stlm.gov.zastlm.gov.za/sdf/sdf_2010_draft.pdfnkangala district municipality sdf nkangala district...

$: stlm.gov.zastlm.gov.za/SDF/SDF_2010_DRAFT.pdfNkangala District Municipality SDF Nkangala District Municipality SDF June 2010 D:\DRAFT SDF\Steve Tshwete SDF Review 30 July.doc i STEVE$
Victor Khanye

Dr JS Moroka

Emakhazeni

Emalahleni

Thembisile

Spatial Development Spatial Development Spatial Development Spatial Development FrameworkFrameworkFrameworkFramework

Draft Draft Draft Draft ReportReportReportReportJune 201June 201June 201June 2010000

STEVE TSHWETESTEVE TSHWETESTEVE TSHWETESTEVE TSHWETELocal Local Local Local MunicipalityMunicipalityMunicipalityMunicipality

Nkangala District Municipality SDF

Nkangala District Municipality SDF June 2010 D:\DRAFT SDF\Steve Tshwete SDF Review 30 July.doc

iSTEVE TSHWETE LOCAL MUNICIPALITY – SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK

“to be the best Community Driven Local Municipality on provision of Sustainable Services and Developmental Programmes”

1

LIST OF ACRONYMS ABET - Adult Basic Education Training AIDS - Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome ASGISA - Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa CBD - Central Business District CIF - Capital Investment Framework DBSA - Development Bank of Southern Africa DFA - Development Facilitation Act DITP - District Integrated Transport Plan DLA - Department of Land Affairs DM - District Municipality DME - Department of Minerals and Energy EMP Environmental Management Plan ESKOM - Electricity Supply Commission (ESCOM) EPWP Extended Public Works Programme GDP - Gross Domestic Product GDRP - Gross Domestic Regional Product GGP - Gross Geographic Product GVA - Gross Value Added ICC - International Convention Centre IDP - Integrated Development Plan IPA - Implementation of Priority Areas ISRDS - Integrated Sustainable Rural Development

Strategy HIV - Human Immunodeficiency Virus KM - Kilometres KZN - Kwa-Zulu Natal LED - Local Economic Development LM - Local Municipality LSDF - Local Spatial Development Framework LUM - Land Use Management LUMB - Land Use Management Bill LUMS - Land Use Management Systems MDGs - Millennium Development Goals MDRT - Mpumalanga Department of Roads and Transport MLL - Minimum Living Level MPCC - Multi-Purpose Community (Service) Centre MPGDS - Mpumalanga Provincial Growth and Development Strategy

MPISF - Mpumalanga Provincial Integrated Spatial Framework Mt. - Million Tonnes MTPA - Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency MRDP - Mpumalanga Rural Development Programme MSA - Municipal System Act MTA - Mpumalanga Tourism Authority MTGS - Mpumalanga Tourism Growth Strategy NATMAP - National Transportation Master Plan NDM - Nkangala District Municipality NSDP - National Spatial Development Perspective ORTIA - Oliver Tambo International Airport PGDS - Provincial Growth and Development Strategy RIDS - Regional Industrial Development Strategy SAR - South African Railways SARCC - South African Rail Commuter Corporation SDA - Spatial Development Areas SDF - Spatial Development Framework SDO - Spatial Development Objectives SMME - Small Medium and Micro Enterprises SoER - State of Environment Reporting SWOT - Strength, Weaknesses, Objective and Threats analysis TCTA - Tans-Caledon Tunnel Authority TEKS - Trichardt, Evander, Kinross and Secunda UN - United Nations WMAs - Water Management Areas



iiSTEVE TSHWETE LOCAL MUNICIPALITY – SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK


2

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 INTRODUCTION 6

2 STUDY OBJECTIVES AND REPORT STRUCTURE 7

2.1 STUDY OBJECTIVES 7

2.2 REPORT STRUCTURE 8

3 MUNICIPAL VISION AND REGIONAL CONTEXT 9

3.1 MUNICIPAL VISION AND MISSION 9

3.2 REGIONAL CONTEXT 9

4 SPATIAL ANALYSIS OF THE CURRENT REALITY (SITUATIONA L ANALYSIS) 11

4.1 NATIONAL AND PROVINCIAL POLICY CONTEXT AND DEVELOPMENT GUIDELINES 11

4.1.1 THE NATIONAL SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT PERSPECTIVE (NSDP) 11

4.1.2 THE REGIONAL INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (RIDS) (2006) AND NATIONAL INDUSTRIAL POLICY FRAMEWORK (NIPF) (2006) 13

4.1.3 THE ACCELERATED AND SHARED GROWTH INITIATIVE FOR SOUTH AFRICA (ASGISA) (2006) (REVIEW 2008) 15

4.1.4 FRAMEWORK FOR SOUTH AFRICA’S RESPONSE TO THE INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC CRISIS 16

4.1.5 THE NATIONAL INTEGRATED SUSTAINABLE RURAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (ISRDS) 18

4.1.6 COMPREHENSIVE RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (CRDP) (2009) 19

4.1.7 BREAKING NEW GROUND (BNG) 21

4.1.8 THE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION MASTER PLAN 2050 (NATMAP) 21

4.1.9 MPUMALANGA RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MRDP) 22

4.1.10 MPUMALANGA PROVINCIAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (MPGDS) (2004 – 2014) (2008 REVIEW) 23

4.1.11 MPUMALANGA PROVINCIAL INTEGRATED SPATIAL FRAMEWORK (MPISF) 27

4.1.12 MPUMALANGA TOURISM GROWTH STRATEGY 28

4.1.13 CONCLUSIVE SUMMARY 30

4.2 REGIONAL CONTEXT 34

4.3 LOCAL CONTEXT 35

4.4 SPATIAL STRUCTURE AND TRANSPORTATION NETWORK 37



iiiSTEVE TSHWETE LOCAL MUNICIPALITY – SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK


3

4.4.1 SPATIAL STRUCTURE AND RESIDENTIAL SETTLEMENT PATTERNS 37

4.4.2 TRANSPORT NETWORK 41

4.5 NATURAL ENVIRONMENT 43

4.5.1 TOPOGRAPHY, HYDROLOGY AND CLIMATE 43

4.5.2 VEGETATION 48

4.5.3 GEOLOGY AND MINERAL POTENTIAL 49

4.5.4 SOIL TYPES 50

4.5.5 BIODIVERSITY, CONSERVATION AREAS AND NATURE RESERVES 51

4.5.6 SOER: DISTRICT WIDE ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS 51

4.6 SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES 52

4.6.1 OVERVIEW: NSDP, MPISF AND MPGD IDENTIFIED TRENDS, OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES 52

4.6.2 AGRICULTURE 53

4.6.3 FORESTRY 54

4.6.3.1 Conservation Initiatives 54

4.6.3.2 Environmental Sensitive/Problem Areas 55

4.6.4 POWER STATIONS AND MINES 56

4.6.5 INDUSTRY (MANUFACTURING) 56

4.6.6 BUSINESS ACTIVITIES 57

4.6.7 TOURISM 57

4.7 COMMUNITY FACILITIES, SPORT & RECREATION FACILITIES, AND CULTURAL & HISTORIC SITES 57

4.7.1 COMMUNITY FACILITIES – OVERVIEW 57

4.7.2 SPORT AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES 58

4.7.3 FORMALISATION OF CULTURAL AND HISTORIC SITES 59

4.8 ENGINEERING SERVICES 61

4.8.1 WATER 61

4.8.2 SANITATION 62

4.8.3 ROADS AND STORMWATER 63

4.8.4 SOLID WASTE 65

4.8.5 ELECTRICITY 66

4.9 DEMOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS / SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROFILE 67

4.9.1 DWELLING UNITS AND POPULATION 67

4.9.2 EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND INCOME 69

4.9.3 ACCESS TO SERVICES 70

� ACCESS TO WATER 71

4.9.4 HOUSING 72



ivSTEVE TSHWETE LOCAL MUNICIPALITY – SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK


4

4.10 ECONOMIC ANALYSIS 73

4.10.1 GROWTH PROFILE 73

4.10.2 SUB-REGIONAL COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGES 74

4.10.3 STRATEGIC INTERVENTIONS 74

4.11 LAND AUDIT 75

4.12 CONCLUSION 78

5 SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK 79

5.1 DEVELOPMENT VISION 79

5.2 SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES 79

5.3 DEVELOPMENT PRIORITIES AND STRATEGIES 80

5.4 SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK 81

5.4.1 NKANGALA DISTRICT SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK 81

5.4.2 MUNICIPAL AREA 82

5.4.3 MIDDELBURG 83

5.4.4 HENDRINA AND KWAZAMOKUHLE 88

5.4.5 DOORNKOP/ KWAMAKALANE / MAFUBE 90

5.4.6 BLINKPAN/KOORNFONTEIN/PULLEN’S HOPE/RIETKUIL/LESEDI/NALEDI/ THOKOZA 91

5.4.7 PRESIDENTSRUS/KRANSPOORT 91

6 IMPLEMENTATION 92

6.1 SERVICE UPGRADING PRIORITY AREAS 92

6.2 CAPITAL INVESTMENT PROJECTS 92

6.3 IMPLEMENTATION OF PILOT PROJECTS: MULTI PURPOSE SERVICE DELIVERY CENTRES 92

6.4 REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION 93

7 REFERENCES 94



vSTEVE TSHWETE LOCAL MUNICIPALITY – SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK


5

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1: Regional Context Figure 2: The 26 Functional Urban Areas as identified by the NSDP Figure 3: Concentration of People under minimum living level (mil) 2004 Figure 4: Concentration Area Types: DC31-Nkangala District Municipality Figure 4a: RIDS – Core Regions & Spatial Economic Linkages Figure 4b: RIDS – Sector-Specific Districts with Significant Inherent Potential Figure 5: Mpumalanga Vision 2016 Figure 6: Schematic Representation of National, Provincial and Local Government Policy Directives Figure 7a: Local Context Figure 7b: Middelburg Town Figure 7c: Hendrina/KwaZamokuhle Figure 7d: Rietkuil/Arnot Power Station Figure 7e: Mafube Village Figure 7f: Pullen’s Hope/Hendrina Power Station Figure 7g: Komati Power Station/Blinkpan/Koornfontein Figure 7h: Thokoza Figure 7i: Lesedi Figure 7j: Naledi Figure 7k: Doornkop Figure 7l: KwaMakalane Village Figure 7m: Kranspoort Figure 7n: Presidentsrus Figure 8: Land Use Figure 9: Zoning Figure 10: Agricultural Activities Figure 11: Broad Soil Types and Land Types Figure 12: Biodiversity Assessment Figure 13a and b: Cultural Historical Sites Figure 14a and b: Cultural Historical Sites Figure 15: Nkangala District Spatial Development Framework Figure 16: Municipal Development Character Figure 17: Middelburg Spatial Development Framework Figure 17a: Middelburg Spatial Development Framework Figure 17b: Proposed Urban Edge Figure 18: Hendrina Spatial Development Framework

