation of sustainable rural development programmes, the study recommended a people-centred rural development that empowers communities, capable rural development centred public administration, governance, coordination of rural development in all sectors including community participation, as well as innovative public administration for e-rural development by using ICT.Key terms and concepts: sustainable rural development, poverty, poverty eradication, institutional framework, Mpumalanga Province, Limpopo Province, Muyexe Village, Jabulani Bafazi, Water Smeet.