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economic and political relationships that underpin the dynamics between urban and rural
areas need also be understood (Nattrass, 1991; www.ipcfordschool.umich.eduJIabor..1020
conf/session, 2008).
The policies ignoring the complex dynamics between urban and rural areas have always been
beneficial to the urban areas and detrimental to the rural sector. It was the result of either a
deficiency in policy which did not treat rural and urban areas equally, or the complete absence
of a policy so that the power structures based in the urban areas were able to manipulate
development efforts and funds to benefit the urban areas to the detriment of their rural
counterparts. This is called urban bias. This situation was and to a large extent still is, one of
either/or, between urban development and rural development, in spite of the fact that a few
decades have taught us that urban development will not automatically filter through to the
rural areas. The modernisation theory was based on this assumption, but failed dismally
mainly because a few urban areas became islands ofrelative prosperity in a sea of worsening
poverty (Nattrass, 1991; www.udw.ac.za/ccs/files/ccsResearchReports2005volumel%2027­
32pdf, 2008).
In this research, the developmental differences and inequalities between the rural and urban
areas in South Africa as a whole, and more specifically in Ulundi, ought to be noted. This
study however investigates the extent to which the untapped resources can be of
developmental relevance to the study area This approach is expected to minimise the
negative effects of urban bias in the study area. The study further acknowledges the view that
in Africa, migration to the cities from the rural areas, leads to unintended results such as the
high rate ofunemployment, crime and short-lived prosperity.
3.6 CASE STUDIES OF MUNICIPALITIES OUTSIDE SOUTH AFRICA
Consolidating best practices worldwide provide guidelines in decision making processes.
These best practices are adapted to suit specific prevailing conditions. As part ofthis chapter,
case studies outside South Africa that have been incorporated ranging from the United
Kingdom, through the Czech Republic (Kosovo) and Columbia to Lebanon. Although these
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