I am writing this on a tablet in complete darkness, the only sound being the howling south-westerly winds that deliver the characteristic winter chill to the evening. Other than the wind, the croaking of the frogs in the river valley below is the only other noise. In the morning, the sun will rise over the Indian ocean, revealing the beauty of the land.But those lush green forests and golden rolling hills are just about the only great things you'll find in Mpondoland; and indeed in many parts of rural SA.Of course, most of the people here have plenty of time to soak up the sun. That’s because there’s not really much to do. There’s certainly no industry and not much opportunity to participate in the economy.Yet until about 20 years ago, those same hills and valleys were their own livelihood. They were a hive of activity, with peasant farmers producing food for the nation.Today, it’s a different story. The children of the area get on with their daily routine of a long walk to a poorly...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.