Unveiling inequality
The sociological dynamics of road infrastructure development and social justice in rural Eastern Cape, South Africa
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 13076183 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Siyabulela Christopher Fobosi (0000-0002-3806-2835, University of Fort Hare, corresponding author), Thelma Malima (University of Fort Hare) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 9 |
| Pages | 1481133-1481133 |
| Publication date | 2025-01-17 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Frontiers in Sociology (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2297-7775 • E-ISSN: 2297-7775 |
| Publisher | Frontiers Media (PUBLISHER • CH) |
| DOI | 10.3389/fsoc.2024.1481133 |
| PMID | 39897768 |
| OpenAlex | W4406543634 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 5 |
| References cited | 9 |
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 marginalization, 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, equity-driven infrastructure policies that address governance inefficiencies, historical neglect, and systemic marginalization. By prioritizing 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
Corporate governance · Development economics · Economic growth · Economics · Environmental justice · Equity (law · Inequality · Neglect · Political science · Social inequality · Sociology · Structural inequality · Structural violence · Sustainable development · Transformative learning · Legal Issues in South Africa · South African History and Culture · Urban and Rural Development Challenges
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Regimes of Inequality? A Focus on Road Infrastructure in Rural Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
| Unique citing works | 5 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 5 |
| Citation span | 2025 - 2026 (2) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 5 |