The socio-economic landscape of a rural community - A view of rietfontein

We undertook an investigation on the socio-economic landscape of the rural Kgautswane, Mafarafara and neighbouring communities in Rietfontein, South Africa. This enabled us to determine critical drivers that are likely to impact on and improve the current socio-economic landscape if implemented. The objectives were to generate baseline data on the livelihoods status of the community and to determine their capacities and willingness to support future business initiatives in the Sekhukhune Living Lab. Hence this paper presents the findings from the study which took place in 2010 with the focus on households, small-scale traders, the educational and healthcare sectors in the Rietfontein community. The paper concludes with recommendations on potential economic activities in the community and will also be used as baseline information for the impact studies to be undertaken in project Rustica.