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concentrate on the provision of infrastructure such as water, sanitation, waste disposal,
health facilities, roads, energy and housing, as well as land reform. Emphasis in the RDP
is placed on co-operation between residents and the Government as well as private sector
agencies. RDP projects accordingly, do not involve a "hand out", and residents are
required to identify and to motivate for priority projects in their own areas. The RDP
programme operates in conjunction with the Masakhane ("Let us build each other")
campaign, which is partly aimed at encouraging payment for services in the black
townships. Restricted local government capacity, poverty, faulty perceptions, crime and
political interference however, are major impediments*. The RDP programme is under
the control of the Deputy President of South Africa.
A detailed analysis of the RDP (and the associated financial, health and environmental
implications) * * will not be possible until such time as a substantial number of projects
has been completed, and the relevant data are available. The Quality of Life and RDP
Monitoring Unit, Centre for Social and Development Studies, University of Natal, Private
Bag X10, Dalbridge, 4014, has an on-going research programme aimed at assessing
general perceptions of the impact of RDP projects on people's lives. The programme
(funded by the Human Sciences Research Council), operates in various parts of South
*
**
The seemingly-endless cycle of non-payment must be stopped. Inadequate services result in nonpayment
as a means of protest: reduced municipal revenues in turn, imply inadequate services.
Payment will not bring improved services in the short tenn, although each payment is a step in the
right direction. The present situation is not helped by anti-social and criminal elements who damage
infrastructure and/or steal equipment, and who attack municipal staff. Essential maintenance work
is an obvious casualty.
The environmental impacts 01 RDP projects should be carefully considered at an stages 01 the project
cycle. The Councillor the Environment, Private Bag X447, Pretoria, 0001, recommended that a
Streamlined Environmental Impact Assessment should be undertaken lor RDP and similar "last-track"
programmes. See, Councillor the Environment, 1994. SBA: streamlined environmental impact
assessment, (Department 01 Environmental Allairs and Tourisml, Pretoria, 10 p. + app. See also,
Baskind, P., Holland, J., McKenzie, C. and Weilbach, D., 1994. Environmental analysis: requirements
and monitoring procedures, Internal Operating Guideline Paper No. 1, Environmental Policy
Programme, Development Bank 01 Southem Africa, Hallway House, 15 p.