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: The UN Millennium Development Goals (2009 Review)

Table 2: Affected water users in the Middelburg Dam Catchment

Table 3: NSDP Classification for selected Municipalities in Nkangala

Table 4: Business Function Index in the Nkangala Area

Table 5: Agricultural Activities in the Steve Tshwete Local Municipal Area

Table 6: Community Facilities in the Municipal Area

Table 7: Sport and Recreational Facilities in the Municipal Area

Table 8: Type of link roads in the rural area

Table 9: Steve Tshwete: Dwelling Units by Type 1996,2001,2007

Table 10: Steve Tshwete: Population, 1996,2001,2007

Table 11: Population by Gender 2001 vs 2007

Table 12: Age Profile 2001

Table 13: Level of Education

Table 14: Steve Tshwete Economically Active Population, 1996,2001,2007

Table 15: Individual Monthly Income, 1996, 2001, 2007

Table 16: Access to Electricity

Table 17: Access to Water

Table 18: Access to Refuse Disposal

Table 19: Access to Sanitation Services

Table 20: Housing/Residential Needs as per the Current Backlog

Table 21: Growth Rates 1996-2002

Table 22: Land and Restitution Progress Report 06/2006: Steve Tshwete

LIST OF DIAGRAMS

Diagram 1: Linkages between 2004 PGDS Priority Areas and the 2008

PGDS Pillars/Themes

Diagram 2: Middelburg GGP profile by sector, 1996 to 2002



6STEVE TSHWETE LOCAL MUNICIPALITY – SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK


6

STEVE TSHWETE LOCAL MUNICIPALITY

SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK

1 INTRODUCTION

In terms of the Municipal Systems Act (Act No. 32 of 2000) Section 26(e), all

municipalities are required to prepare an Integrated Development Plan (IDP) for

their area of jurisdiction, which must include a Spatial Development Framework

(SDF).

Section 34 of the Municipal Systems Act determines that the Integrated

Development Plan (IDP) must be reviewed and amended annually in accordance

with an assessment of its performance measurements (in terms of section 41 of

the Municipal Systems Act) and to the extent that changing circumstances

demand. The SDF should therefore also be reviewed in accordance with the

annual review of the IDP.

Above all, the review of the SDF will facilitate the implementation of the IDP

spatially in terms of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, 2000 (Act 32

of 2000). In terms of Government Gazette No. 22605 dated 24 August 2001, a

Spatial Development Framework of an Integrated Development Plan should at

least achieve the following objectives:

• Give effect to the principles of the Development Facilitation Act

• Set out objectives that reflect the desired spatial form

• Contain strategies and policies to achieve the above

• Set out guidelines for land use management

• Set out a capital investment framework

• Contain a strategic environmental assessment

• Identify programmes and projects for the development of land

• Provide a visual representation of the desired spatial form of the

municipality which representation include:

i. Where public and private land development and infrastructure

should take place.

ii. Indication where desired and undesired utilisation of space in a

particular area.

iii. Delineation of the urban edge.

iv. Identification of areas where strategic intervention is required.

v. Indication of areas where priority spending is required.

The Land Development Principles as contained in Chapter 1 of the Development

Facilitation Act referred to above are the following:

• Promote the integration of the social, economic, institutional and physical

aspects of land development;

• Promote integrated land development in rural and urban areas in support

of each other;

• Promote the availability of residential and employment opportunities in

close proximity to, or integrated with each other;

• Optimise the use of existing resources including such resources relating

to agriculture, land, minerals, bulk infrastructure, roads, transportation

and social facilities;

• Promote a diverse combination of land uses;

• Discourage the phenomenon of “urban sprawl” in urban areas and

contribute to the development of more compact towns and cities;





7

• Contribute to the correction of the historically distorted spatial patterns of

settlement in the Republic;

• Encourage environmentally sustainable land development practices and

processes;

• Promote land development which is within the fiscal, institutional and

administrative means of the Republic;

• Promote the establishment of viable communities;

• Meet the basic needs of all citizens in an affordable way; and

• Ensure the safe utilisation of land by taking into consideration factors

such as geological formations and hazardous undermined areas.

From the above it becomes evident that development in South Africa is guided

and directed by a wide range of legislation, policies and plans. Although these

operate at various levels (i.e. national, provincial, and local), they share a

common vision and purpose – integrated and sustainable development.

The Steve Tshwete Local Municipality compiled its SDF during the 2007/ 2008

financial year, in terms of the Municipal Planning and Performance Management

Regulations, 2001 read together with the White Paper on Spatial Planning and

Land Use Management, 2001. The Nkangala District Municipality commissioned

the review/update of the District SDF and the six local SDF’s in the District early

in 2010 (this process).

2 STUDY OBJECTIVES AND REPORT STRUCTURE

2.1 Study Objectives

With the above legal requirements as background, the objectives of this study

can be summarised as follows:

• To review and update the 2008 Spatial Development Framework of the

Steve Tshwete Local Municipality (see Figure 1 ).

• To align the local SDF with that of the Nkangala District, and with the

Provincial Integrated Spatial Rationale, PGDS, and the NSDP.

• To align the SDF with the Town Planning Scheme of the municipality.

• To formulate a Rural Development Strategy for the local municipality in line

with the guidelines following from the CRDP currently implemented by the

Department of Rural Development and Land Reform.

• To assess the contents and structure of the Town Planning Scheme

currently operational in the municipality, and to formulate proposals

towards its alignment and synchronisation with the other five local

municipalities in Nkangala with a view to having compatible Town Planning

Schemes across the District.

• To incorporate strategic provincial and national initiatives which fall within

the Steve Tshwete Municipality’s area of jurisdiction into the SDF.

The Spatial Development Framework for the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality

translates the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) of the Municipality into spatial

principles and strategies and thus constitutes the spatial implementation of the





8

IDP. The SDF focuses on integrating the fragmented spatial structure of the

Municipality, and ensuring that all communities have equitable access to vital

services. The SDF also ensures that economic, cultural, recreational and

educational activities and opportunities reach communities in dispersed rural

areas in an efficient manner. Key to this was to align the SDF with surrounding

local municipalities’ SDFs, and providing spatial inputs to the pilot

Comprehensive Rural Development Programme (CRDP) initiative spearheaded

by the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform.

It also creates a spatially based policy framework whereby change, needs and

growth in the Nkangala District area is to be managed positively to the benefit of

everyone. It focuses on how land should be used within the broader context of

protecting the existing values of the Nkangala District area i.e. tourism

destination, rich historical and cultural area.

It improves the functioning of the local urban, rural and natural environmental

systems and assists in the identification of local opportunities for future local

urban/ rural development, and natural environmental conservation, and makes

recommendations as to where and how development of the open space system

should be managed.

Apart from the above it also establishes strategies and policies to achieve the

desired spatial form i.e. movement and linkage systems, open space system,

activity system, overall land use pattern etc.

The reviewed Spatial Development Frameworks also guides and informs the

following:

• Direction of growth;

• Major movement routes;

• Special Development Areas for targeted management and investment to

redress past imbalances;

• Conservation of the natural and built environment;

• Areas in which the intensity of land development could either be increased

or decreased;

• Areas in which particular types of land use should be encouraged and

others where it should be discouraged;

• Is a strategic, indicative and flexible tool to guide planning and decisions on

land development;

• Develops an approach to the development of an area which is clear

enough to allow decision-makers to deal with the unexpected;

• Develops a spatial logic which guides private sector investments;

• Ensures the social, economic and environmental sustainability of the area;

and

• Identifies spatial priorities and places that must be prioritised in the

development process, with specific emphasis on supporting the objectives

of the CRDP programme.

2.2 Report Structure

Section 3 of this document highlights the Vision and Mission of the Municipality

and provides some regional context to the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality.





9

Section 4 .1 of this document provides an overview of the national, provincial and

district initiatives that form the basis for normative based spatial planning. Section

4.2-13 further examines the current reality of Steve Tshwete. Section 4.13

represents a multi-disciplinary analysis of the current situation regarding the

regional and local context of the area.

Section 5 contains the proposals regarding the spatial development principles/

objectives as well as the development framework for the Steve Tshwete Local

Municipality.

Finally, Section 6 deals with the strategic interventions and priority capital

investments in order to implement the SDF for Steve Tshwete Local Municipality.

3 MUNICIPAL VISION AND REGIONAL CONTEXT

3.1 Municipal Vision and Mission

VISION

To be the best community driven Local Municipality in the world in the provision

of sustainable services and development programmes.

MISSION

The Steve Tshwete Local Municipality is committed to the total well being of all its

citizens through:

- The rendering of affordable, cost-effective, accessible, efficient and

quality services for present and future customers;

- The maximizing of infrastructural development through the utilization of

all available resources

- Improving the quality of life by coordinating gender and social

development programmes;

- The implementation of effective systems and procedures;

- Effective co-operation with relevant stakeholders;

- To ensure skilled, motivated and committed work force; and

- Observing the Batho Pele Principles

3.2 Regional Context

Steve Tshwete local municipality is situated at the centre of Nkangala District

Municipality. It covers a geographical area of approximately 3,976 square

kilometres. The towns and settlements within Steve Tshwete include Middelburg,

Mhluzi, Hendrina, Kwazamokuhle, Rietkuil, Pullenshope, Komati, Presidentsrus,

Naledi, Lesedi, Kranspoort, Blinkpan, Koornfontein, Kwa-Makalane and

Doornkop. The Municipality is well located in terms of the Maputo Development





10

Corridor, the Middelburg / Steelpoort mining resource link, as well as the

Middelburg/ Bethal/ Ermelo/ Richards Bay Corridor.

The municipality prides itself of the visionary leadership of its Council, the

competence of its management team and Council’s good relations with the

Nkangala District Municipality. On many occasions, the municipality and the

citizen it serves have been cited as a sterling example for other municipalities in

South Africa to emulate. It has a remarkable track record of success which

include its rating as a high capacity municipality, second best municipality in the

2007 National Vuna Awards in respect of local municipalities, winner of project

Consolidate Award on two occasions, SALGA excellence Municipal Awards, ZK

Mathews Award, favourable credit rating of A1 – short term and A – long term

and various cleanest town awards.

The municipality is located in the Middelburg town and is strategically placed in

the economic heartland of Mpumalanga. The municipality is home to a number

of large industries such as Columbus Steel (therefore the strap line “the home of

stainless steel”), Eskom (power generation), the Nkangala District Municipality’s

headquarters and various government departments. The area is sustained by

Eskom power stations, local mines, Columbus Steel, Middelburg Ferrochrome

strong agricultural areas, a thriving commercial community and tourist attractions.

Despite the fact that the CBD Middelburg is well-developed and represents one

of the two highest order activity nodes in the district , the Middelburg CDB is

experiencing rapid decline and require some strategic intervention such as

development incentives or restructuring initiatives to be implemented.

