Skip to main content

ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

Front. Sociol.
Sec. Urban Sociology
Volume 9 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fsoc.2024.1481133

Unveiling Inequality: The Sociological Dynamics of Road Infrastructure Development and Social Justice in Rural Eastern Cape, South Africa

Provisionally accepted
Siyabulela Fobosi Siyabulela Fobosi *Thelma Malima Thelma Malima
  • University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    This paper examines the systemic and multidimensional impacts of inadequate road infrastructure on social inequality in the rural Eastern Cape province of South Africa, focusing on the Hlankomo community from Mdeni to Upper Tsitsana. By integrating a sociological framework, the study explores how deteriorating road conditions perpetuate structural and symbolic violence, exacerbating economic marginalisation, social exclusion, and cultural disempowerment. Drawing on site observations, qualitative interviews, and photographic evidence, the research highlights how poor road infrastructure restricts access to essential services, including healthcare, education, and economic opportunities, deepening historical and spatial inequalities. The findings underscore the urgent need for transformative, equitydriven infrastructure policies that address governance inefficiencies, historical neglect, and systemic marginalisation. By prioritising inclusivity, social justice, and sustainable development, this paper contributes to the broader discourse on rural development and infrastructural justice in South Africa's marginalized landscapes.

    Keywords: Eastern cape, Rural communities, Road infrastructure, social inequality, Sociological Implications

    Received: 15 Aug 2024; Accepted: 27 Dec 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 Fobosi and Malima. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence: Siyabulela Fobosi, University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa

    Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.