Towards generic interventions to stimulate growth potential in small towns of the Western Cape Province, South Africa

Abstract

There are numerous small towns and countryside areas that fail to develop in South Africa. A case in point in this paper is the province of the Western Cape. Two separate studies using different methodologies determined the growth potential of small towns in this relatively better-off province: in the studies of Van der Merwe et al. (2004) and Van Niekerk et al. (2010), data collection formed the basis for statistical analyses and spatial modelling to provide an objective overview of the growth potential of settlements in the Western Cape. Both the studies came to the same conclusion insofar as they identified specific towns in need of alternative interventions for growth and development. It is the main aim of this paper to provide theoretical and practical discussion on recommendations for potential development strategies, particularly for those towns with a low and very low development potential. As a backdrop to the changing nature of the countryside (and in essence, therefore, small towns) the paper suggests a number of generic intervention strategies for Western Cape small towns with low development and growth potential. These suggestions include cross-boundary collaboration, renewable energy, waste recycling, investing in the creative class, investing in rural markets and exploring tourism resources opportunities.