rural spatial development framework/land development plan · the rural spatial development...

RURAL SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK/LAND DEVELOPMENT PLAN

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KAROO HOOGLAND MUNICIPALITY

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

RURAL SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT

FRAMEWORK/LAND DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2010

Prepared by:

Approved in terms of Council Resolution _______ dated _________2010


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The Rural Spatial Development Framework/Land Development Plan for Karoo Hoogland

Municipality prepared in terms of the Northern Cape Planning and Development Act, 1998 (Act

7 of 1998) is hereby approved by Karoo Hoogland Council in terms of:

Council Resolution _______ dated ____________

_____________________________________________

(Duly authorized representative of the Municipality)

Prepared by:

Umsebe Development Planners

______________________________

B.J.L. VAN DER MERWE TRP(SA)

Reg. no 1259


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Table of Contents

CHAPTER 1 ..............................................................................................................................14

1 Forward by the Executive Mayor ........................................................................................15

2 Background ........................................................................................................................15

3 Legislative overview ...........................................................................................................15

4 Institutional framework .......................................................................................................20

5 Public participation strategy ...............................................................................................21

6 Acronyms ...........................................................................................................................22

CHAPTER 2 ..............................................................................................................................25

7 PHASE 1............................................................................................................................26

8 Municipality in context ........................................................................................................26

8.1 Contextual overview ....................................................................................................26

8.2 Population ...................................................................................................................27

8.3 Resources ..................................................................................................................28

8.4 Infrastructure ...............................................................................................................31

9 Pressing needs ..................................................................................................................34

9.1 District needs ..............................................................................................................34

9.2 Local needs ................................................................................................................34

10 Vision .............................................................................................................................35

10.1 District municipality vision ...........................................................................................35

10.2 Local municipality vision..............................................................................................35

10.3 Proposed revised municipal vision ..............................................................................36

10.4 Interrelationship of visions ...........................................................................................36

11 Spatial implication of municipal vision .............................................................................36

12 Spatial translation of IDP principles & strategies .............................................................40

13 IDP and other projects ....................................................................................................41

14 Spatial interpretation of IDP ............................................................................................46

15 Phase 1 synopsis ...........................................................................................................48

CHAPTER 3 ..............................................................................................................................54

16 PHASE 2 ........................................................................................................................55

17 Karoo Hoogland Municipality IDP in context ...................................................................55

18 Institutional analysis .......................................................................................................55


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18.1 Institutional background ..............................................................................................55

18.1.1 South African Constitution and Principles of Sustainable Development ...............56

18.1.2 Local Government: Municipal Structures Act, Act 117 of 1998 .............................56

18.1.3 Local Government: Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000 ........................................57

18.1.4 Municipal Planning and Performance Management Regulations, 2001 ................57

18.1.5 The Development Facilitation Act 67 of 1995 .......................................................58

18.1.6 The Land Use Management Bill, 2001 .................................................................60

18.1.7 Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa (AsgiSA) ....................61

18.1.8 Transformation of Certain Rural Areas Act (1998) ...............................................61

18.1.9 Northern Cape Planning and Development Act, 1998 (Act 7 of 1998) ..................62

18.2 Alignment with national development perspectives .....................................................63

18.3 Alignment with provincial perspectives ........................................................................74

18.4 Alignment with district development perspectives .......................................................81

18.5 Alignment with local development perspectives ..........................................................85

18.6 Other initiatives ...........................................................................................................87

18.6.1 Square Kilometre Array (SKA) .............................................................................87

18.6.2 SKA Development implications ............................................................................88

18.6.3 South African Large Telescope (S.A.L.T) Development Implications ...................89

18.6.4 Succulent Karoo Ecosystem Programme (SKEP) ................................................90

18.6.5 Namakwa District Biodiversity Sector Plan ...........................................................91

19 Spatial analysis and implication ......................................................................................95

19.1 Regional context .........................................................................................................95

19.2 Environment................................................................................................................96

19.2.1 Climate ................................................................................................................96

19.2.2 Topography .........................................................................................................99

19.2.3 Geology ............................................................................................................. 100

19.2.4 Agriculture potential ........................................................................................... 102

19.2.5 Conservation areas ............................................................................................ 106

19.3 Demographic characteristics ..................................................................................... 107

19.3.1 Population size .................................................................................................. 108

19.3.2 Population dependency ratio .............................................................................. 109

19.3.3 Employment sector ............................................................................................ 111

19.3.4 Household income ............................................................................................. 112


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19.3.5 Population age and gender composition ............................................................ 113

19.3.6 Impact of HIV/Aids ............................................................................................. 114

19.4 Movement and linkages ............................................................................................ 116

19.5 Development trends .................................................................................................. 117

19.5.1 Structuring elements .......................................................................................... 117

19.5.2 Land use and settlement patterns ...................................................................... 118

19.5.3 Proposed future projects/land uses .................................................................... 122

19.5.4 Vacant land analysis .......................................................................................... 124

19.5.5 Urban-rural spatial relationship .......................................................................... 125

19.5.6 Heritage features ............................................................................................... 125

19.6 Economic activity ...................................................................................................... 126

19.6.1 Agriculture ......................................................................................................... 126

19.6.2 Tourism .............................................................................................................. 126

19.6.3 Mining potential .................................................................................................. 127

19.6.4 Investment patterns ........................................................................................... 127

19.7 Infrastructure ............................................................................................................. 129

19.7.1 Water ................................................................................................................. 129

19.7.2 Sanitation ........................................................................................................... 130

19.7.3 Electricity ........................................................................................................... 132

19.7.4 Waste management ........................................................................................... 132

19.8 Land ownership ........................................................................................................ 133

19.8.1 Land tenure and ownership ................................................................................ 133

19.8.2 Municipal land .................................................................................................... 134

19.8.3 Land reform ....................................................................................................... 134

20 Relationship between IDP and Current Reality ............................................................. 136

20.1 Relationship between spatial issues and vision ......................................................... 136

21 Strategic Development Concept ................................................................................... 139

21.1 Nodal development ................................................................................................... 139

21.2 Corridor development ............................................................................................... 140

21.3 Precincts ................................................................................................................... 140

22 Phase 2 synopsis ......................................................................................................... 140

CHAPTER 4 ............................................................................................................................ 145

23 PHASE 3 ...................................................................................................................... 146


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24 Spatial goal & objectives .............................................................................................. 146

24.1 Spatial goal ............................................................................................................... 147

24.2 Spatial objectives ...................................................................................................... 147

24.3 Spatial strategies ...................................................................................................... 147

25 Strategic Development Concept ................................................................................... 148

25.1 Structuring elements ................................................................................................. 148

25.2 Development opportunities ....................................................................................... 149

25.3 Rural environment..................................................................................................... 149

26 Macro Strategic Development Concept ........................................................................ 150

26.1 Nodal development ................................................................................................... 150

26.2 Corridor development ............................................................................................... 151

26.3 Tourism development ............................................................................................... 152

26.4 Environmental conservation ...................................................................................... 154

26.5 Mining development .................................................................................................. 154

26.6 Agriculture ................................................................................................................ 155

26.6.1 Comprehensive Rural Development Programme ............................................... 155

26.6.2 Rural development ............................................................................................. 156

26.6.3 Agrarian transformation ..................................................................................... 156

26.6.4 Land reform ....................................................................................................... 156

26.7 Planned projects ....................................................................................................... 157

26.7.1 Wind farm .......................................................................................................... 157

26.7.2 Gas exploration .................................................................................................. 158

27 Departure points ........................................................................................................... 158

27.1 Methodology ............................................................................................................. 158

27.2 Limitations and assumptions ..................................................................................... 159

27.3 Sutherland ................................................................................................................ 159

27.3.1 Interpretation of Table 35 ................................................................................... 160


27.3.3 Development phases ......................................................................................... 161

27.4 Fraserburg ................................................................................................................ 162



27.5 Williston .................................................................................................................... 164


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28 Micro Strategic Development Concept ......................................................................... 167

28.1 Spatial planning tools ................................................................................................ 167

28.2 Sutherland ................................................................................................................ 168


28.2.2 Mixed use .......................................................................................................... 169

28.2.3 Residential development .................................................................................... 170

28.2.4 Industrial development ....................................................................................... 170

28.2.5 Urban agriculture ............................................................................................... 170

28.2.6 Open space ....................................................................................................... 170

28.2.7 Sports and recreation ......................................................................................... 170

28.2.8 Tourism and accommodation ............................................................................. 170

28.2.9 Other land uses ................................................................................................. 170

28.3 Fraserburg ................................................................................................................ 171


28.3.2 Mixed uses ........................................................................................................ 171



28.3.5 Heritage area ..................................................................................................... 172

28.3.6 Open space ....................................................................................................... 172

28.3.7 Sports and recreation ......................................................................................... 172


28.3.9 Other land uses ................................................................................................. 173

28.4 Williston .................................................................................................................... 173


28.4.2 Mixed use .......................................................................................................... 174



28.4.5 Open space ....................................................................................................... 174

28.4.6 Sports & recreation ............................................................................................ 175



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28.4.8 Other land uses ................................................................................................. 175

29 Intervention areas ......................................................................................................... 176

29.1 Priority investment areas........................................................................................... 176

29.1.1 Investment requirements ................................................................................... 176

29.1.2 Strategic areas for Thusong Service Centres ..................................................... 177

29.2 Policy intervention areas ........................................................................................... 178

30 Phase 3 synopsis ......................................................................................................... 179

CHAPTER 5 ............................................................................................................................ 185

31 Phase 4 ........................................................................................................................ 186

32 Capital Expenditure Framework ................................................................................... 187

33 Implementation Policies ................................................................................................ 187

33.1 Nodal policy .............................................................................................................. 188

33.1.1 Nodal hierarchy .................................................................................................. 188

33.1.2 Nodal interdependence ...................................................................................... 189

33.1.3 Nodal development guidelines ........................................................................... 189

33.2 Movement policy ....................................................................................................... 190

33.2.1 Regional linkages .............................................................................................. 191

33.2.2 Internal municipal access ................................................................................... 191

33.2.3 Road access in towns ........................................................................................ 191

33.3 Urban edge policy ..................................................................................................... 191

33.4 Residential densification policy ................................................................................. 192

33.5 Urban integration policy ............................................................................................ 194

33.6 Infrastructure policy ................................................................................................... 195

33.7 Heritage policy .......................................................................................................... 196

33.8 Sustainability policy ................................................................................................... 196

34 Land Use Management System Guidelines .................................................................. 197

34.1 Environmental conservation ...................................................................................... 198

34.1.1 Water bodies...................................................................................................... 198

34.1.2 Topography ....................................................................................................... 199

34.1.3 Geotechnical considerations .............................................................................. 199

34.2 Tourism development ............................................................................................... 199

34.3 Mining development .................................................................................................. 200

34.4 Agricultural development........................................................................................... 200


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34.4.1 Agri-village ......................................................................................................... 201

34.4.2 Agri-industry ...................................................................................................... 201

34.5 Residential ................................................................................................................ 201

34.5.1 Affordable housing ............................................................................................. 202

34.6 Industrial ................................................................................................................... 202

34.7 cemeteries ................................................................................................................ 203

34.8 Open space .............................................................................................................. 203

34.8.1 Primary open space network .............................................................................. 203

34.8.2 Secondary open space network ......................................................................... 203

35 Sector plan alignment ................................................................................................... 204

36 Monitoring tools ............................................................................................................ 205

37 Marketing strategy ........................................................................................................ 207

37.1 Establishment of an SDF committee ......................................................................... 207

37.2 Establishment of a trade and investment agency or directorate ................................ 207

37.2.1 District business support unit ............................................................................. 208

37.2.2 Proactive direct sector marketing ....................................................................... 208

37.2.3 Marketing to other sources of funding ................................................................ 208

37.2.4 Marketing of agricultural produce ....................................................................... 208

37.3 Establishment of a Tourism Marketing Directorate or Agency ................................... 209

37.3.1 Developing the plan ........................................................................................... 210

37.3.2 Strategic objectives ............................................................................................ 210

38 List of References ........................................................................................................ 214

39 ANNEXURE A: CAPITAL EXPENDITURE FRAMEWORK ........................................... 216

40 ANNEXURE B: MAPS .................................................................................................. 217


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LIST OF PLANS

PLAN 1: PROVINCIAL CONTEXT

PLAN 2: DISTRICT CONTEXT

PLAN 3: URBAN/RURAL CONTEXT

PLAN 4: MAIN RESOURCES

PLAN 5: SETTLEMENT PATTERNS & POPULATION DISTRIBUTION

PLAN 6: INFRASTRUCTURE

PLAN 7: PRESSING NEEDS VERSUS FUNDED PROJECTS

PLAN 8: NORTHERN CAPE PROVINCIAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

PLAN 9: WESTERN CAPE PROVINCIAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

PLAN 10: DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

PLAN 11: SQUARE KILOMETER ARRAY (SKA)

PLAN 12: SUCCULENT KAROO ECOSYSTEM PROGRAM (SKEP)

PLAN 13: REGIONAL CRITICAL BIODIVERSITY AREAS (CBA)

PLAN 14: CRITICAL BIODIVERSITY AREAS (CBA)

PLAN 15: REGIONAL LINKAGES

PLAN 16: ANNUAL RAINFALL

PLAN 17: SLOPE ANALYSIS

PLAN 18: GEOLOGY

PLAN 19: DISTRICT ECONOMIC GEOLOGY

PLAN 20: ECONOMIC GEOLOGY

PLAN 21: MINING LAND

PLAN 22: AGRICULTURAL LAND CAPABILITY

PLAN 23: AGRICULTURAL SOIL POTENTIAL

PLAN 24: CONSERVATION AREAS

PLAN 25: PROSOPIS DISTRIBUTION

PLAN 26: MUNICIPAL LAND COVER

PLAN 27: LAND USES (WILLISTON - 01)

PLAN 28: LAND USES (WILLISTON - 02)

PLAN 29: LAND USES (SUTHERLAND - 01)

PLAN 30: LAND USES (SUTHERLAND - 02)

PLAN 31: LAND USES (FRASERBURG - 01)

PLAN 32: LAND USES (FRASERBURG - 02)

PLAN 33: HERITAGE SITES DISTRICT CONTEXT

PLAN 34: HERITAGE SITES

PLAN 35: WATER INFRASTRUCTURE

PLAN 36: WATER BODIES

PLAN 37: SANITATION INFRASTRUCTURE

PLAN 38: ELECTRICAL INFRASTRUCTURE

PLAN 39: LANDFILL SITES

PLAN 40: LAND OWNERSHIP


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PLAN 41: LAND REFORM DISTRICT CONTEXT

PLAN 42: LAND REFORM

PLAN 43: KAROO HOOGLAND STRUCTURING ELEMENTS

PLAN 44: KAROO HOOGLAND MACRO STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT CONCEPT

PLAN 45: SUTHERLAND STRUCTURING ELEMENTS

PLAN 46: SUTHERLAND MICRO STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT CONCEPT

PLAN 47: FRASERBURG STRUCTURING ELEMENTS

PLAN 48: FRASERBURG MICRO STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT CONCEPT

PLAN 49: WILLISTON STRUCTURING ELEMENTS

PLAN 50: WILLISTON MICRO STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT CONCEPT

LIST OF TABLES PAGE NO.

TABLE 1: CONTEXTUAL OVERVIEW 26

TABLE 2A: HOUSEHOLD AND POPULATION FIGURES PER URBAN AREA 27

TABLE 2B: POPULATION AND HOUSEHOLD TRENDS 27

TABLE 3: BASIC INFRASTRUCTURE STANDARDS - ENGINEERING INFRASTRUCTURE 33

TABLE 4: BASIC INFRASTRUCTURE STANDARDS – SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE 33

TABLE 5: INTERRELATIONSHIP OF VISIONS 36

TABLE 6: VISION ANALYSIS 37 – 40

TABLE 7: KPA’S AND KEY OBJECTIVES 40 – 41

TABLE 8: PROJECTS 45 – 45

TABLE 9: INSTITUTIONAL ANALYSIS 63 – 86

TABLE 10: CRITICAL BIODIVERSITY AREAS 92 – 94

TABLE 11: REGIONAL CONTEXT 95

TABLE 12: AVERAGE ANNUAL RAINFALL 96

TABLE 13: SLOPE ANALYSIS 99

TABLE 14: GEOLOGY TYPES 100

TABLE 15: AGRICULTURAL LAND CAPABILITY CATEGORIES 102

TABLE 16: AGRICULTURAL SOIL POTENTIAL CATEGORIES 103

TABLE 17: SOILS HIGHLY SUITED TO ARABLE AGRICULTURE WHERE CLIMATE PERMITS 103 – 105

TABLE 18: HOUSEHOLD INCOME 112

TABLE 19: NORTHERN CAPE HIV/AIDS STATISTICS 114

TABLE 20: DISTANCES AND TRAVEL TIMES 116

TABLE 21: MODES OF TRANSPORT PER PERSON 116

TABLE 22: LAND COVER 118 – 119

TABLE 23: SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE 122

TABLE 24: FUNDED PROJECTS AND LOCATION 122 – 123

TABLE 25: INVESTMENT PATTERNS 127

TABLE 26: WATER ACCESS PER HOUSEHOLD IN 2001 129

TABLE 27: SANITATION ACCESS PER HOUSEHOLD IN 2001 130

TABLE 28: STATUS OF OXIDATION PONDS 131


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TABLE 29: ELECTRICITY PROVISION PER HOUSEHOLD 132

TABLE 30: STATUS OF LANDFILL SITES 133

TABLE 31: MUNICIPAL PROPERTY 134

TABLE 32: KAROO HOOGLAND STRUCTURING ELEMENTS 149

TABLE 33: FUNCTIONALITY TYPE 150

TABLE 34: POPULATION AND HOUSEHOLD PROJECTIONS 159

TABLE 35: SUTHERLAND LAND DEMAND 159 – 160

TABLE 36: SUTHERLAND INFRASTRUCTURE DEMAND 160

TABLE 37: SUTHERLAND PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT PHASES 161

TABLE 38: FRASERBURG LAND DEMAND 162

TABLE 39: FRASERBURG INFRASTRUCTURE DEMAND 163

TABLE 40: FRASERBURG PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT PHASES 163

TABLE 41: WILLISTON LAND DEMAND 164

TABLE 42: WILLISTON INFRASTRUCTURE DEMAND 165

TABLE 43: WILLISTON PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT PHASES 166

TABLE 44: SPATIAL PLANNING TOOLS 167 – 168

TABLE 45: SUTHERLAND STRUCTURING ELEMENTS 169

TABLE 46: FRASERBURG STRUCTURING ELEMENTS 171

TABLE 47: WILLISTON STRUCTURING ELEMENTS 173 – 174

TABLE 48: NODAL CLASSIFICATION 188

TABLE 49: STATUS OF SECTOR PLANS 205

LIST OF FIGURES PAGE NO.

FIGURE 1: SEQUENCE OF PROCESSES 40

FIGURE 2: AVERAGE TEMPERATURES 98

FIGURE 3: AVERAGE RAINFALL 98

FIGURE 4: WIND ROSE DIAGRAM 99

FIGURE 5: POPULATION DISTRIBUTION IN THE NAMAKWA DISTRICT PER MUNICIPALITY 108

FIGURE 6: HOUSEHOLDS PER TOWN 108

FIGURE 7: POPULATION COMPARISON 2001 VS 2007 109

FIGURE 8: EMPLOYMENT STATUS PER PERSON 109

FIGURE 9: EMPLOYMENT STATUS COMPARISON 2001 VS 2007 110

FIGURE 10: EMPLOYMENT DISTRIBUTION PER PERSON 111

FIGURE 11: EMPLOYMENT SECTOR COMPARISON 2001 VS 2007 111

FIGURE 12: AGE AND GENDER PER PERSON 113

FIGURE 13: AGE TREND 2001 TO 2007 113

FIGURE 14: ACCESS TO WATER COMPARISON BETWEEN 2001 AND 2007 130

FIGURE 15: ACCESS TO SANITATION COMPARISON BETWEEN 2001 AND 2007 131

FIGURE 16: ACCESS TO ELECTRICITY FOR LIGHTING COMPARISON BETWEEN 2001 AND 2007

131

FIGURE 17: HOME OWNERSHIP AND TENURE PER HOUSEHOLD 133

FIGURE 18: ORGANISATION 147


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FIGURE 19: SPATIAL STRATEGIES 148

FIGURE 20: COMPREHENSIVE RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM 155

FIGURE 21: THE SIX-BLOCK SERVICE MODEL 178


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CHAPTER 1


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1 Forward by the Executive Mayor

NOTE: The forward by the Executive Mayor will be included in the final document.

2 Background

The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform has invited bids from Service

Providers to develop a Rural Spatial Development Framework (RSDF) for the Karoo Hoogland

Local Municipality.

Umsebe Development Planners was appointed by the aforementioned department with the

main objective to:

“To develop a rural-specific SDF for Karoo Hoogland Local Municipality to address spatial,

environmental and socio-economic issues confronting rural areas, to develop a SDF that will

facilitate the implementation of the Integrated Development Plan and all government programs

or intentions to fight poverty and facilitate rural development”

3 Legislative overview

There are various legislative frameworks at national, provincial and local government level that

influence spatial development. Relevant pieces of legislation are discussed in more detail in

Phase 2 of this report.

The focus of this section is however on the Municipal Systems Act of 2000, the Local

Government: Municipal Planning and Performance Management Regulations, 2001 and the

Land Use Management Bill as published in 2001 that specifically governs the compilation of a

spatial development framework.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT: MUNICIPAL SYSTEMS ACT, 2000

The Municipal Systems Act (Act 32, 2000) obligates all municipalities to prepare an integrated

Development Plan (IDP) as the primary and overriding management tool. As an integral

component of the IDP the SDF must also adhere to the requirements of the Local Government:

Municipal Planning and Performance Management Regulations, 2001.

The Local Government Municipal Planning and Performance Regulations (2001) stipulate the

content of the SDF. In terms of Section 4 of the Regulations the SDF is required to:

• give effect to principles contained in Chapter 1 of the Development Facilitation Act,

1995;

• set out objectives that reflect desired spatial form of the Municipality;


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• contain strategies and policies regarding the manner in which to achieve the objectives

which must:

o indicate the desired pattern of land use

o indicate the direction of growth

• provide strategic guidance in respect to location and nature of development;

• set out basic guidelines for a land use management system;

• set out a capital investment framework for development programmes;

• incorporate a strategic assessment of the environmental impact of land within the

Municipality;

• identify programmes and projects for development of land within the Municipality;

• be aligned with neighbouring municipal SDF's;

• provide visual representation of the desired spatial form which:

o must indicate areas in which the intensity of land development could be either

increased or reduced;

o must indicate desired and undesired utilisation of land in an area;

o indicate conservation of both the built and natural environment;

o must indicate where public and private land development and infrastructure

investment should take place;

o may delineate the urban edge;

o must identify areas where strategic intervention is required; and

o must indicate where priority spending is required.

THE LAND USE MANAGEMENT BILL, 2001

The main objective of this Bill is to provide a legislative and policy framework that enables local

government to formulate policies, plans and strategies for land use and development in order to

address spatial, economic, social and environmental issues. It attempts to provide uniform land

use management in the Republic of South Africa.

The Land Use Bill is based on the general principle that spatial planning, land use management

and land development must:

• be environmentally friendly;

• enhance equality;

• be efficient;

• be integrated; and

• be based on fair and good governance.

The key subject is that the Land Use Management Bill makes reference to Section 26(e) of the

Municipal Systems Act, 2000. It provides clarity on issues related to the content of the SDF and

it clearly explains that one of the functions of the SDF is to inform development and the

application of new land use management systems.


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LEGISLATIVE STATUTE

In terms of Section 35 of the Municipal Systems Act, Act 32 of 2000, the Integrated

Development , of which the SDF forms part:

• Is the principal planning instrument which guides and informs all planning and

development; and

• Binds the municipality in the exercising of its executive authority

Furthermore, in terms of Section 35 and 36 of Act 32 of 2000, the SDF prevails over any plan

prepared in terms of the Physical Planning Act, Act 125 of 1991, and the municipality must give

effect to the IDP and conduct its affairs in a manner which is consistent with the IDP.

As the SDF is a legally required document forming the foundation of a municipality’s IDP, all

planning decisions on land development applications must be based on the extent the

application conforms and gives effect to the SDF/IDP.

In terms of Section 106 of Act 32 of 2000, a municipality and officials within that municipality can

be prosecuted for maladministration, fraud or malpractice should it be found that the

municipality or an official has not conformed to the statutory obligation imposed in terms of

Section 35 of Act 32 of 2000.

NORTHERN CAPE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT ACT

Chapter IV of the Northern Cape Planning and Development Act, Act 7 of 1988, requires that a

municipality prepare a Land Development Plan which in essence is exactly the same as the

requirement for a Spatial Development Framework as required in terms of the Municipal

Systems Act. The approval and adoption of this SDF therefore constitutes to be a Land

Development Plan in terms of the provisions of the Northern Cape Planning and Development

Act.

The compilation of the RSDF is done in terms of Sections 27-29 of the said act, with specific

adherence to Section 29 as indicated in the table below:


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A Land Development Plan shall consist of the following components:

(1) A contextual framework, the scope and contents of which shall include the following: Page/s Plan/s

a) The identification, spatial location and evaluation of elements and areas of the natural environment, including environmental resources of ecological, biological, topographical, geological, agricultural and scenic significance; marine systems including marine sanctuaries, dunes, reefs, and estuaries; catchment areas including mountains and valleys, river corridors, wetlands, vleis, flood plains to the 50 year flood line and areas with a high water table, mineral deposits; damaged land, unstable soils, scenic drives and panoramic views; areas of indigenous vegetation including indigenous forests, habitats and nature reserves;

96-106 12, 14, 16-26

b) The identification and assessment of the current and predicted role and need for a public open space system and the provision of recreational, sporting and other public facilities, including libraries, museums and community halls;

117-125 27-32

c) The identification and assessment of the current and future economic trends by sector, including the mining, manufacturing, processing, service and informal sectors, together with their spatial distribution relative to their resource base, infrastructure needs, markets and labour;

26-34, 126-127

1-7, 15, 19-21

d) The identification and assessment of the existing and future social trends, including a demographic and spatial analysis in terms of population composition, its distribution and access to health, education and training, employment, housing, potable water, electricity, public transport and any other indicators of social benefit;

107-114 1-7, 15

e) The identification and assessment of the current and future capacity and spatial distribution of bulk infrastructure, including sewerage, water and electricity reticulation, roads and public transport provision; and

129-132 35, 37-39

f) An evaluation of the historical and cultural built and natural environment. 96-106, 117-125

27-34

(2) A development framework shall consist of a set of co-ordinated and integrated policies, objectives and strategies:

a) Elaborating on and aimed at implementing the Principles referred to in Chapter 1 as well as any other policies, objectives, strategies or programmes prescribed in the Provincial Plan and the District Council Plan or any other initiatives impacting on land development, either at a provincial or national level;

55-91 8-11

b) Informed by the projected future demographic growth and change both within the area of jurisdiction of the local or representative council or as a result of immigration;

146-156, 167-178

44, 46, 48, 50

c) Informed by the projected future economic growth, by sector, within the area of jurisdiction of the local or representative council, as well as any economic activities operation beyond its area of jurisdiction which may have a secondary impact on the local or representative council, together with the infrastructural requirements

146-156, 167-178

44, 46, 48, 50


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needed to service that growth;

d) Informed by a set of identified and projected social needs, and where appropriate, quantifiable standards in relation to people’s access to health, education and training, public transport, employment, recreational facilities (both active and passive) housing, potable water, electricity and any other indicators of social benefit;

158-166 N/a

e) Informed by the projected future infrastructural needs and costs required to service growth and development, as identified in paragraphs c) and (d), within the area of jurisdiction of the local or representative council;

158-166 N/a

f) Informed by a land availability assessment, identifying local government, provincial and national owned land, including any commonage, together with an analysis of its development potential relative to the meeting of the development needs of the local or representative council as identified in subsections c) and (d);

124-125, 133

40-42

g) Informed by the environmental context as provided for in subsection (1) (a). 96-106 44

3. An implementation framework, consisting of prioritized programmes and projects aimed at implementing the policies, objectives and strategies referred to in subsection (2) through):

a) Defining targets based on projected needs, which shall, where appropriate, be informed by the measurable and quantifiable social, economic, health and service related indicators and standards referred to in subsection (2) (d);

187, 216

44

b) Prioritized three-to five-year capital expenditure programmes informing the annual capital and operational budget allocation of the local or representative council;

187, 216

N/a

c) Motivating, revering and securing funding from district council, provincial and national sources; 207-210 N/a

d) Motivating, revering and securing funding from any other funding related agencies; 207-210 N/a

e) Partnership arrangements with the private sector; and 207-210 N/a

f) Any other implementational mechanisms including zoning schemes and land development procedures and regulations, urban renewal programmes and strategic site development.

187-203 N/a


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4 Institutional framework

The compilation of the Karoo Hoogland Local Municipality Rural Spatial Development

Framework (RSDF)/Land Development Plan has involved various role-players, municipal

officials, elected representatives, government departments and key stakeholders through

regular consultative meetings. The RSDF was steered, managed and approved within the

following institutional framework:

PROJECT STEERING COMMITTEE (PSC)

A Project Steering Committee was established to ensure overall management of the project.

This committee consisted of representatives from the following organisations:

1. Office of the Premier

2. Department of Rural Development and Land Reform

3. Development Bank of South Africa

4. Relevant Local and respective District Municipalities

5. Provincial Department of Local Government and Housing or Traditional Affairs

6. Department of Local Economic Development, Environment and Tourism

7. Department of Agriculture

8. Department of Roads and Transport

9. Department of Health and Social Development

10. Department of Water Affairs

11. House of Traditional Leaders

PROJECT MANAGEMENT TEAM (PMT)

A Project Management Team was established to carry out the day to day management of the

project. This team consisted of representatives from the following organizations:

1. Department of Rural Development and Land Reform

2. Development Bank of South Africa

3. Local Municipality

MUNICIPAL COUNCIL

The Spatial Development Framework comes into effect upon approval by the Project Steering

Committee as well as the adoption by the Karoo Hoogland Municipal Council by means of a

Council Resolution.

Consultative meetings were held regularly during the course of the project as indicated in the

diagram below. More information on the consultative meetings is available in a separate Public

Participation Report.


21

5 Public participation strategy


22

6 Acronyms

General Acronyms

ABET Adult Basic Education and Training

ASGISA Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa

BBBEE Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment

BEE Black Economic Empowerment

CA Conservation Areas

CASP Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme

CBA Critical Biodiversity Areas

CBD Central Business District

CIP Comprehensive Infrastructure Plan

CRDP Comprehensive Rural Development Programme

CSIR Council for Scientific and Industrial Research

DBSA Development Bank of South Africa

DFA Development Facilitation Act

DSDF District Spatial Development Framework

EFA Emerging Farmers Association

EIA Environmental Impact Assessment

EPWP Expanded Public Works Programme

FET Further Education and Training

GEAR Growth, Employment and Redistribution

IDC Industrial Development Corporation

IDP Integrated Development Plan

ISRDS Integrated Sustainable Rural Development Strategy

JIPSA Joint Initiative for Priority Skills Acquisition

KPA Key Performance Areas

LED Local Economic Development

LRAD Land Re-distribution for Agricultural Development

LUMS Land Use Management System

MEC Member of Executive Council

MIG Municipal Infrastructure Grant

MPCC Multi Purpose Community Centre (Thusong Service Centre

MSA Municipal Systems Act

MSTA Municipal Structures Act

NC Northern Cape

NDM Namakwa District Municipality

NGO Non-Governmental Organization

NLTSF National Land Transport Strategic Framework

NMC National Monument Council

NSDP National Spatial Development Perspective


ONA Other Natural Areas

PA Protected Areas

PGDS Provincial Growth and Development Strategy

RBM Results Based Management

RIDS Regional Industrial Development Strategy

SAAO South African Astronomical Observatory

SAHRA South African Heritage Resources Agency

SALT South African Large Telescope

SDF Spatial Development Framework

SEDA Small Enterprise Development Agency

SKA Square Kilometer Array

SKEP Succulent Karoo Ecosystem Programme

SLAG Settlement Land Acquisition Grant

SMME Small Medium and Micro Enterprises

SPP Surplus Peoples Project

SWOT Strength Weakness Opportunities Threats

VIP Ventilated Improved Pit

WCPGDS Western Cape Provincial Growth and Development Strategy

Acronyms of Departments

CISA Conservation International South Africa

COGHSTA

Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and

Traditional Affairs

DAFF Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

DALRRD Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

DE Department of Energy

DEA Department of Environmental Affairs

DEAT Northern Cape Department of Economic Affairs and Tourism

DED&T Department of Economic Development and Tourism

DENC Department of Environmenand Nature Conservation

DH Department of Health

DIRC Department of International Relations and Cooperatioin

DMR Department of Mineral Resources

DoT Department of Transport

DRDLR Department of Rural Development and Land Reform

DRPW Department of Roads and Public Works

DSAC Departmetn of Sport, Arts and Culture

DSSPD Department of Social Services and Population Development

DST Department of Science and Technology

DTI Department of Trade and Industry


DTSL Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison

DWA Departmetn of Water Affairs

FAMDA Northern Capet Fishing and Mariculture Development Association

KHLM Karoo Hooglande Local Municipality

NCTA Northern Cape Tourism Authority

NDM Namwakwa District Municipality

NT National Treasury

SANBI South African National Biodiversity Institute

SANPARKS South African National Parks

SPP Surplus Peoples Project


CHAPTER 2


7 PHASE 1

The Integrated Development Plan (IDP) constitutes the blueprint of the municipality’s strategies

in addressing the socio-economic development needs of the communities (Local Government:

Municipal Systems Act, Act 32 of 2000). The IDP reflects the key development focus areas

agreed upon with communities and stakeholders and the Spatial Development Framework

(SDF) in turn guides and informs land development and management.

In other words, the SDF gives spatial effect to multi-sectoral projects identified in the IDP and

assists the municipality in coordinating the implementation of the various sector plans.

Therefore, the SDF cannot operate in isolation but is directly linked to the IDP to ensure

consistency and harmony.

This chapter focuses on the spatial interpretation of the Karoo Hoogland draft IDP 2009-2011.

The purpose is to spatially interpret the municipal vision and strategy to ensure the alignment

thereof with national and provincial planning requirements and to identify key intervention areas

possibly not catered for in the municipal area.

8 Municipality in context

8.1 Contextual overview

Table 1: Contextual overview

ATTRIBUTES DESCRIPTION PLAN

NATIONAL

CONTEXT: Located in the Northern Cape Province, South Africa. Plan 1.1

PROVINCIAL

CONTEXT:

Located in the Namakwa district, one of 5 district municipalities in the

Northern Cape Province Plan 1.2

DISTRICT

CONTEXT:

Karoo Hoogland local municipality is the most southern municipality, one

of 8 municipalities in the Namakwa district municipality. It is bordered by

the Western Cape to the south and by the Pixley ka Seme district

municipality to the east.

Karoo Hoogland local municipality stands to gain additional areas from

the redistribution of the District Management Areas in terms of Northern

Cape Provincial Gazette Notice 120 of 2007, with the proposed inclusion

of the southern portion of NCDMA06, south of R357.

Plan 1.3

WARDS: 4 Plan 1.4

URBAN NODES: Fraserburg, Sutherland, Williston. Plan 1.4

POPULATION: 12 116 Plan 1.6

SIZE (km2): 34 038 km2

BUDGET (R/c): R27 475 562 (Budget Speech, 2010/11).


8.2 Population

The population of the Karoo Hoogland based on 2005 data is 12 116. Karoo Hoogland has a

small population living in a large region which has resulted in a low population density of 2.8

people per km² (Karoo Hoogland IDP, 2001).

77.3% of the population of Karoo Hoogland are resident in urban areas with the balance of

22.7% residing in the rural areas. The majority of residents, approximately 94.8%, are

permanent residents and reside as follows throughout the four wards:

Table 2A: Household and population figures per urban area

Towns Population Current Households

Ward 1 – Williston 3 072 648

Ward 2 – Fraserburg 2 642 544

Ward 3 – Rural areas 2 754 1 030

Ward 4 - Sutherland 3 648 1 051

TOTALS 12 116 3 273

(Source: Karoo Hoogland IDP 2001-2005)

Table 2B: Population and household trends

Karoo Hoogland

Population Households

1996

Statistics

SA

2001

Statistics

SA

2007

Community

Survey

1996

Statistics

SA

2001

Statistics

SA

2007

Community

Survey

12 116 10 513 10 420 3 271 3 168 2 982

% Increase/Decrease n/a -13.23% -0.88% n/a -3.15% -5.87%

(Source: Stats SA 1996 & 2001 and Community Survey 2007)

The Karoo Hoogland municipality has experienced a steady decline in population and number of

households over the 10 year period from 1996-2007. The population has declined by 14% over

that period with the number of households having decreased by 8.8%.

Sutherland Williston


8.3 Resources

The availability and accessibility of resources (natural or human) determines the potential for

economic development of a specific area. The main economic sectors of the Karoo Hoogland

Municipality are agriculture and tourism.

The largely rural area of the Karoo Hoogland is characterised by sheep farms and small towns

with agriculture forming the backbone of the Karoo Hoogland economy.

With the amalgamation of the three towns of Williston, Fraserburg and Sutherland into one

municipal area, a strategy has to be devised to link these towns economically and to ensure an

integrated approach in the economic rejuvenation of these towns.

Extensive Land

Historically, this area is dominated by farming, in

particular sheep farming, with the climate, vegetation

and large tracts of grazing land ideally suited to this

economic pursuit. Large areas of this municipal area

are still dedicated to sheep farming and, as a result,

the towns are characterised by limited infrastructure

development, low population density and large-scale

poverty due to limited employment opportunities

(www.karoohoogland.co.za).

Pristine Natural Environment

Karoo Hoogland has a number of unique tourist attractions. For lovers of wide open spaces,

4x4 trails, scenic walks and, of course, sky watching, this municipal area offers the ideal

destination.

Tourism is not highly developed and the typical definition of a tourist, namely a person who

spends two or more nights in one town, may not necessarily be applicable at this stage. It is

anticipated that the majority of tourists or visitors to the region may be passing through and may

therefore be of the “Stop and Drop” variety, spending money on lunch or dinner and local curios

and perhaps staying overnight for one night (www.karoohoogland.co.za).

In regions such as Karoo Hoogland where distances between towns are far, this type of tourism

could be exploited by providing good restaurants which offer quality, local fare and small

guesthouses for the occasional overnight visitors. A small tourist hub could be generated

around restaurants so that visitors can access all tourist facilities within a small radius.

Fraserburg


Uniqueness of Karoo Hoogland

Astronomy has the unique ability to spark the imagination of young

and old and it provides the Karoo Hoogland Municipality with unique

tourism opportunities associated with astronomy


South African Large Telescope (SALT)

Sutherland boasts one of the most powerful telescopes in the world, hence its claim to be the

gateway to the universe. The lack of light pollution and the largely cloudless nights, make this

the ideal location for stargazing.

