Rural development must go beyond election ceremonies

In his book Beyond the Rivers of Ethiopia, Dr Mensa Otabil shares that God's purpose for the Black race includes adding value through singing. Floyd Dickens, Jr. and Jacqueline B. Dickens define added value as cultural background that supplements education, training, and work experience. Dr Patrice Motsepe, through the Motsepe Foundation, echoed this idea during a visit to the Bantu Church of Christ in South Africa, where they sing a song with the lyrics "Nghenelela Jehova leswi swi lava wena ntsena," which translates to "some challenges are stupendous in nature to an extent that they warrant the interposition of the Divine order."

The Bareki community in Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality, Limpopo, faces challenges that go beyond local government officials, necessitating intervention from President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa. Honourability should be a badge of honor for those who serve with the intention of positively impacting future generations. Unfortunately, politicians often focus on the next election rather than the future, devaluing their title of honourable.

Handover ceremonies of title deeds to the Bareki Community were conducted last week, bringing pride to villagers who have long endured poverty and unemployment. However, politicians still treat rural people as mere tools for election campaigns, neglecting the community's actual needs. The ANC's once dominant support is waning, with dissatisfied citizens increasingly opting out of elections, signaling a decline in the government's relevance.

Government theories like social grants and the RDP housing policy have proven ineffective, as they are based on flawed premises. Systemic bureaucracy and incapacity to leverage people's energy and enthusiasm undermine progress. Education teaches citizenship, yet leaders treat citizens as subjects, akin to slaves meant to follow orders.

Active citizens deserve rights, obligations, and a chance to see their votes' tangible impacts in their local communities. Underdeveloped areas like the Bareki Community have title deeds but lack essential infrastructure, such as water.

Since last November, the Bareki Community has been without water due to unpaid debts from Sekhukhune District Municipality. Villagers spend around R1,000 monthly on water, purchasing it from those with boreholes. Property is present, yet no proper roads, public transport, or infrastructure exists. The community feels like driftwood, helpless and overlooked by their leaders. An alternative approach called 'workfare' could empower people to lift themselves out of poverty, rather than merely providing welfare.