As far as industrial activity is concerned, the existing industrial areas in Steve

Tshwete (Columbus Steel and Middelburg Ferrochrome) should be maintained

and enhanced through service maintenance and upgrading programmes. These

industrial areas would be the focus areas for heavy industries and manufacturing.

The specific section of route R555 between Emalahleni City and Middelburg pose

the opportunity for consolidation and enhancement of the economic opportunities

in the form of a mainly Local Development Corridor. Desirable land uses along

the corridor would include agro-processing, service industries for the agricultural

sector, manufacturing, warehouses, wholesale trade, clean industries and

hospitality uses.

The agriculture sector is an important economic activity in the Nkangala District,

which should be protected and promoted through the development of

supplementary activities, such as agri-processing. Mining predominantly occurs

in the southern regions of the District and is closely related to the power stations,

although there is increased mining activity towards the northeast between

Middelburg and Stoffberg-Roossenekal and up to Burgersfort where it links up

with the Dilokong Platinum Corridor.

Summary of issues raised by the community, in the District IDP:

• High demand for RDP housing and incomplete RDP houses

• Shortage of employment opportunities, market stalls, inadequate retail

shops

• Grading of roads in informal settlements and lack of stormwater in some

areas





11

• Waste management is a challenge in some informal settlements

• Shortage of medicines in local clinics, treatment of patients by health

care workers and slow response time of emergency services

• Shortage of post-matric training colleges, particularly in the Hendrina

area and shortage of libraries

• Incomplete sanitation projects and lack of water in farm areas

• Finalisation of township establishment in Doornkop

4 SPATIAL ANALYSIS OF THE CURRENT REALITY (SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS)

4.1 National and Provincial Policy Context and Development Guidelines

Development in South Africa (and by implication Steve Tshwete Local

Municipality) is broadly guided and directed by a wide range of legislation. Some

legislation is discipline specific e.g. housing, transport and environment, while

others are more generic in nature, focusing on planning processes, alignment of

planning processes and proposals, and the legal requirements pertaining to

plans.

In addition to existing legislation, a range of national, provincial and local

development policies and plans exist to further guide and direct development

nation-wide. Several of these, namely the National Spatial Development

Perspective (NSDP) ; the National Integrated Sustainable Rural

Development Strategy (ISRDS) ; the Comprehensive Rural Development

Programme (CRDP) ; the Regional Industrial Development Strategy (RIDS) ;

the National Transportation Master Plan (NATMAP) ; the Mpumalanga Rural

Development Programme (MRDP) ; the Mpumalanga Provincial Growth and

Development Strategy (MPGDS) ; the Mpumalanga Provincial Integrated

Spatial Framework (MPISF) ; the Mpumalanga Tourism Growth Strategy

(MTGS); and the Mpumalanga Biodiversity Conservation Plan (MBCP) are of

particular importance in developing a Development Framework for the

Emakhazeni Local Municipality.

The following section briefly deals with the relevant policies and plans, and

highlights the most important guidelines pertaining to the Municipality.

4.1.1 The National Spatial Development Perspective (NSDP)

The National Spatial Development Perspective was initiated in 1999. The

rationale behind the guidelines is rooted in the argument that rather than

investing in physical infrastructure in low product ivity areas (to improve

the quality of life of people in those areas), gove rnment should rather

invest in people . The logic of this argument is that investing in people is a more

sustainable solution, and therefore a more efficient use of government

resources. Investing in places can leave people trapped in low growth areas,

whereas investing in people results in increased opportunity together with the

choice to relocate to high growth areas.

In essence, the NSDP argues that government’s social objectives will be best

achieved through infrastructure investment in economically sustainable areas

with proven development potential . Consequently, areas displaying little or

no potential for growth should only be provided with the constitutionally

mandated minimum levels of services, and that the focus of government

spending in such areas should be social development spending. Social





12

development spending may involve developing labour market intelligence,

human resource development, and health and social transfers.

The NSDP identified the 26 locations in the country currently contributing 83% of

the national GVA (see Figures 2 and 3 ). eMalahleni (Emalahleni) and

Middelburg (Steve Tshwete) qualified in the top 21. Consistent with the above

philosophy, and given the need to reach and sustain an annual economic growth

rate of 6% each year, the NSDP argues that resources and collaborative

government action should be concentrated on maintaining and growing the

economy in those 26 locations. This strategy is grounded in the belief that

through investing in these areas, the bulk of those living in poverty in South

Africa will also be reached.

As such, the towns of eMalahleni and Middleburg should be the primary focus

area for infrastructure investment within the District. And areas other than

eMalahleni and Middleburg displaying both high levels of economic potential/

activity and poverty should also be the focus of more extensive infrastructure

spending .

Furthermore, government spending in the numerous other settlements (with no

significant economic growth or economic potential) spread throughout the

Municipality should primarily be focused on “social development spending ,”

and only providing the constitutionally mandated minimum levels of services .

The NSDP puts forward five principles to spatially guide development decisions

and investment priorities throughout the country. A brief summary of these

principles follows:

• Economic growth is a prerequisite for the achievement of other policy

objectives, key among which would be poverty alleviation.

• Government spending on fixed investment , beyond the constitutional

obligation to provide basic services to all citizens (such as water,

electricity as well as health and educational facilities), should therefore

be focused on localities of economic growth and/ or economic potential

in order to attract private-sector investment, stimulate sustainable

economic activities and/ or create long-term employment opportunities.

• 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 development potential, this could include fixed capital

investment beyond basic services to exploit the potential.

• In localities with low development potential , government spending,

beyond basic services, should focus on providing social transfers ,

human resource development and labour market intelligence . This

will enable people to become more mobile and migrate, if they choose

to, to localities that are more likely to provide sustainable employment or

other economic opportunities.

• 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 link

the main growth centres . Infrastructure investment and development

spending should primarily support localities that will become major

growth nodes to create regional gateways to the global economy.





13

4.1.2 The Regional Industrial Development Strategy (RIDS) (2006)

and National Industrial Policy Framework (NIPF) (20 06)

Following the rationale of the NSDP, the Department of Trade and Industry (the

dti ) formulated a new Regional Industrial Development Strategy (RIDS) in 2006.

The aim of the RIDS is to promote regions based on their key advantages, and

to design appropriate support measures for each region in order to:

• Respond to persistent inequalities between the first and second

economies;

• Encourage regions to seize current and potential opportunities

presented by both the national and the international market economies;

and

• Encourage the country’s most successful economic regions to

consolidate and improve on their current economic potential.

The focus of regional industrial development has shifted since the late-1990s. Its

potential to assist regions to achieve their economic potential is now widely

recognised. Key features of ‘new’ regional support include:

• A focus on enhancing physical and social infrastructure ;

• A multi-sectoral approach to development which moves beyond an

exclusively manufacturing focus, to a focus on knowledge-based

development, tourism and improvement of human capit al;

• A reliance on partnership formation and the driving of development

from ‘the bottom-up’ through regional agencies/ partnerships, able to

galvanise local development and tap into private and state resources

and capacities;

• A focus on unique programmes for each region based on local strengths

and opportunities – i.e. local comparative advantages ;

• A focus on cluster development ; and

• Support for business retention and expansion programmes.

Notably, the concept of an economic region as adopted by the RIDS, is not

synonymous with political/ municipal areas, but rather it is a ‘cluster’ of

economic activity , driven by the occurrence of a particular resource(s) and/ or

skill(s). Hence, clusters may be identified on the basis of a significant

concentration of economic activities focused on a particular activity or sector.

The RIDS provides a spatially referenced development perspective (see Figure

4a) depicting regions that boast clear comparative and competitiv e

Essentially then, to align itself with the directives provided by the NSDP, a SDF for the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality should ensure that:

• Areas displaying significant economic development potential become the focus of more extensive infrastructure spending.

• Areas displaying little or no potential for economic development are preferably targeted for receiving the constitutionally mandated minimum levels of services; and

• Development opportunities are channelled into activity corridors and nodes that are adjacent to, or link main growth centres.

Applying the abovementioned directives to Local Economic Development (LED) projects/ initiatives for example entails that the Municipality should:

• Support and promote more extensive LED projects within areas displaying significant economic development potential; whilst

• Supporting and promoting LED projects aimed at supporting rural quality of life (basic services e.g. water and electricity) in areas displaying little potential for economic development.





14

advantages . In addition, the RIDS also identifies a series of sector-specific

districts in which medium to high levels of economic potential and clustering

may be discerned (see Figure 4b ).

The Nkangala District as a whole is identified as a core “diversified mining”

region/ cluster, specialising in the mining, manufacturing and infrastructure

sectors, and essentially acts as a functional extension of the larger Gauten g

metropolitan area . Furthermore, the District also acts as a central node

between the diversified mining region of Rustenburg to the far west, the

Nelspruit-Barberton services/ tourism region to the east, and the Empangeni-

Richards Bay port region to the far south-east. As such, the District’s

transportation network plays a key role in facilitating and maintaining the mining/

energy and export-orientated manufacturing linkages (corridors) found between

these regions.

The sector-specific district (in which medium to high levels of economic

potential and clustering may be discerned) in Victor Khanye is Delmas, which

was identified as a high-intensity agriculture and mixed use area. As

mentioned, this district represents an area within which the clustering of

economic activities should be encouraged.

In support of the principles and objectives stated, the RIDS delineates several

spatial economic mechanisms aimed at assisting regions to achieve their full

economic potential. The most prominent of these are Special Economic Zones

(SEZs). Basically these zones indicate a geographic area within a country where

certain economic activities are promoted, by means of technical and related

logistics infrastructure, fiscal incentives and subsidies, suitable housing

development, good quality social and community infrastructure, and good

environmental quality. The main objective of economic zones is usually to

promote trade and export orientated industries. Notably, the RIDS recognizes

‘Industrial Development Zones (IDZs)’, ‘Spatial Development Initiatives’ (SDIs)

and ‘small towns’ as SEZs. Seeing as not all areas ‘qualify’ as IDZs, the RIDS

encourages other, smaller forms of SEZs, namely industrial parks, industrial

estates, logistics parks and innovation hubs.

In support of the RIDS, national government also formulated the National

Industrial Policy Framework (NIPF) in 2006. Similar to the RIDS, and other

initiatives such as AsgiSA, the NIPF’s core objective is to help align both private

and public sector efforts regarding industrial development in SA towards a

common end.

Instead of adopting a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to industrialization, the NIPF

focuses on identifying and addressing cross-cutting and sector-specific

constraints and opportunities that prevail in the industrial economy through

thirteen strategic programmes.

Considering the prominent role that industry plays in the District’s space-

economy, the directive provided by Strategic Programme Nine (SP9) is of

particular importance in the formulation of a Development Framework. SP9

(Spatial Industrial Development and Industrial Infra structure Programme ) is

summarized below:

• Industrial infrastructure should be provided in a m anner that

promotes industrial clustering , both in areas of traditional industrial





15

agglomerations and in underdeveloped areas with latent economic

potential;

• Specific areas and corridors in which high economic need

coincides with good economic potential should be identified as

priority areas for the provision of industrial infrastructure;

• The provision of industrial infrastructure should i nclude a wide

range of infrastructure types as well as catalytic “project-specific”

infrastructure to unlock particular types of agro-processing activities.