For this reason, South Africa has been shortlisted to host the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), the

most powerful radio telescope ever built. South Africa is building an SKA technology pathfinder

telescope, the Karoo Array Telescope (known as MeerKAT), which is situated near Williston.

Sutherland, which was established in 1858, is renowned for its brilliant night skies and cold,

biting winters. Sutherland is also well-known for the world-renowned South African Astronomical

Observatory (SAAO). SAAO has operated telescopes in this region since the early 1970’s and

the South African Largest Telescope (SALT) is the largest single optical telescope in the

southern hemisphere (www.karoohoogland.co.za).

Aside from the telescope, Sutherland has many other attractions for visitors including the

Brackenroof Houses (commonly known as clay houses), the Dutch Reformed Church, historic

graves, indigenous flora, the Louw Museum, Salpeterkop which is the last active volcano south

of the equator, the Planetarium Highway, also known as the Mile of Stars, and numerous hiking

and 4x4 trails (www.karoohoogland.co.za).

Fraserburg is an authentic, well-preserved Karoo town and is a quiet, peaceful place. It offers

breathtaking scenery and a number of challenging 4x4 trails. Visitors will also see the unique

Corbelled houses which are not found elsewhere in the southern hemisphere.


Corbelled houses – regarded as the first

architectural style of the north-west Karoo.

The symbol of Fraserburg is “The Pepperpot” which is a

hexagonal structure unique to South Africa. It is a national

monument, situated in the centre of town and is a stone

construction approximately 9 metres in height


Other attractions are “The Old Vicarage Museum” which was

erected in 1856 to accommodate the first reverend of the newly

founded congregation and which now exhibits a museum display.

For those intrigued by dinosaurs and prehistoric life, the Karoo

Hoogland will be a wonderful destination. Therapsida,

considered one of the earliest land animals, once roamed this area and left their tracks in the

mudstone. Scattered, but fossilised remains of these magnificent beasts can be seen in this

area. Through archaeological evidence, it is indicated that species such as Diictoton and

Bradysauras once lived in this area (www.karoohoogland.co.za).

Other Fraserburg attractions are the Powder Magazine, Power Station and the Walking Route.

Williston, also a town rich in cultural history, boasts the Blockhouse which dates back to the

Anglo-Boer war, the NG and Rhenish Church and a museum. A rather eerie but fascinating

attraction in Williston is the Tombstone Route which showcases an exceptional art form –

stonecutting. Tombstone-making became a form of folk art as tombstones were chiseled out of

local sandstone and these beautiful and fascinating tombstones can be viewed

here(www.karoohoogland.co.za).

Each of the 3 major towns of the Karoo Hoogland offers unique tourism opportunities and ideally

a tourism strategy linking these towns should be envisaged.


The rich cultural heritage of this area and the appeal of the beautiful scenery should be

exploited to attract visitors to the Karoo Hoogland region (www.karoohoogland.co.za).

Karoo Hoogland lies within the Succulent Karoo Biome which is one of 25 internationally

recognised biodiversity hotspots. It is rich in biodiversity and is significant because it is the only

hotspot that is entirely arid. Arid lands are usually poor in species, however the Succulent

Karoo is an exception. It has the richest succulent flora in the world supporting 4 849 vascular

plant species of which 40% are found nowhere else in the world. It is therefore important for

Karoo Hoogland to preserve and promote this wonderful region and all that it has to offer its

local residents and visitors (Namakwa District Biodiversity Sector Plan Draft Plan, 2008).

8.4 Infrastructure

Development and increased growth in the tourism market will only be realised if the necessary

infrastructure is developed or installed to support these initiatives. It is a priority of the Karoo

Hoogland Municipality (refer to Plan 1.7) to ensure that the upgrade and provision of

infrastructure for proper service delivery takes place. Refer to Table 3: Basic Infrastructure

Standards.

Williston, which constitutes the main centre of Ward 1, was established in 1845 as a mission

station, known as Amandelboom, which was renamed to its current name in 1919. It is an

agricultural town which supports approximately 90 occupied farms. It includes a few small

businesses, 4 educational facilities ranging from pre-school to secondary school level, police

station, a medical clinic and mobile medical unit, churches and sports clubs. It is also the home

of the Karoo Array Telescope (MeerKAT) which is currently being built.

Fraserburg, which lies within the boundaries of Ward 2, was established in 1851 as an

agricultural centre for the surrounding sheep farming community. The facilities include a

number of co-operatives and small businesses, 4 educational facilities which range from pre-

school to secondary school level, police station and medical clinic with a mobile medical unit,

churches and sports clubs. Fraserburg is also promoted as a tourism destination and offers

visitors the viewing of dinosaur footprints and fossils.

Sutherland, which is situated in Ward 4, is characterised by typical Karoo vegetation which

includes various protected species. Renowned for astronomy and for being the home of one of

the world’s largest telescopes, this town supports a number of small businesses, 3 educational

facilities ranging from pre-school to secondary school level, a medical unit, police station,

churches and sports clubs.

Engineering infrastructure

The IDP 2001-2005 confirms the following statistics on engineering infrastructure:


Water

• In Wards 1 and 2, 100% of households have access to water on site.

• In Wards 3 and 4 this number is significantly less at 42.4% and 39% respectively. Sanitation

• 55.3% of households in Ward 1 have sanitation in the form of flush toilets.

• In Ward 2, 64.9% of households have access to sanitation and in Ward 4, 34%. • There are no sanitation figures provided for Ward 3.

Electricity

• 100% of households in Wards 1 and 2 have access to electricity. • In Ward 3, 37.3% of households have electricity and in Ward 4 this figure is 63.7%.

Roads

Roads linking the 3 towns are all gravel roads with the shortest distance between two of these

towns being 80km.

• Ward 1: Williston is situated approximately 120 km to the east of Calvinia. The main access roads are as follows:

o R63 to Calvinia in the west and to Carnarvon in the east; o R353 to Fraserburg; and o R353 to Brandvlei.

• Ward 2: Fraserburg lies approximately 215 km south east of Calvinia and main traffic routes linking Fraserburg to surrounding towns are as follows:

o R353 to Williston; o R356 to Sutherland; o R353 to the N1; o R356 to Loxton; and o R361 to Carnarvon.

• Ward 4: The main routes through Sutherland which link it with the surrounding towns are as follows:

o R354 to Matjiesfontein (N12); and o R356 to Fraserburg.

(Karoo Hoogland IDP, 2001)


Table 3: Basic Infrastructure Standards - Engineering Infrastructure BASIC ENGINEERING INFRASTRUCTURE STANDARDS

Engineering Infrastructure

Water 25 litres per person per day;

Maximum distance a person should have to cart water to their dwelling is 200

metres;

The flow rate of water from the outlet should not be less than 10 litres per

minute.

Sanitation Ventilated Improved Pit toilet (VIP) per household, if constructed to agreed

standards and maintained properly provides an appropriate and adequate

basic level of sanitation service. Bucket system of sanitation is not

considered an adequate service.

(Source: Water Supply and Sanitation Policy White Paper, 1994)

Table 4: Basic Infrastructure Standards - Social Infrastructure BASIC SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE STANDARDS

Social Infrastructure

Land Use Stand Size Standard

Crèches/nursery Schools Minimum size for facility

130m² 1/5 000 pers.

Primary schools 2,4ha 1/3 000 – 4 000 pers.

Secondary schools 4,6ha 1/6 000 - 10 000 pers.

Tertiary facilities No specifics N/A

Mobile clinics No specifics 1/5 000 pers.

Clinic 0,1ha 1/5 000 pers.

Hospitals No specifics N/A

Libraries Minimum size for facility

130m² 1/5 000 – 50 000 pers.

Community centres 5 000m² 1/10 000 pers.

Religious centres

(churches, mosques,

etc.)

150m² – 3 000m² 1/2 000 pers.

Municipal offices/pay

points 3 000m² 1/50 000 pers.

Fire stations 1.2ha 1/60 000 pers.

Post office

500m² generally incorporated

into commercial shopping

nodes

1/11 000 pers.

Police station 0,1ha to 1,0ha 1/25 000 pers.

(Source: Guidelines for human settlement planning and design, 2000)


9 Pressing needs

9.1 District needs

The Namakwa District IDP (2006) identifies the following needs:

1. Efficient and effective maintenance of existing infrastructure.

2. Plan and improve bulk water supply to municipal areas (Hantam, Kamiesberg, Richtersveld).

3. Minimise existing infrastructure backlogs.

4. The development of additional or alternative water sources.

5. Increased maintenance investment for roads in order to maximise economic benefits e.g.

tourism and agriculture.

6. Achieve and maintain developmental balance between infrastructure and social economic

development.

7. Eradication of bucket system.

8. Housing – unblock projects and address existing backlog.

9. Effective use of resources including government owned property that can be released to

local government to assist development.

10. Improve economic development.

11. Institutional capacity improvement of municipalities.

12. Development of the West Coast gas fields and coastline.

13. Mari culture expansion.

14. Maximum utilisation of the Orange River (e.g. dam, water rights).

15. SKA/DSNA.

9.2 Local needs

The Karoo Hoogland draft IDP 2009 identifies the following key intervention areas:

1. Lack of infrastructure for proper service delivery. 2. Roads linking the towns are all gravel and distances between towns are far (minimum

80km). 3. Towns are characterised by limited infrastructure development (gravel roads), low

population density and serious levels of poverty due to limited job opportunities. 4. Biodiversity priority areas and environmentally sensitive areas require special intervention in

order to maintain the environmental integrity of Karoo Hoogland. 5. One of the most serious problems facing Karoo Hoogland as a tourism destination is the

quality and quantity of accommodation in the area. 6. Sutherland is in need of basic community facilities that can also cater for visiting school

groups and tourism in general. 7. There are currently 880 names on the housing waiting list for the municipal area.

(Fraserburg 340, Williston 300 and Sutherland 240). 8. The biggest need for subsidised housing is in Fraserburg with a housing backlog of 116

houses followed by Williston (60) and Sutherland (39). 9. The severe levels of poverty and the resultant social problems such as alcohol and drug

abuse and the increase in crime and domestic violence needs to be addressed.


10. There are numerous problems linked to the youth of the community which need to be addressed, namely the high rate of teenage pregnancies, the lack of basic life skills, and the low levels of education and literacy.

11. Health issues need to be addressed, in particular the containment of the spread of HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis.

12. The three towns have had separate initiatives in the past in respect to developing a tourism industry on an isolated and limited scale. Strategies need to be put in place to link the existing towns (Framework for the development of a Tourism industry in Karoo Hoogland, 2002; Karoo Hoogland Draft IDP 2009).

10 Vision

One of the core components of an IDP is the municipal council’s vision for the long term

development of the municipality with special emphasis on the municipality’s most critical

development needs and internal transformation needs (Municipal Systems Act, Act 32 of 2000).

A municipal vision, informed by national legislation, policies and strategies, will ultimately

determine what strategies, plans, projects and programmes the municipality will implement in

order to attain its vision.

10.1 District municipality vision

“The establishment of a development orientated and economically viable district through

sustainable growth.”

10.2 Local municipality vision

“Karoo Hoogland will be an economical growth node in the Northern Cape, earmarked by active

community participation. Council must create an environment that will enhance economic

development with specific focus on poverty alleviation and the creation of direct and indirect job

opportunities. Residents will have direct access to basic minimum services and a culture of

“pay for services” must be promoted. Special focus on the development of life skills,

infrastructure and education will add to economical growth. A safe and healthy environment

must be ensured for the communities of Karoo Hoogland.”


10.3 Proposed revised municipal vision

To provide the citizens of Karoo Hoogland with a safe, healthy and economically sustainable

environment with the benefits of basic services provided to all citizens. All citizens should

benefit from an adequate social infrastructure.

10.4 Interrelationship of visions

Central concerns that underpin the vision and mission of the municipalities are reflected in the

table below:

Table 5: Interrelationship of visions

District Municipality Local Municipality

• Development orientated • Sustainable development

• Economic viability • Economic stability and growth

• Sustainable growth • Develop all resources • High quality service delivery

• Human resource development

The Namakwa District and Karoo Hoogland local municipality’s visions correspond in terms of

socio-economic stability and growth; however the district municipality values environmental

harmony and economic viability, whereas the local municipality stresses service delivery,

creating an economical growth node, developing its people and safe environment for all.

The minor divergence between the district and local municipality’s visions can be ascribed to the

roles and responsibilities mandated to these municipalities in terms of the Municipal Structures

Act, 1998 (Act 117 of 1998).

11 Spatial implication of municipal vision

This section serves to unpack the vision of Karoo Hoogland municipality to determine what is

spatially required to achieve its vision.

Vision:

Five (5) key aspects transpire from the vision, namely:

1. Sustainable economic growth

2. Community participation

3. Basic services

4. Life skills

5. Health and safety


Table 6: Vision Analysis

Key Aspect

1. Sustainable economic growth

Definition/Description

Sustainable: “Refers to activities that utilise resources and build capacity in a way which

ensures that the activity can be maintained over time” (Source: White Paper on Environment

Policy for South Africa, 1998).

Economic growth: “A positive change in the level of production of goods and services by a

country over a certain period of time. Nominal growth is defined as economic growth including

inflation, while real growth is nominal growth minus inflation. Economic growth is usually brought

about by technological innovation and positive external forces” (Source:

www.investorwords.com).

Spatial Requirements

• Create environment conducive to investment.

• Job creation to alleviate poverty – utilising local labour force for temporary employment

opportunities.

• Agriculture

� Small scale farming zones to be identified in close proximity to settlements and

existing services.

� Beneficiation of agricultural products (wool processing, tanning of hides, etc).

• Tourism

� Karoo Hoogland Tourism Route – (Sutherland, Williston, Fraserburg).

� Edu-Tourism Route (geology, paleontology, astronomy, biology).

� Gateway to the Universe – exploit Edu-Tourism in Sutherland and Williston.

• Skills development and training/tourism centres – (tour guides, include optimal utilisation of

libraries, training, communication, internet facilities in settlements) – in Sutherland, Williston

and Fraserburg.

• Maximum utilisation of resources within reasonable limits – sensitivity to/awareness of light

pollution.

• Tourism awareness, combined tourism strategy – linkage between towns to create a tourism

route.

Key Aspect

2. Community participation



“Community participation can be loosely defined as the involvement of people in a community in

projects to solve their own problems. People cannot be forced to “participate” in projects which

affect their lives but should be given the opportunity where possible. This is held to be a basic

human right and a fundamental principle of democracy” (Source: www.who.or.id)


• Communication between all settlements through public meetings, information sessions,

documents in libraries for access by the public.

• Access to community halls/MPCC’s in all sustainable settlements.

• Community notice board in all settlements

• Create electronic links between MPCC’s, libraries and municipal offices.

Key Aspect

3. Basic services


“Basic municipal services” means a municipal service that is necessary to ensure

an acceptable and reasonable quality of life and, if not provided, would endanger

public health or safety or the environment” (Source: Local Government Municipal Systems Act,

Act 32 of 2000).


• Densification of the existing settlements for maximum utilisation of existing services.

• Define urban edge to prevent urban sprawl.

• Employment and residential opportunities close to bulk engineering infrastructure (water,

sanitation, electricity).

• Address service backlogs in all settlements.

• Waste management – identify and establish waste collection points per settlement to be

situated away from residential areas – regular collection service must be maintained.

• Provision of sports and recreation facilities in proximity to residential areas.

• Multi-purpose sport and recreational facilities/maximum use of existing facilities including

schools.

• Provision of MPCC’s per settlement (pension/grant payout points, banking facilities/ATM’s,

satellite municipal facilities – water & electricity pay points, basic communication facilities,

skills development, home-based care and municipal human resource capacity).

Housing:

• Integrate commercial and residential land uses, close to bulk engineering infrastructure.

• Densification or compacting of settlements for optimal utilisation of existing services.

• Define urban edge to discourage urban sprawl.


• Integration of old and new development – structuring new development along movement

connections to increase viability and efficiency of public transport.

• Close proximity to social service centres (schools and clinics) and employment

opportunities.

• Encourage formal housing and prevent informal housing settlements.

Key Aspect

4. Life skills


UNICEF defines life skills as “a behaviour change or behaviour development

approach designed to address a balance of three areas: knowledge, attitude and

skills” (Source: www.unodc.org).

Spatial Requirements (DFA related)

• Establish MPCC: also used for implementation of social development programmes (HIV

awareness, prevention against abusive substances, skills development and training).

• Clinics/mobile clinics to service all settlements and to be utilised for HIV testing and

education (teenage pregnancies, HIV, TB, alcohol & drug abuse).

• Social infrastructure – utilising schools for ABET and provision of community sports facilities.

• Mobilise churches in all settlements to fulfill their role in the community in the creation of

moral awareness.

• Education

o primary & secondary schools – provide sufficient educational facilities in all centres.

o use libraries to create opportunities for further education training (FET) in sustainable

settlements.

o SETA learnerships at MPCC’s – identify employers, both private sector and

municipal, who can empower unskilled, local residents through SETA

learnerships/apprenticeships to assist in the eradication of unemployment.

Key Aspect

5. Health and safety


“Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and is not merely the

absence of disease or infirmity” (Source: www.who.int).

“Safety is the condition or state of being safe, freedom from danger or hazard, exemption from

hurt, injury or loss” (Source: www.arcdictionary.com).


Spatial Requirements (DFA related)

• Hierarchy and location of primary health care facilities.

• Properly planned waste disposal sites.

• Properly planned cemeteries.

• Potable water and safe sanitation.

• Police presence close to communities - represented in all towns.

• Centralised disaster management centre with satellite support system in other settlements.

12 Spatial translation of IDP principles & strategies

A municipal vision, directed by national legislation, policies and strategies, will ultimately

determine the objectives, strategies and projects to be implemented to achieve its vision and to

address its most critical development needs. The sequence of processes is illustrated in the

figure below:

Figure 1: Sequence of processes

Deriving from its vision, Karoo Hoogland Municipality has developed key objectives and

strategies in the following Key Performance Areas (KPA’s):

Table 7: KPA’s & key objectives

KPA KEY OBJECTIVE

1 Spatial development: Revision of spatial development framework once the IDP has been

approved to ensure that all new projects are contained in the SDF.

2

Municipal

transformation and

organisational

development:

Implementation of the 2009/10 Skills Development Plan.

3 Basic service delivery:

To enhance sustainable service delivery through infrastructure

development and to ensure proper operation and maintenance of

existing infrastructure and equipment while developing appropriate

skills for efficient service delivery.

Projects

Strategies

Objectives

Vision


KPA KEY OBJECTIVE

4 Local economic

development:

To identify areas of economic development and to establish

partnerships with relevant stakeholders in the development of the

LED strategy.

Develop a tourism strategy with a focus on skills development,

tourism infrastructure and the marketing of Karoo Hoogland as a

tourism destination.

To address social challenges such as drug and alcohol abuse, by

implementing social upliftment programmes, youth empowerment

programmes and by developing infrastructure to support social

welfare programmes.

To engage with schools and relevant stakeholders regarding the

upgrading of education facilities and with regard to training and

skills development programmes.

To stimulate the local economy through incentive programmes,

development of basic infrastructure and by enhancing skills and

SMME development.

To provide a safe and affordable haven for visitors and residents

through the development of public facilities, engaging with the local

business sector to ensure affordability of goods, implementing a

crime prevention strategy and providing sufficient health services

and public transport facilities.

5

Municipal financial

viability and

management:

To seek the commitment of provincial treasury to assist with the

development of a financial plan.

To convert to GAMAP/GRAP standards.

To have a continuous focus on credit control.

6 Good governance and

public participation:

To actively involve the public in local government management and

to monitor and evaluate the performance of Council in terms of its

PMS.

7 Turn-around strategy: To give effect to the National TAS objectives of government to

ensure effective service delivery.

13 IDP and other projects

Karoo Hoogland Municipality has identified projects in the draft IDP 2009-2011 to achieve its

objectives in the aforementioned Key Performance Areas. These IDP projects and other

government projects that have a spatial dimension are listed in the table hereunder and shown

on Plan 1.8 – Pressing Needs versus Funded Projects.


42

Table 8 Projects

Projects - Municipal and District

Karoo Hoogland Local Municipality Multi-sectoral Projects

Key

Performance

Area (KPA)

No Project Locality

Fund

ed or

not

(Yes/

No)

Funding

Source

Impleme

nting

Date

No Project Locality

Funde

d or

not

(Yes/

No)

Funding

Source

Implementin

g Date

Basic Service

Delivery

So

cia

l In

fra

stru

ctu

re

1

225 sites to be serviced;

225 top structures to be

erected; Rectification of

167 houses (pre 1994)

Fraserburg Yes Unconfirmed 09/10 68 Sutherland sports

facilities Sutherland No NDM

2

Develop 200 erven;

Build 100 houses;

Rectification of 80 houses

Williston No

09/10 69 Construction of new

Williston CHC Williston No NDM 10/11

3

Develop 200 erven;

Rectification of 150 RDP

houses

Sutherland No

09/10 70 Renovation and repair of

Williston Police Station Williston No NDM

4 Amandelboom sport facility Williston No

09/10

5 Ammerville sport facility Fraserburg No

09/10

6 Sports festivals Rural No

09/10

7 Rebelskop sport facility Sutherland No

09/10

8 Upgrade of sport facility KH All wards No

09/10

En

gin

ee

rin

g I

nfr

ast

ruct

ure

9 Fraserburg water network Fraserburg Yes MIG 09/10 71 Fraserburg electrification Fraserburg No NDM

10 Oxidation ponds eradication

internal sewerage networks Williston Yes MIG 09/10 72

Upgrading of waste water

treatment works Sutherland Yes

MIG/KH

M 10/11

11 Oxidation ponds internal

sewerage networks Sutherland Yes MIG 09/10 73

Rehabilitated water

network Fraserburg Yes MIG 10/11

12 Eradication of Prosopis trees All wards Yes EPWP 09/10 74 Oxidation ponds Williston Yes MIG/ND

M 09/10

13 Upgrade of streets All wards Yes EPWP 09/10

14 Water purifier Fraserburg No

09/10

15 Bulk water supply Fraserburg No

09/10


16 Upgrade Williston water

network Williston No

09/10

17 New reservoir Sutherland No

09/10

18 Water network upgrading Sutherland No

09/10

19 New boreholes and

pipelines Sutherland No

09/10

Key

Performance

Area (KPA)

No Project Locality

Funded

or not

(Yes/No)

Fundin

g

Source

Implementing

Date No Project Locality

Funded

or not

(Yes/No)

Fundin

g

Source

Implementin

g Date

20 Phase 2 of oxidation ponds

internal sewerage networks Fraserburg No

09/10

En

gin

ee

rin

g I

nfr

ast

ruct

ure

21 Establishment of irrigation land All towns No

09/10

22 Eradication of buckets (sanitation) All towns No

07/08

23 Eradication of UDS toilets All towns No

09/10

24 Free-flow sewerage system All towns No

09/10

25 Upgrade of Berg street Williston No

09/10

26 Upgrade major roads between

wards All wards No

09/10

27 Cleaning and greening All towns No

09/10

28 Storm water system Sutherland No

09/10

29 Storm water system Fraserburg No

09/10

30 Storm-water system Williston No

09/10

31 EIA - cemeteries Williston No

09/10

32 EIA - cemeteries Fraserburg No

09/10

33 Licensing and upgrade of refuse

removal site Williston No

09/10

34 Upgrading of refuse removal site Fraserburg No

09/10

35 Licensing and upgrade of refuse

removal site Sutherland No

09/10

36 Public lighting (downward facing

lights to avoid light pollution) Williston No

09/10


lights to avoid light pollution) Fraserburg No

09/10



lights to avoid light pollution) Sutherland No

09/10

Local Economic

Development

39 Upgrade of learner hostel facilities Sutherland Yes DST 09/10 75

Wind farms with

capacity to

generate 200

mega watt energy

within 3

municipalities

Karoo

Hoogland No

10/11

Key

Performance

Area (KPA)

No Project Locality

Funde

d or

not

(Yes/N

o)

Funding

Source

Implementin

g Date No Project Locality

Funded

or not

(Yes/No)

Fundin

g

Source

Implementi

ng Date

Local Economic

Development 40

Community computer training

centre for K-H Sutherland Yes DST 09/10 76

Plant for gas

exploitation

Karoo

Hooglan

d

No

10/11

41 Karoo Highlands Tourism Route All wards Yes Open

Africa 09/10 77

MOU with investors

on biomass, waste

recycling, wave,

hydro and solar

energy to start

within Namakwa

region

Karoo

Hooglan

d

No

10/11

42 Develop a LED strategy All wards Yes DBSA 09/11

43 Museum upgrade Williston No

09/10

44 Construction of Corbel House Williston No

09/10

45 Protection for Paleo surface Fraserburg No

09/10

46 Upgrade museum Fraserburg No

09/10

47 Stage and amphitheatre Fraserburg No

09/10

48 Shuttle service All wards No

09/10

49

Agricultural tourism route -

feasibility study Rural No

09/10

50

Edu-tourism route (geology,

biology, palaeontology,

astronomy)

Rural No

09/10


51 Williston Nature Reserve Williston No

09/10

52 Shared school bus / shuttle All wards No

09/10

53

Outdoor community recreational

facility Sutherland No

09/10

54 Renovation of tourism office Sutherland No

09/10

55

Tourism marketing (incl.

Brochures) All wards No

09/10

56

Astronomy themed miniature

golf Sutherland No

09/10

57 Walking with Ancestors All wards No

09/10

Key

Performance

Area (KPA)

No Project Locality

Funded

or not

(Yes/No)

Funding

Source

Implementing

Date No Project Locality

Funded

or not

(Yes/No)

Funding

Source

Implementing

Date

Local

Economic

Development

58 Tourism training and awareness All wards No

09/10

59 Establishment of Tourism

Associations

Fraserburg

/ Williston

/

Sutherland

No

09/10

60 Develop and assist festivals in KHM All wards No

09/11

61 Indigenous Plants poster All wards No

09/11

62 Karoo Stars Indigenous Knowledge

poster All wards No

09/11

63 Spinning and weaving Williston No

09/11

64 Tourism signage All wards No

09/11

65 Develop a crime prevention strategy All wards No

09/11

66 Gateway to the universe - MEERKAT

& SKA framework (Phase II) All wards No

09/11

67 Establish community development

centres All wards No

09/11

(Source: Karoo Hoogland Draft IDP 2009; Namakwa District IDP 2006)


46

14 Spatial interpretation of IDP

Through its vision Karoo Hoogland local municipality strives to provide its residents with a safe,

healthy and economically sustainable environment as well as ensuring access to basic

engineering and adequate social infrastructure.

Throughout the IDP document the municipality has succeeded in highlighting its pressing

needs, development objectives, strategies and projects that will address these needs. Most of

these projects have to be implemented within the municipal space, which the municipality has to

manage in terms of use, development and planning. This section summarises the

implementation of the municipal IDP in relation to the municipal space and how it relates to the

municipal vision.

The implementation of the projects has been grouped according to the two key performance

areas, namely basic service delivery, which includes social and engineering services and local

economic development.

Provision of basic engineering services/infrastructure

The provision of basic engineering services projects is mostly limited to the land parcels

earmarked for residential purposes. In implementing these projects the municipality seems to be

spatially concentrating on upgrading the existing services, thereby ensuring the maximum

utilisation of these services within these settlements to fulfill its vision. What is not indicated in

the IDP is the capacity of these services in terms of sustainability and future demand.

Taking into account the spatial constraints and opportunities of the municipal area the

compilation of the municipal SDF will have to indicate whether the capacity of these services will

be sustainable enough to meet the municipal vision.

Provision of social infrastructure

Most of the settlements are under pressure for growth. In two of the three urban settlements

there is a need for expansion or development of more erven. The IDP does not indicate whether

the development of the additional erven is in line with the DFA principles and is taking all the

development constraints of the municipal area into consideration. The IDP also does not

indicate whether the addition of more erven in these areas will ensure the sustainability of the

settlements in terms of future basic service provision.

The municipal SDF will have to provide guidelines as to whether any future expansion of these

settlements will be guaranteed with access to sustainable basic services and adherence to the

principles of the DFA.


47

Sustainable local economic growth

In its vision the municipality aspires to be economically sustainable and enhance economic

development thereby creating job opportunities. In order to achieve this vision, the municipality

must have a full understanding of the local economic opportunities of its area and then support

all projects that capitalise on its unique advantages.

The municipality has identified the development of its Local Economic Development Strategy as

a key project that would unlock the economic opportunities of its total area. This project covers

all the municipal wards and will unlock opportunities that could create sustainable job

opportunities for the community. In addition to the development of the LED strategy, through the

process of the compilation of the municipal SDF, the local economic opportunities of the

municipal area will be further exposed. The outcome of this exercise will provide a baseline

through which the municipality could attract investment to its area of jurisdiction.

The municipality has identified a number of tourism related projects that are scattered

throughout its area of jurisdiction. Unfortunately most of these projects lack funding and have

little prospect of providing job opportunities to the communities. Although the entire municipal

area seems to be rich in eco-tourism opportunities, it seems little effort has been made to attract

potential investors for eco-tourism. There is no tourism development strategy that has been

developed for the entire municipal area. The IDP does not indicate whether the municipality

sees the development of eco-tourism as an economic advantage that could be exploited to

enhance its economic opportunities. The compilation of the municipal SDF will ensure that the

tourism potential of the municipal area is exposed for further investigation.

The next phase of this document will deal extensively with the analysis of the natural resources

of this municipality and how they relate spatially in terms of meeting the pressing needs of the

communities as expressed in the IDP.

Linkages between the three urban centres are critical to the economic development of the entire

municipal area. In terms of the IDP the roads connecting these areas are still gravel but are not

prioritised for tarring. As long as accessibility to these areas remains a challenge, it will be

difficult for the municipality to achieve its vision of making this area conducive for investment.

The SDF will have to indicate the key road links that could be developed to improve the linkages

between urban centres and rural areas.

Providing a healthy and safe environment

Through the provision, upgrading and extension of existing basic services infrastructure as well

as the provision of social services within the urban settlements the municipality is seen as

meeting the spatial requirements in terms of health and safety. The municipality is developing

new landfill sites, upgrading sewerage treatment plants and is engaged in cleaning and

greening projects thereby ensuring a healthy and safe environment for its residents.


48

The communities in this municipality seem to have been provided with basic health facilities.

Through the compilation of the municipal SDF all the spatial health and safety risk areas of the

municipal areas will be exposed with the aim of providing some mitigating solutions.

15 Phase 1 synopsis


49

KAROO HOOGLAND PHASE 1 SUMMARY TABLE - SPATIAL INTERPRETATION OF MUNICIPAL IDP

NO SPATIAL REQUIREMENTS DEVELOPMENT IMPERATIVES

1 SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC GROWTH

1.1 Economic Development

1.1.1 Create an environment conducive to investment. Address the lack of infrastructure, housing and tourism accommodation and unemployment.

1.1.2 Job creation to alleviate poverty, utilising the local labour force for temporary employment opportunities.

Serious poverty levels due to limited job opportunities must be addressed.

1.1.3 Skills development and training / tourism centres (allow for optimal utilisation of libraries as training, communication and internet centres). None

1.1.4 Maximum utilisation of resources within reasonable limits and with sensitivity to light pollution.

Maintain the environmental integrity of Karoo Hoogland and preserve biodiversity priority areas and environmentally sensitive areas.

1.1.5 Tourism awareness and a combined tourism strategy - linkage between towns to create a tourism route.

Roads linking towns are gravel and distances are great. Road upgrades must be considered.

1.2 Agriculture

1.2.1 Identify small scale farming zones in close proximity to settlements and existing services. None

1.2.2 Beneficiation of agricultural products such as wool processing, tanning, etc.

Alleviate unemployment by establishing industries associated with agriculture. This will also stimulate the local economy.

1.3 Tourism


50




1.3.1 Develop the Karoo Hoogland Tourism Route (Sutherland, Williston, Fraserburg)

Consider a combined tourism strategy for Sutherland, Williston and Fraserburg. Address the lack of tourism accommodation. Consider accommodation for individuals/families and large groups (i.e. schools).

1.3.2 Develop an Edu-Tourism Route (geology, palaeontology, astronomy, biology)

1.3.3 Gateway to the Universe - exploit Edu-tourism in Sutherland and Williston.

2 ENCOURAGE ACTIVE COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

2.1 Community Communication

2.1.1 Encourage active communication between all settlements through public meetings, information sessions, documents in libraries for public access, etc. None

2.1.2 Ensure access to community halls / MPCC's in all sustainable settlements. Address the need for community facilities for residents and visitors.

2.1.3 Community notice boards in all settlements. None

2.1.4 Create economic links between MPCC's, libraries and municipal offices. None



3 ENSURE PROVISION OF BASIC SERVICES

3.1 Basic Service Delivery

3.1.1 Densification of existing settlements for maximum utilisation of existing services. Address the critical housing backlog.

3.1.2 Define the urban edge to prevent urban sprawl. None


51




3.1.3 Develop employment and residential opportunities close to bulk engineering infrastructure. None

3.1.4 Address service backlogs in all settlements. Address the lack of infrastructure for proper service delivery.

3.1.5 Identify and establish waste collection points, per settlement, situated away from residential areas, with regular collection service. None

3.1.6 Provision of sports and recreation facilities in proximity to residential areas. Utilise and promote the use of existing facilities such as schools

3.1.7 Provision of multi-purpose sport and recreation facilities, making maximum use of existing facilities including schools. None

3.1.8

Provision of MPCC's per settlement to function as pension/grant payout points, banking facilities, satellite municipal facilities, basic communication facilities, skills development centres, home-based care provision and for municipal human resource capacity. None

3.2 Housing

3.2.1 Integrate commercial and residential land uses close to bulk engineering infrastructure. Address the critical housing backlog.

3.2.2 Densification or compacting of urban settlements for optimal utilisation of existing services. None

3.2.3 Define the urban edge to prevent urban sprawl. None

3.2.4 Integration of old and new development - structure new development along movement connects to increase the viability and efficiency of public transport. None

3.2.5 Development must be in close proximity to social service centres such as schools and clinics and close to employment opportunities. None

3.2.6 Encourage formal housing and prevent further informal housing settlement development. None


52




4 FOCUS ON DEVELOPMENT OF LIFE SKILLS

4.1 Social Development

4.1.1

Establish MPCC's which can be utilised for implementation of social development programmes such as HIV/AIDS awareness, abuse prevention programmes, skills development and training.

Address the problems of the youth in the community by teaching basic life skills and addressing the low levels of education and literacy. Address social problems in the community such as alcohol and drug abuse and high levels of crime and domestic violence.

4.1.2

Clinics/mobile clinics to service all settlements and to be utilised for HIV testing and education to prevent teenage pregnancy, alcohol and drug abuse and spread of HIV/AIDS.

Address health issues, particularly the high levels of HIV/Aids and Tuberculosis. Need to curb high levels of teenage pregnancy and alcohol and drug abuse.

4.1.3 Social infrastructure to be developed - utilise schools for ABET and provision of community sports facilities. None

4.1.4 Mobilise churches to fulfil their community role in the creation of moral awareness.

Assist in addressing the social problems in the community, particularly high rate of teenage pregnancy, domestic violence and alcohol and drug abuse.

4.2 Education

4.2.1 Primary and secondary schools - provide sufficient educational facilities in all centres.

Need to address and improve the low levels of literacy

4.2.2 Utilise libraries to create opportunities for further education training (FET). None


53




4.2.3

Utilise MPCC's for SETA learnerships - identify employers in private and public sector who can empower unskilled, local residents through SETA learnerships / apprenticeships to assist with reduction in unemployment.

Promote SETA learnerships to alleviate unemployment and to provide skills to previously unskilled workers.

5 PROVISION OF A SAFE AND HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT

5.1 Health and Safety

5.1.1 Hierarchy and location of primary health care facilities. Address health issues particularly HIV/AIDS and TB.

5.1.2 Properly planned waste disposal sites. None

5.1.3 Properly planned cemeteries. None

5.1.4 Potable water and safe sanitation. Address lack of basic infrastructure.

5.1.5 Police presence close to communities and represented in all towns.

Address high levels of crime and domestic violence. Introduce "neighbourhood watch" principles to improve safety within neighbourhoods.

5.1.6 Centralised disaster management centre with satellite support systems in other settlements. None


54

CHAPTER 3


55

16 PHASE 2

The chapter consists of two parts:

a) Institutional Analysis – to assess the institutional arrangements in order to understand

the implications of the national, provincial and local development objectives and priorities

for the spatial development framework.

b) Spatial Analysis - to investigate the spatial context of Karoo Hoogland Municipality to

determine national, regional and local economic, social and service delivery

environments and the impact that it has on the development potential of the municipal

area.

The purpose of this chapter is to assess whether Karoo Hoogland Local Municipality is spatially

conducive for the delivery of its Integrated Development Plan and the relevant sector plans.

17 Karoo Hoogland Municipality IDP in context

The main objectives of the Karoo Hoogland Municipality’s IDP are to achieve the main goals of

service delivery and dealing with the backlog of housing and access to water. The focus on

additional economic activities, primarily based on tourism potential of the area, is a more viable

approach to improve the local economy than to try and build the supply from within existing

structures.

The Spatial Development Plan must, at a minimum, address these concerns and how best to

utilise the Municipality’s limited resources and less than ideal space to achieve the best possible

outcome for its population, particularly those that are currently under-served in terms of their

access to basic services. Further, however, it needs to take into account the relevant policy and

planning frameworks that will influence its ability to deliver and how these can be used

effectively to improve its performance as an agent of development. This analysis is covered in

the following sections.

18 Institutional analysis

18.1 Institutional background

As noted in the Integrated Sustainable Rural Development Strategy published in November

2000, “communities, if appropriately empowered, can often manage their own local

development efforts, and sometimes considerably better than any agency of the state. The

report finds that a properly worked through system of participation and decentralisation holds

the promise to provide mechanisms for empowering communities appropriately, though this

process is by no means guaranteed.” (Integrated Sustainable Rural Development Strategy,

2000)


56

In order to test the compatibility of the Karoo Hoogland Municipality’s execution and/or adoption

of its Rural Spatial Development Framework, there are a number of policies, legislations and

planning documents that should either be used as guides or, by law, must be followed. These

include in the main, and as such are not limited to, the following:

Legislation

1. The South African Constitution and Principles of Sustainable Development 2. Local Government Municipal Structures Act, Act 117 of 1998 3. Local Government Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000 4. Municipal Planning and Performance Management Regulations 2001 5. The Development Facilitation Act 67 of 1995 6. The Land Use Management Bill, 2001 7. Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa (AsgiSA) 8. Transformation of Certain Rural Areas Act (1998) 9. Northern Cape Planning and Development Act, 1998 (Act 7 of 1998).

18.1.1 South African Constitution and Principles of Sustainable Development

The Constitution of South Africa protects human rights and promotes democratic governance.

