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rural developmentlatest news & developments

Land reform and rural development: A budget for South Africa’s bold agenda for land reform and rural renewal

The Department of Land Reform and Rural Development tabled an ambitious Budget Vote for 2026/27, supported by legislation, investment and a clear vision for equitable land access…

Electrician Morithi Manasoe Working On Installing Solar Panels. Photo: Supplied

Malawi’s solar push bypasses its poorest

A peer-reviewed study finds wealth inequality is locking the poorest households out of solar electrification

Namibia has schemes and together, they represent one of the most ambitious agricultural investments in southern Africa — spanning thousands of hectares of irrigated land, with access to perennial rivers and soils suited to maize, wheat and horticulture. Photos: Namibia Presidency

Namibia’s green schemes are failing, and a parliamentary inquiry blames the system

The country has 11 such schemes, together representing one of the most ambitious agricultural investments in southern Africa

Rural people are dispossessed and displaced by companies that collect awards for ESG credentials, corporate social investment and sector excellence.
(Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

Award-winning exploitation: South Africa’s sustainability façade unmasked

Rural people are dispossessed and displaced by companies that collect awards for ESG credentials, corporate social investment and sector excellence

Trade, industry and competition minister Parks Tau. (Photo: X)

Transformation fund introduces new empowerment codes for transport sector

A significant portion of the R100-billion transformation fund will be allocated to the transport sector with an aim to unlock inclusive growth in the mobility value chain.

Douglas Nicolas, Ngxiwa Khetho and Derrick Madini, founding members of the Mantusini Dairy Farm, say the government-funded dairy has not benefited the community. (Photos: Joseph Chirume)

How government abandoned a multi-million-rand community dairy farm

After catastrophic floods, minister Nomakhosazana Meth introduced a mysterious investor to the farm without any due diligence

In post-apartheid South Africa, the system has evolved but has fundamentally stayed the same, triggering an inter-generational cycle of displacement. (Fredrik Lerneryd)

The scars of migrant labour endure on black families

In post-apartheid South Africa, the system has evolved but has fundamentally stayed the same, triggering an inter-generational cycle of displacement

Thousands of fish have been found dead in “alarming conditions” at a government-backed fish farm specialising in Mozambican tilapia. (Supplied)

NSPCA uncovers thousands of dead fish at government-backed fish farm in Mpumalanga

Conditions were ‘atrocious’ and ‘appalling’

Mngwengwe headed the turnaround team deployed to regularise the finances and administration of the ITB before becoming the full-time chief executive of the entity.

Ingonyama Trust Board extends CEO Vela Mngwengwe’s contract despite MisuZulu’s objections

Mngwengwe will remain in the post for another two years

David Mlondobozi is one of dozens of small farmers in Phalaborwa, Limpopo, who lost land or grazing rights to a huge citrus farming project sponsored by the Motsepe Foundation. (Photos by Bernard Chiguvare)

Farmers fear loss of land to Motsepe Foundation citrus project

The foundation has injected millions into the project and the Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has also approved millions in funding, but farmers say they…

Jeremy Acton, leader of the Dagga Party. (David Harrison/Gallo)

Activist calls on president not to sign ‘malicious’ Cannabis for Private Purposes Bill

Jeremy Acton says the bill violates the 2018 constitutional court privacy judgment

Helen Moloto, 53, inspects the celery she grows on her smallholding in Kgabalatsane, North West Province. She supplies some of her produce to the Hebron Mango Tree Owner’s Company.  (James Puttick)

Women plant seeds of resilience

Projects in North West and Limpopo grow hope of surviving climate change

Residents of GaMampa camped near the Sefateng Chrome Mine for over a month demanding that the mine’s management come to meet with them. (Lucas Ledwaba/Mukurukuru Media)

Rural Limpopo women protest against Sefateng Chrome Mine

Women sleep outside in the cold to stop what they consider mineral theft by a mining company, with state collusion

Shut out: Some small-scale farmers, such as Johannes Ntuli, have not received a cent from government despite policies that are meant to uplift them and their agribusinesses. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

Land reform captured by the elite

According to a new report, the poor remain on the sidelines of farm redistribution

(Jennifer Huxta)

Until poor rural people can eat, wildlife will decline

A working relationship between them must be established if conservation is to succeed

Prishani Satyapal

Moving from a social licence to a social investment to operate

This will require embracing new ways of understanding value

Availiability of water for multiple use makes a big difference in the day-to-day life of rural communities

The ideal partner in multiple use water services

A public-private partnership working together with the water users themselves can deliver ‘green growth’

Eastern Cape premier Phumulo Masualle says the province’s most precious resources are its people and natural resources – which includes the land

Land is the gold required for economic transformation

‘The people of the province must put their shoulders to the wheel’

Pick ‘n Pay employees on strike demonstrate outside the Gardens’ store in Cape Town.

ANC talks tough on land, wealth tax and minimum wage

The ANC has identified sections of the economy where it will instruct the government to intervene.

Ingonyama Trust: it could be 20 years before KZN residents get title deeds

King Goodwill Zwelithini’s decision to hand over traditional land to residents of the former KwaZulu is only the start, the trust has warned.