Rural Development
latest news & developments
One Man’s View Does Not Dim the Success of Matsamo CPA
In a right of reply, the Matsamo Communal Property Association refutes claims made by Phahlane Group CEO Mbuso Thumbathi, highlighting its proven track record in agricultural…
Somkhele families count the R80m cost of coal
A landmark study by researchers from King's College London and UKZN reveals that 115 households near KZN's Somkhele coal mine suffered over R80 million in asset losses, with mine…
Land is back but prosperity isn't
Thirty years into South Africa's land reform, millions of hectares remain underused due to governance failures in Communal Property Associations. Reforming these structures is…
Rural communities are seen but never heard
This thought-provoking article explores the often-unseen complexities of rural communities in South Africa, drawing parallels from film portrayals to institutional engagements.…
Measure land reform the right way
The debate around land reform in South Africa often focuses on statistics, but the true measure of success lies in whether land is restored with dignity, activated productively,…
Land reform and rural development: A budget for South Africa’s bold agenda for land reform and rural renewal
The Department of Land Reform and Rural Development tabled an ambitious Budget Vote for 2026/27, supported by legislation, investment and a clear vision for equitable land access…
Malawi’s solar push bypasses its poorest
A peer-reviewed study finds wealth inequality is locking the poorest households out of solar electrification
Namibia’s green schemes are failing, and a parliamentary inquiry blames the system
The country has 11 such schemes, together representing one of the most ambitious agricultural investments in southern Africa
Award-winning exploitation: South Africa’s sustainability façade unmasked
Rural people are dispossessed and displaced by companies that collect awards for ESG credentials, corporate social investment and sector excellence
Transformation fund introduces new empowerment codes for transport sector
A significant portion of the R100-billion transformation fund will be allocated to the transport sector with an aim to unlock inclusive growth in the mobility value chain.
How government abandoned a multi-million-rand community dairy farm
After catastrophic floods, minister Nomakhosazana Meth introduced a mysterious investor to the farm without any due diligence
The scars of migrant labour endure on black families
In post-apartheid South Africa, the system has evolved but has fundamentally stayed the same, triggering an inter-generational cycle of displacement
NSPCA uncovers thousands of dead fish at government-backed fish farm in Mpumalanga
Conditions were ‘atrocious’ and ‘appalling’
Ingonyama Trust Board extends CEO Vela Mngwengwe’s contract despite MisuZulu’s objections
Mngwengwe will remain in the post for another two years
Farmers fear loss of land to Motsepe Foundation citrus project
The foundation has injected millions into the project and the Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has also approved millions in funding, but farmers say they…