Rural development in South Africa : a case-study of the Amatola Basin in the Ciskei

Date
1985
Authors
Bowen, J.
Mqingwana, V. G.
Manona, C. W.
Fincham, R. J.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Shuter & Shooter
Abstract
This monograph considers the circumstances of a rural Ciskei community, and the prospects for their improvement. It results from a co-operative research venture between the Agricultural and Rural Development Research Institute (ARDRI) at the University of Fort Hare and the Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER) at Rhodes University. In 1981 ARDRI approached ISER and asked it to undertake a socio-economic survey in the Amatola Basin area of Ciskei near Alice. As a result of the socio-economic survey conducted in mid-1981, it became clear that further research would be necessary. The overall organization of this monograph is thus based on two sets of interrelated assumptions, viz. that the Amatola Basin's relationship of dependency on the wider South African society is largely responsible for both the low level of opportunity and the wide range of effective constraints on the development of a stronger local economy and infrastructure, and of effective administration. This relationship of dependency is part of an on-going historical process and appears to have been cumulative; and that the fields selected for more detailed study, viz. education, health, cultivation, local government and externally-initiated development projects constitute perhaps the key areas in which people's chances of improvement historically have been and are currently being held back. With these two assumptions operating as broad guidelines, the authors have each pursued their own research, having freedom to cast their findings in comparative and interpretative contexts of their own choice. While ideas and data have been shared, the authors each accept responsibility for the content of their own chapters.
Description
Keywords
Economic developmen projects -- South Africa -- Amatola Basin, Rural development -- South Africa -- Amatola Basin, Ciskei (South Africa) -- Rural conditions, Ciskei (South Africa) -- Economic conditions, Ciskei (South Africa) -- Social conditions
Citation
De Wet, C.J. & Bekker, S.B. (eds). 1985. Rural development in South Africa: a case-study of the Amatola Basin in the Ciskei. Shuter & Shooter: Pietermaritzburg.