Infrastructure development and sustainable rural livelihoods: perceptions from Umzumbe Local Municipality.

Abstract

Background: Realising South Africa’s development vision 2030 entails the development of rural areas as a foundation for sustainable social and economic prosperity. In this context, the discourse on literature review and theoretical framework shed light that the development of quality infrastructure is an essential ingredient for achieving sustainable rural livelihoods. To date, however, quality infrastructure development and sustainable rural livelihood has not been fully realised across many South African rural communities, including Umzumbe Local Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal. This study has, therefore, uncovered that rural areas, such as those in Umzumbe Local Municipality, are still suffering from unsatisfactory infrastructural access, quality and reliability. As such, it has shown that efforts to quality infrastructure development is seemingly ineffective as it suffers from a variety of shortcomings including incompetent public management. Objective: The main objective of this study was to ascertain the extent to which Umzumbe Local Municipality enhances infrastructural development for sustainable rural livelihood. In doing so, the study was guided by the theory of infrastructure-led development and the sustainable livelihood approach to ascertain the impact of infrastructure development and sustainable rural livelihoods. The most striking results that emerged from both primary and secondary data suggested that poor infrastructure development performance was atrociously affecting the livelihood conditions and slowing achievements in attainment of sustainable socio-economic progress, including health and education, among other development needs. This finding further exacerbates the scale of poverty and inequality in rural areas. Methodology: The study adopted a qualitative research design using a case study strategy from an interpretative paradigm. The data was generated through in-depth interviews, focus groups, observation and documentary evidence. A sample size of 42 participants was selected using nonprobability sampling aligned with purposive sampling method. The participants of this study included councillors, municipal officials, traditional leaders and community members. The data collected was analysed using a combination of thematic and matrix analysis. Findings: The empirical data revealed that there are a significant service delivery backlogs and unsatisfactory supply of infrastructure at Umzumbe Local Municipality. The study findings pointed out that the existing livelihoods conditions at Umzumbe Local Municipality are characterised by infrastructural deficits with serious water shortage, bad road conditions, poor telecommunication, and electricity. To this extent, Umzumbe Local Municipality is battling with institutional capacity to respond to challenges associated with infrastructural needs as result of administrative, financial and governance obstacles. This includes the huge gaps in the quantity and quality of infrastructural projects. Conclusion and recommendation: The study concludes with recommendation based upon data adduced, including a proposal for a broader infrastructural investment framework to formulate specific objective for ideal infrastructure investment.