Part of the Constitution is dedicated to define the role and function of government at national,

provincial and local level:

Part B of Schedule 4 identifies municipal planning as a local governmental matter. Aspects

influencing spatial planning are local tourism, municipal airports, municipal health services,

municipal public transport, water and sanitation services.

Part B of Schedule 5 does not specifically mention any planning function but identifies the

aspects of cemeteries, municipal parks and recreation, public places, municipal roads, traffic

and parking, which have an influence on spatial planning.

18.1.2 Local Government: Municipal Structures Act, Act 117 of 1998

The Municipal Structures Act, 1998 (MSTA) assigns and divides powers to and between district

and local municipalities.

The MSTA requires that Local Municipalities “must seek to achieve integrated, sustainable and

equitable social and economic development of its area as a whole”. It also assigns powers and

functions to Local Municipalities that includes, inter alia:

• Integrated development planning for the Local Municipality as a whole,

• Bulk supply of water, sewerage, electricity and solid waste disposal,

• Municipal roads that form an integral part of a road transport system for the area of the

Local Municipality;

• Promotion of local tourism for its area, etc.


57

The aforementioned powers and exercise of such powers by Karoo Hoogland Municipality have

an impact on the spatial development pattern of the local municipal area and district municipal

area. It is therefore essential that horizontal (between local municipalities) and vertical (between

district and local municipalities) alignment takes place during the drafting of the Spatial

Development Framework.

18.1.3 Local Government: Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000

In terms of chapter 5 of the Municipal Systems Act 2000, (Act 32 of 2000) every local

Municipality should prepare an Integrated Development Plan (IDP). In terms of the act the IDP

is a single, inclusive and strategic plan for the development of a Municipality that operates as a

strategic planning instrument which guides and informs all decisions with regard to the planning

and development in a municipal area.

Section 26(e) of the MSA stipulates that the local Municipality should prepare a SDF which must

include basic guidelines for a Land Use Management System (LUMS) as part of the IDP. The

SDF shall act as a forward plan that illustrates the intended nature of spatial development and

shall take precedence over any other plan approved by the Municipality. Furthermore the SDF

shall be the first point of reference for decision-makers when seeking guidance on specific land

development issues.

18.1.4 Municipal Planning and Performance Management Regulations, 2001

The Local Government Municipal Planning and Performance Regulations (2001) stipulate the

content of the SDF. In terms of Section 4 of the Regulations the SDF is required to:

• give effect to principles contained in Chapter 1 of the Development Facilitation Act,

1995;

• set out objectives that reflect desired spatial form of the Municipality;

• contain strategies and policies regarding the manner in which to achieve the objectives

which must:

o Indicate the desired pattern of land use

o Indicate the direction of growth

• provide strategic guidance in respect to location and nature of development;

• set out basic guidelines for a land use management system;

• set out a capital investment framework for development programmes;

• incorporate a strategic assessment of the environmental impact of land within the

Municipality;

• identify programmes and projects for development of land within the Municipality;

• be aligned with neighbouring municipal SDF's;

• provide visual representation of the desired spatial form which:

o must indicate areas in which the intensity of land development could be either

increased or reduced;


58

o must indicate desired and undesired utilisation of land in an area;

o indicate conservation of both the built and natural environment;

o must indicate where public and private land development and infrastructure

investment should take place;

o may delineate the urban edge;

o must identify areas where strategic intervention is required;

o must indicate where priority spending is required.

18.1.5 The Development Facilitation Act 67 of 1995

The Development Facilitation Act (DFA) moves away from a control-based planning system to a

principle planning approach and it establishes measures that facilitate and speed up the

implementation of reconstruction and development programmes and projects relating to land

development. The principles of the DFA are uniform throughout the country and regulate the

subdivision and development of land in both urban and rural areas to promote speedy provision

and development of land for residential, small scale farming and other purposes.

Chapter 1 of the Act lays down principles that apply to all types of land planning and

development. These principles are vital to establish a more equitable and development planning

system for Karoo Hoogland. In order to realize this objective, the following general principles

apply to all land development:

• Policy, administrative practice and laws should make provision for urban and rural land

development plus should facilitate the development of formal and informal, existing and

new settlements.

• Policy, administrative practice and laws should discourage illegal occupation of land,

with due recognition of informal land development processes.

• Policy, administrative practice and laws should promote efficient and integrated land

development if they:

o promote the integration of the social, economic, institutional and physical aspects

of land development;

o promote integrated land development in rural and urban areas in support of each

other;

o promote the availability of residential and employment opportunities in close

proximity to or integrated with each other;

o optimise the use of existing resources including such resources relating to

agriculture, land, minerals, bulk infrastructure, roads, transportation and social

facilities;

o promote a diverse combination of land uses, also at the level of individual erven

or subdivisions of land;

o discourage the phenomenon of "urban sprawl" in urban areas and contribute to

the development of more compact towns and cities;


59

o contribute to the correction of the historically distorted spatial patterns of

settlement in the Republic and to the optimum use of existing infrastructure in

excess of current needs ; and

o Encourage environmentally sustainable land development practices and

processes.

• Members of communities affected by land development should actively participate in the

process of land development.

• The skills and capacities of disadvantaged persons involved in land development should

be developed.

• Policy, administrative practice and laws should encourage and optimise the contributions

of all sectors of the economy (government and non-governmental) to land development

so as to maximise the Republic's capacity to undertake land development and to this

end, and without derogating from the generality of this principle:

o national, provincial and local governments should strive clearly to define and

make known the required functions and responsibilities of all sectors of the

economy in relation to land development as well as the desired relationship

between such sectors; and

o a competent authority in national, provincial or local government responsible for

the administration of any law relating to land development shall provide

particulars of the identity of legislation administered by it, the posts and names of

persons responsible for the administration of such legislation and the addresses

and locality of the offices of such persons to any person who requires such

information.

• Laws, procedures and administrative practice relating to land development should:

o be clear and generally available to those likely to be affected thereby;

o in addition to serving as regulatory measures, also provide guidance and

information to those affected thereby;

o be calculated to promote trust and acceptance on the part of those likely to be

affected thereby; and

o give further content to the fundamental rights set out in the Constitution.

• Policy, administrative practice and laws should promote sustainable land development at

the required scale in that they should:

o promote land development which is within the fiscal, institutional and

administrative means of the Republic;

o promote the establishment of viable communities;

o promote sustained protection of the environment;

o meet the basic needs of all citizens in an affordable way; and

o ensure the safe utilisation of land by taking into consideration factors such as

geological formations and hazardous undermined areas.

• Policy, administrative practice and laws should promote speedy land development.


60

• Each proposed land development area should be judged on its own merits and no

particular use of land, such as residential, commercial, conservational, industrial,

community facility, mining, agricultural or public use, should in advance or in general be

regarded as being less important or desirable than any other use of land.

• Land development should result in security of tenure, provide for the widest possible

range of tenure alternatives, including individual and communal tenure, and in cases

where land development takes the form of upgrading an existing settlement, not deprive

beneficial occupiers of homes or land or, where it is necessary for land or homes

occupied by them to be utilised for other purposes, their interests in such land or homes

should be reasonably accommodated in some other manner.

• A competent authority at national, provincial and local government level should co-

ordinate the interests of the various sectors involved in or affected by land development

so as to minimise conflicting demands on scarce resources.

• Policy, administrative practice and laws relating to land development should stimulate

the effective functioning of a land development market based on open competition

between suppliers of goods and services.

Five central concerns underpin the Chapter 1 principles:

1. The need to create new forms and structures for South African settlements to improve

their performance,

2. The need to work harmoniously with nature,

3. The need to speed up the pace of development,

4. The need to promote a better planning system and

5. The need to promote security of tenure.

18.1.6 The Land Use Management Bill, 2001

The main objective of this Bill is to provide a legislative and policy framework that enables local

government to formulate policies, plans and strategies for land use and development in order to

address spatial, economic, social and environmental issues. It attempts to provide uniform land

use management in the Republic of South Africa.

The Land Use Bill is based on the general principle that spatial planning, land use management

and land development must:

• be environmentally friendly;

• enhance equality;

• be efficient;

• be integrated; and

• be based on fair and good governance.


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The key subject is that the Land Use Management Bill makes reference to Section 26(e) of the

Municipal Systems Act, 2000. It provides clarity on issues related to the content of the SDF and

it clearly explains that one of the functions of the SDF is to inform development and the

application of new land use management systems.

18.1.7 Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa (AsgiSA)

Investigations by government indicate that the growth rate needed to achieve its social

objectives between 2004 and 2014 is around 5%, on average.

In order to achieve this objective the following interventions/initiatives were identified:

• Significant investment in infrastructure, including provincial and local roads, bulk water

infrastructure and water supply networks, energy distribution, housing, schools and

clinics, business centres, sports facilities, and multi-purpose government service

centres, including police stations, courts and correctional facilities;

• Targeting economic sectors with good growth potential, in this regard two sectors have

been identified namely Business Process Outsourcing and Tourism. A third sector, bio-

fuels, is being finalised. What these industries have in common is that they are labour-

intensive, growing rapidly worldwide, are suited to South African circumstances, and

open to opportunities for Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) and

small business development;

• Skills development;

• Eliminating the Second Economy - Building up small businesses to bridge the gap

between the formal and informal economies; and

• Governance and Institutional Interventions - Beefing up public administration and

creating a macro-economic environment that is more conducive to economic growth.

Karoo Hoogland Spatial Development Framework needs to be conducive to the implementation

of the AsgiSA initiatives.

18.1.8 Transformation of Certain Rural Areas Act (1998)

The purpose of this Act is to provide for the transfer of certain land to municipalities and certain

other legal entities, the removal of restrictions on the alienation of land, matters with regard to

mineral, the repeal of the Rural Areas Act, and related laws; and to provide for matters

connected therewith (Source: Transformation of Certain Rural Areas Act, 94 (Act 94 of 1998).

With the Transformation of Certain Rural Areas Act process, the Minister of Land Affairs granted

approval for five areas in Namakwa to be transferred to the legal entities of the communities’

choice.


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18.1.9 Northern Cape Planning and Development Act, 1998 (Act 7 of 1998)

The purpose of this Act is to provide for a single set of procedures and regulations to complement the accelerated development procedures as provided for in the Development Facilitation Act, 1995; and to thereby ensure effective and co-operative planning and land development within the provincial and local spheres of government of the Province of the Northern Cape, through a set of principles that will guide the preparation and implementation of integrated land development plans, the management of rural and urban land and its development through land-use management mechanisms, subdivisions and matters incidental thereto. (Source: Northern Cape Planning and Development Act) In this regard specific reference is made to the provisions in Sections 29 and 30 that relates to the content of a Land Development Plan/Rural Spatial Development Framework and the procedures to be followed for the approval of the Land Development Plan/Rural Spatial Development Framework by the Member of the Executive Council (MEC) of the Province of the Northern Cape. Policies and Strategies What is addressed at this stage is the extent to which the following policies and strategies can advance the spatial plan for Karoo Hoogland. See table below.


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18.2 Alignment with national development perspectives

Table 9: Institutional analysis

NATIONAL LEVEL

Policy/Legislation/Strategies Description/Intention Implications

Rural Development

Framework (1997)

The key document providing the leading perspective

on rural development is the Rural Development

Framework, which was borne out of the no longer

active RDP. It highlights the RDP’s role as embodying

the commitment of government to the eradication of

poverty in a rapidly growing economy and in the

context of an open, peaceful and democratic society.

Policies must be orientated towards the provision of

basic needs, the development of human resources and

a growing economy, which contribute to the objective

of generating sustainable livelihoods in rural as well as

urban areas.

Growth, Employment and

Redistribution (GEAR) (1996)

The Growth, Employment and Redistribution

(GEAR) strategy took this perspective further,

pronouncing an economic reform programme directed

towards:

• a competitive fast-growing economy that

creates sufficient jobs for all job seekers;

• a redistribution of income opportunities in

favour of the poor;

• a society capable of ensuring that sound

health, education and other services are

available to all; and

• an environment in which homes are safe

and places of work are productive.

These principles went on to form the macro-economic

framework within which the Rural Development

Framework was drafted.

For rural areas, however, the challenge remains to

achieve their development objectives with limited

resources. This requires striking a balance between

basic service delivery on the one hand and on the

other, stimulating economic development that will help

to pay for these services.


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Integrated Sustainable Rural

Development Strategy (2000)

The Integrated Sustainable Rural Development

Strategy (ISRDS) provides a framework for rural

municipalities to attain socially cohesive and stable

communities with viable institutions, sustainable

economies and universal access to social amenities,

able to attract skilled and knowledgeable people, and

equipped to contribute to their own and the nation’s

growth and development.

The strategic intent of the ISRDS is to transform rural

South Africa into an economically viable, socially stable

and harmonious sector that makes a significant

contribution to the nation’s GDP.

A successful strategy to achieve integrated sustainable

rural development will reflect each of its three key

elements: i.e., integrated, sustainable, and rural

development.

The goals of integration, sustainability and

development are high on the Karoo Hoogland

Municipality’s agenda, but challenged by the distinct

development approaches that were pursued by the

individual towns. This is further challenged by the

need to rely on outside investment to prosper, as well

as integration with other municipalities and districts in

order to align development to related, and probably

stronger, regional initiatives elsewhere (e.g., along the

N1).

The focus on economic development activities,

primarily based on the tourism potential of the area, is

also a more viable approach to improve the money

supply into towns than to try to build the supply from

within. The challenge will be to source sufficient

capital to finance the capital projects, such as

museums and space, eco- or heritage tourism sites,

while financing the backlogs in basic services with

minimum allocations from government.

National Spatial Development

Perspective (2006)

The National Spatial Development Perspective

(NSDP) reflects on the need to address first that the

provision of basic services is a constitutional right and

that government spending should focus on localities of

economic growth and/or economic potential.

The NSDP’s five normative principles are:

1. Rapid economic growth that is sustained and

It is pertinent to point out that the document cites that

different regions have different economic potential and

the spatial variations in the incidence of poverty are

also vastly different. Hence, in areas of low or no

economic potential, the path of development and

poverty reduction should be through a focus on

investment in human capital development (education,

training, social welfare, sound rural development

planning, aggressive land and agrarian reform,


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NATIONAL LEVEL


inclusive is a pre-requisite for the achievement of

other policy objectives, along with poverty

alleviation is key.

2. Government has a constitutional obligation to

provide basic services to all citizens (e.g., water,

energy, health and educational facilities)

wherever they reside.

3. Beyond the constitutional obligation identified in

Principle 2 above, government spending on

fixed investment should be focused on

localities of economic growth and/or

economic potential in order to gear up

private sector investment, to stimulate

sustainable economic activities and to create

long-term employment opportunities.

4. Efforts to address past and current social

inequalities should focus on people, not places.

In localities where there are both high levels of

poverty and low demonstrated economic

potential, government should, beyond the

provision of basic services, concentrate primarily

on human capital development by providing

education and training, social transfers such as

grants and poverty-relief programmes. It should

also reduce migration costs by providing labour-

market intelligence to give people better

information, opportunities and capabilities to

enable them to gravitate, if they choose to, to

localities that are more likely to provide

sustainable employment and economic

expansion of agricultural extension services, etc.)

This suggests, however, that where agriculture is not

an economic driver of further development, but

primarily a stabiliser of existing development, such as

in the Karoo Hoogland area, the approach to

development must be even more differentiated to

include more creative ones focusing on the space

research and historical value of the settlements, but

which would also include such things as tarred and un-

tarred roads and the natural vegetation that is unique

to the more arid environment. It is interesting to note in

this context that the NSDP sees two spatial and

settlement patterns, (1) concentrated areas of high

economic growth, high population densities and high

levels of poverty; and (2) areas with low economic

growth, high population densities and high levels of

poverty.

This leaves from the definition vast geographic areas

that characterise municipalities like Karoo Hoogland

and that fit neither pattern, except on a micro-scale,

where no real urban centre exists, only agricultural or

tourism support towns that have no economic basis

other than to supply goods and labour to the

commercial entities that have no real roots in the

community itself.

In fact, throughout the document, areas in the west of

South Africa virtually do not feature at all in terms of


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NATIONAL LEVEL


opportunities.

5. In order to overcome the spatial distortions of

Apartheid, future settlement and economic

development opportunities should be channelled

into activity corridors and nodes that are

adjacent to or that link the main growth centres.

Infrastructure investment should primarily

support localities that will become major growth

nodes in South Africa and the SADC region to

create regional gateways to the global economy.

the development perspective.

Draft Regional Industrial

Development Strategy (RIDS)

2006

The main intentions of the draft RIDS is to:

1. help to achieve the national industrial

development objectives as set out in the NSDP

2. further the goals of the Accelerated and

Shared Growth Initiative of South Africa

(ASGISA)

3. conform to the principles of the Integrated

Manufacturing Strategy, the Microeconomic

Reform Strategy and the draft National

Industrial Policy Framework

4. enhance the capacities and potentials that

seek to address spatial constraints and

opportunities related to industrial development

in municipalities

5. conform to the principles of enterprise

development and Black Economic

Empowerment

6. conform to the government’s environmental

and other policies.

The implication of the draft RIDS it that it should:

1. Attempt to reduce economic disparities

between regions, addresses the needs of both

the first and the second economies and narrow

the gap between them.

2. pay attention to the needs of those regions

which are lagging behind the national norms,

3. enhance current regional strengths and lead

sectors of the economy

4. promote sustainable economic growth and

employment in provinces and municipalities

and

5. build regional competitive capacities and firm–

level support measures


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White Paper on Spatial

Planning and Land Use

Management (2001)

The White Paper on Spatial Planning and Land Use

Management (2001) is based on the general principles

of the DFA and attempts to cement the normative

approach to land use and planning.

• Sustainability – The principle requires the

sustainable management and use of resources

making up the natural and built environment.

• Equality – The principle requires that everyone

affected by spatial planning, land use

management and land development actions or

decisions must enjoy equal protection and

benefits.

• Efficiency – The principle requires the

development of land uses with the minimum

expenditure of resources by means of the

discouragement of urban sprawl through

densification policies to provide compact towns

and cities.

• Integration – The principle requires that the

separate and diverse elements involved in

development planning and land uses should be

combined and coordinated into a more

complete and harmonious whole. The

principle also calls for spatial integration and

corrections of historically distorted spatial

patterns.

The overall aim of the principles and norms is to

The inclusion of the Rural Spatial Development

Framework for Karoo Hoogland, with a direct legal link

to the land use management scheme, is an essential

step towards integrated and coordinated planning for

sustainable and equitable growth and development.


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achieve planning outcomes that:

• restructure spatially inefficient settlements;

• promote the sustainable use of the land

resources in the country;

• channel resources to areas of greatest need

and development potential, thereby redressing

the inequitable historical treatment of

marginalised areas;

• take into account the fiscal, institutional and

administrative capacities of role players, the

needs of communities and the environment;

• stimulate economic development opportunities

in rural and urban areas; and

• support an equitable protection of rights to and

in land.

Rural Transport Strategy for

South Africa (2007)

The strategy provides strategic direction and proposes

direct facilitating actions to address service delivery

priorities by developing the requisite planning and

implementation capacity in the provincial and local

spheres of government. The rural transport strategy

maps out sustainable programmes of action for the

short, medium and long term (i.e. up to 20 years), while

the National Land Transport Strategic Framework

(NLTSF) is only focused on the next five years (2006-

2011). The Rural Transport Strategy outlines the

government’s stated commitments and interventions to

uplifting the material conditions of rural communities

through the National Spatial Development Perspective

The rural transport interventions will be coordinated

with and will incorporate the objectives of the ISRDS

and Municipal IDP’s. This is thus a point of reference

for the Karoo Hoogland Municipality to ensure that its

roads form part of the overarching rural development

strategy in the region.


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NATIONAL LEVEL


(NSDP), Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP),

Joint Initiative for Priority Skills Acquisition (JIPSA) and

Accelerated Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa

(ASGISA). It also highlights the need to improve

transport efficiency and sustainability by way of policy,

institutional reform, capacity building and monitoring

within the ambit of the Integrated Sustainable Rural

Development Strategy (ISRDS).

NATPLAN

Comprehensive Rural

Development Programme

(2009)

The Comprehensive Rural Development Programme

(CRDP) is deemed “strategic priority number 3” within

the government’s current Medium Term Strategic

Framework. The strategic objective of the CRDP is to

facilitate integrated development and social cohesion

through participatory approaches in partnership with all

sectors of society. The vision of the CRDP is to create

vibrant, equitable and sustainable rural communities

with a view to contributing to the redistribution of 30%

of the country’s agricultural land; improving food

security of the rural poor; creation of business

opportunities, de-congesting and rehabilitation of over-

crowded former homeland areas; and expanding

opportunities for women, youth, people with disabilities

and older persons who stay in rural areas. Jacob Zuma

announced that the CRDP is “our national collective

strategy in our joint fight against poverty, hunger,

unemployment and lack of development in our rural

areas.” He said that over the medium term,

The CRDP holds perhaps the most promise for rural

areas in that it has clearly defined principles of

intervention and support from which areas like Karoo

Hoogland are eligible to benefit. The District

Municipalities that hold responsibility for the

development of the constituent Local Municipalities

need to play a strong role in facilitating access to the

CRDP. As and when budgets are in place and

allocations to rural municipalities are determined,

Districts such as Namakwa and Pixley ka Seme will

need to be ready with proposed plans and projects that

can utilise the funds according to the approved

activities and desired outcomes.


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NATIONAL LEVEL


“government has pledged over R2.6 billion in

conditional grants to provinces. This will be used for

agricultural infrastructure, training and advisory

services and marketing, and for upgrading agricultural

colleges.” “One of our priorities,” he said, “is to ensure

that land reform through redistribution and restitution,

is more coherently linked to the creation of livelihoods

for the poor.”

The Department of Rural Development will use

spatially targeted grants, such as the neighbourhood

development grant programme, to help support

revitalisation and development of rural towns.

Following this approach, it believes, will give more

impetus to making rural towns serve as service centres

of rural economies. As part of the overall strategy,

government will also support initiatives that promote

other forms of economic potential of rural areas

including tourism, light manufacturing and cultural

work. Various cultural activities such as traditional

music, arts and crafts and traditional sports can be

useful income generating activities in our rural areas

and should be harnessed. The first leg of the strategy

is to ensure that economic and social (infrastructure

development takes place in South Africa's rural

communities. This will be done through a proactive

strategy of upgrading infrastructure, some of which

would also serve as a tool of social transformation, by

providing roads, electricity, water and

telecommunications to support sustainable economic

development.


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NATIONAL LEVEL


The types of projects and priorities cited include, but

are not limited to the following:

• Agrarian transformation:

o livestock farming and related value

chain development (exploring all

possible species for food and

economic activity); and

o cropping and related value chain

development (exploring all possible

species, especially indigenous plants,

for food economic activity.

• Rural development:

o the establishment of business

initiatives, agro-industries,

cooperatives, cultural initiatives and

vibrant local markets in rural settings;

o the empowerment of rural

communities, especially women and

the youth, through facilitating and

mediating strong organisational and

institutional capabilities and abilities to

take full charge of their collective

destiny;

o capacity building initiatives, where

rural communities are trained in

technical skills, combining them with

indigenous knowledge to mitigate

community vulnerability to, especially

climate change, soil erosion, adverse


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NATIONAL LEVEL


weather conditions and natural

disasters, hunger and food insecurity;

and

o revitalisation and revamping of old,

and the creation of new economic,

social and information communication

infrastructure and public amenities and

facilities in villages and small rural

towns.

The Department of Rural Development and Land

Reform will act as an initiator, facilitator, coordinator

and catalyst in rural development interventions.

Projects must be undertaken in a manner consistent

with the integrated development plans, provincial

growth and development strategies, area-based plans

and other planning frameworks. Projects must be

undertaken within a participatory community-based

planning approach. Projects must be packaged and

coordinated at provincial level in consultation with local

level structures. Beneficiaries of the CRDS will be

stratified into five categories to target those with proven

interest and skills in farming so as to create

developmental pathways appropriate to different target

categories. The proposed categories are as follows:

• Category 1: Landless households – those who

have no space even for subsistence production

and seek land for small-scale subsistence

purposes, with or without settlement; including


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NATIONAL LEVEL


rights-based applicants such as farm dwellers.

• Category 2: Commercial-ready subsistence

producers – those who wish and are capable

of having a more commercial focus but need

land and support, mostly on part-time basis;

including rights-based applicants such as farm

dwellers.

• Category 3: Expanding commercial

smallholders – those who have already been

farming commercially at a small scale and with

aptitude to expand, but are constrained by land

and other resources.

• Category 4: Well-established black commercial

farmers – those who have been farming at a

reasonable scale, but are disadvantaged by

location and other circumstances, and with real

potential to become large-scale commercial

farmers.

• Category 5: Financially capable, aspirant black

commercial farmers – established

businesspeople who aspire to expand into

commercial agriculture and who by and large

will be part-time farmers.


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18.3 Alignment with provincial perspectives

PROVINCIAL LEVEL

Policy/Legislation/Strategies Description Implications

Provincial Growth and

Development Strategy, 2004-

2014

Plan 8: PGDS

Development Strategies

In terms of the PGDS, development in the Northern

Cape is focused on:

• Sector specific strategies defining where

public and private sector intervention is

necessary and justifiable;

• Key macro-level interventions and

support required from relevant national

line ministries to reinforce provincial

initiatives;

• Programme and project level

opportunities and interventions;

• A comprehensive provincial spatial

development framework and strategy;

• Leveraging adequate financial resources

to finance growth and development;

• Identifying appropriate institutional

delivery mechanisms; and

• Monitoring and evaluation systems and

procedures.

The hierarchy includes:

Established Growth Centres, which are regarded

as major established growth centres located in the

In the case of the Karoo Hoogland Local Municipality,

what is particularly striking and relevant in terms of

the PGDS is the recognition that the region does

contain a development node of importance, but it is

also a region that requires stabilization of its resource

base to serve the existing population and to provide

for the best possible basic services, given the limited

resources. It recognizes, too, that finance for

development is limited, but that areas like Karoo

Hoogland should take advantage of those institutional

support mechanisms that it can access on its own

merits. In addition, the PGDS suggests that the

private sector, and to a limited extent, the donor

community, should be lobbied to bring development

funds to these marginalized areas.

While the PGDS defines corridors according to

existing paved, national routes, there is no mention of

the minor routes, some of which are paved and

others that are still gravel but providing sometimes

the only access to towns that have economic

potential in their own right, e.g., Sutherland. In the

case of the Karoo Hoogland Municipality, its main

towns lie on no real important corridors, other than

the minor one leading from Calvinia to Carnarvon and

then to nowhere significant, and the route to

Sutherland. In order to develop an integrated


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PROVINCIAL LEVEL


Kimberley-Postmasburg sub-region and which are

likely to remain the main-economic driving force in

the province for the foreseeable future. These areas

also represent a major reception area for rural to

urban migrants but often this influx exceeds formal

sector growth rates resulting in an increasing number

of people seeking livelihoods in the informal sector.

Most notably for areas such as this, the growth in

population often exceeds the rate of growth in service

provision raising backlogs in these areas, as opposed

to an area like Karoo Hoogland, which suffers

backlogs for lack of resources and capacity to deliver.

Emerging Growth Centres are primarily those areas

around Upington and Springbok where agriculture

and mining have been the sources of new economic

growth. A key strategic issue here is how to maintain

growth in the face of downscaling of mining in the

Springbok vicinity and the deteriorating contribution of

the export grape industry around Upington. The

report finds that there may be a significant rural-urban

shift with some stepwise (onward and outward)

migration to other major centres both inside and

outside the province. This will place a greater

demand for services on local authorities that will have

to consider more explicitly the spatial distribution of

service provision.

Stagnating Small Towns, which are mainly in the

Karoo and Namaqua Districts where the erosion of

approach to the municipal area, it may be worth

considering connecting roads that may lead to a

tourism strategy linked to the mutual histories of the

towns; on the other hand, it may be that the municipal

area is too disconnected to attempt such an

association and better to have different development

approaches to each town.

The Sutherland development potential is large

compared to the other towns, given the existence of

the telescope and related activities. For towns like

Williston and Fraserburg, to fund development, the

province suggests that alternative sources may be

available through other means, which through aligned

and strategic approaches should result in funding not

directly available from the Province. The PGDS does

however note that the major portion of national

government transfers to the province takes the form

of an “equitable share,” which provinces may use at

their discretion in accordance with their constitutional

obligations. Thus, Karoo Hoogland may still want to

petition the Province to redirect funds to its area to

promote development. Otherwise, the region may

want to consider other sources of funding.

Karoo Hoogland should look to other revenue

generating activities to supplement its income. Since

the existing population in the municipal area is

primarily poor and under-resourced, this alternative

source of income would probably be best raised from


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PROVINCIAL LEVEL


the economic base of the area has resulted in severe

contraction of the local economies. These areas

have been the source of out-migration to other

centres in the Northern Cape and other parts of

South Africa. Interestingly, the report points out that

a significant number of people continue to reside in

these towns and typically these populations have

shown an increasing dependence on remittances and

social grants. Levels of affordability for services have

been falling threatening the sustainability of local

government structures and systems. This will

inevitably force a consideration of the options on the

part of government in so far as a future level of

service provision is concerned

Land Reform Areas, which have resulted from land

restitution and land re-distribution cases that have

been settled where people have moved back onto

ancestral and other land. In addition, land tenure and

ownership arrangements have changed in the former

Act 9 areas. In most cases, this has led to the need

to provide services in previously under or non-

serviced areas. From a spatial development

perspective the locality of these areas will be a critical

determinant of their future viability. Most of them are

in areas in relatively close proximity to the Kimberley-

Postmasburg and Upington areas. In as much as this

provides proximity to economic activity, this is

beneficial. However, in many cases the economic

potential of the land in question is inadequate as a

outside. This can come through a form of levy on

tourism activities, tolls, or other fund-raising initiatives

that can help to bring both attention to the

development needs of the area, as well as generating

more interest in the activities surrounding or internal

to the towns.

The document, however, points to the area along the

west coast between Alexander Bay and Hondeklip

Bay, where it sees significant potential for mariculture

and related industry development, based on the

adjacent marine resource. The area is also the

location of the Ibhubesi natural gas field, which, if

exploited, could be landed on-shore in the Northern

Cape either for transport by pipeline to the Western

Cape and/or Gauteng as part of the development of a

national gas grid.

The PGDS notes another special resource area along

the Orange River, where it views the expansion of

irrigated agricultural production possible, based on

new water allocations. A third special resource area

are the small number of major eco-tourism and

conservation initiatives around the Kgalagadi

Transfrontier Park, the Ai Ais-Richtersveld

Transfrontier Park, the Bushmanland Conservation

Initiative, and the expanded Namaqua National Park

and adjacent Marine Protected Area.


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PROVINCIAL LEVEL


source of economic livelihoods and this will have to

be addressed in any consideration of future

infrastructure investment and development

expenditure.

Development Corridors and Special Resource

Areas. Within the province, the PGDS identifies four

discernible development/transport corridors. First, is

the corridor from Springbok through Upington to

Kimberley (and the Free State and Gauteng), which

links the major economic centres in the province. The

second corridor links Namibia to Upington, passing

through De Aar to the Eastern Cape. The third

corridor links Gauteng through the North West

province to Kimberley and Cape Town. A fourth

corridor links Cape Town through Springbok in

Namaqualand to Namibia and potentially Angola.

While these corridors are regarded as vital lifelines

from a transport perspective, the PGDS regards each

area as having relatively high economic development

potential, which it feels could benefit the region

enormously in terms of their proximity to established

related transport infrastructure, e.g., airports and rail

lines.

Western Cape Provincial Growth

and Development Strategy

(Plan 9: Western Cape PGDS)

The Western Cape Provincial Growth and

Development Strategy identifies four spatial

components which are key areas of economic and

growth opportunity in the province:

1. Regional nodes – Saldanha/Vredenburg and

The WCPGDS holds little economic prospects for

Karoo Hoogland Municipality, other than the N1

highway passing the Municipality in the south, being

the main link between Cape Town and Sutherland.


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PROVINCIAL LEVEL


Southern Cape

2. Regional development corridors:

- Minor Regional Development Corridor

Olifants River Valley

- Major Regional Development Corridor

Breede River Valley

3. Regional transport corridors:

- R27 and N7

4. Leader Towns

The PGDS further indentifies 5 different investment

categories for the towns in the province based on

growth potential (to ensure high leverage for

expenditure) and need (to ensure greatest social

benefit including:

Town Investment - High development potential

and low need

Betty’s Bay, Bredasdorp, Brenton-on-Sea, Caledon,

Franskraal, Groot Brak River, Hawston, Herold’s Bay,

Jacobsbaai, Jamestown, Keurbooms River,

Kylemore, Langebaan, Malmesbury and

Moorreesburg

Social investment - Low need and high

development potential

Bitterfontein, Bot River, Calitzdorp, Clanwilliam, De

Doorns, De Rust, Doringbaai, Dysselsdorp,


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PROVINCIAL LEVEL


Eendekuil, Elandsbaai, Friemersheim, Genadendal,

Goedverwacht, Gouda, Graafwater

Social and town investment -High development

potential and high need

Cape Town, Ashton, Beaufort West, Ceres, Elim,

Franschhoek, Gansbaai

George, Grabouw, Hermanus, Kalbaskraal,

Klapmuts, Knysna, Oudtshoorn, Paarl, Plettenberg

Bay

Leader Towns - Highest growth potential

Cape Town, Beaufort West, George, Hermanus,

Knysna, Malmesbury, Mossel Bay, Oudtshoorn,

Paarl, Stellenbosch, Swellendam, Vredenburg,

Saldanha, Vredendal, Wellington, Worcester

Minimal Investment - Low development potential and

low need

Agulhas/Struisbaai, Albertinia, Arniston, Aurora,

Barrydale, Bonnievale, Buffelsbaai, Citrusdal, Darling,

Dwarskersbos, Ebenhaeser, Gouritsmond, Greyton,

Hopefield, Jongensfontein

Provincial Land Transport

Framework Final Draft, 2003

In the document it says that, “embedded in the

national and provincial programme on sustainable

rural development and urban is a call for our

department to respond accordingly. In responding

we must effectively address the following needs of

our people:

Again, this does not address the Karoo Hoogland Municipality and its development needs, which will rely, in the future, on the state of the access roads and inter-leaders that run through or to the towns, which are “turn-offs” from the key route between Cape Town and Johannesburg. Interestingly, it points to the need for land strategies in the Spatial


80

PROVINCIAL LEVEL


• rural land transport;

• accessibility of communities;

• empowerment of the historically

disadvantaged;

• road safety;

• improving the services provided by the taxi

industry;

• supporting private entities;

• ensuring interaction with stakeholders.

At present, the Provincial Spatial Framework is being

compiled. The framework will focus on Development

areas in existing towns and the agricultural areas as

follows:

• agricultural development along the Vaal and

Orange Rivers;

• infrastructure for fishing activities along the

Port Nolloth coast;

• mining activities in the Kgalagadi District

Municipality; and

• game farming in the area of the Van der Kloof

Dam, Phillipstown, Colesberg and

Norvalspont.

Framework to be described in terms of projects and schedules for the various economic sectors (e.g. Infrastructure, Services, Education, Housing, Health etc). It states that in this way the spatial framework will become a list of projects and budgets linked to budgets for timeous implementation at the local or provincial level. Only with inputs from the local transport planning process, can the integration of transport and land use planning be enhanced. The Karoo Hoogland Municipality should direct attention to the key roads within its boundaries and the need to develop these in the interest of creating local economic development opportunities for its population.


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18.4 Alignment with district development perspectives

DISTRICT LEVEL

Policy/Legislation

/Strategies Description Implications

Namakwa District

Municipality Local

Economic

Development

Strategy (2009)

Following from the PGDS is the Namakwa District Municipality

Local Economic Development Strategy (2009), which is a

comprehensive plan (216 pages) relating to the opportunities for

development in the District, focusing on the region’s comparative

advantages and the need to adopt strategies that can maximize

the benefits for the citizens of the District.

The SWOT analysis shows potential for energy production,

diamond mining and beneficiation, scientific research and

development, particularly in the fields of biodiversity and astronomy

(star gazing) and tourism and conservation initiatives. Value-chain

development in the mining, mariculture, research and development

and tourism industries can be used to expand productivity within

the district. Projects that it felt may be developed in the District

include:

• Agricultural potential projects:

o hoodia farming and processing (manufacturing);

o expansion of mariculture projects;

o hydroponic production (Orange River area);

o organic farming production (Orange River area);

o skills, facilities and service provision for small

emerging farmers (CASP/LRAD); and

o Working-for-Water bi-products (e.g. charcoal,

biomass).

• Mining potential projects:

o One-Stop Mining Centre;

In the main, however, the document has very little to say for

marginalised towns such as Williston and Fraserburg, with a limited

focus on developments that can realistically take place within the

region’s space.

Very few of these projects are relevant to the Karoo Hoogland

Local Municipality, which again speaks to the need for the

Municipality to focus on (a) basic service delivery, and (b)

economic development through other means, either outside

funding of development activities or encouraging more focus on the

tourism traffic that may flow from leader routes from other areas,

like the N1 and other cross-route channels.


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DISTRICT LEVEL

Policy/Legislation


o copper beneficiation and products

(manufacturing); and

o diamond cutting and polishing.

• Manufacturing:

o recycling depot(s); and

o manufacturing linked to mining, agro-tourism,

energy and space opportunities.

• Tourism potential projects:

o cultural villages and events – N7 Tourism Hub

(north/south);

o techno-tourism (space, energy);

o eco-tourism;

o flower mapping (can link with biodiversity

research); and

o Tourism Skills Institute.

• Transport and Communication potential projects:

o upgrade of roads ; and

o increase in transport services in NDM.

• Energy Production:

o Wind

o Solar

o Natural Gas

o Wave

o Biogas


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DISTRICT LEVEL

Policy/Legislation


Namakwa Integrated

Development Plan

(2006-2011)

Plan: District

Development

Strategy

The Namakwa strategy is based on national policies, such as the

National Spatial Development Plan and the Regional Industrial

Development Strategy, and was further guided by the Northern

Cape Provincial Growth and Development Strategy. Consultation

with stakeholders at all levels resulted in two very distinct

development possibilities:

1. The Namakwa District is the only district in the Northern

Cape with a major stretch of coastline for development;

2. The Orange River presents the District with unique

development potential and this needs to be fully exploited.

The main strategic intervention areas identified for the Namakwa

District were:

• improve economic development.

• maintain and upgrade road infrastructure.

• improve service delivery in terms of housing, water,

sanitation, electricity.

• ensure financially viable municipalities.

The following long term development targets were set for the

Namakwa District:

• to construct a dam in the lower Orange River before 2014;

• to establish and implement an operational Mariculture Park

before 2010;

• to increase road maintenance funding and implementation

of a structured Road Maintenance Plan before 2010; and

• to develop the human potential through a Training-

The following two key performance areas have a spatial dimension

and therefore considered applicable:

1. Basic Service Delivery and Infrastructure:

• Maintenance and upgrading of existing road infrastructure.

• Plan and improve bulk water supply to municipal areas

(Hantam, Kamiesberg, and Richtersveld).

• Housing – unlock projects and addressing existing

backlog.

• Eradication of the bucket system at the end of 2007.

• Upgrading and maintenance of existing municipal

infrastructure.

2. Local Economic Development:

• Identification of mega development projects and

implementation thereof.

• Implementation of project identified in the PGDS/ASGI-SA.

• Beneficiation of raw minerals products.

• Development of West Coast gas fields and coast line.

• Mari culture expansion.

• Maximum utilisation of the Orange River (e.g. dam, water

rights).

• SKA (square kilometre array)/DSNA.


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DISTRICT LEVEL

Policy/Legislation


Retaining Plan before 2010.

Namakwa Growth &

Development

Strategy, 2009

The Namakwa District Growth and Development Strategy emerged

from a Presidential Directive (2007) asking each of the 52 District

municipalities to develop such a strategy. This pronouncement

was made against the backdrop of issues identified through

ASGISA, which pointed to the need for increasing the levels of

growth, investment, job creation and people-centred development.

The NDGDS focuses on the following sectors for development:

1. Tourism

a. Unique geography and vegetation

b. Eco-tourism

c. Adventure tourism

d. Mining tourism

e. Stargazing and astronomy

f. Coastal tourism

g. Cultural tourism

2. Fishing and Mariculture

a. Rejuvenating the fishing industry

b. Promoting mariculture as an industry

3. Manufacturing strategy

a. Implementing a strategy in line with the RIDP

b. Producing input to the mining and agricultural

industries

c. Mineral beneficiation

d. Mariculture Park

e. Agro-processing

f. SME development

g. Financial support to SMEs

h. Finding solutions to making finance more

accessible to SMEs by working with banks

i. Developing a local Enterprise Development Fund

j. Promoting non-financial support mechanisms for

SMEs

k. Developing incubators


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DISTRICT LEVEL

Policy/Legislation


l. Working more closely with SEDA

m. Developing business skills and access to training

4. Agriculture Strategy

a. Transfer 30% of agricultural land to BEE farmers

b. Involve 30 upcoming farmers in the

Comprehensive Agriculture Support Programme

(CASP)

c. Arrange a land-care workshop in the region

d. Promote an integrated food security programme

5. Energy Strategy

a. Wind energy programme

b. Nuclear energy and gas developments

6. Safety and Liaison Strategy

a. Deal with crime and community safety

7. ICT Strategy

a. Develop a BPO sector strategy

b. Improve ICT as an enabler for business

development in the region

c. Promote “e-government”

8. Social Sector Strategy

18.5 Alignment with local development perspectives

LOCAL LEVEL

Policy/Legislation


Alignment with

Surrounding

Due to the location of the Municipality adjacent to Kareeberg and

the potential spill-over from tourism from that Municipality’s visitors


86

LOCAL LEVEL

Policy/Legislation


Municipalities to the telescope, (where tourists may wish to continue north after

visiting the Sutherland telescope or SKA development), there may

be a need to develop the Spatial Plan with a view to promoting a

northward passage to Upington along roads passing through

Kareeberg (which would require tarring).

To a more limited extent, the Municipality could be linked to Kai

Garib in the Siyanda District due to the R27 route to Upington from

Cape Town. Planning to develop the route from a tourism

perspective may be very advantageous for Karoo Hoogland.


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18.6 Other initiatives

18.6.1 Square Kilometre Array (SKA)

The Karoo Array Telescope (MeerKAT) project involves the construction of a world-class radio telescope, which is being built by the Department of Science and Technology and the National Research Foundation near the towns of Carnarvon and Williston. The construction of the SKA is expected to cost about 1.5 billion Euros. The operations and maintenance of a large telescope normally cost about 10% of the capital costs per year. This means the international SKA consortium, if approved, will be spending approximately 100 to 150 million Euros per year on the telescope. It is expected that a significant portion of the capital, operations and maintenance costs would be spent in the host country, but not necessarily in Karoo Hoogland.

South Africa's Astronomy Geographic Advantage Act (2007) declares the entire Northern Cape

Province, with the exception of the Sol Plaatje Municipality (Kimberley) as an astronomy

advantage area. Within that, an area of 12.5 million hectares is the main protected area - or

radio astronomy reserve - for the SKA. This area is also referred to as the Karoo Central

Astronomy Advantage Area.

Other benefits of the proposed SKA South Africa site include:

• low levels of radio frequency interference and certainty of future radio quiet zone; • very little light pollution; • basic infrastructure of roads, electricity and communication in place; • ideal geographical location, sky coverage and topography; • safe and stable area with very few people and no conflicting economic activities; • required land, labour and services available and very affordable; • excellent academic infrastructure to support SKA science and technology; and • the astronomical "richness" of the southern skies and strong tradition of astronomy.

Hosting the SKA in South Africa will boost the development of high level skills and cutting edge

technology infrastructure in Africa, and will also attract expertise and collaborative projects to

the continent. In contrast, however, the limitations for development in terms of the area declared

an advantage area could have long-term implications for the region. In particular, concerns may

be raised later where light, population density, etc., may outstrip that of the SKA requirements.

Clarity around the kind of academic infrastructure required to support SKA science and

technology would also need to be unpacked and understood in terms of the local population’s

access to this education and how this will be facilitated at a provincial or national government

level, wherever such education or training may take place. Certainly, the local population,

through a proper academic selection process, should have first right of reservation of those

academic opportunities.


88

18.6.2 SKA Development implications

Once an area has been declared an astronomy advantage area, measures for protection from

detrimental radio interference will be applied as provided in the regulations. Protection levels

shall be enforced on any new radio frequency service operating within specific frequency ranges

and existing radio frequency services with the proviso that concessions may be granted.

The implementation of protection will be carried out in two phases:

1. Existing transmissions need to be authorised by the management authority, including

any existing new requirements for transmission or upgrading.

2. An ongoing process to deal with new requirements and upgrading of radio frequency.

Karoo Core Radio Astronomy Advantage Areas Regulations

1. Radio communications with transmitters located within the Karoo Core Radio Astronomy

Advantage area which operate within the frequency band from 70 MHz to 25.5 GHz are

declared activities that may only be undertaken as prescribed in these regulations.

2. No fixed transmitting stations operation within the frequency spectrum from 70 MHz to

25.5 GHz maybe located in the Karoo Core Radio Advantage Area.

3. Any existing transmitter stations operating within the frequency spectrum from 70 MHZ

to 25GHz within the Karoo Core Radio Advantage Area will have to be relocated to a

location outside the Karoo Core Radio Astronomy Advantage Area.

Karoo Central Radio Astronomy Advantage Areas Regulations

1. Radio communications with transmitters located within the Karoo Core Radio Astronomy

Advantage area which operate within the frequency band from 70 MHz to 25.5 GHz are

declared activities that may only be undertaken as prescribed in these regulations.

2. Frequency bands within the radio astronomy band from 70 MHz to 25.5 GHz to be

authorised for radio communication within the Karoo Central Radio Astronomy

Advantage Area will be determined by the management authority in consultation with the

entities involved according to prescribed procedures.

3. The geographical extent of the Karoo Central Radio Astronomy areas are defined in the

declaration are the areas beyond the declared Karoo Core Radio Astronomy Advantage

Area and within the outer boundaries of the areas referred to as Karoo Central Radio

Astronomy Areas 1, 2 and 3: (See Plan 11: Square Kilometer Array)

� Karoo Central Astronomy Radio Astronomy area 1 shall apply to the frequency band

70 to 1710 MHZ.


1710 to 6000 MHZ.


6000 MHz to 25.5 GHZ.


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Karoo Coordinated Radio Astronomy Advantage Areas Regulations

1. Radio communications with transmitters located within the Karoo Coordinated Radio

Astronomy Advantage area which operate within the frequency band from 70 MHz to

6000 MHz are declared activities that may only be undertaken as prescribed in these

regulations.

2. The geographical extent of the Karoo Coordinated Radio Astronomy Advantage areas

are defined in the declaration and are the areas:

� Between Karoo Central Radio Astronomy area 1 outer boundary and Karoo Central

Radio Astronomy area 1 outer boundary for the frequency band from 70 to 1710 MHz

and for transmissions with an effective radiated power exceeding 60dBm.

� Between Karoo Central Radio Astronomy area 2 outer boundary and the borders of

the Northern Cape, excluding Sol Plaatje, for the frequency band from 1710 to 6000

MHz and for transmissions with an effective radiated power exceeding 60dBm.

18.6.3 South African Large Telescope (S.A.L.T) Development Implications

Once an area has been declared an astronomy advantage area for the purpose of optical

astronomy and related scientific endeavours, it will be protected from detrimental optical

interference.

Core Optical Astronomy Advantage Areas

1. Astronomical Activities on the site and adjacent areas within 3 kilometres radius are

controlled by the operating institution, with the adjacent area covered by cooperative

agreements.

2. Activities of those admitted to the site will e under the control of the management

authority in coordination with the operating institution, these activities shall include but

not be limited to-

(a) Light emissions

(b) Any activity that produces dust, smoke or equivalent pollution s may be determined

by the management authority.

3. For the protection of optical astronomy, no additional outdoor lighting may be may be

installed in the core astronomy advantage area without the permission of the

management authority in coordination with the operating institution.

4. Monitoring of sky brightness and transparency will be carried out on the observing

plateau of the site, using the 0.5m telescope and photometer and a standard telescope

provided through the International Dark-sky Association

Central Optical Astronomy Advantage Areas

1. All developments including industrial, domestic, sporting, cultural and tourism shall be

subject to standards determined by the management authority to assess potential impact

on the observing conditions at the core site.


90

2. All new outdoor light fittings and fixtures to be converted to lower power, full cut-off

devices so as to minimise night sky pollution.

3. The lighting should not permit more than 0.8% of the total flux to be emitted in the upper

hemisphere for illuminations less than 15000 lumens.

4. Outdoor light fixtures or arrays of light fixtures, emitting more than 80 lumens should not

emit more than 0.8% of the total flux in the upper hemisphere.

5. Lighting should be low pressure sodium.

6. Conversion of existing outdoor lighting facilities will be coordinated with the management

authority through the relevant municipalities.

7. Open cast mining is prohibited.

8. Other mining and constructing activities shall be agreed to with the management

authority after the receipt of assessment.

9. All outdoor light fittings and fixtures to be converted to full cut off devices conforming in

the case of street lighting to illumination levels higher than those specified by SANA

10998-1, so as to minimise night sky pollution.

Coordinated Optical Astronomy Advantage Areas

1. Municipalities shall develop plans to reduce lighting by moving to lower power, high

efficiency public lighting with lower impact on sky brightness.

2. Municipalities shall develop plans to minimise external sporting, cultural and advertising

lighting by using the full cut off fixtures. Billboards and structures may not be lit from

below if more than 5% of the light will reach the sky.

3. The management authority and Municipality shall develop regulations requiring

commercial and security lighting to use cut-off fixtures, in cooperation with the

management authority.

4. The management authority and municipalities shall develop regulations requiring

commercial and security lighting to use cut-off fixtures, in cooperation with the

management authority.

5. The management authority and municipalities shall develop plans to minimise large

scale dust and smoke pollution that might reach the Sutherland Core Optical Astronomy

Advantage Area.

18.6.4 Succulent Karoo Ecosystem Programme (SKEP)

The purpose of the Karoo Succulent Ecosystem Programme (SKEP) is to provide guidelines for

the conservation of the biome known as the Succulent Karoo. This biome covers approximately

116 000 km² and stretches from the south-west to the north-west of South Africa and southern

Namibia. It is considered an international biodiversity hotspot, comprising a diverse range of

flora, reptiles and invertebrates, many of which are endemic to the region. However, only 3.5%

of this biome falls under formal conservation areas and there is pressure on the environment

from humans in the form of mining, crop agriculture, ostrich farming, overgrazing, illegal

collection of fauna and flora, and climate change. In response to these threats, the SKEP

programme was developed.


91

One of the outcomes of the programme was the delineation of nine geographic priority areas

within the Succulent Karoo biome. The delineation process undertaken was as follows, ”These

areas were delimited based on agglomerations of high irreplaceability planning units (few

conservation options), medium to high land-use pressures, and the incorporation of spatial

components of key ecological processes. Where the priority areas bordered one another the

boundaries were defined on the basis of biotic discontinuities, e.g. fundamental differences

between the biota of the sandy coastal plain compared to the granite Namaqualand uplands.

Within each of these geographic priority areas, finer scale conservation planning will be required

to guide local land-use planning and decision-making and for reserve design.”

These 9 geographic regions are listed as follows: (Plan 12: SKEP)

1. Bushmanland Inselbergs

3. Central Breede Valley

4. Central Little Karoo

5. Central Namaqualand Coast

6. Greater Richtersveld

7. Bokkeveld-Hantam-Roggeveld

8. Knersvlaktes

9. Namaqua Uplands

10. Sperrgebiet

A portion of the Karoo Hoogland is covered by the Bokkeveld-Hantam-Roggeveld geographic

priority area and must be considered in terms of planning and conservation initiatives.

18.6.5 Namakwa District Biodiversity Sector Plan

It is important to ensure that long term environmental sustainability is promoted through the

planning process. The biodiversity principle and land use guidelines proposed for Karoo

Hoogland in terms of the Namakwa District Biodiversity Sector Plan 2008 are therefore

supported with regard to long term sustainable planning (Plan 13: Regional Critical

Biodiversity Areas).

The Biodiversity Sector Plan, 2008 identifies Critical Biodiversity Areas (CBA’s) in terms of the

landscapes terrestrial and aquatic features that are critical for retaining biodiversity. The

categories and recommended land use activities are briefly discussed hereunder. (Plan 14:

Critical Biodiversity Areas)

At present, these are broad advisory statements to guide planners and provide better informed

Spatial Development Frameworks and Integrated Development Plans. The situation on the

grounds should still be verified by an ecologist before a decision on land use is taken.


92

Table 10: Critical Biodiversity Areas Land Use Category

Biodiversity criteria Land Management Objective Recommended appropriate land use

PA: Protected Areas

1. Protected areas (PA's) are recognised entities in the Protected Areas Act and include South African National Parks, Northern Cape Provincial Nature Reserves and Municipal Reserves.

2. Conservation areas (CA’s) are not recognised in the Protected Areas Act (e.g. conservancies, private nature reserves).

1. Natural landscapes to be managed in order to maintain their natural state with limited or no biodiversity loss.

1. Conserve landscapes where biodiversity conservation is a primary management objective.

2. Protected Areas: - PA’s to be managed as such with

a management plan, a designated management authority and appropriate management resources such as budget and staff.

- Private land preferably to be designated in some way e.g. stewardship agreements with audited management plan.

3. Livestock: - Preferably no livestock grazing.

Grazing by indigenous ungulates permitted.

4. Tourism: - Suitable for tourism development

subject to EIA and provided impact area does not fall into the CBA1 category.

5. Other: - Strictly no mining, agricultural or

urban development. Hard development is permitted within protected areas subject to an EIA and impact area does not fall within a CBA1 area.

- Suitable for scientific research, religious ceremonies and environmental education.

- Priority areas for restoration and rehabilitation.

CBA1: Irreplaceable Sites Any area that is irreplaceable in terms of meeting biodiversity pattern targets. i.e. if these areas are not retained in a natural state then conservation targets will not be met. These are core biodiversity areas either with the highest biodiversity value (species richness, endemism, unique habitats, etc.) or areas that

Terrestrial CBA’s: 1. Critical Vegetation Types:

ecosystem status – critically endangered ecosystems.

2. Critical Terrestrial Habitats: experts areas.

3. Irreplaceable Sites: Bokkeveld Cape fine-scale plan.

4. Critical sites for species.

Aquatic CBA’s: 1. Critical Aquatic Habitats (fine-

scale assessment): Bokkeveld critical wetlands and rivers.

2. Critical Aquatic Habitats (fine-scale assessment): Lower Orange River experts areas.

3. Critical Aquatic Habitats (fine-scale assessment): Kamiesberg wetland study.

1. Natural landscapes are to be managed to maintain in a natural state with biodiversity loss.

1. Conservation landscape with potential multiple uses where biodiversity conservation is one of the primary management objectives.

2. Protected Areas: - Suitable and a priority for statutory

protected area development. - Private land preferably to be

designated in some way e.g. stewardship agreements with audited management plan.

3. Livestock: - No permanent livestock grazing.

Seasonal grazing permissible. - Strictly no kraals, stock posts or

artificial water points. - Maintain stock within

recommended stocking rates. - Adopt and implement the Grazing

Management Guidelines developed for the NDM.

4. Tourism: - No large scale or intensive tourism

development or construction of permanent tourism infrastructure.

- Suitable for scientific research. 5. No biodiversity offsets possible for

developments that result in the transformation of natural habitat (e.g. cropping and mining) irrespective of


93

Land Use Category


have been so transformed to other land uses (mining and croplands) that all of what remains is required to meet conservation targets. The most important areas for biodiversity conservation in the Municipality.

anticipated restoration success. 6. Priority areas for restoration and

rehabilitation.

CBA2: Important Areas Other areas known to be of high biodiversity value. Important areas for ecological processes and climate change adaptation.

Terrestrial CBA’s: 1. Critical Vegetation Types:

Ecosystem Status – Endangered and Vulnerable Ecosystems.

2. Important Terrestrial Habitats: Quartz Patches.

3. Important Terrestrial Habitats: South facing slopes.

4. Important Terrestrial Habitats: Kloofs.

5. Important Terrestrial Habitats: Riverine Rabbit.

6. Important Terrestrial Habitats: Experts Areas.

Aquatic CBA’s: 1. Important Aquatic Habitats (fine-

scale assessment): Lower Orange River Experts Areas.

2. Important Aquatic Habitats (fine-scale assessment): Kamiesberg wetland study.

1. To be managed to maintain near natural landscapes with some loss in ecosystem integrity and functioning.

1. Multi use landscapes where biodiversity conservation is preferred but is not the only land use activity.

2. Biodiversity compatible land uses strongly encouraged and industries encouraged to adopt and implement industry accepted biodiversity management plans.

3. Protected Areas: - Suitable and a priority for statutory

protected area development. - Private land preferably to be

designated in some way e.g. stewardship agreements with audited management plan.

4. Livestock: - Stock farming permissible. - Adopt and implement the Grazing

Management. Guidelines developed for the NDM.

5. Tourism: - No large scale or intensive tourism

development or construction of permanent tourism infrastructure.

- Suitable for low impact recreation tourism and construction of temporary infrastructure, subject to an EIA.

6. Other: - Suitable for scientific research,

religious ceremonies, environmental education.

- Restrict further expansion of surface-mining, agricultural crops and urban development – i.e. avoid further loss of natural habitat and where possible utilise existing transformed or degraded areas for hard developments.

7. Biodiversity offsets required where development impacts on land management objective.

ESA: Ecological Support Areas Areas meeting ecological

1. Biodiversity Corridors 2. Richtersveld Springs 3. Kamiesberg wetland buffer areas 4. Bokkeveld critical wetland and

river buffers 5. Wilderness areas (not included)

1. To be managed to maintain near natural landscapes with minimal loss in ecosystem integrity and functionality.

1. Multi use landscapes where land-use management focuses on maintaining connectivity within the natural landscape.

2. Biodiversity compatible land uses strongly encouraged and industries


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Land Use Category


process targets or achieving biodiversity persistence objectives. Areas not explicitly targeted for biodiversity pattern or process, but that support key resources (e.g. water) or features in the landscape whose basic structure and ecological function require protection such as large areas with no permanent human structures (roads, housing etc.), away from stock posts for maintaining large-scale ecological processes such as free ranging wildlife.

2. Spatially explicit corridors must be managed to maintain function and structure, especially for aquatic systems.

3. To be managed to maintain near natural landscapes with minimal loss in ecosystem integrity and functionality.

4. Buffers to be managed to limit transformation, with particular emphasis on maintaining ecological processes that require large areas.

encouraged to adopt and implement industry accepted biodiversity management plans

3. Protected Areas: - Priority areas for the promotion of

stewardship. 4. Livestock:

- Stock farming permissible. - Adopt and implement the Grazing

Management Guidelines developed for the NDM.

5. Tourism: - Suitable for tourism development.

6. Other: - Suitable for scientific research,

religious ceremonies, environmental education.

- Where possible, restrict further expansion of surface mining, agricultural crops and urban development – i.e. avoid further loss of natural habitat and where possible utilise existing transformed or degraded areas for hard developments.

7. Biodiversity offsets are required where development impacts on land management objectives.

ONA: Other Natural Areas All remaining natural areas containing vulnerable and least threatened vegetation.

1. All remaining natural vegetation. 1. Functional landscapes: manage land to maintain basic ecosystem processes despite expecting significant loss in natural vegetation cover.

2. Biodiversity maintain in critical patches and ecosystem corridors.

3. Management guidelines are dependent on specific features such as vegetation type status and special species or habitats. These are often protected by specific legislation such as that relating to the maintenance of riparian buffers.

1. Production landscapes where land use management focuses on maintaining connectivity within the natural landscape.

2. Biodiversity compatible land uses strongly encouraged and industries encouraged to adopt and implement industry acceptable biodiversity management plans.

3. Livestock production should adopt and implement “Grazing Guidelines” development for the NDM.

4. Development of extensive tourism facilities (e.g. visitor’s centres, villages).

5. Transformation by mining, agricultural or urban development conditionally allowed subject to EIA.

6. Developments do not necessarily require biodiversity offsets.


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19 Spatial analysis and implication

19.1 Regional context

From a regional perspective Karoo Hoogland is located in the southern part of the Northern

Cape and is bordered by the Western Cape Province on its southern borders. To the north it

abuts the Hantam municipal area. It is far removed from large economic centres and metropoles

as shown in the table below:

Table 11: Regional Context

Urban Centres Distance from Williston

(approximate)

Main centres

Springbok 416 km

Upington 385 km

Kimberley 563 km

Metropoles

Cape Town 447 km

Johannesburg 1050 km

Pretoria 1099 km

Other towns

Fraserburg 98 km

Sutherland 144 km

Calvinia 129 km

Beaufort West 235 km

Laingsburg 266 km

(Source: www.saexplorer.co.za/south-africa/distance/travel_distance_calculator.asp)

The towns of Karoo Hoogland are fairly isolated from other major centres that offer a larger

variety of functions and services such as Upington and Springbok. Kimberley is the capital and

government seat of the Northern Cape Province and is located approximately 563 km from

Williston (See Plan 15: Regional Linkages).

• Karoo Hoogland has no existing airport facilities. The nearest national and international

airport is Cape Town International.

• The closest major port is Saldanha Bay in the Western Cape and the closest small scale

harbour is Hondeklipbaai along the west coast.

• The N1 bypasses Karoo Hoogland to the south with a direct link, the R354 tarred

surface, linking it to Sutherland. The R63 tarred surface is the connection between

Williston, Calvinia and Carnarvon. Approximately 80% of roads within Karoo Hoogland

have gravel surfaces.

• There is a railway connection linking Williston with Calvinia in the west and Carnarvon in

the east.


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Spatial Implication

The economic development of Karoo Hoogland depends substantially on its regional

accessibility via road and railway. Economic development is particularly constrained by the lack

of tarred roads with 80% of the roads currently having gravel surfaces. Large distances

between local towns and major economic centres (Kimberley and Cape Town) reduce the

competitiveness of this region.

The spatial implication of the remoteness is that people of Karoo Hoogland travel far distances

to educational and health facilities, shopping centres and markets, which is costly and tedious

and results in expenditure outside the Karoo Hoogland economy. Other centres in the country

are also more attractive in terms of the conveniences which they offer.

19.2 Environment

19.2.1 Climate

Karoo Hoogland is characterised by cool summer and extremely cold winter temperatures with temperature fluctuations that vary from an average low of 3⁰C to an average high of 20.25˚C. In

Sutherland, sub-zero temperatures are often experienced with frost occurring on an average of 88 nights per year. (Karoo Hoogland Local Municipality IDP, 2009-2011)

Sutherland is situated in the Roggeveld mountain range at a height of 1 450 m above sea level on the south-western escarpment of the inland plateau. At this height the area is exposed to all the cold air coming from the south-west. Due to the low moisture levels and thin air, heat radiation at night is high. The heavy cold air flows down to the lower valley where Sutherland is situated. Sutherland is regarded as the coldest place in South Africa.

Rainfall occurs mostly in the summer with between 100-300 mm expected per year. (Namakwa

Biodiversity Plan, 2008) (Plan 16: Annual Rainfall)

Table 12: Average Annual Rainfall

Average Rainfall (mm) Area (ha) %

0 0 0

100-200 2 076 348 69.12

200-300 662 380 22.05

300-400 254 757 8.48

400-600 10 412 0.35

TOTAL 3 003 897 100

DISCLAIMER: In terms of the municipal are (ha), it must be noted that the source data collected from

the Municipal Demarcation Board differs from the sourced data provided by the Department of Water

Affairs and Forestry


97

±70% of Karoo Hoogland has an average annual rainfall of between 100-200 mm; ±22% of the

area has an average annual rainfall of between 200-300 mm.

Spatial Implication

Climate change impacts significantly on settlement planning and population development in the

Northern Cape.

Notwithstanding the substantial uncertainties around rainfall projects, there is a tendency to

suggest a decrease in rainfall over the western part of southern Africa in the coming decades.

Based on these projections, the most severe impacts are likely to occur in this region, where

small towns and subsistence farmers are most vulnerable. Available literature suggests that it

would be prudent to account for climate change in water resource planning to meet the

development objectives of this region.

Water is a limiting resource for development in South Africa and a change in water supply could

have major implications in most sectors of the economy, especially in the agriculture sector.

Factors that contribute to vulnerability in water systems in southern Africa include seasonal and

inter-annual variations in rainfall, which are amplified by high run-off production and evaporation

rates.

With this in mind, the adaptive capacity of small towns in Karoo Hoogland to climate variability,

specifically drought, must be considered.

From an analysis of climate data and projections for the Northern Cape, an increase in

temperature over the entire region can be expected. With this, an increase in evaporation could

be expected. However, no clear trends for rainfall in this region can be attributed to climate

change. What can be observed, however, is that with climate change rainfall is likely to change

and become variable.

Recommendations:

• Given the possible implications of climate change on local water resources, it is

important that the impact be monitored as a precautionary measure.

• Strict groundwater management systems should be put in place, with early warning

mechanisms to report depleted groundwater reserves.

• A climate change awareness programme should be developed.

• Aggressively investigate the possibilities of alternative water resources.

• Reduce water losses in distributing and storage of water.

• Training and capacity building programmes to communities to ensure effective water

usage.

• Training for farmers to prevent bad farming practices that contributes to desertification


98

Climate conditions for Fraserburg are discussed in more detail below:

Fraserburg

Figure 2: Average temperatures

Source: Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, SA Weather Bureau.

Evident from the figure above is that the maximum average day temperature (30.9 ⁰C) is in

January and the minimum average night temperature (-0.5⁰C) is in July.

Figure 3: Average rainfall

Source: Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, SA Weather Bureau.

-5

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Jan Maart Mei Jul Sept Nov

Ave Temperature

(1960 - 2007)

Mak

Min

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

Jan Maart Mei Jul Sept Nov

mm

Average Rainfall

(1960 - 2007)

Series1


99

Fraserburg is situated within a summer rainfall region with an average of 203mm per year. The

highest rainfall is in March (38.6mm) and lowest in August (7.9mm).

Figure 4: Wind rose diagram

The dominant wind direction is from a south-easterly direction (35%) and an average of 28.7%

of all winds are calm.

19.2.2 Topography

Table 13: Slope Analysis

Slopes (%) Area (ha) %

0-9 2 892 556 96.52

9-15 88 008 2.94

15-25 16 280 0.54

>25 99 0

TOTAL 2 996 943 100

Source: Department of Water Affairs and Forestry

DISCLAIMER: In terms of the municipal area (ha), it must be noted that the source data collected from

the Municipal Demarcation Board differs from the sourced data provided by Enpat 2001


100

Topographical Features

• The greater extent of the Municipality consists of a flat, undulating landscape dotted with

mesas. (Plan 17: Slope Analysis)

• 96.52% of the total topography of the region has a gradient of less than 9%.

• The Bokkeveld-Hantam-Roggeveld corridor traverses the southern part of the Karoo Hoogland region, encompassing Sutherland.

• Numerous non-perennial streams traverse the Municipality however there are no

perennial rivers in the Karoo Hoogland municipal area.

• Runoff is generally high after heavy rainfall.

Spatial Implication - Basic Management Guidelines

• Land where the gradient is steeper than 20% is not suitable for development in terms of

environmental regulations and guidelines.

• The provision of engineering services is expensive in areas with steep slopes.

• Areas presenting topographical constraints should be carefully assessed in any land use

management decision.

• Environmental legislation requires the protection of granite or rocky outcrops due to the

diverse and sensitive vegetation types associated with these features.

• Areas regarded not suitable for development due to topographical constraints should

form part of a municipal open space system.

19.2.3 Geology

Table 14: Geology Types

Geology Area (ha) %

Adelaide 1 792 657 59.65

ECCA 986 176 32.82

Suurberg, Drakensberg, Lebombo 226 355 7.53

TOTAL 3 005 188 100

(Source: Council for Geoscience)


the Municipal Demarcation Board differs from the sourced data provided by the Council for Geosciences

Geology Types

The most dominant geology type in the Karoo Hoogland (approximately 60%) is Adelaide,

followed by ECCA at approximately 33%. The Suurberg, Drakensberg, Lebombo Group

constitutes only 7% of the geological make-up (See Plan 18: Geology).


101

The Adelaide Group comprises of mudstones and sandstones and requires standard foundation

for building construction, but can have fabric, requiring deeper foundations to competent

materials.

The Ecca Group was deposited in a marine environment and comprises of selected intrusive

dykes/sills which can be expected, with associated increase in clays and shrink-&-swell

properties.

Spatial Implication - Basic Management Guidelines

• Caution must be taken when developing on less ideal geological terrain with specific

reference to risks and costs.

• From a geological perspective “no development areas” include areas affected by

undermining, dolomite and areas where heavy clays are present. These features are

not present in Karoo Hoogland.

• Areas underlain by geology types not suitable for development must be excluded from

development and included into a conservation zone or an open space system.

Any township development should be headed by a geotechnical investigation to determine

whether the soils are likely to cause foundation problems, especially when densification or

multiple storey development is proposed which impact heavily on underlying soils.

Economic Geology

Economic geology is concerned with earth materials that can be used for economic and/or

industrial purposes. These include precious and base metals, non-metallic mineral, construction

grade stone, petroleum minerals, coal and water. (Wikipedia, 2010,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economic_geology) (See Plan 19: District Economic Geology).

The economic geology of Karoo Hoogland is briefly discussed below: (See Plan 20: Economic

Geology).

The geological composition does not allow for numerous mining opportunities. The only

identified mining area is along the southern boundary of Karoo Hoogland and a central portion

between Williston and Fraserburg, where uranium deposits are found. Limited gypsum deposits

are found in the northern part of the Municipality and to the west of Sutherland (Plan 21:

Mining Land).


102

Other economic geological resources include:

• Molybdenum is to be found with uranium – molybdenum lubricants are for the use of any

mechanical moving part to reduce friction, reduce wear and tear, is heat and water

resistant, maintains a constant velocity, results in smooth running parts and eliminates

squeaking.

• Copper and silver are to found on Klein Witkraal op Kapgat 724, Klein Kookfontein 137,

Droogfoots Fontein 356 and Arbeiders Fontein 150.

• Calcite is found on the farms Annex Kransfontein 721 and Arbeiders Fontein 150.

Calsite is use in cements and mortars, production of lime, limestone is used in the steel

industry; glass industry, ornamental stone, chemical and optical uses and as mineral

specimens.

• Aggregate and building material are to be found on the farms Brassefontein 371 and Wit

Klip 372.

Scattered fossil remains form part of the geological composition and is an important attraction to

those intrigued by dinosaurs and prehistoric life and therefore a meaningful contributor to the

local economy. Therapsida, one of the earliest land animals left tracks in the mudstone near

Fraserburg. Archaeological evidence indicates that species such as Diictoton and Bradysauras

once lived in this area.

19.2.4 Agriculture potential

Agricultural Land Capability

Table 15: Agricultural Land Capability Categories

Category Area (ha) %

Non-arable, low potential grazing land 2 517 908 83.79

Non-arable, low to moderate potential

grazing land 0 0

Non-arable, moderate potential grazing land 0 0

Wilderness 487 281 16.21

Water 0 0

TOTAL 3 005 189 100

(Source: Enpat 2001)

DISCLAIMER: In terms of the municipal area (ha), it must be noted that the source data collected from


Karoo Hoogland consists largely of non-arable, low potential grazing land (approximately 84%)

and is ideally suited for sheep farming. There is no arable land in this region largely due to the

scarcity of water combined with the soil conditions. (Plan 22: Agricultural Land Capability)


103

Agricultural Soil Potential

Table 16: Agricultural Soil Potential Categories

Category Area (ha) %

Soils of poor suitability for arable agriculture

where climate permits 187 149 6.24

Not suitable for agriculture or commercial

forestry, suitable for conservation,

recreation or water catchments

773 741 25.81

Soils not suitable for arable agriculture,

suitable for forestry or grazing where

climate permits

1 679 192 56.03

Soils highly suited to arable agriculture

where climate permits 43 693 1.46

Soils of intermediate suitability for arable

agriculture where climate permits 149 800 5

Water bodies 0 0

No dominant class 163 508 5.46

TOTAL 2 997 083 100

(Source: Council of Geoscience)



Accordingly, 56% of the total municipal area is suitable for forestry or grazing where the climate

permits. Only 1.5% of soils in the region are highly suitable for arable agriculture. (Plan 23:

Agricultural Soil Potential)

Table 17: Soils highly suited to arable agriculture where climate permits

FARM NAME PORTION AREA (Ha) FARM NAME PORTION AREA (Ha)

TONTELBOSCH KOLK 35 RE/36 281.6774121 ENGLISHMANS KRAAL 59 3/59 300.8218344

WYGE-VLAKTE 375 300 203.3234044 DE BAD NO. 155 3/84 111.6527877

WITFONTEIN 299 375 39.68716629 BRUINSKOP 114 4/114 397.124722

STINKFONTEIN 461 381 642.1676871 PAARDE GRASS VALLEY 241 4/241 14.19125447

WELTEVREDEN 2 1/1 82.26619629 TABAKS FONTEIN 242 4/242 0.697080431

WELTEVREDEN 2 3/1 117.5087409 HOL PADS KEEGTE 32 4/32 37.12547149

BRUINSKOP 114 1/114 630.110089 GRASVLAKTE 1162 4/376 382.2830363

SPRINGERSBAY 155 1/115 67.91904411 LANG KUILEN 142 5/142 78.55085684

PAARDE KRAAL 141 1/141 691.877542 LEKKERLEG 179 5/179 229.1181899

LANG KUILEN 142 1/142 2.575301603 PAARDE GRASS VALLEY 241 5/241 119.5534561

ELIAS ZYFER 144 1/144 88.84885791 HOL PADS KEEGTE 32 5/32 32.74320676

ZAK-FONTEIN 148 1/148 15.6457064 LEKKERLEG 179 6/179 40.79537142


104


KAFFERS KRAAL 149 1/149 7.407285217 PAARDE GRASS VALLEY 241 6/241 30.43777602

WINDHOEK 168 1/168 65.88288164 LANGERKUILEN 6/337 478.6473929

GOEDEVERWACHTING 175 1/175 21.60972579 LEKKERLEG 179 7/179 37.53094699

AMANDELBOOMS WINKELHAAK 176 1/176 0.424862669 PAARDE GRASS VALLEY 241 7/241 44.24328218

LEKKERLEG 179 1/179 322.5889956 TABAKS FONTEIN 242 7/242 1.011145919

PAARDE GRASS VALLEY 241 1/241 505.4358469 LANGERKUILEN 7/337 933.9283355

TABAKS FONTEIN 242 1/242 21.5195411 LANG KUILEN 142 8/142 36.36393162

STOFKRAAL 243 1/243 594.7488858 PAARDE GRASS VALLEY 241 8/241 12.05651809

JACKKALSFONTEIN 247 1/247 494.6731352 LANGERKUILEN 8/337 69.40147261

KERK PLAATS 251 1/251 484.8438984 KARREEKAP 112 RE/112 15.60321483

LEENDERTS RIVIER 272 1/272 318.4995033 ELIAS LEEGTE 113 RE/113 360.3085871

SEEKOEIGAT 277 1/277 342.0251264 BRUINSKOP 114 RE/114 485.5996172

RIET POORT 275 1/279 637.3891371 SPRINGERSBAY 115 RE/115 486.4413395

NELLS WERFE 376 1/299 1020.547686 LEEUW KRANTZ 134 RE/134 52.08272272

GROOTWAMAKERSVLEI 304 1/304 275.5781998 KLIP DRIFT 139 RE/139 844.3182737

GOEDEVERWACHTING 305 1/305 333.1077752 PAARDE KRAAL 141 RE/141 368.3728958

ZAAIFONTEIN 322 1/322 138.041915 ELIAS ZYFER 144 RE/144 93.92916894

DE KRUIS VAN BLOEM FONTEIN 323 1/323 405.2698916 ZAK-FONTEIN 148 RE/148 983.7081796

LUDIGS GRAF 324 1/324 76.19825896 KAFFERS KRAAL 149 RE/149 589.9922455

ENKEL-DOORN SOUTH 37 1/37 52.14525095 VLOKS WERVEN 152 RE/152 258.3317996

GRASBULT 381 1/373 61.02018814 PALMIET-FINTAIN 171 RE/171 38.60982724

DAMS FONTEIN 396 1/396 117.5685115 DE KRUIS 174 RE/174 178.4615843

WALKRAAL A 500 1/500 271.2218266 GOEDVERWACHTING 175 RE/175 92.18280642

ENGLISHMANS KRAAL 59 1/59 1811.274364

AMANDELBOOMS WINKELHAAK 176

RE/176 60.87885143

GRAS KRAAL 83 1/83 271.6938281 LUNS KLOOF 177 RE/177 0.08388192

BRUINSKOP 114 2/114 46.98214119 LEKKERLEG 179 RE/179 89.64540638

LANG KUILEN 142 2/142 209.3578412 PAARDE GRASS VALLEY 241 RE/241 38.53100508

WALKRAAL 147 2/147 270.3095526 STOFKRAAL 243 RE/243 337.1488654

KAFFERS KRAAL 149 2/149 799.6911008 SEEKOEIGAT 277 RE/277 411.5852754

WINDHOEK 168 2/168 365.0713654 RIET POORT 75 RE/279 393.9830294

DE KRUIS 174 2/174 41.8618687 NELLS WERFE 376 RE/299 385.1221853

AMANDELBOOMS WINKELHAAK 176 2/176 23.61255141 GROOTWAMAKERSVLEI 304 RE/304 2034.59131

PAARDE GRASS VALLEY 241 2/241 197.0270718 GOEDVERWACHTING 305 RE/305 525.973393

TABAKS FONTEIN 242 2/242 21.42970055 ZAAIFONTEIN 322 RE/322 294.4326314

STOFKRAAL 243 2/243 235.5986922

DE KRUIS VAN BLOEM FONTEIN 323

RE/323 331.0088162

JACKKALSFONTEIN 247 2/247 424.3618814 LUDIGS GRAF 324 RE/324 510.7611208

RIET POORT 275 2/279 225.6337738 MOSQUITO KRAAL 33 RE/33 1288.746887

NELLS WERFE 376 2/299 553.3817933 RIETPOORT 330 RE/330 39.50719658

GROOTWAMAKERSVLEI 304 2/304 16.57645723 ROBERTSKRAAL 331 RE/331 618.3628576


105


GOEDEVERWACHTING 305 2/305 80.18914626 GROF GESCHUD 34 RE/34 1012.366754

HOL PADS KEEGTE 32 2/32 3.267811419 NELS KOP SOUTH 245 RE/35 381.7688639

BOSHOF 346 2/346 77.23156159 ENKEL-DOORN SOUTH 37 RE/37 250.5548412

ENKEL-DOORN SOUTH 37 2/37 63.08489025 WIT KLIP 372 RE/372 1323.6912

GRASVLAKTE 1162 2/376 260.9710746 GRASBULT 381 RE/373 1736.433107

ENGLISHMANS KRAAL 59 2/59 0.545570986 WATERFALL 398 RE/398 6.07388879

GRAS KRAAL 83 2/83 6.968921703 SLINGERS FONTEIN 491 RE/491 754.9980266

BRUINSKOP 114 3/114 553.6418486 LANGKUILEN 494 RE/494 215.0739037

PAARDE KRAAL 141 3/141 16.7119885 WALKRAAL A 500 RE/500 414.7420536

LANG KUILEN 142 3/142 146.5245755 FARM 503 RE/503 132.8765781

WINDHOEK 168 3/168 32.35881507 ENGLISHMANS KRAAL 59 RE/59 134.3069945

DE KRUIS 174 3/174 7.293127938 GRAS KRAAL 83 RE/83 324.5271826

LEKKERLEG 179 3/179 120.4967135 DE BAD NO. 155 RE/84 3025.92373

PAARDE GRASS VALLEY 241 3/241 19.69333907 GOEDVERWACHTING 305 3/305 438.3412801

TABAKS FONTEIN 242 3/242 15.47526741 ENKEL-DOORN SOUTH 37 3/37 20.89162978

MATJES VALLEY 245 3/245 71.11006005 GRASVLAKTE 1162 3/376 131.7865513

The agricultural potential of land in Karoo Hoogland allows for livestock (sheep, goat and a few

cattle).

Criteria for identifying prime and unique agricultural land: (Department of Agriculture,

www.agis.agric.za – June 2010)

• absence of restrictions on cultivation (i.e. slopes and distance from watercourses).

• present irrigation (land under permanent or seasonal irrigation is deemed to qualify as

prime agricultural land).

• moisture availability.

• the scarcity factor.

• soil type, soil texture and soil depth (soil depths deeper than 750mm within access of a

water source need to be regarded as worthy of protection as a scarce resource).

These criteria are used as guidelines when evaluating an area. Areas that do not meet the

criteria are not automatically available for development or change in land use i.e. areas with a

low potential for crop production might have a high potential for grazing, making it an area of

high agricultural value.


106

Spatial Implication

• It is important to classify, map and protect high potential agricultural land for agricultural

production purposes only.

• The soil potential map should be used as a land use management guideline only. Site

specific information needs to be acquired in determining the agricultural potential of any

land parcel.

• The specific situation or scenario of each application is also considered, i.e. size of area,

availability of water, economic viability and sustainable agricultural use and external

factors such as political influences, development trends etc.

• Land under permanent or seasonal irrigation should be regarded as high potential

agricultural land and be managed accordingly.

• The protection of agricultural land against uncontrolled “urban sprawl” and “leap frog”

development is essential.

• Fragmentation of farms should be prevented. Each subdivided portion should remain an

economical viable agricultural farming unit.

• The potential of agricultural land should be carefully assessed prior to the subdivision or

change thereof to any other land use.

• Currently the retention of productive agricultural land is administrated through the

Subdivision of Agricultural Land Act, 1970 (Act 70 of 1970) which controls the subdivision

of agricultural land and its use for purposes other than agriculture.

19.2.5 Conservation areas

The only statutory protected area of Karoo Hoogland is the Tanqua Karoo National Park, of

which only 0.24% is located within the municipal boundary (Plan 24: Conservation Areas).

The park was established in 1986 and has been enlarged to incorporate new farms along its

boundary. It experiences both summer and winter rainfall. Current threats include alien plants

located upon the newly acquired sections. (Source: Namakwa Biodiversity Sector Plan, 2008)

The Karoo Hoogland Local Municipality contains 14 of the 93 recognised vegetation types found

in the Namakwa District Municipal area, three of which are entirely endemic to the Municipality.

This municipal region is home to a wide variety of bulbous species and contains a host of other

charismatic plants, including:

• Indigenous rye grass (Secale strictum subsp.africanum) which is classified as Critically

Endangered in the Red Data Plant List. There is some experimentation to try and

domesticate this unique grass. This species could become a significant global food crop

in the future and it occurs only in the Karoo Hoogland.


107

• It is the only plant species within the whole Namakwa District Municipality and Karoo

ecosystems that has good potential to become a commercial grain food crop and is

therefore a very special species indeed. (Namakwa Biodiversity Sector Plan, 2008)

• Daubenis (Daubenya aurea) which is a bulb plant bearing golden yellow flowers at

ground level and which is restricted to the Roggeveld Mountains is classified as

Vulnerable in the Red Data Plant List.

• Roggeveld Koekoemakranka (Gethyllis roggeveldensis) is restricted to this municipal

area but little is known about this plant’s distribution and habitat.

Ten plant species are considered Threatened and four Near-threatened in the Red Data list, as

indicated in the Namakwa District Biodiversity Plan, 2008. It is anticipated that an updated Red

Data list will become available during 2010 and this should be consulted in the review of the

SDF.

The region also contains populations of the severely threatened Riverine Rabbit and the

Visagies Golden Mole, which are entirely unique to the area. Both of these are included in the

Red Data List and are two of the ten most threatened faunal species in South Africa. Our faunal

features include rare nomadic larks and a remarkable diversity of insect life which act as key

pollinators for the regions many bulbous plants.

Spatial Implication

The incursion of alien plants along water courses is a major threat to the health of the

ecosystem in Karoo Hoogland. Effective control and eradication strategies are required to

mitigate the loss of water and ecosystem integrity that results from the continual encroachment

of invasive species. The Municipality has recognised the importance of this and has planned

projects for the removal of the alien Prosopis tree but it is vitally important that these eradication

projects are implemented.

Effective veld management plans and practices, in particular around catchment areas located in

the high-lying regions of the Roggeveld mountains, are critical if sustainability of land use is to

be achieved in the Karoo Hoogland municipal area.

19.3 Demographic characteristics

Statistics SA Census 2001 and the Statistics SA Community Survey 2007 are currently the only

two official population data sources used for planning purposes.


108

19.3.1 Population size

Figure 5: Population Distribution in the Namakwa District per Municipality

(Source: Statistics SA Census 2001 & Community Survey 2007)

The 2007 Community Survey confirms the following statistics:

• The total number of households in Namakwa District Municipality is 36 437.

• 8.18% of the Namakwa population is located in the Karoo Hoogland Local Municipality.

• Households are mainly located in the towns of Williston, Fraserburg and Sutherland.

• Approximately 31% of the population of Karoo Hoogland is resident in rural areas in

comparison with a high concentration of urban dwellers which constitute 69% of

households.

Figure 6: Households per town

(Source: Statistics SA Census 2001)

10.85%

42.97%

10.65%

15.97%

8.18%

10.39%0.99%

Population distribution

Richtersveld

Nama Khoi

Kamiesberg

Hantam

Karoo Hoogland

Khai Ma

DMA

648

544

1051

1030

Households per town

Williston

Fraserburg

Sutherland

Rural Areas


109

Figure 7: Population Comparison 2001 vs. 2007


There is a slight decrease of 93 people in the population statistics when viewed over the six

year period from 2001 to 2007.

19.3.2 Population dependency ratio

Figure 8: Employment Status per person

(Source: Statistics SA Census 2001

0

2000

4000

6000

8000

10000

12000

Karoo Hoogland

Po

pu

lati

on

Karoo Hoogland Population Comparison 2001

vs 2007

Census 2001

Community Survey 2007

2933

1171

2375

Employment Status

Employed

Unemployed

Economically inactive

RURAL SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK/

Figure 9: Employment status comparison 2001 vs


• The dependency ratio (% economically inactive people depending on the economically

active people) for Karoo Hoogland was

• Unemployment is an ongoing concern in the Karoo Hoogland

decrease indicated in the 2007 Community Survey figures. The distortion of the figures

can be ascribed to additional categories surveyed, namely unspecified and institution

2007.

• High unemployment is a serious concern as it leads to so

as alcohol abuse, crime, early pregnancy, etc.

• The Karoo Hoogland IDP 2001

Hoogland as receiving subsidies for basic services.

• Currently, the unemployed and economically

population but the portion of this sector which is indigent is not identified in the current

IDP 2009-2011.

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

Nu

mb

er

of

Ind

ivid

ua

ls

Karoo Hoogland Municipality Employment Status


110

: Employment status comparison 2001 vs. 2007

Statistics SA Census 2001 & Community Survey 2007)

The dependency ratio (% economically inactive people depending on the economically

active people) for Karoo Hoogland was ±68% in 2001.

Unemployment is an ongoing concern in the Karoo Hoogland Municipality


can be ascribed to additional categories surveyed, namely unspecified and institution

High unemployment is a serious concern as it leads to socio-economic problems such

as alcohol abuse, crime, early pregnancy, etc.

The Karoo Hoogland IDP 2001-2005 identifies 40.2% of the total households in Karoo

ing subsidies for basic services.

Currently, the unemployed and economically inactive sector makes up 57% of the


Employment Status


Comparison

LAND DEVELOPMENT PLAN

The dependency ratio (% economically inactive people depending on the economically

Municipality in spite of the


can be ascribed to additional categories surveyed, namely unspecified and institution in

economic problems such

40.2% of the total households in Karoo

inactive sector makes up 57% of the



Census 2001



19.3.3 Employment sector

Figure 10: Employment Distribution


Figure 11: Employment sector comparison 2001 vs

(Source: Statistics SA Census 2001 and Community Survey 2007)

Agriculture; hunting; forestry and

Manufacturing

Construction

Transport; storage and

Community; social and personal

Private Households

Industry & population

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

Ag

ricu

ltu

re;

hu

nti

ng

, …

Min

ing

an

d q

ua

rry

ing

Ma

nu

fact

uri

ng

Ele

ctri

city

; g

as

an

d …

Co

nst

ruct

ion

Wh

ole

sale

an

d r

eta

il …

Nu

mb

er

of

Ind

ivid

ua

ls

Employment Sector

Karoo Hoogland Municipality

Employment Sector Comparison


111

ector

: Employment Distribution per Person

rce: Statistics SA Census 2001)

: Employment sector comparison 2001 vs. 2007

(Source: Statistics SA Census 2001 and Community Survey 2007)

0 200 400 600 800 100012001400

Agriculture; hunting; forestry and …

Manufacturing

Construction

Transport; storage and …

Community; social and personal …

Private Households

Industry & population

Population

Wh

ole

sale

an

d r

eta

il …

Tra

nsp

ort

, st

ora

ge

an

d …

Fin

an

cia

l …

Co

mm

un

ity

; so

cia

l a

nd

…

Oth

er

an

d n

ot …

Un

de

term

ine

d

Employment Sector


Employment Sector Comparison

Census 2001



Population


112

• In 2001, the majority of the population was involved in agricultural activities followed by

community (social and personal services) and private households and to a lesser extent

wholesale and retail trade.

• From 2001 to 2007, an alarming decrease is reflected in the agricultural sector with

manufacturing showing only slight compensation for this.

19.3.4 Household income

Table 18: Household Income

Income Level (monthly) Population Number

No income 102

R 1 - R 400 976

R 401 - R 800 758

R 801 - R 1600 359

R 1601 - R 3200 273

R 3201 - R 6400 232

R 6401 - R 12800 157

R 12801 - R 25600 35

R 25601 - R 51200 23

R 51201 - R 102400 10

R 102401 - R 204800 3

R 204801 or more 5


• Current confirmed figures indicate 40.2% of households are considered indigent

(Source: Karoo Hoogland IDP 2001-2005).

• The high poverty level directly affects the Municipality’s financial ability to provide and

maintain services.

• Main sources of income are the agricultural sector throughout the entire municipal area

and tourism predominantly in Sutherland.

• Commercial farmers depend on income generated from their farms, while others make a

living by rendering services to the agricultural sector.

• Many residents depend on government grants, while others earn a living by providing

housekeeping or gardening services.


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19.3.5 Population age and gender composition

Figure 12: Age and Gender per person


• The gender ratios are almost equal, at 52.4% female and 47.6% male.

• The younger age structure implies a population explosion resulting in additional strain on

social and engineering infrastructure (i.e. health care facilities, schools, water, sanitation,

electricity etc.).

• A fairly young population requires skills development programmes matched with

appropriate jobs to ensure that this group does not immigrate to other parts of the

country in search of tertiary education and employment or rely on grants to survive.

Figure 12: Age trend 2001 to 2007

(Source: Statistics SA Census 2001 and Community Survey)

• 62.9% of the population, numbering 6 551 people, of Karoo Hoogland is in the age group

15-64 and is therefore able to contribute to the economic base of the Municipality.

• The decrease in the younger age groups, aged 0-9, may result in a further population

decrease over the next few years.

0

200

400

600

Male

Female

0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200

0-4

10-14

20 - 24

30 - 34

40 - 44

50 - 54

60 - 64

70 - 74

80 - 84

Census 2001 vs Community Survey 2007

Ag

e

Karoo Hoogland Municipality Age Trend


Census 2001


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19.3.6 Impact of HIV/Aids

South Africa

According to projections, about 5.4 million people out of a total of nearly 48 million South

Africans were HIV positive in the middle of 2006, giving a total population prevalence rate of a

little over 11%. Around 600 000 are sick with AIDS (11% of the HIV infected) (Source

Demographic Impact of HIV/Aids in South Africa: National and Provincial Indicators for 2006)

Northern Cape

Table 19: Northern Cape HIV/AIDS statistics

Whole population 7% 1. The NC has the lowest number of HIV

positive people living in any single

province (67 000).

2. Around 7% of the population and one in

every 10 adults are estimated to be HIV

positive in 2008.

3. The epidemic in the NC has not reached

a mature phase yet and is still growing

with new infections almost double the

number of Aids related deaths.

4. An estimated 11 000 people are in need

of antiretroviral treatment in 2008 with

around 53% having taken up treatment.

Antenatal cline estimate 21%

Adults (ages 20-64 12%

People living with HIV 67 000

New HIV infections (over the year) 7 000

AIDS deaths (over the year) 4 000

Total people in need of ART (mid-

year)

11 000

Total people accessing ART (mid-

year)

6 000

Accumulated Aids deaths 22 000

New infections per day 19

New deaths per day 11

Source: Summary of Provincial HIV/Aids Statistics for South Africa: Nathea Nicolay, Metropolitan,

October 2008.

Namakwa District

The total population of Namakwa District is estimated at ±125 000 people, 5% of the total

population has HIV/AIDS, growing rapidly - in 2007, 5.1% of the population was infected, which

is an 8.68% increase from 2006.

According to the Northern Cape Antenatal HIV & Syphilis Sero-Prevalence Survey, in 2008 the

HIV prevalence amongst pregnant women attending antenatal care in Namakwa decreased

significantly from 7.3% in 2007 to 2.2%. This indicates a very low HIV prevalence amongst

pregnant women.


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According to the HIV/Aids statistics above, 11 persons die per day in the Northern Cape. This

rate is projected for Namakwa District Municipality and for Karoo Hoogland Local Municipality

according to the % of people living in Namakwa District and the % thereof living in Karoo

Hoogland.

11.65% of the people in the Northern Cape live in Namakwa District Municipality.

8.18% of the people in Namakwa District live in Hantam Municipality.

Projections:

330 (11 x 30) persons die each month in the Northern Cape.

38 (330 x 11.65%) persons die each month in Namakwa District Municipality.

3 (38 x 15.97%) persons die each month in Karoo Hoogland.

Karoo Hoogland Municipality has to make provision for the effects of HIV/Aids with regard to

lowered productivity, increased need for health services, increasing number of orphans,

cemetery sites, etc. Other challenging health issues include Tuberculosis and substance abuse.

Mortality rate

38 deaths were recorded in hospitals during the 2009-2010 period, which equates to 0.33% of

the total population. The cause of death is unknown.

Spatial Implication

The three main towns of Karoo Hoogland all have an indigent population comprised as follows:

Williston: 48.5%

Fraserburg: 41%

Sutherland: 41%

This provides a clear indication that the poverty stricken population of the Karoo Hoogland

Municipality is equally distributed amongst the three settlements.

High unemployment levels, low income and the high number of indigents render the Municipality

unable to generate sufficient financial resources for the adequate provision of services. The

spatial implication thereof is that the planning for provision of basic services must be driven by

densification, sustainability and cost-effectiveness.

The high levels of unemployment and resultant social problems such as alcohol and drug abuse

and the increase in crime and domestic violence need to be addressed in the disadvantaged

areas.


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Social information programmes are needed to address HIV/AIDS and the high rate of teen

pregnancies. A municipal condom distribution project could be considered to promote

“prevention” awareness. Economic opportunities need to be identified in close proximity to

disadvantaged areas.

Community upliftment and skills development programmes, social support structures, food

security (soup kitchens) and proper health care facilities need to be prioritised in disadvantaged

areas by clustering these in multi-purpose community centres.

19.4 Movement and linkages

Movement linkages in Karoo Hoogland are indicated in the table below:

Table 20: Distances and Travel Times

Access Distance (km) Travel Time (min)

Road Status

Williston – Fraserburg 100 75 Gravel surface (R353) Williston – Sutherland 182 136 Gravel surface (R353 & R356)

Fraserburg - Sutherland

82 62 Gravel surface (R356)

Note: Travel time is calculated by using an average travel speed of 80km/h on gravel roads and

120km/h on tar roads.

In terms of Stats SA, 2001, the usage of different modes of transport in Karoo Hoogland is

indicated in the table below:

Table 21: Modes of Transport per person

Modes of transport People %

On foot 4469 42.49

By bicycle 86 0.01

By motorcycle 19 0.01

By car as a driver 490 0.04

By car as a passenger

243

0.02

By minibus / taxi 59 0.01

By bus 30 0.01

By train 10 0.01

Other 27 0.01

Not applicable 5084 57.39


• The main mode of transport is walking, with approximately 42% of the population

commuting to work or school by foot.


117

• Since 2001, the Department of Transport has developed a strategy called the Shova

Kalula Bicycle Project (2007), which aims at addressing transport challenges in rural

communities by distributing bicycles. It is anticipated that the number of bicycle users

has increased since the inception of the Shova Kalula Bicycle Project.

• Passenger vehicles are the next most common mode of transport in Karoo Hoogland.

• Taxis operate within the municipal boundary in the informal sector on a very small scale.

• Due to the lack of major routes in Karoo Hoogland, external thoroughfare will be limited

to the R63 (Calvinia, Williston, Carnarvon) and the main tarred road linking Sutherland to

the N1 (Cape Town – Johannesburg route).

Spatial Implication

Given the challenging transport situation, both in terms of distance between towns and the state

of roads, which are 80% gravel, attention must be given to reducing travel times to limit the

frustrations of local residents and to attract tourists and investors. Upgrading of existing

transport routes is essential for the future economic development of this region.

Furthermore, each of these towns should be developed as a fully functional, self-sufficient

service node to limit the need to travel from town to town.

With increased economic growth in the region, facilitated by improved roads, attention can be

given to improving public transport facilities.

The provision of public transport services as addressed in the Provincial Land Transport

Framework does not address the Karoo Hoogland Municipality and its development needs,

which will rely, in the future, on the state of the access roads and inter-leaders that run through

or to the towns which are turn offs from the key route between Cape Town and Johannesburg.

The Karoo Hoogland Municipality should direct attention to the key roads within its boundaries

and the need to develop these in the interests of the local economic development opportunities

available to its population.

19.5 Development trends

19.5.1 Structuring elements

There are numerous factors that influence where and how people settle and organise

themselves in space. The following structuring elements impact directly on the formation and

development of settlements in South Africa:

• environmental factors such as resources, climate, landforms (topography) and water

features i.e. agriculture, availability of minerals and metals.

• spatial characteristics and location of, for example, the distance between activities, i.e.

where people stay and where they work.


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• other factors including cultural factors, economies of scale, political and economic

systems.

The following structuring elements mainly influenced the spatial form of Karoo Hoogland

Municipality as it exists today:

Past Political Ideologies

During the apartheid era “Rural Coloured Reserves” were created on land that was not

considered valuable agricultural or mining land.

Main Roads

The N1 (Cape Town – Johannesburg) passes the area to the south with a link road to the R354

to Sutherland. The R353 gravel road is a second link to the N1 from Fraserburg to Leeu Gamka.

These arteries played an important role in the development of towns located along these routes.

Rivers

There are no perennial rivers traversing the Karoo Hoogland Municipality. Non-perennial

watercourses, such as the Sak River passing through Williston, Sout River passing through

Fraserburg and the Dorp River passing through Sutherland play an significant role in the

formation of these towns.

Climate

Low rainfall and restricted water resources confine economic opportunities for extensive

agriculture. A further decrease in rainfall resulting in a significant decrease in livestock carrying

capacity of agricultural land will necessitate the investigation of alternative economic

opportunities.

19.5.2 Land use and settlement patterns

Municipal Land Cover

The different land cover categories for Karoo Hoogland, are indicated in the table below: (Plan

26: Municipal Land Cover)

Table 22: Land Cover

Land Cover Category ha %

Bare rock and eroded land 1 980 0.0661

Bare rock and soil 14 194 0.4736

Built up land : commercial 10 0.0003

Built up land : residential 339 0.0113


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Land Cover Category ha %

Cultivated land : commercial 7 620 0.2543

Degraded : shrub land and fynbos 76 0.0025

Indigenous forest 27 0.0009

Shrub land / fynbos 2 946 609 98.3236

Thicket and bushland 7 498 0.2502

Waterbody 3 259 0.1088

Wetland 15 236 0.5084

TOTAL 2 996 848 100%

(Source: Namakwa District Biodiversity Plan, 2008)


the Municipal Demarcation Board differs from the sourced data provided by Namakwa District

Biodiversity Plan, 2008

The majority of Karoo Hoogland is covered by shrub and fynbos (98%), followed by wetlands

(0.5%) and then bare rock and soil (0.47%). The built up areas cover 0.01% of the municipal

area.

Land Use Analysis

Herewith a broad land use breakdown per settlement:

1. Williston

In 1845, Johann Heinrich Lutz established a mission station at Amandelboom. In 1833 this

settlement was renamed Williston in honour of the British Cape Colony Colonel Secretary,

Colonel H Williston.

The residential areas of Williston can be divided into separate segments due to the locality

of certain land uses, hindrances and main routes. The low density residential component is

situated in the western area of the town and this portion is situated directly west of the CBD

and also includes zonings such as churches and schools. This area is bordered by existing

sports facilities and a golf course and in the south by a railway line and station.

Directly north east and south east of the CBD another low density residential component

exists. This area is bordered to the east by the flood valley of the dry riverbed which divides

the town into two clear segments. This dry riverbed carries a high flood risk which must be

borne in mind for future developments.

Amandelboom lies directly to the east of the dry riverbed and forms the eastern segment of

Williston. The residential development in Amandelboom is formed around the school, sports

facilities and cemetery. It also consists of varying density residential developments.


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The intersection between Reinecke and Lutz can be seen as the centre of the CBD with

development spreading along these two routes.

Local dry streams traverse the whole of Williston and, to a certain extent, pose a restriction

on future development. (Plan 27 & 28: Land Uses Williston 1 & 2)

Welcome to Town Williston town from a distance

Main road from Carnarvon to Calvinia Main Road with Business Activity

WILLISTON

2. Sutherland

Sutherland was established in 1858 by the Reverend Henry Sutherland. Rev Sutherland was

a minister who visited the area annually and who decided to start a congregation in 1855.

By 1858 30 plots had been sold and the settlement of Sutherland was born.

The residential component of Sutherland is not clearly divided into two settlements by virtue

of any identifying landmarks, but there is a visible difference between the northern and

southern residential areas.

The southern segment is characterised by low density residential areas surrounding the

CBD. Several, clearly defined, differing land uses are scattered throughout and around this

southern segment. The southern residential component is bordered by a dry riverbed to the

east which is also susceptible to flooding.

The northern residential segment of Sutherland is characterised by high density residential

development and a local storm water sluice traverses this area.

The area to the far north is clearly demarcated by a koppie which lies to the north-west and

the main road (R354) to the east.


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The CBD is centrally located between the southern and northern sections of town and

emanates from the intersection between the R354 to Calvinia to the north and Matjiesfontein

to the south and the R356 to Fraserburg. (Plan 29 & 30: Land Uses Sutherland 1 & 2)

Church in Sutherland Sutherland Hotel

Municipal Offices Primary School

SUTHERLAND

3. Fraserburg

The town of Fraserburg was established in 1851 and was named after Reverend Fraser and

a church elder, Meyburg. It was originally established on the farm, Rietfontein.

The residential component of Fraserburg is comprised of low density erven around the CBD

in the southern section of the town. The portions to the south and east of the main road are

of a lower density than those to the north and west. The largest of these erven borders the

agricultural holdings.

Several different land uses are identified in the CBD in this segment of town. This area is

bordered by the golf course and in the south and south west by low lying areas

characterised by flooding.

The residential area in the northern segment of Fraserburg is in a crescent shape

surrounding central land uses which include the school, church and cemetery. This area is

also characterised by a low density residential component with some higher density erven in

the northern portion.

The CBD of Fraserburg was established one block from the main road, Voortrekker Street.

The area surrounding the town hall can be seen as the centre of the CBD area. (Plan 31 &

32: Land Uses Fraserburg 1 & 2)


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Guest House in Town Banking Facilities

Public Library Municipal Offices

FRASERBURG

Social Services

Table 23: Social Infrastructure

Williston Sutherland Fraserburg

Crèche 1 1 1

Primary school 1 1 1

Secondary school 1 1 1

Private school 1 1

Police station 1 1 1

Hospital

Clinic 1 1 1

Mobile clinic 1 1

Libraries 1 1 1

Cemeteries 2 2 2

Sports & recreation 1 3

(Source: Karoo Hoogland IDP 2001-2005)

Note: All cemetery sites in Karoo Hoogland have permits.

19.5.3 Proposed future projects/land uses

From the projects identified in the Phase 1, the following are considered notable from a land use

perspective.

Table 24: Funded Projects & Location

Projects Location

225 sites to be serviced and top structures to

be erected.

Rectification of 167 houses.

Fraserburg


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Projects Location

Develop 200 erven and build 100 houses.


Williston

Develop 200 erven.


Sutherland

Oxidation ponds. Williston & Sutherland

New reservoir. Sutherland

EIA studies for identification of new cemetery

sites.

Williston & Fraserburg

Community computer training centre. Sutherland

Stage and amphitheatre. Fraserburg

Nature reserve. Williston

Astronomy themed miniature golf. Sutherland

Community centres. All wards

(Source: Karoo Hoogland IDP, 2009-2011)

The location of new land uses and projects requires careful planning, firstly, to ensure effective

and sustainable human settlements and secondly, to conserve the environment. From a

planning perspective the following criteria needs to be considered for identifying specific

locations:

Housing units: availability of bulk services, ownership of land, access to social amenities and

economic opportunities, integration with urban structure.

Community centres: as these provide a variety of services to a number of residential

communities, they should be easily accessible to these communities, preferably on a main

thoroughfare in close proximity to public transport stops.

Business development centres: the same criteria as for a community centre are applicable.

New cemetery sites: cemeteries should not be located near riverbanks, springs or boreholes

used by the communities as potable water. Inappropriately located cemeteries could impact on

the water quality, causing health problems such as diarrhoea. Cemeteries located in areas with

unstable riverbanks, erodible soils, unstable slopes or floodplains could be damaged through

floods or heavy rainfall and storms.

Nature reserves: should ensure that the natural landscape is managed in such a way that the

natural state is maintained with limited or no biodiversity loss.

Astronomy themed miniature golf: ensure compliance with the Astronomy Geographic

Advantage Act, 2007 which provides for, amongst others, the preservation and protection of

areas that are uniquely suited for optical and radio astronomy. In addition, general guidelines for

golf courses should be adhered to such as the following:


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o Compliance with department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) and other

relevant authority regulations for such developments.

o The water demand for the golf course should be in accordance with the

Municipality’s water services plan and that there is no risk of stress being placed on

the municipal water supply.

o The area where the golf course will be located is not high or medium value

agricultural land as defined by the Department of Agriculture.

o The golf course will not negatively impact on habitats or ecosystems that are defined

as being of critically endangered status in terms of the National, Provincial and

Municipal Biodiversity Assessment or Plans and/or applicable fine-scale biodiversity

plans.

19.5.4 Vacant land analysis

Vacant land parcels is a common feature throughout the Karoo Hoogland Municipal Area and

could ideally be used as a catalyst for densification, integration and mixed land use orientated

development in both the residential and typically non-residential earmarked areas.

1. Fraserburg

Fraserburg has a large number of vacant land parcels. These land parcels are well diversified

and scattered throughout Fraserburg providing the opportunity for mixed use and residential

developments.

2. Sutherland

Sutherland has a few vacant erven, mainly located in the eastern part of town. Accessibility and

visibility of these erven are determining factors of its future development potential.

3. Williston

Williston favours very few to no vacant land parcels and the harsh topography of the immediate

surroundings renders the area less suitable for future development prospects.

From the Public Participation Initiative it was indicated that potential to expand in the Karoo

Hoogland is very limited and that vacant land parcels in town be developed fully prior to

considering development on alternate land parcels.


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19.5.5 Urban-rural spatial relationship

The three main towns of Karoo Hoogland are basically rural service centres which provide

services to the surrounding farming community. All three towns have similar levels of

development in terms of infrastructure and facilities offered with the only distinction between

them being that Williston is the main seat of the Municipality.

It is important that all three towns within the Municipality are developed to the same level of

infrastructure to service their communities with additional capacity to accommodate tourism-

related ventures. From a tourism perspective, it is essential that all three towns are developed

and promoted as an entity (tourism route) to link spatially with surrounding municipalities.

Currently these three towns do not share an economic link.

In order to strengthen the urban-rural relationship it is critical to comply with the principles of the

National Development Perspective, whereby economic development opportunities should be

channeled into activity corridors and nodes. Strict regulations need to be developed for

settlement on land that is made available for emerging farmers.

19.5.6 Heritage features

National Heritage Resources Act, 1999 (Act 25 of 1999), provides for the establishment of the

South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA), and a Provincial Heritage Resources

Authority in each province, which replaced the National Monuments Council (NMC). The

Northern Cape Heritage Resources Authority is Ngwao Boswa Kapa Bokoni (Heritage Northern

Cape), commonly known as Boswa. SAHRA and Boswa are obliged to identify those places that

respectively have special national and or provincial significance in terms of heritage assessment

criteria. A heritage resource is protected by law from certain actions (alteration, subdivision, and

change in land use) without the necessary consents from relevant authority (Plan 33: Heritage

Sites District Context & Plan 34: Heritage Sites).

In terms of types of protection of heritage resources, the well-known category of ‘national

monument’ has replaced or modified by a category of ‘provincial heritage site’ for sites of

outstanding national importance. The new scope of the act allows members of the public to

identify places with qualities that are of special national or provincial significance to be declared

national or provincial heritage sites.

In Karoo Hoogland there are several identified heritage sites with one heritage house identified

in Sutherland. Fraserburg has a heritage grid in the town which consists largely of heritage

houses and the Parsonga Church. Williston has in excess of 10 houses identified with heritage

characteristics and the bulk of these are the corbelled houses which are unique to this area.


126

19.6 Economic activity

The main economic sectors of Karoo Hoogland are:

• Agriculture

• Tourism

• Mining potential

19.6.1 Agriculture

Due to the lack of arable land and given the generally poor soil conditions, this area is ideally

suited for grazing. The lack of perennial water also makes this area unsuitable for large scale

irrigation farming. As a result, the main source of agricultural income in the area is from sheep

farming which is also the main economic driver in Karoo Hoogland.

A possible future economic consideration for Karoo Hoogland should therefore be beneficiation

of raw materials, e.g., meat production, wool processing.

The climate of Sutherland is ideally suited for tulip growing and the cultivation opportunities

should be exploited for supply to local and international markets.

The climate and carrying capacity of land in the Karoo Hoogland does not allow for high potential agricultural activity and transport costs do not justify any attempt to farm products other than the existing successful ones (Public Participation Initiative).

19.6.2 Tourism

Tourism is not considered as a sector on its own, however it spans across different economic

sectors ranging from accommodation, catering, retail, manufacturing (arts & craft), transport and

communication, etc.

Each of the three main settlements offers unique tourism attractions, namely:

• Sutherland is the home of the South African Largest Telescope (SALT) and this coupled

with the clear, night skies makes this area very attractive to star gazers and

astronomers.

• Fraserburg, in addition to its Heritage grid and numerous historical sites, is home to the

spectacular paleo surface which was deposited some 250 million years ago.

• Williston also has heritage significance and boasts the Corbelled houses unique to this

region. In addition, it has an interesting “tombstone route” which has become a form of

folk art.

In order to promote the economy through capacity building initiatives, it is necessary that the

training initiatives correlate with the existing economic sectors mentioned above.


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19.6.3 Mining potential

Currently there is no active mining activity in the Karoo Hoogland municipal area and there are

no individuals employed in the mining sector according to the Statistics SA Census of 2001 and

the Community Survey of 2007.

However, vast areas of uranium deposits have been identified in the southern area of the

Municipality and uranium permits have been sold to overseas mining conglomerates. With this

huge uranium potential, there is little doubt that with proper planning the mining industry in this

area could become a major employer in years to come.

The Public Participation Initiative indicates that although Sutherland has a healthy tourism sector, guest houses in Williston and Fraserburg do not have tourists. It was indicated that some guest houses have not housed tourist for up to six months (Public Participation Initiative).

Spatial Implication

It is of utmost importance that the mobility links between areas with low and higher economic

potential be strengthened. As mentioned previously, the towns of Karoo Hoogland previously

developed tourism strategies independent of each other. It is essential that a combined tourism

strategy is identified with a possible tourist route between the three towns which all have unique

tourism features.

The three towns mentioned must be able to absorb the impact of and cope with the influx of

tourists whether of a “stop and drop” nature or longer-term visit by upgrading accommodation,

services and infrastructure.

If one considers the future mining potential of this area through the exploitation of the identified

uranium deposits, it is important to realise that this may have a negative environmental

implication.

19.6.4 Investment patterns

Distinction is made between urban and rural investment patterns in terms of funded municipal

and multi-sectoral projects:

Table 25: Investment patterns

Rural Urban

Municipal (MIG) 0 ±R 6,300 000

Multi-sectoral ±R1,300 000 ±R9,000 000

Total R1,300 000 ±R15,300 000

(Source: Karoo Hoogland budget, 2010/2011)


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It is evident from the Karoo Hoogland IDP 2010/2011 that several more projects have been

identified for the municipal area than is depicted in the table above. However at the time of this

report no funds had been obtained for the implementation of these projects. Table 15 above

depicts only projects for which funding has been approved for the financial year of 2010/2011.

The funds granted from the Municipal Infrastructure Grant are allocated to the upgrade of the

water network at Fraserburg, which amounts to R6,300 000. The total amount was put aside for

the completion of this project.

The multi sectoral funds of R10,300,000 are allocated to all three towns in the municipal area as

well as some funds for the rural areas of the Karoo Hoogland. The projects identified in the area

are as follows:

• Curbing project in all three towns – R600 000

• Upgrade of Berg Street in Williston – R1,500 000

• Upgrade of Fraserburg electricity network – R1,300 000

• Housing project (servicing of stands) in Fraserburg – R5,600 000

In addition to the above, the project for the oxidation pond in Sutherland is still in process and

will be completed in August 2010. The funds for this project are an overflow of the 2009/2010

financial year.

An amount of R1,300 000 is allocated for the eradication of the Prosopis trees in the rural area.

This project is an ongoing project that will assist in the creation of job opportunities in the Karoo

Hoogland Municipal area.

Further money needed for the allocation to urban areas will mainly include the upgrade,

extension and maintenance of engineering infrastructure (water, sanitation, roads, electricity,

refuse sites, etc.) and provision of social infrastructure requirements (community halls, sports

facilities, etc.) and projects to promote local economic development.

It is evident that substantially more money is allocated to the towns of Karoo Hoogland than the

rural parts. Municipal funds allocated to rural areas are for removal of the alien Prosopis trees.

Municipal funds allocated to urban areas includes the upgrade, extension and maintenance of

engineering infrastructure (Fraserburg water network, oxidation ponds for Williston and

Sutherland and upgrade of streets in all wards) and provision of social infrastructure

requirements (housing issues addressed in Fraserburg). A substantially smaller amount is

allocated to promote local economic development (upgrade of the learner hostel and provision

of a community computer training centre in Sutherland).


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External funded projects are all related to engineering infrastructure, specifically the upgrading

of waste water treatment works in Sutherland, rehabilitation of the water network in Fraserburg

and oxidation ponds in Williston.

19.7 Infrastructure

Statistics SA Census 2001 and the Community Survey 2007 are used as data sources, unless

more recent statistics are available from the Karoo Hoogland IDP 2009-2011.

19.7.1 Water

• There are no perennial rivers in Karoo Hoogland and groundwater is the main water

source for this region.

• There are 12 groundwater sources in Karoo Hoogland with zero surface water sources.

• Water is a scarce commodity in Karoo Hoogland and effective water management must

be a priority.

• All three main settlements in Karoo Hoogland have internal reticulation networks.