4.1.3 The Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa (ASGISA) (2006) (Review 2008)

The Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa (ASGISA) ,

which was launched in 2006, identified a series of decisive national policies,

programmes and interventions to ensure that South Africa achieves a set growth

rate of 6% which is needed to meet its social objectives. The interventions,

policies and programmes have been classified into six categories , namely:

• Infrastructure programmes;

• Sector investment (or industrial) strategies;

• Skills and education initiatives;

• Second economy interventions;

• Macro-economic issues; and

• Public administration issues.

Unfortunately, the sustainability of achieved results and the desired levels of

growth and employment creation are being threatened by the current global

economic recession. Importantly though, while the ultimate targets of AsgiSA look

more difficult to achieve now, the specific interventions included in AsgiSA remain

as applicable as they ever were.

As such, the following “Programmes of Action” associated with ASGISA remain

pertinent to the Mpumalanga Province in general, and Emakhazeni LM in

particular:

• Upgrading of the Further Education and Training colleges;

• Improving the availability and reliability of infrastructure services such

as provincial and local roads, bulk water infrastructure and water supply

Essentially then, a SDF for the Local Municipality should take cognisance of the directives regarding industrial development. Also, the inherent comparative advantage the LM has regarding Tourism, must be developed and exploited to its full potential. Notably, alignment will entail focusing strongly on linking the competitive economic clusters of the Municipality to market opportunities via a highly effective transportation network; promoting nodal economic development; focusing the provision of industrial infrastructure within specific areas and corridors that display both high economic need and potential; and protecting the LM’s valuable natural resources from competing land uses. In respect of the aforementioned the RIDS and NIPF:

• The best policy is to encourage industrial development at a relatively limited number of locations (focusing on cluster de velopment) which are able to develop a competitive.

• Promote a multi-sectoral approach to development which moves beyond an exclusive focus on manufacturing, to a focus on knowledge-based development, tourism and improvement of human capital. Tourism specifically plays a critical role in a regional industrial development policy framework.

• Are consistent with the NSDP in that areas displaying significant economic development potential should be developed by means of delineating Special Economic Zones, and hence become the focus of more extensive infrastructure spending.





16

networks, energy distribution, housing, schools and clinics, business

centres, and sports and recreation facilities;

• The development and implementation of multi-purpose government

service centres , including police stations, courts and correctional

facilities;

• Maximum exploitation of agricultural potential and opportunities;

• Promotion of the arts and culture industry;

• Tourism growth promotion and the preservation and development of

heritage sites;

• Export promotion;

• SMME development ;

• Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP);

• Local Economic Development (LED);

• Urban and Rural Development Programme; and

• Environmental management .

Similarly, the following “nationally significant” provincial infrastructure

development projects located within Mpumalanga are and remain relevant

specifically to the Nkangala District Municipality:

• The N4 Maputo Development Corridor, and

• Possible bio-fuel initiatives.

What has perhaps changed as a result of the global economic slow-down is that

of the six priority areas, the “Second Economy” should receive greater focus in

these times. This is not without foresight, as the current economic crisis has the

potential to impact severely on economically marginalised population groups. To

this effect, AsgiSA has introduced a Second-Economy Strategy to provide for

creative employment-generating solutions, particularly at local government level

and within the primary sectors (such as agriculture).

Interventions from this Strategy that form part of the response package include:

• Maintaining as far as possible infrastructure spending to provide

stimulus to the economy and reducing constraints to growth. Specific

attention should be given to linking farmers to markets, improving agro-

logistics, universalising access to basic services, and the up-grading,

resuscitating and building of new irrigation schemes;

• Enhanced skills development ;

• Social security interventions , especially those linked to skills

development; and

• Focus on implementing an industrial strategy aimed at labour-

intensive sectors such as agriculture, mining, tourism, construction and

other services (health, education, finance and cultural industries).

4.1.4 Framework for South Africa’s Response to the International Economic Crisis

In December 2008 the Presidential Economic Joint Working Group formulated a

framework of broad principles governing South Africa’s response to the

international economic crisis. These broad principles and high-level interventions

are consistent with those expressed by AsgiSA and the RIDS, and are as

follows:





17

• The risk of placing the burden of the downturn on t he poor and the

vulnerable must be avoided .

• Protecting and supporting all planned and current a ctivities aimed

at strengthening the capacity of the economy, in or der for it to

grow and create jobs in the future . Furthermore, the constraints to

growth and development should be addressed through programmes

aimed at:

- Increasing public investment in economic infrastructure;

- Improved skills development;

- Introducing effective industrial strategies and enabling

markets through focused infrastructure development;

- Integrating the informal economy into the formal;

- Improving and streamlining government delivery and

regulation; and

- Improving economic efficiency.

• Maintaining the planned high levels of investment i n public sector

infrastructure and encouraging the private sector to maintain and

improve wherever possible their levels of fixed dir ect investment .

In line with the broad principles outlined above, the Framework proposes a broad

stimulus package (as signalled in the recent budget) comprising several high

level economic and social interventions to be implemented.

Those thought appropriate to the formulation of a SDF for the Municipality include

inter alia:

• Investment in Public Infrastructure:

Significant levels of public investment in infrastructure development is

one key means of responding to the downturn in the economy. In respect

of the aforementioned, labour intensive approaches should be used

where possible to ensure the best possible social, employment and

economic return to the society. The focus in rural areas should

specifically be to create employment, alleviate poverty, and improve

access to health and education opportunities.

• Industrial and Trade Policy Measures:

A significant part of the national response to the global economic

slowdown should be to maintain and expand local industrial capacity and

avoid de-industrialisation during the period ahead. This necessitates the

need to improve the competitiveness and performance of key local

industries, particularly the vulnerable sectors, wherein adequate services

infrastructure needs to be lain as the basis for growth and development.

Vulnerable sectors include textiles and mining, construction and

extensive and intensive commercial agriculture.

• Social and Employment Measures:

The social and employment measures delineated by the Framework are

underpinned by a food security strategy. The strategy aims at 1)

Investigating the cost drivers in the food value chain in order to ensure

that basic foods are affordable to poor households and communities, 2)

Ensuring the productive and sustainable use of land; and 3) Improving

the logistics of food distribution such as transportation and warehousing.





18

In addition to the food security strategy, other social and employment

measures proposed by the Framework include 1) Maintaining social

transfers and other key social expenditures, including increasing access

to free basic services such as water and electricity, to the poor; 2)

Increasing housing delivery; and 3) Placing greater emphasis on the

Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP) when engaging in services

delivery activities.

4.1.5 The National Integrated Sustainable Rural Dev elopment Strategy (ISRDS)

Rural South Africa is faced with conditions that are widely associated with rural

areas around the world, such as high levels of poverty, constrained incomes due

to economies that are not sufficiently vibrant, and sparse populations.

Furthermore, to add to the already dire situation, South Africa has some unique

features and development challenges derived from the legacy of apartheid

settlements. Consequently, South Africa features numerous scattered and

marginalised, high density settlements that often lack basic infrastructure.

Hence, in order to rectify this situation, national government launched (as

supplementary to the principles contained in the NSDP), the Integrated

Sustainable Rural Development Strategy (ISRDS).

The vision of the ISRDS for rural South Africa is to “attain socially cohesive and

stable rural communities with viable institutions, sustainable economies and

universal access to social amenities, able to attract and retain skilled and

knowledgeable people, and are equipped to contribute to their own and the

nation’s growth and development.” In other words, the strategy presents an

opportunity for South Africa’s rural people to realise their own potential and

contribute more fully to their country’s economy.

The principles behind the ISRDS are:

• Rural development: is multi-dimensional and much broader than

poverty alleviation through social programs and transfers; it places

emphasis on changing environments to enable poor people to earn

more, invest in themselves and their communities and contribute toward

the maintenance of key infrastructure; a successful strategy will make

people less poor, rather than more comfortable in their poverty.

• Sustainable: sustainability is derived from increased local growth, and

where rural people care about success and are able to access

resources to keep the strategy going.

• Integrated: integration is complex and requires effective co-ordination

across traditional sectors in all levels of government; the IDP process,

and consequently the SDF, will establish a primary locus of integration

at the municipal level.

• Rural Safety net: safety nets are still needed, especially in terms of

social assistance.

Essentially then, to align itself with the directives provided by the Framework for South Africa’s Response to the International Economic Crisis, a SDF for the District should ensure that it helps to mitigate constraints to growth and development by:

• Enabling markets • Spreading public infrastructure investment across both urban and rural

areas in a sustainable manner via the use of Multi-Purpose Community (Service) Centres (MPCCs) for example. The focus in rural areas should specifically be to improve access to health and education opportunities.

• Boosting Agricultural & Industrial Sectors; and • Focus in rural areas should specifically be to impr ove access to

health and education opportunities.





19

Apart from the abovementioned principles, the ISRDS also provides the

following strategic pointers in respect of spatial development planning:

• Planning should aim for comprehensive regional development where

urban settlements form an integral part of the strategy.

• Supporting a population development strategy that supports and

engages vulnerable groups, especially women and youth, and that

provides for accessible health facilities and the possibility for lifelong

learning.

• Planning should ensure that levels of inequality in living standards and

access to basic services between rural and urban areas are reduced.

Importantly, the basic focus within rural areas should be to provide only

the constitutionally mandated minimum level of services in a financially

sustainable manner.

• Supporting commercial farming and the exploitation of export markets

for agriculture. Furthermore, the marginalisation of agriculture,

particularly in the former homelands, needs to be addressed.

• Creating markets for rural products and integrating markets through

appropriate infrastructure investments.

• Exploiting areas of mineral potential in a sustainable manner.

• Promoting tourism that enhances and protects the natural environment.

4.1.6 Comprehensive Rural Development Programme (CR DP) (2009)

In support of the ISRDS, national government has initiated the Comprehensive

Rural Development Programme (CRDP) in 2009. It differs slightly from previous

government strategies in that its approach to rural development is proactive in

nature, based on participatory community-based planning, rather than the

standard interventionist approach.

Essentially, the CRDP is aimed at being an effective response to poverty

alleviation and food insecurity by maximizing the use and management of

natural resources to create vibrant, equitable and sustainable rural

communities. The strategic objective of the CRDP is to facilitate this integrated

development and social cohesion in partnership with all sectors of society.

To align itself with the directives provided by the ISRDS, a SDF for the Municipality should ensure that:

• Urban settlements play an integral part in comprehensive regional development.

• Nodal development is promoted – resources should be targeted at selected areas in response to identified development problems and opportunities.

• Basic services are provided in a purposeful and financially sustainable manner by local government – i.e. creating infrastructure to support social or productive investment in a concentrated locality.

• The levels of inequality between living standards and access to basic services between rural and urban areas should be reduced.

