Rural accessibility under siege Extreme climate events and road infrastructure damage in Southern Africa

Abstract

Climate change has had adverse impacts on rural infrastructures especially those situated in areas with poor road infrastructure. Rural accessibility is under threat in Southern Africa due to extreme climatic events. The vagaries of climate change are not only disturbing the livelihoods, but the transport infrastructures and livelihoods in rural contexts. The article critically examines the view that rural accessibility is under siege from extreme climate events that are destroying road infrastructure. Climate change has had adverse impacts on rural areas leaving road infrastructure damaged and that has resulted in poor accessibility in these areas. The article stems from the argument that Southern African countries’ rural accessibility is under siege because post-colonial governments have failed to create rural development frameworks that are resilient to climate change. The study used a qualitative research methodology using secondary data, which has the main advantage of easy accessibility. The data was gathered from secondary sources journals and newspaper articles and the data was analysed using narrative data analysis analytical tool. The study revealed that cyclones are destructive to the road infrastructure in Southern Africa with most roads and bridges being damaged rendering accessibility of most areas useless as the road infrastructure is wiped away. The study concludes that post-colonial state development drives are under threat from climate change as it is destroying infrastructure. There is a need for risk and disaster preparedness in Southern Africa through the development of good road networks that are climate resilient in rural areas. Governments in Southern Africa must create resilient communities through multiple rural road transport networks.