• The scarcity of water in South Africa must be addressed at a national level and could be

addressed through desalination plants along the coast and a possible lower Orange

River dam. (Plans 35 & 36: Water Infrastructure and Water Bodies)

Table 26: Water Access per household in 2001

Williston Sutherland Fraserburg Total

% of

Total

Piped water inside dwelling 317 283 114 714 43%

Piped water inside yard 358 354 83 795 48%

Piped water on community

stand: distance less than

200m from dwelling

4

1

69

74 5%

Piped water on community

stand: distance greater

than 200m from dwelling

6

0

9

15 1%

Borehole 2 0 10 12 1%

Spring 0 0 2 2 0%

Rain-water tank 0 2 0 2 0%

Dam/pool/stagnant water 0 0 3 3 0%

River/stream 0 0 4 4 0%

Water vendor 0 0 0 0 0%

Other 16 6 0 22 1%

Not applicable (homeless) 0 0 0 0 0%



Figure 14: Access to water

(Source : Statistics SA Census 2001 and Community survey 2007

• Since 2001, provision of water in Karoo Hoogland has been successfully met with piped

water inside the property (either inside a dwelling or inside a yard) showing a substantial

increase.

19.7.2 Sanitation

Table 27: Sanitation Access per household in 2001

Williston

Flush toilet (connected to

sewerage system)

214

Flush toilet (with septic tank) 208

Chemical toilet 5

Pit latrine with ventilation (VIP)

0

Pit latrine without ventilation 2

Bucket latrine 272

None 2

Not applicable 0

(Source: Statistics SA Census 2001

0200400600800

1000120014001600

Nu

mb

er

of

ho

use

ho

lds


130

: Access to water comparison between 2001 and 2007

Statistics SA Census 2001 and Community survey 2007

Since 2001, provision of water in Karoo Hoogland has been successfully met with piped


per household in 2001

Williston Sutherland Fraserburg Total

214

74

285

573

208 232 18 458

5 0 0 5

0

1

21

22

2 15 1 18

272 318 208 798

2 4 14 20

0 0 0 0

Source: Statistics SA Census 2001)

Pip

ed

wa

ter …

Pip

ed

wa

ter …

Pip

ed

wa

ter …

Bo

reh

ole

Sp

rin

g

Da

m/p

oo

l

Riv

er/

stre

am

Wa

ter

ven

do

r

Ra

in w

ate

r ta

nk

Oth

er

Source of water

Access to water


comparison between 2001 and 2007

Statistics SA Census 2001 and Community survey 2007)

Since 2001, provision of water in Karoo Hoogland has been successfully met with piped


% of

Total

30%

24%

0%

1%

1%

42%

1%

0%

2001

2007


Figure 15: Access to

Source: Statistics SA Census 2001 and Community survey 2007

• In 2001, 22 households h

access above VIP standards.

• In 2001, 44% of households

the bucket system and 20 households ha

Sanitation Infrastructure)

• A large percentage of households have access to flush toilets connected to the

sewerage system. At the time of the Community Survey in 2007, there were a small

number of buckets in use.

• However, currently the bucket system has been completely eradicated and all

households in Karoo Hoogland have access to sanitation that meet or exceed basic

sanitation standards.

Table 28: Status of oxidation ponds

Town Design Capacity

Average flow

Frazerburg undetermined

undetermined

Sutherland 0.19Ml/day 0.19Ml/day

Williston 0.17Ml/day 0.17Ml/day

Source: Department of Water Affairs Northern Cape

0200400600800

1000120014001600

Nu

mb

er

of

ho

use

ho

lds


131

: Access to sanitation comparison between 2001 and 2007

: Statistics SA Census 2001 and Community survey 2007

22 households had access to VIP toilets and 1 037 households (55%) ha

access above VIP standards.

44% of households had access to below VIP standards, 7

the bucket system and 20 households had no access to sanitation facilities.

Sanitation Infrastructure)

A large percentage of households have access to flush toilets connected to the

tem. At the time of the Community Survey in 2007, there were a small

number of buckets in use.

However, currently the bucket system has been completely eradicated and all


: Status of oxidation ponds

Average

License Status

License Expired Discharge

undetermi

ELU1804B 31-12-2003 into the field

0.19Ml/day ELU1803B 31-12-2003 into the field

0.17Ml/day ELU1802B 31-12-2003 into the fieldSource: Department of Water Affairs Northern Cape

Sanitation type

Access to sanitation


access to VIP toilets and 1 037 households (55%) had

below VIP standards, 798 households used

no access to sanitation facilities. (Plan 37:

A large percentage of households have access to flush toilets connected to the

tem. At the time of the Community Survey in 2007, there were a small

However, currently the bucket system has been completely eradicated and all


Discharge Type of Auth

into the field undetermined

into the field GA

into the field GA

2001

2007


132

19.7.3 Electricity

• Electricity is provided by Eskom to Karoo Hoogland Municipality

• 87% of households have electricity.

Table 29: Electricity Provision per household

Electricity Gas Paraffin Candles Solar Other

Williston 674 0 2 26 1 0

Sutherland 608 2 2 27 1 4

Fraserburg 358 0 3 185 - -

Total 1640 2 7 238 2 4


Figure 16: Access to electricity for lighting comparison between 2001 and 2007

Source : Statistics SA Census 2001 and Community survey 2007

Provision of electricity for lighting purposes has shown an increase from 2001 to 2007 and only

candles, and to a lesser extent solar power, are alternative sources at this stage. (Plan 38:

Electrical Infrastructure)

19.7.4 Waste management

• Wards 1 and 2, Williston and Fraserburg respectively, have 100% access to waste

management services.

• Ward 4, Sutherland has just below 50% access to waste management services with no

waste management services in the rural areas.

• Projects for the upgrading of refuse removal sites in all main settlements have been

identified.( Karoo Hoogland IDP, 2001-2005) (Plan 39: Landfill Sites)


133

Table 30: Status of landfill sites

Nr Town Permit no Permit Holder Status

1 Sutherland Not permitted Operating 2 Fraserburg P318 Municipality of Fraserburg Operating 3 Williston Not permitted Operating

Source: Namakwa District Municipality

19.8 Land ownership

Property ownership and land tenure are key elements in land use management in that it will

reveal the right the holder of the land has and therefore the procedures the holder of the land

has to follow to effect land use change.

In areas where private ownership is the predominant form of land ownership, land use

regulation and tenure are two separate but linked processes. Where land is held in communal

ownership, land use rights and tenure are closely linked.

19.8.1 Land tenure and ownership

The ownership of land in Karoo Hoogland is as follows:

1. Most land in Karoo Hoogland is privately owned and is use mainly for commercial

farming purposes.

2. Transnet owns a small percentage of land to the south of Sutherland.

3. Municipal owned land also constitutes a small percentage of the total area and is

scattered throughout the region. (Plan 40: Land Ownership)

The table below reflects home ownership and tenure:

Figure 17: Home Ownership & Tenure per household

(Source: Community Survey, 2007)

• 18% of Karoo Hoogland households currently occupy homes rent-free.

• Almost 65% of households own and have paid off their homes.

0

20

40

60

80

Owned

and fully

paid off

Owned

but not

yet paid

off

Rented Occupied

rent-free

Other

Census 2001

CS 2007


134

19.8.2 Municipal land

Municipal property is preferred for affordable housing provision, because the purchase and

transfer of privately owned land is often both tedious and expensive.

The following farm portions are owned by Karoo Hoogland Municipality:

Table 31: Municipal Property

Property Description Size (ha)

Re/83 Graskraal 4 595 1/175 Wagen Drift 35 Re/265 Verjaagfontein 4 731 2/32 79 1/40 Body Zyn Dam 2 779 Re/55 De Riet 8 379 1/57 Erfdeel 5 191 3/174 Lange Huis 15 2/34 Piet Kuil 981

1/55 Kleinfontein 1 992 1/41 Eendekuil 1 920 2/163 Jongenshoek 1 005 Total 31 702

(Source: Karoo Hoogland Municipality Valuation Roll)

Municipal land in Karoo Hoogland is rented to emerging farmers, better known as municipal

commonages. This land is intended for communal farming activities, supported by the

Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP).

In the current political and economic climate, it is especially important as a method of bringing

previously disadvantaged local people into the farming sector. Commonage land is mainly used

for livestock farming.

19.8.3 Land reform

The democratic government in 1994 opted for a three-pronged land reform policy to redress the

historical injustice of land dispossession, denial of access to land and forced removals: (Plan

41: Land Reform District Context)

1. Land Restitution to restore land or provide financial compensation for people

dispossessed of the land after 1913

2. Land Redistribution

3. Land Tenure reform


135

Land Restitution

The Restitution of Land Rights Act, applicable in both rural and urban areas, addresses the

restitution of land rights lost by any South African as the result of racially discriminatory laws

passed since 1913, to establish a Commission on Restitution of Land Rights and a Land Claims

Court.

The Act invites persons or communities who lost their property as a result of apartheid laws

after 1913 to submit claims for restitution or compensation. The cut-off date was March 1999.

Land Redistribution

Land redistribution is about making land available for:

• agricultural production

• settlement and

• non-agricultural enterprises

a) The Settlement Land Acquisition Grant (SLAG)

SLAG was a R16 000 cash grant for which poor and landless black South Africans could

form a group to apply to buy and develop farm land.

b) Land Re-distribution for Agricultural Development (LRAD)

The SLAG programme ended in 2000, and the LRAD was introduced later that year. Its

major difference from SLAF was that beneficiaries do not have to be poor to apply for

the minimum of R20 000 land grant and those who have more savings can raise bigger

loans.

Land Tenure Reform

Laws were introduced after 1994 to give people security of tenure, over houses and land where

they work and stay (especially farm workers and labour tenants).

Land Reform Projects and Land Claims in Karoo Hoogland are indicated on Plan 42: Land

Reform. Land claim status and information related thereto may be outdated and must be

verified with the Land Claims Commissioner.

There are currently three farms in Karoo Hoogland which have been transferred to communities.

The affected farms are:


136

• Verjaagfontein 265 situated on the R353 between Williston and Fraserburg;

• Klipfontein 434 situated to the west of the R353 from Fraserburg to Leeu Gamka; and

• Kuilenburg 96 traversed by the R356 from Sutherland to Fraserburg.

Spatial Implication

People have moved back onto ancestral and other land which resulted from land restitution and

land re-distribution cases that have been settled. In most cases, this has led to the need to

provide services in previously under or non-serviced areas.

From a spatial development perspective, the locality of these areas will be a critical determinant

of their future viability. Areas close to economic activity are beneficial, but in many cases the

economic potential of the land in question is inadequate as a source of economic livelihoods

In addition to the considerations above, strict settlement regulations need to apply to land that is

purchased by government and made available to emerging farmers. In this regard, specific

reference must be made to number of families allowed on a farm.

20 Relationship between IDP and Current Reality

20.1 Relationship between spatial issues and vision

The following issues and opportunities are evident from the spatial analysis:

1. Karoo Hoogland is fairly removed from economic centres and metropoles such as Cape

Town, Johannesburg and Pretoria.

2. It is important to account for climate change in water resource planning to meet the

development objectives of the region. A further expected water shortage in an already

water scare area require smarter settlement planning and resource management

techniques.

3. Karoo Hoogland has limited mining potential, other than the uranium deposits located

along the southern boundary and central between Williston and Fraserburg.

4. The Municipality consists largely of non-arable, low potential grazing land ideally suited

for sheep farming. Small patches of soils highly suited to arable agriculture occur along

the R353 and around Fraserburg, soils of intermediate suitability for arable agriculture

are located in the northern part of the Municipality.

5. Karoo Hoogland has a unique environment in terms of its biodiversity (plants species

endemic to the area) and landscape (wide open spaces, lack of air pollution and

cloudless nights, ideal for sky watching) that attracts tourists and nature lovers.

6. The Bokkeveld-Hantam-Roggeveld geographic region traverses the Municipality in the

south-western part. This is an important conservation area consisting of various critical

biodiversity areas.


137

7. Spatial initiatives need to plan for a population characterised by a high unemployment

level, low household income, high dependency ratio, a fairly young age structure and

few tertiary qualified people. Land use planning needs to attend to:

- the provision of engineering services considering that the costs cannot be recovered,

- social infrastructure and services need to be accessible and efficient due to an

expected increase in social problems and

- reduce travel time between employment areas and place of residence considering

most people travel to work or school by foot.

8. The distance between towns and the state of roads is a frustration to local residents as

well as to tourists and investors that visit the Municipality. Traffic is limited to the R63 tar

road between Calvinia, Williston and Carnarvon.

9. The majority of people in Karoo Hoogland walk to work or school. Existing public

transport (taxi’s) operate informally within the Municipality on a very small scale.

10. Karoo Hoogland’s spatial structure as it exists today is the result of nodal development

at main road intersections, limited railway infrastructure and climate conditions offering

restricted agricultural possibilities due to low rainfall.

11. The legacy of apartheid is evident in the towns of Karoo Hoogland indicating a visible

separation between advantaged and disadvantaged areas.

12. The availability and capacity of engineering and social infrastructure is critical for existing

or new development in Karoo Hoogland. A sustainable water source (quantity and

quality) hinders further development, sanitation access need to be improved and the

provision of electricity is problematic in rural areas.

13. Large farm portions owned by the Municipality are made available to emerging farmers.

These areas need to be well managed to ensure sustainable communities, i.e., impose

grazing management guidelines, capacity building programmes, settlement densities

and the provision of services and business support.

Key perspectives transpiring from the institutional analysis and relevant to Karoo Hoogland

Municipality are:

1. A balance must be reached between basic service delivery on the one hand and

stimulating economic development on the other to help to pay for these services –

GEAR.

2. The goals of integration, sustainability and development are challenged by the need to

rely on outside investment, as well as integration with other municipalities and districts to

align development with stronger regional initiatives elsewhere – ISRDS.

3. Karoo Hoogland’s approach to development should be creative by focusing on space

research and historical value of the settlements, also include tarred and untarred roads

and the natural vegetation that is unique to the arid environment.

4. The first leg of the CRDP strategy is to ensure that economic and social development

infrastructure takes place in rural communities with projects such as agrarian

transformation and rural development.


138

5. The PGDS recognizes that Karoo Hoogland does contain a development node of

importance (Sutherland), but it is also a region that requires stabilisation of its resource

base to serve the existing population.

6. The Provincial Land Transport Framework, 2003 does not address Karoo Hoogland’s

development needs, which is to have proper access from the key routes such as the

road between Cape Town and Johannesburg.

7. Numerous projects have been identified in the Namakwa District Local Economic

Development Strategy (2009), very few of these projects are relevant to the Karoo

Hoogland.

8. Key interventions or development targets identified in the Namakwa District IDP, other

than basic service delivery, are the implementation of a Road Master Plan and the SKA

project.

9. The NDGDS focuses on tourism, fishing and mariculture, agriculture, energy, safety and

liaison, ICT and social strategies.

There are thus three key perspectives underlying the institutional analysis of Karoo Hoogland:

1. The need to develop the economy for the benefit of its residents and to alleviate the

societal problems, such as substance abuse and problems among youth, as well as to

provide it with its basic needs;

2. The need to manage the resources of the area in order that these are sustainable for

future generations that may choose to stay there; and

3. The need to protect natural resources, which if over-exploited, may result in damage to

other biospheres and irreversibly upset the ecology of the environment.

Relationship with IDP

The IDP for Karoo Hoogland is aimed at achieving the main goals of service delivery and

dealing with the backlog of housing and access to water. The focus on additional economic

activities, primarily based on the tourism potential of the area, is a more viable approach to

improve the local economy than to try to build the supply from within existing structures.

The 2010/11 IDP outlines a long list of projects that address these issues; the question remains,

however, whether the projects, particularly those aimed at economic development and job

creation, are feasible, given both the capacity and infrastructure of the towns within the

Municipality.

Karoo Hoogland suffers from poor infrastructure and the lack of good tarred roads, which

inhibits local economic development. There is also a backlog of service delivery associated with

housing and health, all of which impact on the region’s social fabric, which is regarded as

worrisome due to the high rate of substance abuse and the number of troubling youth issues. It

can be argued that the acceleration in one objective, e.g., economic development, can help to

obviate the challenges in the other, e.g., alcohol abuse and teen pregnancies, but each requires

a firm development thrust to have a corresponding impact.


139

Karoo Hoogland lies in a uniquely difficult development position. It is remote, has insufficient

resources to adequately provide basic services to its existing population, while at the same time

the surrounding environment holds little potential for development other than tourism and

agriculture.

21 Strategic Development Concept

The strategic development concept for Karoo Hoogland, which is elaborated on in Phase 3,

should be based on nodes, corridors and precincts. The aim is to reconstruct and integrate the

urban and rural landscape of Karoo Hoogland into a more rational, cost effective and

manageable structure.

21.1 Nodal development

Sutherland, to its credit, is favoured as a strategic node due to the existence of the Southern

African Large Telescope (SALT), which is the largest single optical telescope in the southern

hemisphere. The region was selected because of its clear and dark night skies, due to its

remote and arid location. Its altitude of over 1400 metres above sea level also makes it one of

the coldest areas in the country, with winter snow a frequent occurrence. Both of these

attributes make Sutherland an attractive tourist destination and have resulted in more tourism

opportunities than in other areas.

Unfortunately, Williston does not have the same to offer and is further disconnected from the

rest of the Municipality by the lack of tarred roads reaching it from the south and not having

much to recommend it other than its German mission heritage, which resulted in some

interesting architecture (corbel houses) and unusual looking tombstones in the local cemetery.

Fraserburg, like Williston, has an interesting settlement history, which makes the town more

attractive from an architectural standpoint, but it is also far from the main cities, presenting a

sense of sereneness and a feeling of “getting away from the crowds.” It borrows from its sister

city, Sutherland, offering dark skies and sparkling lights. Unfortunately, however, Fraserburg is a

town that must be a destination on its own, as it does not feature on any main or even

secondary route to any place of consequence.

Neither Williston nor Fraserburg would be regarded as strategic development areas as they

would have little potential to contribute significantly or even marginally to the GDP of the

country. There would thus be little likelihood that the Province or the District would support any

capital-intensive development projects that could lead to significant economic development and

job creation. In this regard, while certain policies were conceived to advance the development

of disadvantaged communities, this is not likely to be extended to these two marginalized

communities. Overall, however, the municipal area is also not likely to be a part of any

government-led industrial development strategy or programme, nor any agricultural initiatives

due to the scarcity of water. Development of a catalyst nature is most likely to be associated

with the private sector, leaving the Municipality to concentrate on the delivery of basic services.


140

21.2 Corridor development

The main towns of Karoo Hoogland lie on no real important corridors, other than the minor one

leading from Calvinia to Carnarvon and then to nowhere significant, and the route to Sutherland.

In order to develop an integrated approach to the municipal area, it may be worth considering

connecting roads that may lead to a tourism strategy linked to the mutual histories of the towns

In fact, the development orientation of the Municipality needs to be more closely aligned with the

“corridors of development” identified in the IDP of the District. Possibly, more direction and

strategic planning needs to take place with other municipalities and the District to better

enhance Karoo Hoogland’s strategic position.

21.3 Precincts

Precincts are areas with common identifying characteristics and usually have a homogenous

land use associated with it. They comprise medium to large sections of the spatial environment,

i.e., mixed land use districts, neighbourhood districts, industrial districts, agricultural districts,

institutional districts, office districts and historical precincts.

22 Phase 2 synopsis


141

KAROO HOOGLAND MUNICIPALITY PHASE 2 SUMMARY TABLE - SPATIAL ANALYSIS OF CURRENT REALITY

NO

VISION: KEY ASPECTS (FROM PHASE 1) SPATIAL INSTITUTIONAL

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN IDP & CURRENT REALITY

OPPORTUNITIES LIMITATIONS PERSPECTIVES IMPLICATION


Agriculture and beneficiation of agricultural products (wool processing, tanning of hides, etc)

Limited water resource. Limited infrastructure and poor roads. Limited resources for training / skilling in beneficiation industries.

ISRDS - the goals of integration, sustainability and development are challenged by the need to rely on outside investment as well as integration with other municipalities and districts to align development with stronger regional initiatives elsewhere. The Provincial Land Transport Framework (2003) does not address Karoo Hoogland's development needs, which is to have proper access from key routes such as the road between Cape Town and Johannesburg. Namakwa District Local Economic Development Strategy (2009) identifies very few projects relevant to Karoo Hoogland.

Lack of funding from external departments for road infrastructure and bulk services hinders economic development and steers the municipality towards private sector partnerships to obtain investment.

While the IDP identifies a number of projects aimed at economic development and job creation, one must question the feasibility of these given the capacity and infrastructure of the towns within the municipality. Backlogs in housing and service delivery, poor infrastructure and a lack of tarred roads all inhibit local economic development.


142


NO




Exploit tourism opportunities (Karoo Hoogland Tourism Route, Edu-Tourism Route, Gateway to the Universe)

Lack of tourism facilities and tourism guides. Previously separate tourism policies for each settlement (Sutherland, Williston and Fraserburg). Limited infrastructure. Distance between towns and the poor condition of roads.

ISRDS - the goals of integration, sustainability and development are challenged by the need to rely on outside investment as well as integration with other municipalities and districts to align development with stronger regional initiatives elsewhere. The Provincial Land Transport Framework (2003) does not address Karoo Hoogland's development needs which is to have proper access from key routes such as the road between Cape Town and Johannesburg. Namakwa District Local Economic Development Strategy (2009) identifies very few projects relevant to Karoo Hoogland.

Lack of funding from external departments for road infrastructure and bulk services hinders economic development and steers the municipality towards private sector partnerships to obtain investment.

The IDP recognises that tourism development has great potential in this area but is limited by poor infrastructure, bad roads, a lack of tourism facilities and lack of support from provincial and national government in resolving these issues.


143


NO




2 ACTIVE COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION

Establish MPCC's to create a communication forum. Lack of funding. None None

The IDP recognises the need for community involvement in future projects but does not currently have the resources to establish MPCC's.

3 PROVISION OF BASIC SERVICES

Address housing and service backlogs.

Lack of a sustainable water source. Lack of funding. Lack of capacity in existing services infrastructure.

GEAR - a balance must be reached between basic service delivery and stimulating economic development to help pay for these services. The PGDS recognises that Karoo Hoogland does contain a development node (Sutherland) but that it is also a region that requires stabilisation of its resource base to serve the existing population.

Lack of funding from external departments for road infrastructure and bulk services hinders economic development.

The IDP aims to address existing housing and service delivery backlogs as well as the lack of a sustainable water source. Karoo Hoogland currently has poor infrastructure and a lack of good roads.


144


NO




4 FOCUS ON DEVELOPMENT OF LIFE SKILLS

Establish a social infrastructure to address the needs of residents (MPCC's, social development programmes, community centres for training and skills development).

Limited funding and lack of existing facilities. None None

The IDP identifies projects aimed at improving social infrastructure but these are limited by lack of funding.

5 CREATE A SAFE AND HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT

Provide health facilities

Limited funding. Strain on existing health facilities due to high rate of HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis, teenage pregnancy and substance abuse. High poverty levels. None None

The IDP highlights the worrisome rate of substance abuse and the number of troubling youth issues. Economic development and job creation may assist in reducing these problems but currently this is not the focus of the IDP.

Provide a police presence in all settlements.

Limited resources. High crime rate linked to alcohol and drug abuse that exists in these settlements due to high unemployment rates. None None

The IDP highlights the crime rate and the issues of troublesome youth but is limited by lack of funding to alleviate these problems.


145

CHAPTER 4


146

23 PHASE 3

The purpose of this chapter is to sketch the desired spatial pattern for Karoo Hoogland Local

Municipality taking into account the provisions of its Integrated Development Plan, the

institutional requirements of different government spheres (institutional analysis) and the

inherent spatial opportunities the municipality offers.

This section endeavors to develop:

1. Spatial goal and objectives

2. Spatial strategies

3. Strategic development concept

4. Priority intervention areas

As indicated in the previous sections, other than Sutherland, Karoo Hoogland hosts few towns

with an economic base from which to grow. In most cases, Karoo Hoogland must consider its

limited resources, particularly water, in terms of its scope for development. Clearly, the

municipality simply does not have funds at its disposal to catalyse substantive economic

development. Investment in the region’s resources thus tends to fall upon existing or external

commercial stakeholders who compete with the existing communities for the limited resources

of the municipality to supply them with electricity, sanitation, water, etc., to make their business

investments viable. While this typically results in much needed job creation, as a result of the

new economic developments, it leaves the municipality with an increasing backlog of housing,

basic services, etc., to fulfill the needs of its population.

Alongside these challenges are the biodiversity imperatives of the region, which restrict

development in tourism, mining and agriculture. This chapter therefore looks at the overall

spatial pattern of the municipality, given its strengths and opportunities, and makes

recommendations that take into account the underlying threats and weaknesses in its

developmental options. The proposed set of project priorities will lend themselves to facilitating

the best possible development scenario for the municipality, given the limited financial

resources available to it. Some possible solutions to overcoming the challenges faced by these

potential developments will also be offered.

For purposes of clarity, the municipality’s spatial goals and objectives are restated here:

24 Spatial goal & objectives

Karoo Hoogland Municipality needs to organise and manage its people, resources and

infrastructure in such a manner as to ensure a safe, healthy, sustainable and economically

viable environment.


Figure 18

The spatial vision describes what Karoo Hoogland Municipality wants to achieve with the

physical environment in the long term.

realistic future state.

24.1 Spatial goal

“To optimally develop our inherent economic opportunities such as our natural beauty and clear

night skies, to protect and utilis

enjoyment of all and to develop sustainable settlements where residents can lead enriched,

healthy and convenient lives”.

24.2 Spatial objectives

The development objectives derived from the

• To exploit economic opportunities in a sustainable manner;

• To protect the sensitive natural environment and resources from inappropriate and opportunistic development; and

• To create sustainable urban and rural settlements.

Spatial strategies that can facilitate the achievement of these goals and objectives are set forth

in the next section.

24.3 Spatial strategies

The spatial strategies indicate how the objectives can be achieved through a series of

interventions that are designed to address the op

Spatial strategies can address different facets of a region’s development. These are captured in

the table below:


147

18: Organisation


environment in the long term. The vision must therefore be based on a desired, yet

To optimally develop our inherent economic opportunities such as our natural beauty and clear

, to protect and utilise our rich and diverse natural and cultural heritage for the

and to develop sustainable settlements where residents can lead enriched,

healthy and convenient lives”.

The development objectives derived from the municipality’s spatial vision include:

To exploit economic opportunities in a sustainable manner;

To protect the sensitive natural environment and resources from inappropriate and opportunistic development; and

To create sustainable urban and rural settlements.

at can facilitate the achievement of these goals and objectives are set forth


interventions that are designed to address the opportunities in the municipality.


People

Resources

Infrastructure



The vision must therefore be based on a desired, yet

To optimally develop our inherent economic opportunities such as our natural beauty and clear

cultural heritage for the

and to develop sustainable settlements where residents can lead enriched,

include:

To protect the sensitive natural environment and resources from inappropriate and

at can facilitate the achievement of these goals and objectives are set forth


portunities in the municipality.



148

Figure 19: Spatial Strategies

25 Strategic Development Concept

The Strategic Development Concept identifies how the spatial form of Karoo Hoogland

Municipality should be shaped, based on the identified spatial objectives and strategies. The

strategic development concept is basically informed by the following:

25.1 Structuring elements

Structuring elements, to a large extent, dictate the location of development and direction for

growth.

(Refer to Plan 43: Karoo Hoogland Structuring Elements)

Exploit economic opportunities

•Strengthen mobility & economic links between Sutherland, Fraserburg and Willison

•Development of cross border Tourism Corridors

•Promote development of Sutherland astronomy tourism hub

•Support sustainable mining exploration

•Promote renewable energy generation

Create sustainable urban and rural settlements

•Strengthen hierarchy of activity nodes

•Eradicate basic services backlogs

•Conservation of ground water as raw water supply

Protect the natural and built environment

•Conservation of natrual environment

•Protection of heritage features


149

Table 32: Karoo Hoogland Structuring Elements

Spatial Element Specific Character Location Implications for

Development

Existing Physical

Natural elements that

cannot be moved or

changed

Mountains Baster, Roggeveld,

Kamsberg and

Nuweveldberge

Escarpment view, too

steep for development,

environmental sensitive

Rivers Vis River West, Riet,

Sout, Sak and Renoster

Rivers

Risks of flooding,

environmental sensitive

areas, potential for

arable agriculture if

water is available

Wetlands Non-perennial pans

located in the north

western part

No development areas

Conservation Areas Tankwa Karoo National

Park

Restricted development

Existing major

movement infrastructure

playing a vital role in

commuting goods and

services between towns

and on a regional level

Main Roads R63, R353, R356, R354 Restricted access due

to poor road conditions

Railway lines and

stations

Calvinia – Williston –

Carnarvon rail links and

station in Calvinia

Improve mobility

Airfields Airfield in Sutherland Improve mobility

Built-up areas Existing settlements Fraserburg, Sutherland

and Williston

Focus development to

towns

Development areas None None

At the outset, it should be stated that any further growth to the towns in the region will need to

be predicated on the supply of water. In this regard, both Fraserburg and Williston are likely to

have significant limits to their expansion potential and thus will need to contain their

development plans to limit expansion or additional demand for water.

25.2 Development opportunities

Key areas of opportunity that transpired from the institutional and contextual analysis are:

• Tourism development through improved road linkages and marketing techniques.

• Agricultural development through diversification and beneficiation of agricultural

products.

• Possible mining development (uranium, gypsum and gas/oil), if proven to be feasible.

25.3 Rural environment

The rural environment is not a “development area”, so the interventions in this area should be

minimised to:


150

• Utilising high potential agricultural land to promote intensive agriculture and

environmental assets to promote tourism;

• Creating rural service centres where rural communities can access day-to-day services

and to provide housing opportunities for people who are involved in the rural economy;

and

• Ensure sufficient linkages between the rural and urban environments.

A Macro Strategic Development Concept is developed for Karoo Hoogland for the entire

Municipality and Micro Strategic Development Concepts for the respective nodal points.

26 Macro Strategic Development Concept

The development rationale for Karoo Hoogland is based on:

• Nodal development

• Corridor development

• Tourism development

• Environmental conservation

• Mining development

• Agricultural development

26.1 Nodal development

Refer to Plan 44: Karoo Hoogland Macro Strategic Development Concept

Settlements can be classified into various functionality types according to the number and types

of commercial, industrial and service functions provided by each.

The towns of Karoo Hoogland are classified into the following functionality type:

Table 33: Functionality type

Activity nodes: Sutherland, Williston, Fraserburg

Although the three towns have more or less the same population size and provide similar

services and functions to their surrounding areas, Sutherland is identified as an astronomy hub

that should focus on tourism. Sutherland is strategic located in proximity of the N1 and the

Cape Town metropole.

Williston is strategically located on the R63 road and is identified as the administration centre of

Karoo Hoogland. Further growth and development of Williston will significantly depend on the

realisation of the SKA project. The development of Fraserburg depends on the possibility of

uranium mining in the area and the improvement of road access.


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The aim should be to attract private and public investments to these nodes to increase

economic and social opportunities, to aggressively market the cultural-historical importance of

these towns and to provide an effective service to the surrounding rural areas and to tourists.

These nodes need to form the focus areas to which catalyst development projects are directed

providing for sustainable communities involving:

• Urban renewal initiatives and economic regeneration;

• Human resources development;

• Neighbourhood development;

• The upgrading and restructuring of engineering and social infrastructure;

• Urban management; and

• Transportation and roads.

26.2 Corridor development

Corridor development in Karoo Hoogland does not necessarily imply that development is

supported along identified corridors, but rather that these routes should function as regional

linkages with the focus on transport mobility.

Urban development should be focused within the urban edges of identified nodes. Refer to

Micro Strategic Development Concepts for more detail regarding land use proposals.

The identified transport corridors include:

1. Calvinia-Williston-Carnarvon corridor consisting of the R63 tar road and railway link

between Carnarvon, Williston, Calvinia and to the N7.

2. Sutherland-Matjiesfontein-N1 corridor consisting of the R354 tar road linking

Sutherland with the N1 highway via Matjiesfontein, which is the main link between Karoo

Hoogland and Cape Town.

North-south integration between the two corridors is recommended through improved road

linkages between:

• Sutherland and Calvinia by tarring this section

• Sutherland and Fraserburg by tarring the R356 road

• Fraserburg and Williston by tarring the R353 road (approximately 35km)

• Sutherland and Williston by upgrading this section

Improved connectivity within Karoo Hoogland Municipality will improve its regional accessibility

which is important to:


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- unlock the tourism potential

- ensure functional urban and rural integration

- to enhance inter and intra municipal accessibility

Connectivity between the nodes and rural areas needs to be improved to ensure accessibility to

goods and services provided at these nodes.

26.3 Tourism development

Opportunities exist for tourism facilities and should be developed as such. Each of the three

towns offers unique tourism attractions, namely:

1. The town of Sutherland is the home of the South African Large Telescope (SALT) which

makes it popular to star gazers and astronomers. SALT is situated ±15 km out of town

on the R356 road to Fraserburg. Sufficient accommodation facilities need to be provided

to tourists visiting Sutherland.

Cluster of domes near Sutherland – Photo taken by W Koorts

Salpeterkop – photo taken by W. Koorts

2. Fraserburg is home to the spectacular paleo surface and attracts archeologists and

those intrigued by dinosaurs and prehistoric life. The paleo surface is situated on the

farm Gansfontein, approximately 5km out of town. The paleo surface needs to be

protected and marketed as a tourist destination.


153

Example of a Corbel house in the park opposite the Paleo Surface

Old Rectory Museum

3. The town of Williston has heritage significance and is known for the Corbelled houses

located in the region, the “tombstone route” linking the farms of Koega, Oest and

Dassiekloof and the Meerkat site to the north east.

Photos of the Meerkat Site

The Roggeveld, Kamsberg and Nuweveld mountains are ideal for eco- and adventure-tourism.

Numerous guest farms are situated in the Roggeveld Mountains indicating the popularity of this

area to tourists as it offers unique natural flora and spectacular views.

The tourism of Karoo Hoogland should be promoted and marketed through a well-developed

tourism strategy. Such a strategy should focus on the inherent tourism potential of the three

towns, tourism attractions in their surrounds and proper tourism routes linking these tourist

attractions.

More importantly for this strategy to succeed is that the roads be improved between the towns,

proper signage be erected on the roads and that sufficient infrastructure be developed in the

towns, i.e., tourist accommodation, restaurants, internet facilities, etc.

Tourism routes/corridors

• Nieuwoudtville-Calvinia-Sutherland is identified as an eco-tourism corridor.


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• Sutherland-Fraserburg-Williston is identified as the Highlands Tourism Corridor – it is

essential that the unique features of the different towns be combined into one strategy.

For example edu-tourism should focus on the geology and paleontology at Fraserburg,

astronomy and biodiversity at Sutherland and radiology and cultural tourism at Williston.

• “Walking with Ancestors” is an important tourism initiative and enjoys high priority.

The most suitable form of tourism in rural areas is eco-tourism which aims to balance the needs

of people with the need to protect the environment. It is low impact tourism, which means that it

aims to disturb the environment as little as possible.

Refer to Land Use Management Guidelines in Phase 4

26.4 Environmental conservation

The environmental conservation zone should include all ecologically sensitive natural open

spaces with conservation value i.e. mountain ranges, proclaimed nature reserves,

conservancies, river environments, wetlands, biodiversity corridors etc.

The following areas form part of the environmental conservation zone:

1. The Bokkeveld-Hantam-Roggeveld corridor including the Bokkeveld-, Hantam-,

Roggeberge, Kamsberg and Basterberge forming a continuous ecological unit that is

situated in the southern part of the Municipality. This corridor also includes the Tankwa

National Park to the north.

2. Mountainous areas along the southern boundary stretching from Kamsberg to the

Nuweveldberge, linking with the Karoo National Park to the south east.

3. Major river systems include the Vis-, Riet-, Sout- and Sak Rivers, which flow periodically

every few years. Rivers and associated riparian vegetation form important biodiversity

corridors and should therefore be protected from human settlement.

4. The wetlands in the northern part of the Municipality that links with the Sak River.

5. A biodiversity corridor linking mountainous areas between Williston and the

Meerkat/SKA Site, continuing into Kareeberg Local Municipality.

6. Fraserburg and surrounding area due to distribution of Riverine Rabbits.


26.5 Mining development

The mining industry in Karoo Hoogland could become an employer in years to come,

considering the huge uranium deposits. Possibilities of uranium mining have been identified,

mainly in the southern part of the Municipality:

1. South-east (Damfontein se River) and south west of Fraserburg (Klein Riet River)


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2. South-east of Sutherland, close to Salpeterkop and on the banks of the Riet River

Other mining opportunities include:

- Copper and silver are found on Klein Witkraal op Kapgat 724, Klein Kookfontein 137,

Droogfoots Fontein 356 and Arbeiders Fontein 150.

- Calcite is found on the farms Annex Kransfontein 721 and Arbeiders Fontein 150.

- Aggregate and building material is found on the farms Brassefontein 371 and Wit

Klip 372.


26.6 Agriculture

The larger extent of Karoo Hoogland consists of agricultural land with low potential grazing

mainly used for sheep and game farming. There is an increasing interest in commercial game

farming, hunting safaris and holiday farms in the municipal area.

Only 1.5% of soils are highly suitable for arable agriculture, where climate permits. Possibilities

for small-scale intensive irrigation farming exist on the banks of the Sak, Riet, Sout, Brak and

Damfontein Rivers.

26.6.1 Comprehensive Rural Development Programme

The key thrust of the Comprehensive Rural Development Programme (CRDP) is an integrated

programme of rural development, agrarian change and land reform. The vision of the CRDP is

to create vibrant, equitable and sustainable rural communities and to improve the livelihoods of

the rural poor and to revitalise and develop rural towns.

Figure 20: Comprehensive Rural Development Programme

CRDP

Rural Development

Infrastructure

Agrarian Transformation

Agri-industries

Agri-villages

Land Reform

Land Restitution

Land Redistribution

Land Tenure Reform


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26.6.2 Rural development

With regard to rural development in Karoo Hoogland the following is proposed:

1. Development of human resources – capacity building and skills development in livestock

farming, game farming, tourism, possible mining and arable agriculture.

2. Development and upgrade basic infrastructure – focus on farmers and farm workers

living on privately owned farms or subsistence and emerging farmers located on

commonage land owned by the Municipality.

26.6.3 Agrarian transformation

Little attention has been paid to the value chain through which agricultural commodities and

products reach the final consumers within the country and abroad. This neglect results in

enormous potential losses of value added and employment opportunities.

Agro-industries in Karoo Hoogland should focus on:

• Development of supply chains for primary agricultural product to increase efficiencies to

main markets in to the key economic centres i.e. Kimberley, Johannesburg, Cape Town

• The possibility of growing and processing ‘indigenous rye grass’, which occur only in

Karoo Hoogland, to become a commercial grain food crop.

• Organic farming – the Organics SA organisation claims that it is inundated with enquiries

from restaurants, supermarkets, wholesalers and food processing businesses wanting to

know where they can source supplies of organically produced foodstuffs and vegetables.

• The Working for Water Programme has added a Secondary Industries Programme to

add value to Alien Invasive Plants clearance, in particular Prosopis. The cutting of

Prosopis trees is taking place around Fraserburg and Williston.

