NDP: Poverty Alleviation in South Africa
Recently (this week) I had the opportunity to go to Songonzima within the Elandskop district; basically, rural Natal okay. I have relatives that live there that I don’t visit too often- them along with my many other relatives within the rurals that I don’t see. The last time I had been over was a couple of years ago… Five years ago. I also have family in townships like Hammersdale and uMlazi all within kwaZulu Natal province.
It is widely said that if you're in the same position you were in five years ago, today, then there is a problem. Five years of being away puts thing into perspective for you, from rarely visiting a place like Elandskop or Bergville to all the times I visit my grand mother in Hammersdale. Five years ago, the little roads we had were riddled by crazy potholes from the tractors and trucks transporting their farming goods. No electricity, two toilets shared by three to four households at a time. Wednesday we drove on tar right till the bottom of the hill, well, then we had to see ourselves up the muddy clay road which lead us up to the house. It was too cold to have a drink from the tap we have outside now and too lazy to walk down to the stand alone toilet the house to itself now so I walked in and had a seat in a lounge that would usually be dark but is now lit up with an energy efficient bulb.
Water, electricity and a nice road at the bottom of the hill. The economy is also somewhat moving as there are a few lodges that popped up in the are and a grand looking Bed and Breakfast being built at the top of our hill. What Im saying is that the area has covered good distance within the past five years.
Why am I telling you this? Well because I like good stories, because our government is not all the way bad, I have noticed over the years that it is very easy to tweet your governmental distaste over what it has or hasn't done for it’s people while sipping on your hot beverage in front of your telle. A shopping mall, roads and houses are being upgraded within the Hammersdale region and I wont tell you about how much has been done in uMlazi or Soweto or wherever.
I am not excusing the corruption or the lack of service delivery in various other areas, look, the electricity in our house up the hill was connected illegally by the local electricians. There is plenty of work that still needs to be done, so why is our government dragging its feet when it comes to the National Development Plan (NDP)[?]
National Development Plan
The NDP seeks to “eliminate poverty and reduce inequality by 2030 by drawing on the energies of the country’s people, …” [source].
The mud houses built by the families living within the Songonzima area only echo the poverty which exists. One of the most important correlates of poverty in literature is education, as a major indicator of human capital. Good education does not only predispose people to be able to seize employment opportunities, but also endows them with the capabilities to be able to access and make productive use of the other capitals. This along with the many other factors that are influenced by poverty are the reasons why the NDPlan should by taken seriously by the very people who are meant to be implementing it. For our economy to grow, all people of South Africa should be part of it; it shouldn't be that one third of the country is supporting the remaining two (thirds).
Yes, government, we see your work but until the Plan is implemented, it is all smoke and mirrors. Empty promises. A pipe dream.
If you're interested in reading more about the National Development Plan as well as its plans on Poverty Alleviation:
STATE OF POVERTY AND ITS MANIFESTATION IN THE NINE PROVINCES OF SOUTH AFRICA South Africa's plan for a better future