• Mining, agriculture and tourism development is promoted. • Commercial farming and the exploitation of export markets for agriculture are

promoted. Furthermore, the marginalisation of agriculture, particularly in the former homelands, should be addressed.

• Markets are created for rural products and the integration of markets through appropriate infrastructure investments.

• Areas of mineral potential are exploited in a sustainable manner.





20

The ultimate vision of the CRDP to “create vibrant, equitable and sustainable

rural communities ” is to be achieved through a three-pronged strategy process

based on:

1. Coordinated and integrated broad-based agrarian transformation;

2. Strategically increasing rural development; and

3. An improved land reform programme.

The objectives of each of the above strategic thrusts thought applicable to the

formulation of a SDF for Steve Tshwete include the following:

1. Agrarian Transformation

• Facilitating the establishment of rural and agro-industries,

cooperatives, cultural initiatives and vibrant local markets.

• Increased production and sustainable use of natural resources

by promoting farming and related value chain development.

2. Rural Development

• Access to community and social infrastructure, especially well-

resourced clinics.

• Focusing on the development of new and the rehabilitation of

existing infrastructure.

• Improving and developing infrastructure conducive to economic

development.

• Improving and developing infrastructure conducive to social

development (especially ABET centres).

3. Land Reform

• Promoting restitution, tenure reform, and redistribution in a

sustainable manner.

• Increased access to land by previously disadvantaged people.

• Establishing Agri-villages for local economic development on

farms.

• Up-to-date information pertaining to land claims.

• Providing reliable and efficient property (deeds) registration

systems.

• Contributing to economic growth and housing development by

providing government and private agents with essential land

information in order to engage in planning as well as economic

transactions.

• Providing spatial planning information and services to local

municipalities and other public or private institutions that may

require them for development purposes.

•

(Annexure A comprises a more comprehensive overview of Rural Development

and how it should be approached in the Nkangala District in general).





21

4.1.7 Breaking New Ground (BNG)

The policy document, Breaking New Ground: A Comprehensive Plan for the

Development of Sustainable Human Settlements was published by the

National Department of Housing.

The following directives provided by the policy were thought applicable to the

formulation of a SDF for the Steve Tshwete LM:

• Citizens should live in safe and secure environments, and have

adequate access to economic opportunities, a mix of safe and secure

housing, and tenure types, reliable and affordable basic services,

educational, entertainment and cultural activities, and health, welfare and

police services.

• Ensure that low-income housing is provided in close proximity to areas

of opportunity .

• Ensure the development of compact , mixed land use , diverse, life-

enhancing environments.

• Ensure the development of more integrated, functional and

environmentally sustainable human settlements, towns and cities.

• Multi-purpose cluster concept should be applied to ensure the

sustainable provision of primary municipal facilities, such as parks,

playgrounds, sports fields, crèches, community halls, taxi ranks, satellite

police stations, municipal clinics, and informal trading facilities.

4.1.8 The National Transportation Master Plan 2050 (NATMAP)

The main purpose of the National Transportation Master Plan (NATMAP) 2005-

2050 is to motivate a prioritized programme of interventions designed to upgrade

the transport system in South Africa. Its goal is to develop a dynamic, long-term,

and sustainable land use/ multi-modal transportation systems framework for the

development of networks, infrastructure facilities, interchange and termini

facilities, and service delivery strategies for the country. The Master Plan is due

for completion towards the end of 2010.

It is anticipated that one of the core directives/ paradigm shifts emanating from

NATMAP will be to place greater emphasis on developing rail as a

transportation medium , rather than roads. Furthermore, it is anticipated that

such a paradigm shift will be accompanied by the notion that greater

Essentially then, to align itself with the directives provided by the CRDP, a SDF for the Municipality should help to ensure:

• Increased access to land, especially by previously disadvantaged people. • Economic growth and housing development by providing government and

private agents with essential and up-to-date land information. • The sustainable development and provision of infrastructure conducive to

economic development. • The sustainable development and provision of infrastructure conducive to

social development. • The sustainable use of natural resources.

Essentially then, to align itself with the directives provided by BNG, a SDF for the municipal area should lead to:

• Sustainable human settlements. • Basic service delivery for all, provided in an efficient manner. • Access to opportunities through densification, integration into urban

settlements, and mixed uses.





22

integration between land use development and transp ortation planning

should be achieved through ensuring that land development is concentrated in

and around transport corridors, as well as that corridors are orientated towards

providing sustainable rail transport rather than facilitate road-based transport.

In the case of Steve Tshwete which plays such a strategic role in terms of linking

harbours through SA and even to Mozambique, this is particularly important.

Much latent potential can be sourced through developing the nodes around rail

stations in the municipal area.

4.1.9 Mpumalanga Rural Development Programme (MRDP)

The Mpumalanga Rural Development Programme (MRDP) was established in

2001, co-ordinated by the office of the Premier. The main objective of the

Programme is to contribute towards an “improvement of the social and

economic situation of the rural poor” . The programme focuses on the

creation of income and employment in rural areas.

The key concepts of the programme (which are similar in nature to the more

recently adopted ISRDS and CRDP programmes) include:

• Self reliance/ empowerment: strengthen the self-help capabilities of

the communities and emphasise development planning;

• Economic growth: encourage local economic development,

employment and income generation through the promotion of small and

micro-sized rural enterprises and the participation of the private sector;

• Sustainability: improve viable and sustainable natural resource

utilisation;

• Outreach: upgrade and broaden the facilitation of government services

to the impoverished;

• Capacity building: strengthen, advise and train service providers;

• Innovation : develop innovative concepts for public service delivery;

• Mainstream: get innovations on track;

• Coping with HIV/ Aids: plan, design and implement relevant strategies

in order to cope with HIV/Aids; and

• Stakeholder participation: ensuring participation by all concerned.

Essentially, the MRDP reiterates the directives provided by the ISRDS and CRDP

programmes in more recent years. Hence, the key concepts of the MRDP will be

implemented by incorporating the objectives expressed by the ISRDS and CRDP

into the Municipality’s SDF.

Essentially then, to align itself with the directives provided by the National Transportation Master Plan (NATMAP), a SDF for the Municipality should ensure that:

• Greater emphasis is placed on developing rail as a transportation medium; and

• Greater integration between land use development and transportation planning should be achieved through ensuring that land development is concentrated in and around transport corridors , (e.g. the Maputo Corridor).





23

4.1.10 Mpumalanga Provincial Growth and Development Strategy (MPGDS) (2004 – 2014) (2008 Review)

A PGDS is a “strategic and integrated provincial development plan that

provides direction and scope for province-wide development programmes and

projects, within the context of a long-term perspective and taking into

consideration resources available and constraints .” Furthermore, a PGDS

provides “a spatially referenced framework for both public a nd private

sector investment, indicating areas of opportunity and development priorities

and enabling intergovernmental alignment.”

In essence then, the Provincial Growth and Development Strategies are aimed at

providing strategic directives to district and local municipalities in formulating their

more detailed IDPs and SDFs. It is thus essential that the guidelines expressed

by the SDF be compatible with the directives emanating from the MPGDS.

Vision, Mission and Objectives of the Reviewed Mpum alanga PGDS

The vision of the reviewed Growth and Development Strategy for the Province is

to drive development within the Province so as to attain “an improved quality of

life for all the people of Mpumalanga”. The PGDS seeks to attain this vision

through implementing its mission statement which reads: “To promote viable

economic growth and development, especially where i t addresses job-

creation and poverty reduction, in an environmental ly sustainable manner

within a spatial context and incorporating the prin ciples of good

governance .”

To realise this mission statement, the Mpumalanga Government has set the

following goals and strategic objectives for the PGDS:

• Give effect to the principles of a developmental st ate by facilitating

cooperative governance and by prioritising development;

• Facilitate and support sustainable development through following an

integrated approach to managing the relationship between socio-

economic development and the environment ;

• Actively promote and support economic growth and de velopment in

terms of the provincial economy, it’s linkages to the national and

international economy and with an emphasis on provincial priorities

such as targeted growth areas, priority sectors and corridors as well

as developmental priorities such as employment and eradicating poverty;

and

• Facilitate and provide essential services in social and human

development in areas such as health, education, social welfare, and

community safety.

The Framework proposed to achieve the aforementioned goals and objectives

rests on four pillars/ themes, namely poverty alleviation , employment , growth ,

and environmental sustainability . Notably, these are aligned to the AsgiSA

2014 targets, as well as the national imperative of ensuring that development is

environmentally sustainable.

Strategic Framework – Development Principles and Th emes

The 2004 (previous) PGDS identified six priority areas of intervention , namely:





24

• Economic Development ;

• Infrastructure Development ;

• Human Resource Development ;

• Social Development ;

• Sustainable Environmental Development ; and

• Good Governance .

Supplementary to the above, the 2004 PGDS had also formulated several

specific principles , namely:

• The recognition of the presence of strong east-west, but weak north-

south linkages;

• The recognition of an interdependent network of settlements , of

varying sizes and functions; and

• Harnessing and protecting irreplaceable and highly significant

environmental areas .

These still apply, but as Diagram 1 illustrates, in the reviewed PGDS they have

been incorporated as two principles supported by four pillars/ themes.

Diagram 1: Linkages between 2004 PGDS Priority Area s and the 2008 PGDS Pillars/ Themes

Each theme proposes specific pioneering projects, supporting options and

existing government programmes with which to address key provincial priorities.

The newly delineated principles and themes are extrapolated below and, finally,

made applicable to the formulation of an SDF for Victor Khanye.

Principle 1: Good Governance

The principle of good governance requires institutions such as the Victor Khanye

LM to provide responsive, effective and efficient services (or goods) within the

applicable accounting and transparency regimes.





25

In respect of improving institutional efficiency and effectiveness of government

(i.e. inter-governmental planning), and ensuring that there is sustainable growth

and development in the Province, the PGDS adopted the set of United Nation’s

Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) (see Table 1 ).

Table 1: The UN Millennium Development Goals (2009 Review)

GOAL TARGETS

1 Eradicate extreme poverty and

hunger

1 Halve, by 2015, the proportion of people

whose income is less than $1 a day.


who suffer from hunger.

2 Achieve universal primary education 3 Ensure that, by 2015, children

everywhere, boys and girls alike, will be

able to complete a full course of primary

schooling.

3 Promote gender equality and

empower woman

4 Eliminate gender disparity in in all levels

of education no later than 2015.

4 Reduce child mortality 5 Reduce by two-thirds, by 2015, the

under-five mortality rate.

5 Improve Maternal Health 6 Reduce by two-thirds, by 2015,

maternal mortality ratio.

6 Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria, and

other diseases

7 Have halted by 2015 and begun to

reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS.

8 Achieve, by 2010, universal access to

treatment for HIV/AIDS for all those who

need it.

9 Have halted by 2015 and begun to

reverse the incidence of malaria and

other major diseases.

7 Ensure Environmental Sustainability 10 Integrated the principles of sustainable

development into country policies and

programmes and reverse the loss of

environmental resources.

