Guide to Rural Development NGOs in South Africa

Wednesday, 24 May, 2006 – 07:55

Wednesday 24 May, 2006 – 7:55

Land, Water, Unemployment, HIV

South African NGOs working in the rural development field, work on a wide range of issues as the entire spectrum of socio-political and socio-economic challenges present themselves in rural South Africa.

Poverty is a chronic problem for the majority of rural South Africans who can be described as living in the former homeland areas and surviving largely on subsistence farming; as well as those living in what was historically described as ‘White South Africa’ and working as labourers on white-owned farms.

Access to land, shelter, basic services (including water and sanitation), schools, employment and nonexistent economic opportunities are but some of the challenges facing South Africa’s rural poor, particularly in the former homeland areas.

Farm labourers are extremely challenged by poor remuneration which is well below acceptable standards to support a decent quality of life. They are further burdened by poor working and living conditions. Acute racism continues to dominate the lives of these workers.

Gender based violence is a particularly worrying aspect of life for rural women, as is the problem of HIV/AIDS for the rural population on the whole. Rampant unemployment is a common feature of life.

For information about organisations that promote rural issues within broader development programmes, visit the PRODDER NGO and Development Directory.

Common Programme Areas for Rural Development NGOs: