Researchers from the Human Science Research Council (HSRC) participated in the National Rural Development Indaba on 7 and 8 May, in Bloemfontein, Free State. The indaba hosted more than 2500 participants from government, private sector, civil society, local communities, and academia to discuss the Integrated Rural Development Sector Strategy (IRDSS) as a tool for rural economic transformation.

To kickstart one of the commissions sessions at the indaba, the HSRC researchers showcased preliminary insights from desktop reports on options to create jobs, foster industrialisation and develop enterprises in rural district municipalities. This presentation forms part of the desktop deliverables that inform the IRDSS baseline survey. At the indaba, it helped to frame critical questions that shaped commission discussions on the capacity of rural economies to absorb workers (rather than being enclaves of joblessness) and where future jobs might emerge. The other two commissions discussed rural infrastructure development and investment, sustainable development and climate change, and human capital and skills. These discussions were largely driven by leaders in government who called for greater involvement of traditional authorities in modernising remote areas. They also underscored the powers of traditional authorities in land transfers for meaningful rural development.

The indaba reinforced the position of the HSRC as a leading asset in South Africa’s knowledge generation infrastructure. It also demonstrated our involvement in engaged research based on evidence that enables diverse stakeholders to shape a common developmental agenda for equitable rural transformation.

For more insights on the IRDSS project: https://hsrc.ac.za/eee/eest/irdss/