11 Reduce biodiversity loss, achieving, by

2010, a significant reduction in the rate

of loss.


without sustainable access to safe

drinking water and basic sanitation.

8 Develop a Global Partnership for

development

13 Have achieved by 2020 a significant

improvement in the lives of the least 100

million slum dwellers.

14 In cooperation with the private sector,

make available the benefits of new

technologies, especially information and

communications

15-21 For comprehensive set of targets,

please refer to the Millennium

Development Goals of the United

Nations.

Whilst the 2009 report for South Africa (without provincial differentiation) indicates

that substantial progress has been made, none of the targets have been

achieved in totality.

Principle 2: Spatial Planning

Spatial planning requires spatially referenced data and a complementary spatial

analysis of the issues within a municipal area. This analysis needs to be

expanded to include the high-level spatial interactions and linkages both within a

municipal area and regionally, including corridor development and national

infrastructure development plans. The result should be integrated and strategic

development.





26

Theme 1: Economic Growth and Development

Where private-sector investment and activities are not supporting the required

provincial development, government (e.g. local government structures) must play

three key roles in promoting sustainable economic development – through 1)

regulation, 2) the provision of public infrastructure and 3) the facilitation of direct

interventions (such as continuing to focus on public employment programmes).

KEY PRIORITY: Maximising the provincial be nefits from the mining and energy

sectors while mitigating any environmental impacts

SUPPORTING OPTIONS:

• Target beneficiation of mineral resources

• Target mining transport infrastructure – to maintain and expand the transport infrastructure, so

that coal hauling does not endanger the safety of tourism routes.

• Target clean technologies – to reduce air and water pollution resulting from current and

abandoned mining operations.

• Target natural resource optimisation model

EXISTING PROGRAMMES & PROJECTS:

• The Coal Haulage Strategy

KEY PRIORITY: Enhancing social cohesion and develop ing human capital

SUPPORTING OPTIONS:

• Target electronic communications

• Target sports and recreational facilities

• Target sustainable human settlements (including managing urbanisation)


• Expansion of ICT infrastructure in schools to promote e-learning initiatives.

• Implement BNG policy .

Theme 2: Job Creation

A significant change in the rate of job creation is required to ensure that absolute

unemployment levels decrease. Hence, government must prioritise education,

skills development and training in all spheres of the economy.

KEY PRIORITY: Using indigenous resources to create jobs

SUPPORTING OPTIONS:

• Target the land reform process

• Target the land tenure reform process

• Target small farmers

• Target ecotourism – leverage off rural protected areas, developing labour-intensive opportunities

• Target provincial protected areas

• Target cultural tourism – broaden provincial tourism base (from ecotourism only) to urban-based

cultural tourism.

• Target heritage commercialisation – where and as appropriate, develop opportunities around

heritage sites.

KEY PRIORITY: Supporting the industrial and service sectors to create jobs

SUPPORTING OPTIONS:

• Target infrastructure maintenance, rehabilitation a nd extension – including the N12 Corridor.

• Target regional co-operation – establishing Mpumalanga and its industrial heartland as the hub for

trade between Gauteng, Swaziland and Mozambique.

• Target trade, finance and community services sector s – to support their current growth and can

be used to migrate entrepreneurs from the second economy into the first economy.

• Target agricultural beneficiation – agricultural products permit significant expansion of agro-

processing sector.

• Target forestry beneficiation.

• Target Eskom & Transnet CAPEX plans

Theme 3: Poverty Reduction and Alleviation

Poverty has not been reduced through economic development over the past

decade. Where the economically active population can be lifted out of poverty





27

through job creation in commercial activities which do not require government

funding, this should be encouraged.

KEY PRIORITY: Reducing impact of poverty through so cial services

SUPPORTING OPTIONS:

• Target information collection and interpretation

• Target state employment – in terms of both existing programmes such as EPWP, but also new

opportunities that departments and municipalities can create.

• Target solid waste management .

• Target waste water & sewerage management

• Target access to, and quality of, health care

• Target quality of and access to education

• Target integrated public transport – to ensure suitable linkage is provided between all key nodes

in a cost-effective and sustainable manner.


• Water for All Flagship Programme.

• Intensification of the EPWP.

• HIV and Aids Programme.

• Revitalization of Hospitals.

• Housing Delivery.

• Thusong Service Centres .

Theme 4: Environmental Sustainability

Mining, electricity generation, manufacturing and agricultural activities all impact

negatively on the conservation of the natural environment as an asset. Future

development must be environmentally sustainable – for both the physical and

economic health of the people.

KEY PRIORITY: Strengthening sustainable development

SUPPORTING OPTIONS:

• Target environmental planning

• Target land use management and planning

• Target protection of endangered biomes

• Target water management

• Target demand-side resource efficiency – improving utilisation of water, electricity and all other

resources for the benefit of all.

• Target renewable energy – not just industrial biofuels and electricity generation, but also domestic

• Target urban greening

• Target urban agriculture – developing and supporting people in growing their own food


• Municipal SDFs and IDPs

KEY PRIORITY: Governance and Spatial Integration

SUPPORTING OPTIONS:

• Target holistic spatial planning

• Target environmental rehabilitation – (creation of jobs through rehabilitation programmes)

• Target the establishment of an innovation hub


• Review of local and district SDFs

4.1.11 Mpumalanga Provincial Integrated Spatial Fra mework (MPISF)

In contrast with conventional Provincial SDFs to which all District and Local

Municipalities must align their respective Development Frameworks, the

Mpumalanga Provincial Integrated Spatial Framework (MPISF) does not provide

a concrete spatial framework. Instead, the MPISDF provides:

i. A provincial-wide perspective on social, environmental, economic,

transport, settlement and land-use factors, and other development

trends and impacts in the province; and





28

ii. Strives to develop a spatial rationale of the scope and location of areas

with economic (e.g. tourism, agriculture, petro-chemical) development

potential, as well as the areas with the major challenges in terms of

addressing poverty, service backlogs, etc. in the Province and for the

various district municipal areas.

In turn, to ensure co-ordinated and strategic infrastructure investment and

development spending, the LMs and DMs should use the development directives

and understanding provided by the ISF as a common platform to inform their

respective Development Frameworks.

Based on the NSDP, the ISF puts forward the following directives which should

be adhered to in the formulation of an SDF for the District:

• Focusing on localities with greater economic potential ;

• Focusing on localities that will facilitate the creation of more

sustainable human settlements through the provision of more than

just houses and basic infrastructure;

• Focusing on the development of people through skills development and

the creation of social opportunities; thus facilitating choice and ability to

move between settlements;

• Broadening the range of housing products in appropriate localities to

address an extended and diverse need, including the elderly, people

with disabilities, children headed households, single headed

households and migrant families;

• Broadening the range of suitable localities within existing settlements

for infill housing developments , for example, appropriate brown field

sites in close proximity to the inner cities; and

• Upgrading inadequate forms of housing – e.g. informal settlements

and hostels.

4.1.12 Mpumalanga Tourism Growth Strategy

In line with the directives given by the PGDS and ISDF, the Provincial

Government wishes to develop the tourism sector as a driver of economic

activity and diversification. According to the Provincial Government, the Province

has without any doubt, the natural and cultural resource base upon which to

develop a sustainable industry. Consequently, the PGDS has set the formidable

challenge of growing the tourism contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

by 10 percent per annum. The goal put is that by 2016, tourism should represent

approximately six percent of Gross Domestic Regional Product.

In response to the targets set by the PGDS, the Provincial Government in

cooperation with the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA)

formulated the Mpumalanga Tourism Growth Strategy (MTGS) (2007). As part of

the strategy, an indicative assessment was undertaken of what the market

Essentially then, to align itself with the directives provided by the Mpumalanga

Provincial Integrated Spatial Framework, a SDF for Steve Tshwete should ensure

that it adheres to the NSDP principles, in that:

• Development is focused in areas with proven economic potential;

• Development and growth is sustainable;

• Development facilitates growth and empowers people;

• Targeted settlements become more functional, i.e. denser (infill), integrated,

providing mixed uses and diverse options.





29

wants, of which the results were correlated with what the Province can

realistically supply in terms of product development. The analysis demonstrated

that Mpumalanga’s tourism product can be diversified and expanded to cover a

wide range of product market segments, namely:

• Nature tourism; • Residential;

• Activity tourism; • Sports;

• Adventure; • Shopping;

• Golf; • Medical;

• Eco-resorts; • Conference;

• Special interest; • Festivals/events; and

• Touring; • Leisure/entertainment.

Based on the market opportunities, and feedback from consultations with

stakeholders, a tourism vision up to 2016 was formulated for the Province (see

Figure 5 ). Hence, to realize “Vision 2016”, the MTGS proposes a number of

“Flagship Projects”, some of which are directly applicable/ relevant to Steve

Tshwete LM, namely:

• World Class Theme / Amusement Park

• The Mpumalanga Route

• Development of Flagship Integrated Resorts

• Commercialisation of MTPA Parks and Reserves

• Luxury Steam Train

• Industrial Museums

• Loskop Area Tourism Centre

The guiding principles to be applied in pursuit of achieving the MTPA’s vision

and commercialisation objectives are:

• Developing a diverse range of alternative tourism products to meet the

requirements of different market segments, including providing affordable

access to local communities and others from previously disadvantaged

backgrounds;

• Developing products that complement and do not compromise or threaten

the natural resources on which the tourism developments rely;

• Planning and zoning developments spatially within protected areas to ensure

an integrated approach between conservation and development and to

maintain the integrity of the biodiversity and cultural resources;

• Partnering with land claimants and other local communities to promote a

conservation economy in and around the parks in support of local economic

development in line with the PGDS;

• Following a consultative and integrated approach by involving all relevant

stakeholders in the development process, including alignment with municipal

IDPs;

• Creating an enabling and investor friendly environment;

• Promoting the involvement of the private sector in the development, funding

and management of tourism facilities; and

• Complying with all relevant legislation and regulations, including the PFMA

and Treasury Regulations, the Tourism BEE Charter and Scorecard, as well

as environmental legislation such as Environmental Impact Assessment

Regulations.





30

4.1.13 Conclusive Summary

Municipalities throughout South Africa are finding it increasingly difficult to

provide its inhabitants not only with cost-effective and equitable infrastructure,

but also with sufficient social infrastructure and economic opportunities. For this

reason, development is guided and directed by a range of national, provincial

and local development policies. After the summarised discussions above, a

number of policy directives can be deduced from all the policies. Most notably,

the majority of them seek to facilitate land use integration, and especially land

use and transportation integration as this is key to the sustainable development

of both urban and rural areas.

Below then follows several high level policy directives and development

objectives which, combined, form a strategic framework upon which to base an

SDF for the Steve Tshwete Municipality. Notably, the framework seeks to

achieve land use and transportation integration as mentioned above, and with it

the sustainable social and economic integration and development of the area.

