30 Apr 2015

From Basarwa Rural Development Programme to Rural Area Development Programme (RADP), the programme has not only come to represent the aspirations of the poor but social inclusion as well.

The programme’s objectives are to, among others, address spatial and social inequalities, attract business activities and help in economic growth of rural settlements by empowering beneficiaries to sustainably fend for themselves, writes Emmanuel Tlale.

The approach has not only seen government bringing services closer to communities who are remote from mainstream development but moving closer to realising integrating Rural Area Dwellers (RADS) into mainstream society. Through a 2010 cabinet directive on RADP, government made a deliberate effort (Affirmative Action) to assist people in remote areas improve their living conditions by availing opportunities and resources. The following have been key issues of the programme:

ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT - Empowerment of settlements under RADP has always been government’s resolve to eradicate abject poverty and development of communities by helping them lead sustainable livelihoods.

Through an array of intervention measures such as ISPAAD, backyard gardening and poverty eradication initiatives, the programme has helped beneficiaries to significantly reduced reliance on government hand-outs. Alternative projects such as knitting, bakery, leather works and Kiosk are part of avenues that beneficiaries use to generate income.

Due to lack of markets and business skills among residents under RADP, government made a deliberate effort to assist them to transport their goods to markets. Communities are no longer looking up to government social safety nets as the only alternative source of livelihood.

Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Ms Botlogile Tshireletso, is upbeat about progress of the programme so far and has committed herself to championing the course of beneficiaries to graduate from poverty to lead sustainable lives. After she was assigned the task to spearhead RADP, Ms Tshireletso immediately hit the ground running and was given a warm welcome by both RADs settlers and leadership as a champion of their course.

The assistant minister says such communities were disadvantaged given most government developments were population-size based. Besides, since such communities were scattered in unrecognised and sparsely populated settlements, they could not enjoy national developments unless they relocated to recognized settlements/villages, thereby disrupting their normal way of life and risking losing their distinct cultural identity.

Through affirmative action, these communities are now benefiting in terms of development just like the rest of society notwithstanding their population size. Beneficiaries now lead a dignified life with proper shelter and can now make ends meet through turnkey and SHAA programmes.

Ms Tshireletso urges district administration and local authorities to ensure that government efforts succeed and that during tendering processes under RADP, priority is given to beneficiaries.

Meanwhile, the assistant minister expressed concerned over delays in completing RADP projects which she says has potential to stall development of such communities.

“Some of these projects are very small and they are not supposed to take that long to complete, and you can imagine if we are undertaking big projects. The community bakery project at a cost of around P140 000 in Loologane settlements was not supposed to take two financial years.

The project I am told developed defects before it was handed over to the intended beneficiaries,” laments the assistant minister.
Ms Tshireletso also notes delays in delivery of SHAA and Turnkey projects to beneficiaries which she says has potential to undermine government efforts of social inclusion of economically marginalised communities from accessing basic services.

YOUTH EMPOWERMENT AND EDUCATION-  And because of peculiar challenges students in RADs communities face, government as a way of improving their education levels, put in place measures to bring along such students by not only lowering entry points at tertiary education level but also making a commitment to absorb them to serve in their communities.

Some graduates are now social workers and community development officers.  About 100 students are now enrolled at Boitekanelo College, Baisago, ABM and Botho University. This is a way of improving literacy levels among young persons in previously vulnerable and disadvantaged groups.

ATTRACTING BUSINESS ACTIVITIES AND EMPLOYMENT- Rural area dwellers were disadvantaged from utilising government programmes and taking advantage of economic opportunities due to their remoteness. As such, job opportunities were almost non-existent. LIMID, Ipelegeng have played a critical role in providing decent job opportunities to settlements especially for young persons.

They are now self-employed through programmes such as LIMID where they are resourced with small stock such as goats, poultry besides cattle. Another national project, Ipelegeng, has not only empowered but emancipated beneficiaries from poverty. The beneficiaries are now engaged in sustainable income generating projects that also bring about community development through debushing gravel roads, infrastructure development - RADP housing construction.

Meanwhile, Mr Steven Ludick of the Department of Community Development, says he is satisfied with progress so far despite challenges such transport shortage, delays in supply and delivery of services as well as staff shortage.

“Progress is there and every two months we report to cabinet about progress of RADP and affirmative action. Indications are there of success stories with a number of initiatives by implementers towards advancing growth of remote settlements,” says Mr Ludick. The local government ministry and departments are now aware of their roles in the programmes,

“It’s no longer a baby for councils. Even other stakeholders from the private sector are realising what government is trying to achieve and are coming along.

As the ministry we have signed an MoU with Apex company which will annually contribute P50 000 towards RADP programmes and Limkokwing University to brand all poverty eradication materials whiles IDM school committed itself to  offering community development courses where learners from settlements will be enrolled and later serve in their communities. ABM College will also train beneficiaries,” adds Mr Ludick. 

Affirmative action has not only empowered but also helped in promoting people-centred and sustainable development of communities increasing opportunities targeting upliftment programmes to the most previously disadvantaged communities and obviously reducing reliance on government hand-outs by such communities.  Ends