26.6.4 Land reform

Status Quo

Surplus Peoples Project (SPP) is the organisation appointed to facilitate land reform processes

in Namakwaland and according to the Annual SPP Report (2009) the following is noted for

Karoo Hoogland Municipality:

• Applications were submitted by the Sutherland Emerging Farmers Association (EFA) for

additional commonage land on the farms Jackalsvalley (2005ha), Nooitgedacht

(6000ha), Beerfontein (6000ha) and Huiseman (2500ha). These applications are still in

process.

• Commonage land (±21 236ha) around the towns of Williston, Sutherland and

Fraserburg, is mainly used by emerging farmers for sheep farming; other activities

include, vegetables, poultry, pig farming and tourism.

• Four farms have been transferred to the community.


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Locational criteria

The following locational criteria are considered important in identifying areas for land reform

purposes:

1. Ownership and land prices;

2. Resource potential (agricultural potential, mineral deposits, tourism potential etc.);

3. Available infrastructure on the land i.e. water, fencing, roads, shelter; and

4. Proximity of the market.

Proposals

The following areas are considered suitable for land reform projects.

• Small land parcels located along the R353 and around Fraserburg consisting of soils

that are suitable for arable agriculture, if water is available.

• Land along the southern boundary, around Sutherland and a band to the north of

Fraserburg where uranium deposits can be exploited. This may offer mining possibilities

to small-scale mining companies.

• Municipal and commonage land around the towns of Williston, Sutherland and

Fraserburg.

Land reform success

In order to make a success of land reform, the following should be noted:

• The development of management skills must form an integral part of all projects,

especially if lower rainfall is expected that will result in a decrease in livestock carrying

capacity.

• Focus must be on commercial ventures, rather than subsistence farming due to the

importance of the agricultural sector in Karoo Hoogland.

• A feasibility or land potential study needs to be undertaken prior to purchasing land for

land reform purposes.

• Access to agricultural support programmes are important i.e. Comprehensive

Agricultural Support Programme (CASP), Land Care Programme, Land Redistribution

for Agricultural Development Programme (LRAD), Household Food Production, Food

Security and Starter Packs and Irrigation, Rehabilitation and Development Programme.

26.7 Planned projects

26.7.1 Wind farm

Two separate wind farms are proposed: (Refer to Plan 44: Karoo Hoogland Macro Strategic

Development Concept)


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a) Roggeveld Wind Farm development is proposed in the Roggeveld Mountains.

The facility will utilise wind turbines to generate electricity that will be fed into the Nation Power

Grid. The facility will have an energy generation capacity of up to 750MW and will consist of the

following:

• ± 250 wind turbines

• electrical connections

• substation (single storey of approximately 2500m² in size)

• access roads and site access and

• additional project infrastructure

b) Suurplaat Wind Energy Facility lies 50km south-east of Sutherland and 41km north of the

N1 national road.

The study area measures approximately 10 874 hectares. The electricity generated will be fed

into the National Power Grid and will consist of 140 wind turbines and associated infrastructure

(i.e. substations, access roads and distribution power lines.

26.7.2 Gas exploration

Gas exploration is currently being investigated in close proximity to Fraserburg. The extent and

location of the project is yet to be confirmed.

27 Departure points

The purpose of this section is to estimate

1. the need for land (ha) for housing development,

2. the demand for social infrastructure facilities; and

3. engineering services (water, sanitation and electricity)

27.1 Methodology

The following basic steps were followed to estimate the demand for these facilities:

• Population and household projections to determine the number of people that needs to

be planned for during the planning horizon 2010-2030, based on Stats SA 2001 and the

2007 Community Survey.

• Apply a density of 10-15 dwelling units per hectare to the projected households to

determine the land required for housing.

• Apply the standards contained in the “Guidelines for Human Settlement Planning and

Design” (known as the Red Book) to the projected population and households to

determine:


159

- the need for social infrastructure facilities and

- the need for engineering services (water, sanitation and electricity)

Table 34: Population and household projections

Karoo Hoogland 2001 2007 Increase over 6 years (%) Annual increase (%)

Total Households 3168 2982 -5.9% -0.98%

Total Population 10513 10420 -0.9% -0.14%

27.2 Limitations and assumptions

The methodology has the following limitations:

• The projections are based on two data sources only, being Stats SA 2001 and the

Community Survey 2007 and therefore not necessarily accurate.

• It is accepted that the % increase/decrease in households for the entire municipality

during the period 2001-2007 (-5.9%) is the same for each town and the rural area

(equating to an annual decrease of 0.98%)

• It is accepted that the % increase/decrease in population for the entire municipality over

the period 2001-2007 (-0.9%) is the same for each town and the rural area (equating to

an annual decrease of 0.14%)

• The increasing impact of HIV/Aids and related deaths on population growth after 2007

has not been included in these projections.

• Migration trends and associated population figures are difficult to determine and not

readably available.

• The attractiveness of Karoo Hoogland in terms of future economic development and

associated employment opportunities is not considered in these projections.

Cognisance should be taken, this is essentially a quantitative assessment, and therefore, does

not achieve a qualitative assessment, which relates to the realism of meeting determined needs.

27.3 Sutherland

Table 35: Sutherland Land demand

Sutherland 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030

Projected households (-) 0.98% households 582 554 527 502 478

Projected housing demand

houses 240 -28 -27 -25 -24

Land size (@15du/ha)

ha 16 -1.9 -1.8 -1.7 -1.6

Location (see plan)

A B C D E

Projected population (-) 0.14% 1957 1943 1930 1916 1903

Social infrastructure

Existing 2010 Required

Crèche/nursery school 1/5000 pers. 0 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4

Primary schools 1/3000 pers. 1 0.7 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6


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Sutherland 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030

Secondary schools 1/6000 pers. 1 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3

Tertiary facilities No specs 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Mobile clinics 1/5000 pers. 0 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4

Clinic 1/5000 pers. 0 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4

Hospitals No specs 1


Libraries 1/5000 pers. 0 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4

Community centres 1/10000 pers. 0 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2

Religious centres 1/2000 pers. 4 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0

Municipal offices/pay points 1/50 000 pers. 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Fire stations 1/60 000 pers. 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Post office 1/11000 pers. 1 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2

Police station 1/25000 pers. 1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1

Sports facilities 1

27.3.1 Interpretation of Table 35

Housing

• Currently the housing backlog stands at 240 houses requiring ±16ha of land to be

developed at a density of 15 units/ha.

• No provision is made for additional houses due to a negative population growth between

2001 and 2007.


• Currently there is no shortfall of social infrastructure facilities.

Table 36: Sutherland Infrastructure demand

Sutherland 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030

Projected housing demand 240 -28 -27 -25 -24

Bulk water & sanitation

Water demand - high income 1250l/stand

300000 -35000 -33750 -31250 -30000

Water demand - low income 750l/stand

180000 -21000 -20250 -18750 -18000

Existing capacity

Additional bulk required

Electricity demand

Electricity demand-average

household 1100kWh/month 264000 -30800 -29700 -27500 -26400


161



• An additional 0.18 Ml/day is required to service the immediate housing backlog of 240

houses – 2010 (at 750l/day).

Electricity

• The immediate electricity demand for 240 houses is 264000kWh/month – 2010.

27.3.3 Development phases

Table 37: Sutherland Proposed Development Phases

Sutherland

Development

Phase Period

Plan

Notation

Housing

Demand

Land

Required

(Hectares)

Land

Identified

on Plan

(Hectares)

Road

Linkages

and

Upgrades

A Current backlog A 240 16 26 1

B 2011-2015 - - - - 2 & 3

C 2016-2020 - - - - 4

D 2021-2025 - - - - -

E 2025-2030 - - - - -

Phase A is the eradication of the existing housing backlog of 240 houses.

• Development Phase A requirements will be met by utilising 7 hectares of densification

land (14 hectares at 50% utilisation) and 19 hectares of new development land.

• Due to the negative growth forecast, no future provision is being made for housing.

Should this negative growth forecast be reversed, an additional 8 hectares of new development

land is available. No further phases have been identified due to the negative population growth

rate.

Road linkages and road upgrades are prioritised on Plan 46: Sutherland Micro Strategic

Development Concept. It must be stressed, however, that although new road linkages and

upgrades are discussed, it should remain a priority of the municipality to maintain all existing

roads.

In considering proposed future expansion and densification to cater for calculated housing

growth, an escalation in the demand for bulk water, sewer and electrical services must be taken

into account. Table 36 highlights the demand for bulk infrastructure.


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27.4 Fraserburg

Table 38: Fraserburg Land demand

Fraserburg 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030



houses 340 -25 -24 -22 -22


ha 22.7 -1.7 -1.6 -1.5 -1.5

Location (see plan)

A B C D E









Clinic 1/5000 pers. 1 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5


Libraries 1/5000 pers. 1 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5






Post office 1/11000 pers. 1 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2


Sports facilities 3

Housing




2001 and 2007.


• There is no shortfall of social infrastructure facilities.


163

Table 39: Fraserburg Infrastructure demand

Fraserburg 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030




425000 -31250 -30000 -27500 -27500


255000 -18750 -18000 -16500 -16500

Existing capacity


Electricity demand







Electricity



Table 40: Fraserburg Proposed Development Phases

Fraserburg

Development

Phase Period

Plan

Notation

Housing

Demand

Land

Required

(Hectares)

Land

Identified

on Plan

(Hectares)

Road

Linkages

and

Upgrades

A Current backlog A 340 22.7 26 1

B 2011-2015 - - - - 2 & 3

C 2016-2020 - - - - 4

D 2021-2025 - - - - -

E 2025-2030 - - - - -


• Development Phase A requirements will be met by utilising 8 hectares of densification




164

Should this negative growth forecast be reversed, an additional 3 hectares of new development

land is available. No further phases have been identified due to the negative population growth

rate.

Road linkages and road upgrades are prioritised on Plan 48: Fraserburg Micro Strategic



roads.




27.5 Williston

Table 41: Williston Land demand

Williston 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030



houses 300 -29 -28 -27 -25


ha 20.0 -1.9 -1.9 -1.8 -1.7

Location (see plan)

A B C D E









Clinic 1/5000 pers. 2 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.5 0.5


Libraries 1/5000 pers. 0 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.5 0.5





Post office 1/11000 pers. 1 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.2


Sports facilities 3


165


Housing




2001 and 2007.


• There is a need for a crèche/nursery school.

• No demand for other social infrastructure facilities.

Table 42: Williston Infrastructure demand

Williston 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030




375000 -36250 -35000 -33750 -31250


225000 -21750 -21000 -20250 -18750

Existing capacity


Electricity demand







Electricity



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Table 43: Williston Proposed Development Phases

Williston

Development

Phase Period

Plan

Notation

Housing

Demand

Land

Required

(Hectares)

Land

Identified

on Plan

(Hectares)

Road

Linkages

and

Upgrades

A Current backlog A 300 20 20.5 1

B 2011-2015 - - - - 2 & 3

C 2016-2020 - - - - 4 & 5

D 2021-2025 - - - - -

E 2025-2030 - - - - -


• Development Phase A requirements will be met by utilising 3.5 hectares of densification



Road linkages and road upgrades are prioritised on Plan 50: Williston Micro Strategic



roads.




General Remarks

• The towns of Karoo Hoogland may not qualify for a certain facility in terms of its

population size and prescribed standards for social services.

• The reality however is that the towns are situated far apart and due to lack of transport

services necessitate the provision of certain services

• The proportionate increase in the rural population and expected increase in rural-urban

migration will put additional strain on existing engineering and social infrastructure

facilities in towns.

• There may not be a need for social infrastructure facilities in terms quantity, but a need

for the improvement or upgrade of existing facilities.

• A shortage of medicine and qualified personnel, limited funding and lack of maintenance

of buildings and equipment are common problems experienced by health care facilities.


167

• Other factors such as the learner-teacher ratio (1 teacher: 40 learners), the condition of

schools and the availability of teaching materials/equipment may also be hampering the

delivery of education to communities.

28 Micro Strategic Development Concept

Micro Strategic Development Concepts are formulated for the three nodes:

• Sutherland

• Williston

• Fraserburg

The key objectives of the micro strategic development concept is to achieve objectives such as

functional integration of different neighbourhoods (communities), improved access to social

amenities and work opportunities and optimising existing infrastructure and engineering services

These objectives can be achieved by applying the following tools.

28.1 Spatial planning tools

The spatial planning tools most appropriate to municipalities such as Karoo Hoogland tend to

require more attention to curbing urban spread, which enables the municipality to maximize

economies of scale in the distribution of basic services.

Table 44: Spatial planning tools

Tool Definition Location Why

Urban edge

(Refer to

guidelines in

Phase 4)

The urban growth boundary

indicates the interface between

urban and rural environments. It

therefore indicated the area where

urban growth should not be

allowed

As indicated on Micro

Development Concept

Plan

A major spatial problem

is uncontrolled, low-

density sprawling of

settlements into the

surrounding rural area.

This has a number of

disadvantages:

• It results in a

settlement pattern

that has neither

urban nor rural

advantages.

• In terms of

infrastructure

investment it is

impossibly

expensive to serve.

• It could compromise

valuable natural


168

Tool Definition Location Why

environments and

high potential

agricultural land

Densification Densification is the process

whereby densities, i.e. the number

of dwelling units per hectare,

increase in a planned and

sustainable manner.

It can take place by means of:

• Apartment buildings (flats)

• Cluster housing (group housing)

• Subdivision and second dwelling


Development Concept

Plan

Densification creates

more compact

environments that

improve access to work,

services. It also

provides for more

efficient use of

infrastructure

Infill/Extension Is the process whereby vacant

land, within the urban edge, is

used for infill development.

It can take place by means of:

• Development of vacant erven

that are already surveyed

• “Greenfields” development,

being the natural extension of

town.


Development Concept

Plan

Infill development

creates more compact

environments that

improve access to work,

services. It also

provides for more

efficient use of

infrastructure

Mixed use The mixing of different land uses

within a specific location or

precinct. Mixed uses can comprise

a combination of residential

(mostly higher density residential),

businesses, offices and community

facilities. Mixed uses can either

comprise different land uses on

different erven but within the same

locality or mixed use in the same

building


Development Concept

Plan

Nodes are important

urban elements which

can be used to

restructure areas where

activity is disperse and

where there is no sense

of place legibility or

special focus.

28.2 Sutherland

Sutherland experienced growth during recent years. Small businesses established along Piet

Retief and Sarel Cilliers Streets and an increase in short-stay accommodation developments

(guest houses) are noted. Residential densification through subdivisions (minimum erf size of

1000m²) is evident throughout Sutherland.


The following structuring elements play a significant role in the existing and future development

of Sutherland (Refer to Plan 45: Sutherland Structuring Elements)


169

Table 45: Sutherland Structuring Elements

Movement infrastructure

Sutherland developed around the intersection between R356 to

Fraserburg and R354 to Calvinia in the north and Matjiesfontein

in the south. Main roads through Sutherland provide good

access and visual exposure to adjacent land uses.

Physical natural elements

Sutherland has little available land for extension in any direction

due to the surrounding mountainous areas, koppies, the Dorp

River and its tributaries traversing town, which is subject to

flooding after heavy rainfall. The oblong north-south

configuration of Sutherland can be ascribed to these natural

elements.

Built-up area

The built-up area of Sutherland will largely dictate the location of

future land uses. Business uses tend to locate around the R353

and R356 intersection, higher density subsidised housing occurs

to the north, with lower residential densities to the south. The

golf course is situated further south, industrial development and

oxidation ponds are located to the south east.

The observatories outside Sutherland further restrict

development within the town due to the possible negative

impact it could have on air and light quality.

See Plan 46: Sutherland Micro Strategic Development Concept

28.2.2 Mixed use

The focus of this precinct must be to confine and protect economic development by creating an

enabling environment.

• Support and promote mix use developments within the mix use area including business,

offices, community facilities and social services.

• Support and promote residential densification.

• Support facilities that attract expenditure from the increasing traffic flow on the main

roads.

• Limit informal trade to predefined and allocated areas

• Improve accessibility and functionality of the mixed use precinct through the provision of

proper road linkages and pedestrian friendly areas.

The grid road network of Sutherland provides good access to the business strip that developed

along the main access road. This presents an ideal opportunity to confine mixed land uses,

improve legibility and initiate urban renewal strategies.


170

28.2.3 Residential development

Residential extension and infill development is proposed to the north, centre and south of town.

Residential densification is encouraged between the mixed use precinct and secondary school.

The development of a residential component as part of the golf course is currently being

investigated.

28.2.4 Industrial development

Non noxious industries should be limited to dedicated area due to the possible negative impacts

it could have on the observatories in terms of air and light pollution.

28.2.5 Urban agriculture

Support small scale agricultural opportunities within this area i.e. communal food gardens.

28.2.6 Open space

The Dorp River, its tributaries and associated riparian vegetation and surrounding mountainous

areas are environmentally sensitive with conservation value.

28.2.7 Sports and recreation

The sports fields are located to the south and north of town which are easily accessed by all

communities. The location of these facilities will not hamper any integration efforts.

It is proposed that the existing facilities be improved and developed rather than to identify new

areas for recreational purposes. The upgrade of the Rebelskop sports facilities is a priority and

an outdoor community recreational facility is proposed for Sutherland.

28.2.8 Tourism and accommodation

Sutherland has insufficient short-stay accommodation facilities to cater for larger tourist- and

school groups that visit SALT. Tourist accommodation and associated amenities is supported in

town and on surrounding farms.

A tourist attraction centre (community science and technology centre) is planned in the centre of

town. The aim is to provide employment opportunities and to train local people to perform basic

maintenance tasks on the telescopes. This centre should provide good restaurants, local curios

and an information centre with internet facilities etc.

28.2.9 Other land uses

Oxidation ponds

Upgrade oxidation ponds and internal sewerage reticulation networks.


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Landfill Site

Upgrade and licensing of landfill site.

28.3 Fraserburg

A notable trend in Fraserburg is the increase in holiday homes. City dwellers tend to purchase

residential properties in rural towns such as Fraserburg in order to escape the urban “rat race”

and to enjoy the peace and tranquility of the Karoo.



of Fraserburg. (Refer to Plan 47 Fraserburg Structuring Elements)

Table 46: Fraserburg Structuring Elements


Fraserburg developed around the convergence of the R353 to

Williston in the north and Leeu Gamka in the south and the

R356 to Sutherland in the west and Loxton in the east. Main

roads through Fraserburg provide good access and visual

exposure to adjacent land uses.


The Sout River passes Sutherland to the east curbing natural

extension in that direction. The low-lying areas to the south and

south east in proximity of the golf course are subject to periodic

flooding. Further extension to the north is limited by

mountainous areas that present steep slopes.

Built-up area

Fraserburg consists mainly of residential with various densities,

a CBD which developed around the R353 and R356

intersection, a golf course to the south, informal settlement and

oxidation ponds to the far north and sports fields in the northern

and southern part.

28.3.2 Mixed uses

The focus of this area must be to confine and protect economic development within a heritage

sensitive area.

• Support and promote mix use developments within the mix use area including business,

offices, community facilities and social services.



roads.


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The grid road network of Fraserburg provides good access to the business strip that developed

along the main access road. This presents an ideal opportunity to confine mixed land uses,

improve legibility and initiate urban renewal strategies.


Residential extension is proposed on the land situated between the more established part of

town and Amerville. This presents an ideal opportunity to integrate the northern and southern

sections of Fraserburg. Formalisation is a priority in the northern part of Amerville.

Residential densification is suggested in the area to the south of the main road consisting of

very large erven.


Industrial development is not prominent in Karoo Hoogland Municipality. Industrial type

developments should be supported adjacent north of the show grounds.

28.3.5 Heritage area

As part of the need for economic revitalisation this heritage area must be developed in such a

manner that the heritage elements remain. Development should focus on the enhancement and

sustainability of the heritage qualities of the node.

The heritage area needs to be developed in accordance with an approved heritage protection

framework containing guidelines for development and alterations to existing buildings.

28.3.6 Open space

The Sout River, its tributaries, flood plain areas located to the south and south-east of town and

the undevelopable mountainous areas to the north must form part of a continuous open space

system forming of the broader municipal open space system.

These areas are considered environmentally sensitive with conservation value.

28.3.7 Sports and recreation

The sports facilities of Fraserburg are located in the southern (golf course), central and northern

parts of town (Amerville) and are easily accessible to communities. It is proposed that the

existing facilities be improved and developed rather than to identify new areas for recreational

purposes. The upgrade of the sports facility in Amerville is a priority.


173


It is suggested by the community that a tourist attraction centre be developed between Amerville

and Fraserburg. The museum needs to be upgraded.


Oxidation ponds

Phase 2 of oxidation ponds and internal sewerage reticulation networks.

Landfill Site

The land fill site needs to be upgraded.

Cemetery

A cemetery site is proposed adjacent south of the show grounds. The necessary professional

studies need to be conducted to determine the feasibility of this area for purposes of a

cemetery.

28.4 Williston



of Williston. (Refer to Plan 49: Williston Structuring Elements):

Table 47: Williston Structuring Elements


The main R63 and R353 routes divide Williston into clear

segments. Business uses tend to be located at the intersection

of these main roads. The railway line and station restricts

natural future development to the south.


The Sak River passes Williston in the south. A tributary of the

Sak River divides the town into two segments. Development on

the riverbanks should not be allowed due to the risk of flooding.

An east-west ridge hampers development in a northerly

direction.

Built-up area

The CBD developed around the intersection between Lutz and

Reinecke Streets, higher density subsidised housing is to be

found in the eastern part and lower density development in the

western part of town. A golf course and sports fields are located

to the west, industrial type uses to the south of the railway line

and station as well as along the main road. Oxidation ponds are


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to be found to the south on the banks of the Sak River.

28.4.2 Mixed use

A mix of retail, commercial, office, residential and institutional uses should be developed within

a well defined grid around the intersection of the R353 and R63 road as these roads provide

good access and visual exposure to passing traffic and local communities.

The focus of this area must be to confine and protect economic development within the mixed

use precinct and to:

• Support and promote mix use developments including business, offices, community

facilities and social services.



roads.



The extension of the neigbourhood centre of Amandelboom should be confined to the street

block located adjacent east of the cemetery site.


Residential infill development must be supported between to the south of Amandelboom and the

mixed use precinct. Densification should be permitted in the lower density areas located in the

western part of Williston, in proximity to the CBD, schools and sports fields.


Industrial uses should be located to the south of the railway line in proximity of the railway

station. This is to minimise the possible negative impacts on residents.

28.4.5 Open space

The Sak River, its tributaries and the undevelopable mountainous areas to the north must form

part of a continuous open space system that forms part of the broader municipal open space

system. These areas are considered environmentally sensitive with conservation value.


175

28.4.6 Sports & recreation

Sufficient sports and recreation facilities exist in Williston. It is proposed that the existing

facilities be improved and developed rather than to identify new areas for such purposes. The

sports facility in Amandelboom requires upgrade.


The following tourism attractions require attention:

• The museum needs to be upgraded

• Development of Williston Nature Reserve and associated tourist facilities

Williston museum - Photo taken by J. Amira


Oxidation Ponds

Upgrade oxidation ponds and internal sewerage reticulation networks.

Landfill Site

Upgrade and licensing of landfill site is urgently required.

Medical centre

A medical centre is proposed to the west of the cemetery site in Amandelboom and a Thusong

Service Centre south thereof.


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29 Intervention areas

Intervention areas are seen as those areas that require internal or external assistance to

prevent further deterioration or to maintain or to improve the current state of affairs.

Karoo Hoogland Hantam Municipality needs to focus on:

(a) basic service delivery,

(b) economic development by focusing on space research (SKA and SALT) and historical value

of settlements and (c) the conservation of the natural vegetation that is unique to the arid

environment.

The focus on economic development, primarily based on the tourism potential of the area, is a

more viable approach to improve the money supply into towns than to try to build the supply

from within. The Municipality should direct attention to the key roads within its boundaries for

these to be developed in the interest of the local economic development opportunities available

to its population.

Distinction is made between Priority Investment Areas, including those areas that require capital

investment and Policy Intervention Areas, being those areas that need to be regulated through

strict management guidelines to achieve desirable outcomes.

29.1 Priority investment areas

The towns of Karoo Hoogland are the priority investment areas as these are the places where

the people are concentrated.

29.1.1 Investment requirements

The following 3 investment requirements are identified:

Priority 1: Investment in infrastructure to provide a basic level of infrastructure services

This investment entails the provision of a basic level of infrastructure services in an area,

independent of the growth potential of the area or town:

1. The provision of a basic level of services in all towns.

2. To develop basic services in rural areas (farms).

3. There is a need for a total of 880 houses, with Fraserburg needing 340, Williston 300

and Sutherland 240, with the biggest need for subsidised housing in Fraserburg,

followed by Williston and Sutherland.

4. Community facilities in Sutherland to cater for visiting school groups and tourists.

5. Roads between the towns need to be upgraded or tarred.


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Priority 2: Investment in human capital to promote economic growth

This investment refers to the development of human and social capital in order to promote and

grow the economic potential of the individual.

This strategy needs to be aligned with the capacity building and training initiatives identified for

the CRDP focus areas.

• A community computer training centre is suggested for Sutherland

Priority 3: Investment in human capital to promote general welfare

This investment refers to the support given to vulnerable groups and communities, as well as

the development of basic life skills to:

• Improve primary health care in all towns.

• Ensure food security, especially for the elderly and infants – promote the establishment

of community gardens in all towns.

• Development of life skills in the most important areas.

• Increase access to government services throughout the municipal area through Thusong

Service Centres in all towns.

29.1.2 Strategic areas for Thusong Service Centres

Definition

Thusong Service Centres are one-stop, integrated community development centres, with

community participation and services relevant to people’s needs. They aim to empower the

poor and disadvantaged through access to information, services and resources from

government, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), parastatal, business, etc. enabling them

to engage in government programmes for the improvement of their lives (Source:

http://www.thusong.gov.za/about/what/index.htm).


Figure 21: The Six-Block Service Model

The infrastructure is influenced by the services offered, population size and distances between

access points in an area. This results in the establishment of

permanent services including, government, economic, community and private sector services,

education and skills development, telecommunication, communication and information.

Satellite centres and mobiles

services according to demand.

It is suggested that a satellite

Fraserburg. These centres should be easily accessible to communities, preferably on a main

thoroughfare in close proximity to public transport stops.

29.2 Policy intervention a

Generally, a policy is required for an area where the potential exist that undesirable

circumstances may be created. A policy is developed to provide clear guidelines as to what

desirable and intended for a certain area/s.

•Grants

•Personal documents

•Housing applications

1. Government social and administrative services

•Phone, fax, scan, copy, print

•Desktop publishing

•Postal services

2. Office services

•Adult basic education and training

•Further education and training

•Specialised training

3. Education and skills development services

•Small business advice and development

4. Local Economic Development (LED) services

•Small, medium and micro enterprises

•Other private sector services such as retail and ATMs

5. Business services and community opportunities

•Government information and on

•Community information and awareness

6. Information and communication activities


178

ck Service Model


access points in an area. This results in the establishment of hub centres



Satellite centres and mobiles which are extensions of the hub centre offer some of the above

services according to demand.

satellite service centres be provided in Sutherland


lose proximity to public transport stops.

areas


circumstances may be created. A policy is developed to provide clear guidelines as to what

desirable and intended for a certain area/s.

Government social and administrative services

Phone, fax, scan, copy, print

Adult basic education and training

Further education and training

Education and skills development services

Small business advice and development

Local Economic Development (LED) services

Small, medium and micro enterprises

Other private sector services such as retail and ATMs

Business services and community opportunities

Government information and on-site guidance regarding services

Community information and awareness

Information and communication activities



hub centres which offer



offer some of the above

be provided in Sutherland, Williston and



circumstances may be created. A policy is developed to provide clear guidelines as to what is


179

The following areas in Karoo Hoogland Municipality may require policy intervention:

1. Proposed heritage areas/sites in the towns of Fraserburg and Williston.

2. The protection of the paleo surface near Fraserburg.

3. Development types in Sutherland considering the proximity of the observatories.

4. A policy for the subdivision of farm portions to prevent the creation of uneconomical

farming units.

5. A densification policy indicating the type of residential densities (units/ha) applicable to

certain urban areas.

6. Land use management guidelines in the Bokkeveld-Hantam-Roggeveld ecological

corridor.

7. Biodiversity priority areas and environmentally sensitive areas require special

intervention in order to maintain the environmental integrity of Karoo Hoogland.

8. A policy for the development of guest houses and guest farms.

30 Phase 3 synopsis


180

KAROO HOOGLAND PHASE 3 SUMMARY TABLE - DESIRED SPATIAL GOAL AND DEVELOPMENT PATTERN

NO SPATIAL STRATEGIES

STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT CONCEPT LINK

PROGRAM PROJECTS PROJECT BENEFITS

LOCATION

PROJECT ADDRESSING:

SPATIAL OPPORTUNITIES

SPATIAL LIMITATIONS

1 SPATIAL OBJECTIVE: EXPLOIT ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES

1.1

Strengthen mobility & economic links between Sutherland, Fraserburg and Williston

Corridor Development

Roads upgrade

Paving of R353 and R356 Routes linking Sutherland, Fraserburg and Williston

Enhances access to R63 route to northerly destinations and promotes nodal developments at key towns on route

Karoo Hoogland

Improved road links would unlock tourism potential of region

Length of road requiring paving is long and costly

1.2

Development of cross border Tourism Corridors Tourism Corridor

Roads upgrade

Paving of R354 from Sutherland to Calvinia as alternate Cape Town/Upington route

Enhances nodal developments at Sutherland, Calvinia and Brandvlei; enhances regional accessibility through improved road links; promotes tourism opportunities

Karoo Hoogland/ Hantam

Length of road requiring paving is long and costly

1.3

Promote development of "Gateway to the Universe" astronomy Tourism Zone

Astronomy Hub

Develop "Gateway to the Universe" Tourism marketing strategy

Job creation through tourism development; improve standard of

Karoo Hoogland None


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LOCATION

PROJECT ADDRESSING:


SPATIAL LIMITATIONS


tourism hub focusing on astronomy-tourism & edu-tourism

living

1.4

Support sustainable mining exploration Activity node

Mining development

Feasibility study on uranium mining

Fraserburg rural

Substantial uranium deposits occur

Could negatively effect Conservation zone between Tankwa Karoo & Karoo National Parks

1.5

Promote renewable energy generation Activity node Wind energy

Development of wind energy facilities

Job creation, sustainable use of natural resources

Suurplaat, Roggeveld

Identified as suitable sites for wind farms

Visual impact; possible conflict with nature conservation initiatives

2 SPATIAL OBJECTIVE:CREATE SUSTAINABLE URBAN & RURAL SETTLEMENTS

2.1

Strengthen hierarchy of activity nodes.

Nodal Development Basic services

Development of Thusong service centres

Providing a range of government, business, communication and educational services to rural

Sutherland, Fraserburg, Williston Available land

Bulk Infrastructure capacity


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LOCATION

PROJECT ADDRESSING:


SPATIAL LIMITATIONS


communities.

2.2


Nodal Development

Urban renewal

Urban renewal strategy to establish Sutherland as primary node

Contribute to better range of services offered to region Sutherland

Sutherland identified as development node in PGDS; closer to N1, Cape metropole, not affected by SKA advantage areas. None

2.3


Nodal Development

Urban renewal

Develop urban design frameworks for nodes

Improved "sense of place"; will enhance tourism appeal of towns; eliminates dysfunctional spatial development in the future by focusing business development within urban boundaries; promotes developments that are within reasonable

Sutherland, Fraserburg, Williston


183





LOCATION

PROJECT ADDRESSING:


SPATIAL LIMITATIONS


walking distance to public transport; enhances accessibility to public amenities and social facilities.

2.4

Eradicate basic services backlogs Activity Node Housing

Subsidised housing linked to bulk services upgrades program.

Address the housing backlog; available bulk services to deliver basic services.

Sutherland, Fraserburg, Williston Available land

Inadequate bulk services capacity to cater for backlogs

2.5

Conservation of ground water as raw water supply

Nodal development Basic services

Develop a Water Conservation and Management Strategy

Will contribute to sustainability of nodes; ensure basic water


Nodes rely on boreholes as only water source; scarce ground water


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LOCATION

PROJECT ADDRESSING:


SPATIAL LIMITATIONS


2.6

Conservation of ground water as raw water supply

Nodal development Basic services

Installation of JoJo tanks to harvest rain water

Will contribute to sustainability of nodes; ensure basic water


3 SPATIAL OBJECTIVE: PROTECT THE NATURAL & BUILT ENVIRONMENT

3.1

Conservation of natural environment

Conservation zone

Environmental conservation

Development of conservation zone between Tankwa Karoo & Karoo National Parks

Eco-tourism, sustainable job creation

Karoo Hoogland

Rich biodiversity, scenic environment, None

3.2

Protection of heritage features

Conservation zone Heritage

Development of Heritage tourism route as component of "Gateway to the Universe" Tourism strategy, incorporating Fraserburg, Williston and Paleo surface.

Eco-tourism, sustainable job creation, protection of heritage features


Many heritage features found in municipal area, paleo surface None


185

CHAPTER 5


186

31 Phase 4

As demonstrated in previous sections, local economic development in the rural context includes

diversifying the economic base, building backward and forward linkages, ensuring basic

standards of health and safety through provision of basic infrastructure and services,

maximising job creation and building on the inherent potential of local areas. Within the South

African ISRDS, local economic development will be stimulated by enhancing synergy of

investment and programmes within an area designated as a node. A single node cannot be

larger than the regional authority. Several nodes will be clustered to maximise impact wherever

possible.

For rural municipal areas, the path to economic development is usually encumbered by the

need to use limited budgets to address the fulfillment of basic service needs first. While

legislation also protects South Africa’s citizens, making it their right to have access to basic

amenities and services, the distribution of these is bound to be imperfect. Thus, the legislation

points to citizens having a choice to move to a region where such services are more accessible.

By contrast, the policies also point to the need to prevent an urban migration and depopulation

of rural areas, preferring to rather find mechanisms that will make these areas more attractive

for residents to stay, both from an economic standpoint and in terms of their quality of life.

At a minimum, the region must provide for the necessary basic services, amenities, educational

and social (health and safety) resources that can form the basis for a good standard of life for its

citizens. In the 2010/11 IDP, the key interventions that are associated with this are:

• Lack of infrastructure for proper service delivery.

• Roads linking the towns are all gravel and distances between towns are far (minimum

80km).

• Towns are characterised by limited infrastructure development (gravel roads), low

population density and serious levels of poverty due to limited job opportunities.

• Biodiversity priority areas and environmentally sensitive areas require special

intervention in order to maintain the environmental integrity of Karoo Hoogland.

• There are currently 880 names on the housing waiting list for the municipal area.

(Fraserburg 340, Williston 300 and Sutherland 240).

• The severe levels of poverty and the resultant social problems such as alcohol and drug

abuse and the increase in crime and domestic violence need to be addressed.

• High levels of unemployment, low income and the high number of indigents render the

municipality unable to generate sufficient financial resources for the adequate provision

of services.

• There are numerous problems linked to the youth of the community which need to be

addressed, namely the high rate of teenage pregnancies, the lack of basic life skills, and

the low levels of education and literacy.

• Health issues need to be addressed, in particular the containment of the spread of

HIV/Aids and Tuberculosis.


187

The development plans for Karoo Hoogland Municipality have been aimed at achieving the main

goals of service delivery and dealing with the backlog of housing and dealing with the high

levels of poverty and social problems. The focus on economic development activities, primarily

based on the tourism potential of the area, is also a more viable approach to improve the money

supply into towns than to try to build the supply from within. There has not been enough focus,

however, in the IDP KPA’s to generate sufficient tourism benefits to catalyse upstream or

downstream economic developments.

In Phase 3, the report considered the desired spatial pattern of the Municipality, based on its

spatial goals and objectives, to address some of these challenges. It also considered the types

of strategies that may be most pertinent to achieving the Municipality’s goals and suggested a

number of different approaches. This included the development of nodes and corridors, which

could be enhanced through better-defined tourism, mining and agricultural strategies that can

bolster economic development in the towns. In addition, the proposed strategies considered

ways to ensure more satisfactory service delivery using better coordinated planning methods

that will enable the towns to act more cohesively and inclusively and operate to the benefit of

the whole population.

In the sections that follow, the report will consider how best to implement the spatial plan,

strategies and projects, how to package and market the areas and towns, and the ways in which

the impact of the interventions can be measured and evaluated to ensure that the desired

outcomes are achieved.

32 Capital Expenditure Framework

The Capital Expenditure Framework (See Annexure A: Capital Expenditure Framework) is a

tool to be used by the Municipality to realise all the ideas as conceptualised in the previous

phases.

The main purpose of this framework is to:

• identify projects transpiring from the spatial objectives and strategies;

• to allocate a cost and timing to identified projects; and

• to identify a source of funding and implementation agent.

33 Implementation Policies

The following policies will assure the effective implementation of the Spatial Development

Framework and it is fundamental that:

• The Comprehensive Rural Development Program (CRDP) align its strategies to these;

and


188

• A Land Use Management System incorporates these guidelines to ensure effective land

use management in Karoo Hoogland.

33.1 Nodal policy

Nodes are locations of concentrated activity often associated with the presence of employment

opportunities, residential development and supporting social infrastructure located on or

adjacent to mobility roads and spines, and as such act as destinations for public transport.

Nodes can be classified into higher order nodes and local nodes depending on their function,

size and economic growth potential. The nodal order will determine the development guidelines

and management approach to each node.

The towns in Karoo Hoogland have more or less the same function and provide similar services

to the surrounding rural areas. All three towns are categorised as activity nodes, however

distinction is made to focus development in each town.

33.1.1 Nodal hierarchy

Table 48: Nodal classification

Classification Characteristics Interventions

Activity node*

Sutherland

astronomy centre

• Strategically located in proximity to

the N1 and Cape Town

• Prominent tourist destination

(observatories)

• Provide basic level of services and

functions

• Significant heritage in terms of

architectural buildings

• Focus on tourism by providing

sufficient tourist facilities and

accommodation

• Restrict noxious developments

in terms of light and air

pollution

• Attract private and public

investments

• Protect the heritage

significance of Sutherland

• Promote urban renewal

strategies

• Increase economic and social

opportunities

• Focus development within

urban edge

Williston

administrative

centre

• Function as the administrative

centre of Karoo Hoogland

• Good access via road and rail

transport (not operational)

• Provide basic level of services and

• Improve the provision of basic

engineering services

• Encourage tourism

development

• Restrict further growth and


189

Classification Characteristics Interventions

goods

development within urban

edge

• Improve main road sections

through town

Fraserburg –

heritage centre

• The historic core of town has high

architectural value

• The paleo surface is near

Fraserburg.

• Protect the heritage

significance of Fraserburg

• Encourage tourism

development

• Restrict growth and

development within urban

edge

• Improve main road sections

through town

*In terms of the Northern Cape Provincial Growth and Development Strategy these nodes are

identified as stagnating small towns. (Refer to Phase 2: Alignment with provincial perspectives)

33.1.2 Nodal interdependence

The location of Sutherland, on a strategic road heading north and linking with Calvinia may,

however, improve the growth potential of the town if the R354 is paved. Likewise, the link from

the N1 to Fraserburg and connecting to Williston and again going north on the R27 to Upington

will provide these towns with important tourist traffic.

The important point is to ensure that nodal towns are accessible to rural communities and that

they are sustainable in terms of the limited but crucial role they play in development. Corridor

development therefore aims to improve people’s quality of life and access to economic

opportunities.

33.1.3 Nodal development guidelines

It is for the Municipality to develop its nodes of importance with a view to finding ways to better

share the advantages of the region through a more coordinated marketing and tourism plan. In

addition, the Municipality should develop the main nodal towns, which may include all of the

towns, Sutherland, Williston and Fraserburg, as complete, compact communities with a number

of social, environmental, health and economic benefits, such as:

• Community benefits: Nodal developments encourage people to walk by placing

shopping, services and housing in close proximity to one another. This revitalises

community life by helping streets, public spaces and pedestrian-oriented retail to

become places where people gather and shop. Enhancing neighbourhood life can boost

the perceived security, too, of an area by increasing the number of people on the street.


190

It also makes neighbourhoods more attractive to visit, providing tourists with a

welcoming environment in which to dine, shop or stay over.

• Environmental benefits: Nodal development is compact development. It reduces

sprawl and traffic, and preserves limited open spaces and environmentally sensitive

areas. In addition, natural features can be integrated into nodal developments and used

as recreation areas and greenways.

• Agricultural benefits: Compact development helps preserve important agricultural land

and reduced development pressures on them.

• Public health benefits: With shops, services and housing in such close proximity to one

another, nodal development helps make active transportation options like walking or

biking more realistic for a broader range of community members. This helps reduce the

number of automobile trips residents have to make and pedestrian-friendly environments

are recognised as improving community health by making them more active and

reducing obesity and stress.

• Economic benefits: Nodal development has substantial fiscal and economic benefits

for municipalities, developers, community businesses and residents. By concentrating

growth in areas that are already serviced with water and sanitation, municipalities are

able to reduce infrastructure servicing costs, while diversifying and growing their tax

base. For developers, nodal development can reduce the cost of infrastructure and

increase the efficiency of land use.

33.2 Movement policy

Ideally a movement policy would promote the following:

1. Support public transport

2. Promote accessibility of communities to employment, recreation and social opportunities

3. Promote protection of mobility function of major arterials and roads

4. Ensure that the movement system directly links with, and is supported by, strong high

intensity nodes and higher density residential development

5. To create an effective transportation corridor

A point of reference for Karoo Hoogland Municipality’s movement system is to ensure that its

roads form part of the overarching Rural Transport Strategy for South Africa’s roads.

The movement system is seen as the key structuring elements within the Karoo Hoogland

Municipal area to ensure functional urban and rural integration. The efficiency of the towns is

directly related to the efficiency of the movement system.

The movement policy focuses on:


191

33.2.1 Regional linkages

• Ensure and maintain a high standard of regional accessibility (R63 and railway line).

• Orientate regional access to the N1 main roads.

• Encourage linkages between municipalities.

• Promote and retain the mobility function of existing regional linkages (R63).

33.2.2 Internal municipal access

• Ensure and maintain a high standard of local access within the Municipality (R353)

between Williston and Fraserburg and the R356 between Sutherland and Fraserburg.

• Improve road access to strategic areas within the Municipality.

33.2.3 Road access in towns

• Roads need to be upgraded and maintained in accordance with the Micro Spatial

Development Concept Plans.

• Develop a clear road hierarchy for the towns of Sutherland, Williston and Fraserburg.

33.3 Urban edge policy

The objective of the Urban Edge is to contain urban sprawl and focus on infill and densification

orientated development, thereby maximising the use of existing infrastructure.

Ideally the urban edge policy strives to ensure:

• Optimal utilisation of engineering services

• Optimisation of public transport

• Prevention of urban decay and promotion of urban integration

• Promotion of opportunities for redevelopment

• The conservation of environmentally sensitive areas

• The protection of high-potential agricultural land

• The creation of urban corridors along public transportation routes

Delineation of urban edges

The urban edge is a conceptual line that includes existing settlement footprints and provides for

a projected future growth for the next 20 years. The alignment roughly follows movement

infrastructure (roads, rail), natural physical elements (rivers, mountains) and the built-up areas.


192

Description

The urban growth boundary indicates the interface between urban and rural environments. It

therefore indicates the area where urban growth should not be allowed.

Locality

As indicated on Micro Spatial Development Concept Plan – Phase 3.

Objective

A major spatial problem is uncontrolled, low-density sprawling of settlements into the

surrounding rural area. This has a number of disadvantages:

• It results in a settlement pattern that has neither urban nor rural advantages.

• In terms of infrastructure investment it is impossibly expensive to serve.

• It could compromise valuable natural environments and high potential agricultural land.

Guidelines

Land uses which can be allowed in the rural areas outside the urban edge will include, inter alia,

the following:

• Extensive and intensive agriculture;

• Conservation areas and nature reserves, tourism and related activities, i.e.,

accommodation establishments, guest houses, conference centres, tea gardens, craft

markets, etc.;

• Recreational facilities and venues, e.g., hiking, hunting, adventure sports, horse riding

schools and stables, etc.;

• Farm stalls, home industries and small-scale agri-industries,

• Rural residential/agricultural holdings in specific areas;

• Agri-villages or agricultural communities; and

• Community facilities and business uses clustered in rural service centres/rural

settlements.

33.4 Residential densification policy

Description

Densification is the process whereby densities, i.e., the number of dwelling units per hectare,

increase in a planned and sustainable manner.


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Location (see Micro Concept Plans)

Densification should take place:

• Along main roads

• In and around nodes

• On the periphery of open spaces to increase surveillance

Proposed densification per town

• Sutherland – the total proposed densification area is approximately 14 hectares at 15

units per hectare. The proposed area is situated to the west of the proposed mixed use

area.

• Fraserburg - the total proposed densification area is approximately 16 hectares at 15

units per hectare. The proposed areas are situated to the east of the heritage area.

• Williston – the total proposed densification area is approximately 7 hectares at 15 units

per hectare. The densification areas are situated in the western part of the town.

Objectives of densification

Densification creates more compact environments that improve access to work, services and

public transport. It also provides for more efficient use of infrastructure.

• Ensures a diversification of housing typologies.

• Promotes adequate provision of social and economic amenities to ensure better quality

of life.

• New settlements/developments must promote the optimal use of infrastructure and

resources.

• Promote safety through design.

• Reduce travel and transaction costs through appropriate infrastructure planning.

• Rationalisation of housing patterns in relation to urban opportunities and public

transportation.

Guidelines

The following matters should be taken into account when considering an application for a non-

residential or higher-density residential land use within a residential area:

• Residential amenity should in general be protected, specifically, but not exclusively,

from:

- significant changes to traffic conditions in local streets including an increase in car

parking demand;

- noise, light or odours emitted from the site; and


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- disturbance associated with the hours of operation.

• Low scale, non intrusive, non-residential uses should be permitted in residential areas,

i.e., shopping facilities, home offices, home industries, etc.

• Higher residential densities along main roads and around major nodes and employment

areas should be promoted and actively supported.

• The density of proposed and existing built-up areas should correlate with the availability

of productive open spaces and public amenities in close proximity thereto, the higher the

density/intensity of residential developments, the more productive open space and public

amenities are warranted.

• Areas designated for public use should be incorporated within high-density

developments and larger public open spaces should be provided in close vicinity of

these developments.

• Medium-density residential development should promote a mixture of cluster housing.

• Densification of existing residential areas should take place without compromising the

quality of living principle.

33.5 Urban integration policy

Description:

Integration refers to the interdependence of urban functions and activities resulting from a fine-

grained mix of land uses and/or income groups.

Location:

Integration should be concentrated:

• Along main roads to improve access to opportunities, services and facilities

• Around public spaces in order to create spaces were social integration can occur

See Micro Concept Plans (Phase 3)

Planning efforts should strive to integrate:

• Williston – Amandelboom • Sutherland – north and south

• Fraserburg - Amerville

Goals:

• To redress past spatial imbalances

• Improve access to social economic and recreational opportunities services and facilities


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33.6 Infrastructure policy

The General Guidelines set out in the “Guidelines for Human Settlement and Design” are

accepted as general policy for the development and provision of infrastructure within Karoo

Hoogland Municipality.

Provision of engineering services

A stand or a portion of a stand within a proclaimed township and a new township development

within an area, must be provided with the following essential municipal engineering services:

• Water supply

• Sewerage disposal

• Roads and storm water

• Electricity supply

External services include the bulk supply of, for example, water and electricity by a water

board, electricity supply authority or other body. Sewerage treatment works and waste disposal

are usually the responsibility of the local authority. Link roads are provided by the local or

provincial authority.

Internal services are the services provided by the developer throughout the township up to the

boundary of individual erven. They include roads, storm water drainage, water, sewerage and

electricity reticulation within the township. The cost of providing these services is added onto

the cost of the land when a new township is developed.

Phasing of engineering services

A phased approach shall be followed in the provision of engineering services as indicated as

areas A, B, C, D and E in the Micro Spatial Development Concept Plans.

The phasing is based on the following priorities:

• The upgrade of existing engineering services in all towns to eradicate the backlog and

simultaneously to rural areas that do not comply with basic service level standards.

• Increase engineering capacities to provide for projected growth.

Payment of bulk contributions

The applicant shall pay to the municipality as a contribution towards the costs incurred by the

municipality to install and provide the external engineering services or cause such services to

be installed and provided:


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• an amount of money determined by agreement between the applicant and the

municipality,

• in the absence of agreement, an amount of money determined by the Appeal Board on

the application by either the applicant or the municipality.

33.7 Heritage policy

The importance of national heritage to the socio-economic and sustainable development needs

of a country cannot be over-emphasised as national heritage could be defined as the sum total

of all the creativity in all its forms preserved, enhanced and handed over to future generations

as a record of human experience and aspirations.

The aim of this policy is to take appropriate measures for the protection, conservation and

preservation of tangible and intangible national heritage areas situated within its boundaries.

Section 31 of the National Heritage Resources Act requires that provision must be made for the

designation of heritage areas to protect any place of environmental or cultural interest.

The Northern Cape Heritage Resources Authority (Boshwa) has identified the following areas as

heritage conservation worthy areas:

• Fraserburg – the historic core of the town has high architectural value

Karoo Hoogland Municipality will strive to retain, protect and enhance the heritage value of

these exhibits in a sustainable manner.

33.8 Sustainability policy

Water conservation

• A Water Conservation and Water Demand Management strategy must be implemented

to reduce water losses in all three towns.

• Rain water harvesting can potentially benefit individual households and the Municipality

by reducing the strain on the existing ground water resources.

• Re-use of effluent from the waste water treatment works must be investigated against

the cost and technical requirements.

Energy efficiency

All new developments should demonstrate their commitment to energy efficiency by introducing

measures such as:


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• Water heating: Each residential unit provides for solar heated hot water cylinders, or the

development as a whole could consider a heat-pump driven water heating system.

• Cooking: Each residential unit makes provision for use of gas for cooking purposes, and

should comply with the required legislation for piping and gas cylinder storage.

• Air conditioning: The installation of air conditioners to be limited to a maximum of two

1.5kW units per residential unit. If possible, green building designs should be done to limit

the need for heating in winter and cooling in summer through electricity.

• Under floor heating: Under floor heating with electricity should not be allowed. Under floor

heating with water heated systems are allowed, provided that the water is not heated with

electricity during peak consumption periods.

• Washing machines, tumble dryers and dishwashers: Washing machines, tumble dryers

and dishwashers should preferably be operated in Eskom’s standard and off-peak time slots

and not in peak time-slots.

• Lighting: Lighting could contain power factor corrected energy efficient lamps. A building

management system could be installed to switch of lights automatically when shops or

offices are empty.

• Street lighting: Street lighting could be done by means of energy efficient lighting.

• Alternative energy: Each connection to the conventional electrical grid should be

supplemented with alternative energy sources inter alia, solar, gas and wind.

34 Land Use Management System Guidelines

Section 26(e) of the Municipal Systems Act, (Act 32 of 2000) stipulates that the Local

Municipality should prepare a SDF which must include basic guidelines for a Land Use

Management System (LUMS) as part of the IDP.

The purpose of this section is to set out guidelines for land use management in order to facilitate

a better understanding of what is desired in terms of the SDF. These guidelines are

fundamental to consider when an application is made for a change in land use or any new

development.

Currently land use management in Karoo Hoogland is done in terms of scheme regulations

(September 2005) prepared in terms of Section 36(1) of the Northern Cape Planning and

Development Act, 1998, without clear land use management guidelines.


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The guidelines below shall inform land use management decisions taken by Karoo Hoogland

Municipality and the adherence thereto shall be the combined responsibility of the municipality

and relevant sector departments.

34.1 Environmental conservation

Development or any human intervention within these areas should adhere to the following

guidelines:

• Effective veld management plans and practices, in particular around catchment areas

located in the high-lying regions of the Roggeveld Mountain, are critical if sustainability

of land use is to be achieved in Karoo Hoogland.

• Associated land uses may include nature conservation, tourism development, stock

farming with the implementation of grazing management guidelines, scientific research,

religious ceremonies and environmental education.

• Encourage the utilisation of the environment as an economic asset in order to promote

and develop agri-, edu- and eco-tourism.

• The incursion of alien plants along water courses is a major threat to the health of the

ecosystem in Karoo Hoogland. This requires effective control and eradication strategies

to mitigate the loss of water and ecosystem integrity.

• The outcome of an Environmental Impact Assessment is important when mining

development is considered.

• Prevent the development of any uses with a negative environmental or visually

degrading impact.

• Environmentally significant areas with a high conservation value must be included into or

proclaimed as statutory protected areas.

• Reference has to be made to the Namakwa Biodiversity Sector Plan with respect to

specific land use regulations.

Further environmental guidelines:

34.1.1 Water bodies

• Dams and rivers that form part of the Water Supply System, or any water resource,

should be managed in a sustainable way, especially when development or change in

land use is envisaged.

• Compliance with the requirements of the Department of Water Affairs, when developing

around dams, alongside rivers or when crossing rivers or streams, is a prerequisite.

• Proposed watercourse crossings must be placed in areas where the impact on the

watercourse will be minimal.

• In terms of the National Water Act 1998, no development shall be permitted below the

1:100 year flood line, to be determined by a professional engineer.

• A 100m buffer for rivers was demarcated for non-perennial rivers due to the absence of

flood line calculations.


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• Wetlands and perched water tables need to be identified and protected from being

encroached on by development.

34.1.2 Topography

• Land where the gradient is steeper than 20% is not suitable for development in terms of

environmental regulations and guidelines.

• The provision of engineering services is expensive in areas with steep slopes.

• Areas presenting topographical constraints should be carefully assessed in any land use

management decision.

• Environmental legislation requires the protection of granite or rocky outcrops due to the

diverse and sensitive vegetation types associated with these features.

• Areas regarded not suitable for development due to topographical constraints should

form part of a municipal open space system.

34.1.3 Geotechnical considerations

• From a geological perspective “no development areas” include areas affected by

undermining, dolomite and areas where heaving clays are present.

• Areas underlain by geology types not suitable for development must be excluded from

development and included into a conservation zone or an open space system.

• Any township development should be headed by a geotechnical investigation to

determine if the soils are likely to cause foundation problems, especially when

densification or multiple storey development is proposed which impact heavily on

underlying soils.

34.2 Tourism development

Resort development in rural areas should be informed by the following basic guidelines:

• Availability of a resource (natural feature, i.e., hotwater spring, lake, river, or a feature

with cultural historic value) and environmental opportunities and constraints are the most

important criteria for the location of tourism development.

• Such a resource must make the property favourable above any other property in the

area, be worthwhile for holidaymakers to travel from afar and spend more than one day,

be protected in the development of the resort through proper management and

mitigating measures.

• A resort and its resources must be inseparable and access thereto must be guaranteed.

• The outcome of an Environmental Impact Assessment is important when resort


• Topography, soils, flood plains, vegetation and infrastructure are other factors that need

consideration in the establishment of tourist facilities.


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• The land uses should be restricted to tourism activities and uses ancillary and

complementary thereto.

• A Site Development Plan approved by the Municipality involving the design and

functional utilisation of the site.

• Resort categories:

- small: 1-10 units and floor area not more than 120m² (60m² in sensitive natural

areas);

- medium: 11-30 units and floor area not more than 120m² per unit (or up to 175m²)

and total floor area of all buildings not more than 3600m²; and

- large: 30-50 units.

• Maximum floor areas recommended for other buildings in resorts are:

- Bed and breakfast establishments/guest house = 350m² (5 bedrooms per unit);

- Farm stalls: 100m²; and

- Businesses: 150m² (shops), 250m² (restaurants).

• Height of resort units should generally be restricted to 6.5m measured from the natural

ground level to the apex of the roof.

34.3 Mining development

Development of these areas should adhere to the following development guidelines:

• Mining will be allowed only after the necessary consents from the Department of Mineral

Resources have been obtained.

• The outcome of an Environmental Impact Assessment is important when mining


• Housing for mine workers should be accommodated within the nearest existing urban

areas/towns where social and economic infrastructure exists.

• Mining development should be avoided in environmentally significant areas with high

biodiversity value.

• The application for mining rights should be accompanied by a Social and Labour Plan as

prescribed in terms of the Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act, (Act 28

of 2002).

• The provision of resorts or lodges on farms to provide for the housing needs of mine

personnel should not be allowed.

• The commercial use of farms for ancillary uses to mining industry should not be allowed.

34.4 Agricultural development

Developments within the agricultural zone should adhere to the following development

guidelines:

• Livestock and game farming practices must comply with the grazing management

guidelines developed for the Northern Cape.


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• Cultivated dry land or cultivated irrigation along river banks should be managed in a

sustainable manner not to impact negatively on the biodiversity value of these areas.

• The land uses should be restricted to agricultural and tourism activities and uses

ancillary and complementary thereto. A Site Development Plan approved by the

Municipality involving the design and functional utilisation of the site.

• An Environmental Management Program, headed by an Environmental Impact

Assessment, should be provided with every new development or change in land use.

• Subdivision of farm portions will be allowed, subject to a subdivision policy of the

Municipality, provided that the consent of the National Department of Agriculture,

Forestry and Fisheries, Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform or the

Municipality has been obtained first.

34.4.1 Agri-village

• The size of agri-villages need to be balanced with the agricultural potential of the land

and also the sustainability of the settlement in terms of the provision of minimum

standard of social and engineering infrastructure.

• Accessibility to viable transportation options and main roads is a determining factor in

the location of agri-villages.

• The settlement of people not directly involved with the use of the resource should not be

allowed.

• The outcome of an EIA is also a key consideration in the establishment of agri-villages.

34.4.2 Agri-industry

The Municipality may grant its consent for an agricultural industry provided that:

• It is satisfied as to the desirability of the agricultural industry on the land unit in question.

• The agricultural industry is subservient and ancillary to the dominant agricultural use of

the property.

• The agricultural industry does not adversely affect the agricultural potential of the

property.

• The area allocated for purposes of an agricultural industry shall be clearly identified on a

plan prepared by a suitably qualified person to the Municipality’s satisfaction.

34.5 Residential

In order to achieve sustainable residential development, infill development should be prioritised,

particularly in the areas demarcated for urban infill and densification in the Spatial Development

Framework.


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34.5.1 Affordable housing

The following guidelines are presented for the location of affordable housing projects:

Availability of Bulk Services

As a rule, bulk municipal services are available in or next to existing urban areas. This favours

infill development and opposes urban sprawl as a form of urban development.

Ownership of Land

Land already owned by the Municipality avoids the tedious and expensive purchase and

transfer of private owned land for affordable housing development.

Access to Social Amenities and Economic Opportunities

Affordable housing projects should be located close to existing social and economic nodes or

close to planned socio-economic nodes.

Access to Public Transportation

The aim is to place higher-density land uses, such as affordable housing, in a strip abutting

public transport routes and in doing so, increasing access to the public transportation systems.

Integration of Urban Structure

Affordable housing should contribute to the establishment of integrated, economically viable and

sustainable communities.

Located within Urban Edge

No affordable housing projects must be developed outside the urban edge.

34.6 Industrial

As far as industrial development is concerned the following general guidelines should be

complied with:

• For commercial and industrial land, ideally, a slope of 1:200 or less is suitable. The

alternative is an expensive cut and fills exercise for each commercial or industrial

building.

• Industrial/commercial developments generally require fairly large areas, with gentle

slopes.

• Easy access to road and/or rail transport is imperative when new areas are planned for

industrial development.

• Service industries and light industries may develop in close proximity to residential

areas.

• Existing industrial/commercial zoned land should be substantially filled up before new

industrial/commercial areas are developed.


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• Noxious industries should not be developed in close proximity to residential areas.

Specific areas should be delineated for this kind of land use in order to isolate the impact

it might have on its surroundings with specific reference to the direction of prevailing

winds, natural resources downstream, accessibility, infrastructure provision and handling

of waste.

• All industries must comply with environmental and health standard regulations.

34.7 cemeteries

The following general guidelines should inform the development of cemeteries:

• An EIA and geotechnical study is a prerequisite for the approval of a cemetery site.

• Distance from access roads and from churches needs careful consideration.

• Distance from water courses is important to consider in order to prevent the

contamination of water.

• Public amenities need to be provided at cemetery sites.

• A reversion clause must be registered in the Title Deed that, should the property not

develop as a cemetery within a specified time frame, the land will be used for agricultural

purposes.

Upon identification of preferred sites, detailed studies need to be undertaken to confirm the

suitability of the sites in terms of the topography, geology and environmental restrictions.

34.8 Open space

34.8.1 Primary open space network

A primary open space network will function on a regional scale and includes all significant

natural/ecological assets of the Municipality, i.e., mountain ranges, proclaimed nature reserves,

river environments, wetlands and biodiversity corridors. By protecting such areas, urban areas

are prohibited to sprawl freely and are therefore forced into denser urban agglomerations.

34.8.2 Secondary open space network

A secondary open space network has a neighbourhood function and scale, and includes all

open space, parks and sports facilities within neighbourhoods.

Guidelines for planning and design of open spaces:

• Smaller and fewer active open spaces that are reasonably developed and maintained

are far more useful than a large number of active open spaces that are not.


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• Larger parks should be located in areas with no or limited access to natural amenities,

i.e., mountains or coastlines. It should be evenly distributed and where possible,

connected by parkways (±500m walking distance or 10 min).

• Larger parks can be juxtaposed to, and incorporate, urban agriculture, fuel wood

planting, solid waste disposal and nature conservation sites.

• Smaller parks can be located within easy walking distance (i.e. ±300m) of workers

situated within busy commercial and industrial centres in order to create contrasting

space of relief, within predominantly residential areas to create easy surveillance of

child-play spaces, and within school clusters, which create safe, shared playtime space

(300m to 700m or 10min).

• Larger sports fields should be located within clusters of schools and close to private

sports clubs, in order to facilitate the sharing of amenities between different user groups

and to avoid under utilisation. Schools can have allocated times of use during the day,

while sports clubs can use the amenities mainly during the evening (±300m of school

buildings and 500m to 1500m of other user groups).

• Sports fields should be located close to public transport services, in order to facilitate the

access of visiting teams.

• Sports fields can be located on low-lying land adjacent to water courses and

incorporated into parkways, in order to act as part of the major storm water management

system in the event of storms.

35 Sector plan alignment

The Spatial Development Framework integrates all actions and interests that manifest in the

physical environment.

The SDF must, together with the municipal development priorities and objectives, inform the

operational strategies and plans of the different departments in the Municipality (such as

infrastructure master plans, housing delivery plans, public transport plans and plans for the

delivery of social and community services such as health and educational facilities). These

sector plans then become implementation mechanisms for the Spatial Development

Framework.

The following sector plans are considered relevant implementation mechanisms for the Spatial

Development Framework:


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Table 49: Status of sector plans

Plan or strategy In place/absent Status/date Comment

Water Services Development Plan

In place 2010 To be aligned with SDF proposals and projects

Local Economic Development Strategy

Absent To be aligned with SDF proposals and projects

Comprehensive Infrastructure Plan (CIP)

Absent To be aligned with SDF proposals and

projects

Integrated Transport Plan


projects

Housing Plan Absent To be aligned with SDF proposals and

projects

Tourism Plan/Strategy In place Nov-02 Update and consider SDF proposals

Energy Master Plan Absent To be aligned with SDF proposals and

projects

Disaster Management Plan


projects

Integrated Waste Management Plan


projects

Sector plans that have not been prepared for Karoo Hoogland have to consider the proposals

and projects listed in the Spatial Development Framework. Existing sector plans have to be

reviewed to make provision for the SDF proposals.

36 Monitoring tools

Municipalities should be committed to evaluating and monitoring the impact of their activities,

services and results. Assessment of these activities and outcomes can then be communicated

back to its stakeholders and into the organisation in order for them to continue to grow and

adapt in ways that best suit their beneficiaries.

Karoo Hoogland Municipality should develop a Results Based Management (RBM) framework,

upon which its monitoring and evaluation can be based. This will also assist it in planning,

implementing and assessing its interventions in terms of the extent to which they achieve their

projected results. Progress therefore can be tracked in terms of the types of results that can be

generated by its interventions.

The proposed RBM model will seek to reach the ultimate outcome of achieving its mission “to

become an economical growth node in the Northern Cape, earmarked by active community

participation.


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Council must create an environment that will enhance economic development with specific

focus on poverty alleviation and the creation of direct and indirect job opportunities. Residents

will have direct access to basic minimum services and a culture of “pay for services’ must be

promoted. Special focus on the development of life skills, infrastructure and education will add

to economical growth. A safe and healthy environment must be ensured for the communities of

Karoo Hoogland.” Intermediate outcomes will then focus on:

• Exploiting economic opportunities

• Creating sustainable urban and rural settlements

• Protecting the natural and built environment

The Municipality should monitor and evaluate the impact of its activities on intermediate

outcomes through regular assessments of its interventions using interim surveys linked to its

financial cycles. This will use measurement indicators, such as:

• Number of jobs created

• Number of new businesses

• Increase in turnover of existing businesses

• Number of new or improved roads

• Number of households receiving water

• Number of tourists visiting the area, decreasing/increasing

• Quality of the natural and built environment

Immediate outcomes will be evaluated in terms of why these outcomes are changing, what

steps or actions were taken to achieve them and whether the desired output was achieved.

This might include looking more closely at such things as:

• Number of development incentives provided and taken up by residents

• Number of tourist events held in the region

• Number of people involved in improving roads

Quantitative Monitoring

The Municipality should engage an independent auditor to assess its performance based on

agreed indicators. The performance audit will focus on measurable performance indicators

relating to progress on a bi-yearly basis. Where possible, data will be disaggregated by gender,

age, race and income group.

Qualitative Monitoring

Qualitative feedback will be a continuous process. The Municipality should hold focus groups

and community feedback sessions, prepare regular case studies relating its projects, its results

and community perceptions.


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Reporting

The Municipality should report on its progress made towards the benchmarks set for each of its

outputs and outcomes as described above either on a monthly or quarterly basis. It should

provide the community with quarterly reports and one annual summary report per year.

37 Marketing strategy

A Spatial Development Framework (SDF) should indicate areas where strategic intervention is

required and act as a marketing tool to promote the development of the region from a business,

tourism and social responsibility perspective. Marketing of the SDF should be driven by the

officials and stakeholders responsible for its delivery and should play a prominent role in all

structures within the Municipality. In order to develop a proactive and programmatic approach,

the first step should be to develop a SDF Committee that can help guide the dissemination of

the information to the public and private sector.

37.1 Establishment of an SDF committee

In terms of the NSDP principles, it is an essential requirement that each official and decision-

maker have a copy of the Spatial Development Framework and that the key Provincial

Departments understand, support and are committed to the Municipality’s SDF. There must be

a vertical alignment and synergy between local, provincial and national government in order to

work towards the successful achievement of this SDF.

An SDF committee should be established within the province to ensure that it is communicated

to the appropriate audiences of public institutions and private sector individuals and companies

that may have an interest in its success. This would include those that may benefit in some way

from the implementation of the SDF as well as those that may play a role as investors or

facilitators of the projects or goals of the SDF. Thus, the committee should act to coordinate the

interests of both internal and external stakeholders and beneficiaries.

The Committee should play a key role in supporting the establishment of structures aimed at

promoting or facilitating the goals of the SDF. These may take the form as suggested below.

37.2 Establishment of a trade and investment agency or directorate

Namakwa District Municipality must seek to establish a trade and investment agency or

directorate in order to align the Karoo Hoogland Municipality’s Macro Strategic Development

Concept with other municipalities and to facilitate access to finance or development assistance.

This may include the following units:


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37.2.1 District business support unit

The District Municipality should create a local business support unit that can offer assistance in

compiling business plans, gaining access to business skills and networking opportunities. The

aim will be to promote the sustainability of local SMME and BEE companies by creating an

enabling small businesses environment that can support their growth over time. The aim will be

to promote SMEs to encourage further economic growth and job creation.

37.2.2 Proactive direct sector marketing

Where key issues and needs have been identified, it is important that each sector and national

department be contacted and be made aware of these, so that funding can be utilised towards

addressing these specific requirements. As each department has a budget and a mandate to

support these initiatives, they would have to be made aware of it and this responsibility would

rest on the District and Local Municipalities. The SDF must be utilised as a key decision making

tool when prioritising projects and allocating budgets.

37.2.3 Marketing to other sources of funding

• State-Owned Enterprises, such as parastatal utility companies like Transnet, Eskom and

Telkom that provide important services in support of economic growth and social

development. In addition, there are a number of development finance institutions such

as the Development Bank of South Africa (DBSA), Industrial Development Corporation

(IDC), Land Bank, USAID and Khula that finance commercially viable economic

development projects and social projects and programmes utilising a range of financial

instruments.

• Private Financial Institutions support SME development through a range of financial

products. In addition, Enterprise Development funds are increasingly available to enable

SMME’s and BEE companies to access funding from private financial institutions.

• Donor Funding can be a source of funding for qualifying social development projects and

programmes.

• Other Funding may include the National Empowerment Fund and the Umsobomvu Fund,

tourism and conservation groups, or other corporate development (CSI) funds.

37.2.4 Marketing of agricultural produce

The SDF can provide a strategic marketing role in terms of giving direction to the promotion of

the agricultural sector in Karoo Hoogland. This would be advantageous for emerging farmers

and game farmers across the area. In addition, linkages with commercial farmers should be

promoted to provide incentives to forge partnerships with smaller farmers and to help them take

part in supply chain initiatives.


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37.3 Establishment of a Tourism Marketing Directorate or Agency

A tourism marketing directorate or agency should be established on district or regional level to

assist local municipalities such as Karoo Hoogland in developing a marketing plan. The main

thrust of a Municipality’s marketing plan, in particular as it relates to the SDF, should address

the region’s strengths, which primarily reside in its natural resources, historical value and its

people. Thus, much of the attention from outside comes from an interest in viewing the region

through tourism, which means that each region must be marketed using the full strength of the

region as a destination.

In the main, the Municipality must ensure that it can:

• Offer the best quality experiences to visitors, with a better understanding of what they are seeking;

• Provide service of the highest quality. e.g., doing more than people expect;

• Have excellent, prize winning guesthouses and other places for visitors; • Host region-wide programmes of events and festivals that celebrate the

region’s historical, cultural and environmental diversity; • Have a productive, highly talented workforce;

• Demonstrate through action that the people in the region really care for the environment and for the people who visit the region and its destinations; and

• Generate economic and social benefits for communities and for the region as a whole by adding value to them through this strategy.

The main constraint to promoting tourism as a development catalyst is an inadequate marketing

approach to the region as a whole. There is currently no website dedicated to area or the district

and thus no clear direction in terms of what to do while visiting the area. Most international

visitors to the country, and increasingly local tourists, use the internet to choose their preferred

travel targets, or they rely on travel agents or tour operators to do this for them. Likewise, travel

agents use the internet to make inquiries and to seek out unique packages for their clients.

Local travelers also increasingly use the internet to choose their holidays around the country.

Those regions with a pre-defined plan of activities and events are clearly the most popular.

There are therefore two targets:

• Those seeking travel possibilities through the internet; and • Travel agents and tour operators seeking destinations for their clients.

The role of a Marketing Plan is to make it easy for both to achieve their desired results. A

destination must define what makes it distinctive in order to understand the best strategy to

attract guests that will appreciate what the destination has to offer, while having a positive

impact on the local economy and no negative impact on the natural and built environment.

Incorporating the principles of sustainable tourism into an innovative niche marketing strategy

will attract the desired guest, enhance the local economy and preserve the destination for future

generations.


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37.3.1 Developing the plan

It is envisaged that such a process of developing a marketing plan for the region will require the

following key steps:

1. Development of a website and corresponding activity loops; 2. Accreditation and alignment to build quality value:

• “Quali-mark” in conjunction with operators, which designates: i. a quality brand; ii. sector standards; and iii. an effective regional accreditation framework for tourism.

3. Specific recommendations include:

• Developing and implementing a single, integrated, effective quality standards and accreditation;

• Developing a framework for regional tourism products and services;

• Supporting and providing incentives for the adoption of these by operators, building a regional tourism quality brand;

• Clarifying the relationship of the quality brand to other industry standards and quality marks.

4. Gathering, analysing and disseminating information about the fit between visitors’ expectations and their actual experience;

5. Benchmarking international tourism standards and service levels; and 6. Ensuring operators have the necessary capability building tools, training and

assistance.

The first major driver of this strategy is increased productivity and a bigger market share within

the region, there are three tourism strategy aims that support the delivery of this:

• Enhanced communication with the region’s visitors through a dedicated “Destination

Marketing Tourism” website;

• Higher levels of productivity and performance from the businesses operating in the

visitor economy through a localised capacity building organisation; and

• Improved products and higher quality experiences for all of the visitors to the region,

which will be monitored and promoted through the Municipality.

The second major driver within this strategy underpins the first, that is, to grow the size and

capability of the workforce, ensuring a higher proportion of those able to work are able to do so.

37.3.2 Strategic objectives

The strategic objectives described below are those things that need to be achieved in order to

realize the strategic aims of the marketing plan.


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a) Improved Visitor Experience

‘Visitor experience’ objectives are to promote:

• Productivity

• Performance • Quality

• Accessibility

These can be achieved by helping businesses improve their performance and the quality of the

products and services that they provide. At the same time, competition must be stimulated in

order to overcome barriers to higher productivity, performance and quality.

Superior skills will be achieved by improving the skills of our workforce and the attractiveness

of the sector as an employer.

Creating a sense of place will improve the public realm as well as the built and natural

environment.

Signature projects will support and encourage projects that will transform the region’s appeal

to visitors.

Signature events will support and encourage a programme of sustainable events of national

and international significance.

The Municipality can play a role in addressing the structural and policy barriers to improving

productivity and working with other regional bodies. It can also play a role of quality assurance

by maintaining the standards of the industry through an agreed grading scheme. In this regard,

only quality-inspected properties will be marketed to visitors on the public visitor information

sites.

This will add value in terms of improving market intelligence and sharing this with businesses in

a way that helps them to make good investment decisions that support the vision and aims of

this strategy. A key focus will be on regional “routes” to support beacon businesses and the

development of clusters that have potential for growth and improvement.

b) Easy Access

The transport infrastructure is a fundamental part of the visitor economy. Both leisure and

business visitors require roads that are easy to travel, well-marked and offer options for dining

or refueling. An important contribution that can be directly delivered by the Municipality is to

ensure that integrated, comprehensive route planning information is available.


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c) The “Attack Brand” Approach to Destination Marketing

The “Attack Brand” approach is about leading tourism promotion with what is strongest and has

most appeal to visitors. The region has several attractions that can act as attack brands that are

capable of attracting the attention and meeting the needs of significant numbers of the high

spending visitors who are needed to grow the visitor economy. They are:

• Sutherland telescope and related developments

• Corbelled houses and unique architecture

• The unique cemeteries and “Tombstone Route”

The methodology that will be applied to develop this concept will be based on:

a) Identifying a comprehensive programme to improve service standards and the quality of

the establishments that will support this strategy;

b) Identifying tourism routes, following the “Attack Brand” approach, where individual or

special transport can help to grow regions successfully. The focus will be on both “day

routes” and “thematic routes”. In this regard:

• Day visits are an important element of the visitor economy. Day visitors also sustain the infrastructure of attractions, restaurants, and shops that are essential elements in attracting overnight visitors. Local communities will be responsible for leading actions to grow the day visitor economy in their area. Tourism agents or the Municipality will be responsible for developing approaches to dispersing visitors across the region through promotion and information.

• Thematic marketing recognises that many people are motivated by a particular activity or interest. It is also a useful mechanism to tie together a range of destinations and present them to the market. A number of themes are identified at the regional level as having market potential: these are Cultural Activities, Natural Environment, Eco-Tourism and Mining. At the sub-regional level the communities will identify those themes that have the best market opportunity. Communities may work together on marketing common themes. There are also opportunities for tourist boards to link together places under a thematic approach.

c) The creation of a Destination Marketing Website, which encompasses the above Attack

Brand model.

Thus, the development of a marketing plan will need to include:

a) Stakeholder consultations, particularly among:

• Communities forming part of the regional approach to branding • Local tourism groups

• Government and its agencies


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b) Research into Destination Marketing “Attack Brands”. This will include research into

existing programs and events that may form part of the overall attraction to the region,

including signature events and signature projects:

• Local running and hiking events

• 4x4 and other adventure tourism events • Local development projects promoting the history of diamond mining in the area.

With heightened awareness of the area and the corresponding impact of its marketing plan, this

should bolster the number of visitors to the area. Correspondingly, developments of an

industrial or service nature will organically grow based on an increasing demand for goods and

services. This will at the same time bring more attention to the SDF, its goals and objectives,

and provide potential investors with a more compelling reason to invest in the area, based upon

evidence of sustainable development principles.


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38 List of References

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14. Karoo Hoogland Municipality, 2008. Karoo Hoogland Valuation Roll. 2008 15. Karoo Hoogland Municipality, www.karoohoogland.co.za – accessed June 2010 16. Namakwa District Municipality, 2008. Namakwa District Biodiversity Sector Plan. 2008 17. Namakwa District, Namakwa District Growth and Development Strategy 2009

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32. Republic of South Africa, 2000. Integrated Rural Development Strategy, November 2000 33. Department Of Land Affairs, 1997. Rural Development Framework, May1997. 34. Statistics South Africa, 2001. Census Data 35. Statistics South Africa, 2007. Community Survey 2007: Municipal Data on Household

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an indivisible national asset, Nov 1994. Cape town 50. Statistics South Africa, 1996. Census Data

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39 ANNEXURE A: CAPITAL EXPENDITURE FRAMEWORK


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40 ANNEXURE B: MAPS

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