Directive 1: Settlement and investment should be en couraged in areas with high development and -economic growth potential

Infrastructure is necessary to enable economic growth, which in turn is a prerequisite for the achievement of other policy objectives, such as poverty eradication and equitable development. However, investment in infrastructure should preferably be concentrated in areas of high development potential or economic growth potential, to exploit and enable the inherent potential in such areas. This will inevitably encourage settlement growth in these ‘‘areas with proven potential’’.

This directive is especially relevant to rural Sout h Africa , where settlements are dispersed, and do not have sufficient economic development potential to warrant the focused provision of infrastructure development to all settlements. Importantly though, Directive 1 does not imply that all rural areas or settlements do not have economic development potential, but rather that infrastructure development should be focussed on those rural settlements that do have su ch economic potential . Specific objectives relating to this directive include:

• Discourage a dispersed rural settlement pattern by directing infrastructure development to selected rural growth areas;

• Strengthen the central place function of existing towns through well-maintained transportation linkages;

• Enable the development of regional service centres in rural areas through the development or upgrading of transportation linkages to such centres and the use of clustering mechanisms such as MPCCs;

• Encourage rural settlement consolidation through investment in transportation and bulk services infrastructure in targeted areas;

• Use transportation infrastructure to open up areas with development potential; BUT only areas with sufficient water availability for settlement and economic activity should be opened up to ensure environmental sustainability; and

• Unlock and make available well-located land within metropolitan areas for affordable housing and economic development through the provision of appropriate infrastructure.

To align itself with the directives provided by the MTGS, a SDF for the LM should help to:

• Develop a diverse range of alternative tourism products to meet the requirements of different market segments;

• Develop products that complement and do not compromise or threaten the natural resources on which the tourism developments rely;

• Create an enabling and investor friendly environment; and • Focus development around strategically identified t ourism

development nodes to create critical mass and by so-doing, creating tourism areas of national and international significance.





31

Directive 3: Promote the development of an integrat ed settlement pattern

The integration of settlement development, areas of economic opportunity and potential requires focusing future settlement and economic development activities into activity corridors and nodes that a re linked to main growth centres . Such corridors should be designed to encourage growth within the key economic sectors found along those corridors – i.e. be based on local competitive advantages. Specific objectives relating to this objective include:

• Discourage urban/ settlement sprawl through the sensible location of new transportation and other municipal infrastructure;

• Establish a network of corridors containing combined road and rail transport infrastructure where possible;

• Develop infrastructure that is public transport orientated and encourages public transport use in key economic and residential areas;

• Integrate fragmented urban areas through strategic transportation infrastructure development that is conducive to nodal development – i.e. Ensure that land development is concentrated in and around transport corridors, and that corridors are orientated towards providing sustainable rail transport rather than road-based transport modes (e.g. the N4 Development Corridor Initiative);

• Ensure the development of compact, mixed land use, diverse, life-enhancing environments; and

• Ensure that low-income housing is provided in close proximity to areas of opportunity.

Directive 2: Settlements of exclusion should be lin ked to areas with economic opportunity

Investment in economic infrastructure must not only address the basic needs of people, but should also create an environment that is conducive to income generating activities and productive employment. To achieve this, areas of exclusion (rural and urban) should be linked to growth centres , rather than investing heavily in areas with limited economic growth potential. Growth centres can be towns or settlements within rural areas that show high level s of economic development potential . Specific objectives relating to this directive include:

• Link rural settlements that have high population concentrations to towns or areas that exhibit economic opportunities;

• Use transportation corridors to link towns/ settlements to metropolitan areas; • Integrate areas of exclusion within a metropolitan area with nodal areas containing

economic opportunities, using public transport; and • The development and provision of infrastructure should take into account the

general depopulation of rural areas due to the migration of people to larger towns/ metropolitan areas.





32

Directive 5: Key rural areas should be developed in to sustainable economic entities

Emphasis must be placed on facilitating the change of key rural areas/ settle ments into sustainable economic entities . This requires focused development or spatial targeting, directing resources to selected areas/ nodes in response to development opportunities. Key to such an initiative is selecting programmes that reflect the diversity and uniqueness of rural communities, specifically in the agricultural, forestry and tourism industries. These three primary economic sectors are essential to the livelihood of rural areas. Hence, the presence or lack of these sectors largely determine the economic development potential of the area. Specific objectives related to this directive include:

Agriculture • Facilitate the transportation of agricultural products to international markets; • Exploit opportunities to better utilize areas with agricultural potential through

infrastructure development – e.g. the establishment of Agri-hubs dams, irrigation schemes, water and sanitation infrastructure;

• Enable subsistence agriculture to enter commercial markets through infrastructure development;

• Upgrade access roads to irrigation schemes that have potential for expansion; and • Establish good transport linkages between agricultural areas, agro-processing

plants and local markets.

Forestry • Unlock the potential of forestry by improving and constructing access roads to

woodlots and supportive economic infrastructure.

Tourism • Align tourism routes with key tourist attractions; • Provide access infrastructure to unlock the development potential of untapped

tourist resources; and • Develop a diverse range of alternative tourism products to meet the requirements

of different market segments.

Directive 4: Growth and development should be socia lly and environmentally sustainable

Economic growth and development cannot be continued over the long-term if it is not done in a socially and environmentally sustainable manner. This includes the conservation of natural resources , such as high-potential agricultural soils and ecologically sensitive areas, the sensible management of mineral resources , and providing social and community infrastructure in an effective and responsible manner. As such, Directive 4 especially applies to rural development. Specific objectives relating to this objective include:

• Discourage development on valuable agricultural land and in areas of natural beauty (through the sensible location of new bulk municipal and transportation infrastructure);

• Protect and provide access to areas of natural beauty; • Protect valuable natural resources from both intra- and inter-competing land uses

by clearly delineating specific development areas for each land use; • The provision of social, community and educational services in a purposeful and

financially sustainable manner through adopting a nodal approach – i.e. supporting social and productive investment in a concentrated locality; and

• Increased access to land, especially by previously disadvantaged people, via restitution, tenure reform, and redistribution.





33

Usefully, all of the aforementioned development directives and objectives

represent a specific spatial form, which when combined, can be spatially

translated into a schematic spatial framework model with which to achieve

sustainable social and economic integration and development of a specific

geographic area’s urban and rural settlements (see Figure 6 ).

In essence, the model which represents government policy direct ives can be

described as being characterised by a settlement pattern comprising a number

of large and medium-sized urban growth centres, con nected via corridors

Directive 7: Comparative and competitive advantages of regions should be exploited A primary objective should be to unlock the comparative and competitive advantages of regions. Although much of this potential is centred within and surrounding urban areas, areas and nodes within rural areas may also have po tential that is unique to that area or node . In other words, certain rural areas may have comparative and competitive advantages that can compete on a national and international level. In respect of rural areas, the mining sector and mineral deposits provide advantages that can be effectively be exploited. Hence, the presence or lack of this sector or natural resource largely determines the economic developmen t potential of a rural area . Specific objectives relating to the unlocking of this directive includes: Mining

• Provide road and rail access to large, untapped mineral deposits, such as coal deposits;

• Expand transportation infrastructure in line with growth in mining; and • Reassess the role of infrastructure serving abandoned mining areas and towns.

Industry

• Enhance the strategic advantages of key industrial location in metropolitan areas through infrastructure development;

• Provide industry with an entire logistics network, emphasizing transport services and logistic hubs; and

• Transport infrastructure must support existing and envisaged Industrial Development Zones (IDZs).

Directive 6: Industrial development should focus on international markets

It is impossible to achieve a spatially uniform distribution of economic activity, and that the best policy is to encourage industrial development at a relatively li mited number of locations (focussing on cluster developme nt) which are able to develop a competitive edge in regional and international markets. Hence, industrial development must focus on international markets and the export of manufactured goods as a means to accelerate economic growth. As such, industrial areas need to be linked to major harbours or airports to enhance the export-orientated focus of these industrial areas Transportation and industry specific infrastructure development is essential for industrial development and enabling a competitive export industry. Specific objectives relating to this objective include:

Mining • Link large mineral deposits to export and accumulation points with appropriate

logistical capabilities; and • Prevent the over-utilization of roads used for the transportation of bulk mining

products by considering other modes of transport – e.g. rail.

Industry • Provide an efficient freight transportation network that links industrial areas to

export and accumulation points; and • Areas displaying significant economic development potential should be developed

by means of delineating Special Economic Zones, and hence become the focus of more extensive infrastructure spending.





34

of continuous or intermittent nodal development . The rural landscape is

characterised by a limited number of rural service nodes.

Investment spending by government within the model is informed by both

the existing or latent economic development potenti al of an area (mostly

resource based), as well as the relative need of an area . Areas with economic

development potential become the primary focus for the provision of economic,

municipal and transportation infrastructure needed to successfully facilitate

exploitation of the competitive advantages of these areas.

This said, the model views rural development as a crucial part of achieving

sustainable urbanization. Hence, the model promotes the development of rural

service centres connected to one another and to urb an growth centres via

strategic rural transport linkages (road and rail). Importantly, rural service

centres are selected based on their ability to sustain surrounding rural

areas, as well as their ability to facilitate the c onsolidation of a dispersed

rural settlement pattern . Government spending within rural service centres is

directed at projects and programmes that aim at providing a platform for the

development of sustainable rural communities.

Notably, the model presented by Figure 6 is being proposed by the National

Transportation Master Plan (NATMAP) as the best means with which to achieve

land use integration and development, as it represents a balanced approach to

government spending on urban and rural areas . Furthermore, by following a

balanced approach, the model encourages a form of urbanisation that is not

developed at the cost of rural areas, but enables a symbiotic relationship

between the existence of urban and rural areas.

Essentially then, to ensure alignment with national, provincial and local

government policy directives, a SDF for the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality

should seek to translate the schematic model presen ted by Figure 6 onto

the physical landscape characterising the area . This should however be

done in a manner befitting the Municipality by taki ng into consideration its

unique attributes, needs, opportunities and priorit ies.

The delineation of the Municipality’s unique attributes and development needs

are hence the focus of the remaining sections of Chapter 4.

4.2 Regional Context


Municipality. It covers a geographical area of approximately 3,976 square

kilometres. The towns and settlements within Steve Tshwete include Middelburg,

Mhluzi, Hendrina, Kwazamokuhle, Rietkuil, Pullenshope, Komati, Presidentsrus,

Naledi, Lesedi, Kranspoort, Blinkpan, Koornfontein, Kwa-Makalane and

Doornkop. The Municipality is well located in terms of the Maputo Development



The municipality is located in the Middelburg town and is strategically placed in

the economic heartland of Mpumalanga. The municipality is home to a number

of large industries such as Columbus Steel (therefore the strap line “the home of

stainless steel”), Eskom (power generation), the Nkangala District Municipality’s

headquarters and various government departments. The area is sustained by





35

Eskom power stations, local mines, Columbus Steel, strong agricultural areas, a

thriving commercial community and tourist attractions.

4.3 Local Context

The spatial structure of the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality area of jurisdiction

is characterised by the following prominent areas as reflected in Figure 7a-7n.

Figure 7a shows the local context of Steve Tshwete.

• Middelburg

The Lydenburg “Volksraad” resolved on 25 October 1859 to establish a town,

halfway between Pretoria and Lydenburg, on the farms KlipSamora Machel and

Keerom. The farmers in the vicinity did not approve of the abovementioned locality,

and consequently the Dutch Reformed Congregation purchased the adjoining farm

SterkSamora Machel on 28 January 1864. Following this, Middelburg was

established in 1866 as a “Church” town, known as Nazareth. Nazareth means “root

from dry land”. At establishment “Nazareth” consisted of 409 stands. Until 1874

both names where used namely “Nazareth” by the Dutch Reformed Church and

Middelburg by the government of the Z A R.

At the beginning of the previous century Middelburg was surveyed and consisted of

approximately 880 erven (see Figure 7b ). At the time, Middelburg acted mainly as

a service centre for the surrounding agricultural community. Yet, over the years this

focus has changed to not only catering for the agricultural sector, but also for the

growing mining and electricity generation sectors.

• Hendrina

During 1910 the agricultural development of maize production drastically improved,

and in conjunction with cattle and sheep farming necessitated the formalization of

the then existing community at present day Hendrina. Furthermore, the long

distances with ox wagon and horse cart between Middelburg, Ermelo, Bethal and

Carolina acted as imputes for establishing a service centre. At the time, the major

reasons for establishing a town were threefold, namely:

o An own town as commercial point;

o An own church; and

o An own school based on Christian norms and values.

Hence, on 24 March 1914 a group of people lead by Mr. Jacob de Clerq decide

to establish a town on the farm GrasSamora Machel 570 of Mr. Gert Beukes. Mr.

W.G. Joubert purchased the abovementioned land on which Hendrina was

established. The town was named after Hendrina Beukes and proclaimed on 5

June 1916. A portion of land was also donated to the Dutch Reformed Church to

erect a church.

A number of rural settlements are also encountered throughout the jurisdiction of

Steve Tshwete Local Municipality, namely the following (see Figure 7c ):

• Rietkuil (Arnot Power station)

In 1965/66 contractors started with roads, pipelines and ground works on the

farm Rietkuil, which Eskom bought from seven owners. Sufficient water and

especially coal supply in the Rietkuil area ensured that the construction of Arnot





36

Power Station commenced in 1968. Arnot was Eskom's first modern coal-fired

power station and was fully operational by June 1975. Three of its units were put

into reserve storage (mothballed) in 1992 due to the surplus generating capacity

Eskom had at the time. The units were recommissioned in January 1997,

November 1997 and December 1998 respectively. The station is 31 years old.

The Rietkuil Village is a formal proclaimed Eskom Village which served as

residential area for workers at the power station. The village also boasts various

community facilities (see Figure 7d ).

• Mafube Rural Village

Mafube Rural Village is situated on a portion of Portion 10 of the Farm

Springboklaagte 416 JS approximately 30km east of Middelburg. Mafube

Colliery purchased the land from previous farm owners and in order to continue

with mining activities, needed to relocate a number of farm workers. The

relocation project comprises the development of a residential area / rural village

of approximately 452 houses (see Figure 7e ).

• Pullenshope (Hendrina Power Station)

Located ±40km south of Middelburg, Hendrina Power Station came into operation

between June 1970 and December 1976 (see Figure 7f ). It is one of Eskom's

oldest operating power stations and the only one with 10 units. When it was built,

it had the longest turbine hall of any Eskom power station. The station is 32 years

old this year.

Between 1995 and 1997 half of Hendrina's 10 units were refurbished and now

boast some of the most advanced system control technology in the world. The

station's 5-in-1 control room was the first in the Southern Hemisphere. In 1999,

Hendrina received a gold award from the National Productivity Institute.

Pullen’s Hope is the village that serves Hendrina Power Station. A vast array of

community and social infrastructure is available in the village.

• Komati/ Blinkpan/Koornfontein

Site investigation for Komati began in 1957. The first unit was commissioned in

1961 and the last in 1966. In 1988, three units at Komati were mothballed, one

was kept in reserve and the other five were only operated during peak hours. In

1990 the station was completely mothballed and its coal contract terminated. The

station is 40 years old this year.

Komati is the only power station with a common steam range, meaning that its

nine boilers jointly feed the nine generators.

The station is situated between Middelburg and Bethal in Mpumalanga on the

R35. This node is made up of Komati Village being a proclaimed Eskom Village

and Blinkpan/Koornfontein which are mining villages (see Figure 7g ). The Steve

Tshwete Local Municipality already renders services in these settlements.

• Thokoza

The village currently forms part of the housing component of Kanhym Estates.

The village is currently not managed by Steve Tshwete Local Municipality (see

Figure 7h ).





37

• Lesedi

This village belongs to Ingwe Mines and is managed by Middelburg Minig

Services. The village is situated in the southwestern corner of the jurisdiction of

Steve Tshwete Local Municipality and borders Emalahleni Local Municipality

(see Figure 7i ). Very little information is available on this settlement.

• Naledi

Naledi Village has been in existence for nearly 28 years as part of the housing

stock of Tavistock Collieries Pty Ltd. and Ingwe Surface Holdings Limited. The

mine’s intention was to exclude this village from the area of the mine property in

order to provide tenure rights to the inhabitants of the village and incorporate the

village into the jurisdiction of Steve Tshwete Local Municipality (see Figure 7j ).

• Doornkop

Doornkop is situated approximately 20km north of Middelburg on the N11

towards Loskop Dam (see Figure 7k ). The settlement is divided into two areas

viz Doornkop Phase 1 which is a land restitution area and Doornkop phase 2.

The phase 2 is an application for township establishment to accommodate

squatters residing in phase 1. A total of 456 residential stands have been

planned of which ±240 stands will be utilised for squatters.

• Kwamakalane

No formal village or rural node mentionable is present in the north-eastern

corner of the jurisdiction of Steve Tshwete Municipality. Kwamakalane Village is

situated on privately owned land and consist of approximately 10 households,

with a crèche with 16 children,a primary school with ±200 children, a secondary

school of ±200 children and very little other social infrastructure (see Figure 7l ).

The village however serves a broader community of ±400 households.

• Kranspoort and Presidentsrus

Both these settlements are defined as holiday towns or resorts. Presidentsrus is

known for the Olifants River Lodge Resort and Caravan Park (see Figure 7m )

and Kranspoort is a Holiday town with full title ownership and a 9 hole Golf

Course (see Figure 7n ). Although these two settlements are mentioned they do

not provide for any residential expansion and are purely for recreational or

vacaqtion purposes.

4.4 Spatial Structure and Transportation Network

4.4.1 Spatial Structure and Residential Settlement Patterns

The study area is generally known as the Steve Tshwete Municipality, with

Middelburg and Hendrina functioning as the Primary and Secondary nodes

respectively. A number of smaller settlements are dispersed throughout the

municipal area, mainly south of the N4 towards Hendrina.

Whilst Middelburg is situated almost central in terms of a north – south orientation

within the Municipality, Hendrina is situated on the south-western border of the

municipality. The boundaries of the study area are based on the area of jurisdiction

as depicted in terms of the Demarcation Board’s proposal for MP 313. The





38

southern boundary is just south of Hendrina; the northern boundary bisects Loskop

Dam; and the eastern boundary runs slightly to the east of Rietkuil.

The study area is characterised by the Coal mining industry, operating mainly in the

southern part of the study area, south of the N4 national road. The N4 traverses the

study area in an east – west alignment. Conflictingly, the southern area is also the

area in which the highest agricultural potential is found, comprising of arable land

under irrigation. The north western region is characterized by mountainous terrain

with lower agricultural potential, which largely accommodates game farms.

A description of the study area has already been outlined. The land use profile and

settlement dynamics within the study area are important indicators reflecting the

status quo and possible future land uses and growth patterns. Given the nature of

the study area, conflict exists between high potential agricultural land and coal

mining. Conflict also exists between mining and the mountainous natural area

mainly utilised for eco-tourism towards the northwest of the study area.

Two distinctive homogenous areas are identified, making the study area quite

unique:

• The area to the south of the N-4 National road is mainly associated with

high potential agricultural crop production. This is also the area which

experience pressure from open cast coal mining. Upon rehabilitation the

land again becomes available for farming. However, the agricultural potential

is detrimentally been affected, as the land can normally only be utilized for

grazing

• The northern part of the study area is known as an area subject to

cultivation in the east which tends to decrease in agricultural potential in a

westerly direction to a point where the terrain restricts farming potential to

grazing only. This is also the area accommodating game farms focussing

on the eco-tourism industry.

The residential component of the study areas is mainly concentrated in the urban

areas. The study area comprises the following nodes:

• Primary Node (Urban)

- Middelburg;

• Secondary Node (Urban)

- Hendrina and Kwazamokuhle

• Tertiary Nodes (Rural)

- Rietkuil (Arnot Power Station)

- Mafube Rural Village

- Pullen’s Hope (Hendrina Power Station);

- Komati Power Station/Blinkpan/Koornfontein;

- Thokoza;

- Lesedi;

- Naledi;

- Doornkop;

- Kwamakalane Village;

- Presidentsrus; and





39

- Kranspoort.

• Middelburg

Figure 8 depicts the current land use for Middelburg and Figure 9 , the

current zonings.

Middelburg functions as the largest commercial centre in the study area. The

town fulfils a central place function with the largest residential and

commercial component.

- Residential

A large portion of the town’s residential erven are used for high-density,

low-income purposes. Specific reference is made to the residential areas

of Mhluzi and Nasaret. A total of 18 459 single residential units have

been planned of which 1329 is vacant.

A housing shortage of approximately 6883 units is recorded in Mhluzi

primarily known as the low-income residential area. Lower density, high

income residential sites are mostly situated in Aerorand with 1200 of

vacant erven still available. Various middle and high income housing

developments are currently in the process of development, e.g.

Middelburg Waterfront and Roberts Retirement Resort to name but a few.

- Business

Business is mainly concentrated in the town centre and along Cowen

NtuliStreet, which mainly accommodates the Motor Town. Most of the

residential areas depend on the town centre for day-to-day shopping

needs, although certain areas have access to neighbourhood centres

and corner shops. However, a number of house shops, informal traders

and spaza shops are located in the Mhluzi and Nasaret.

• Hendrina

Hendrina, the second biggest town in the study area is situated

approximately 50km south east of Middelburg along the N-11.The town is

significantly smaller than Middelburg with 5078 planned single residential

stands of which 968 is vacant . Refer to Figure 7c.

- Residential

A total of 1304 stands exist in Hendrina of which 956 have been serviced.

Kwazamokhule consist of 3774 stands of which 3154 have been

serviced. The housing shortage experienced by the mainly backyard

lodgers amounts to approximately 500 low income residential units,

according information obtained from the Housing Department of Council.





40

- Business

Business/commercial activities are mainly concentrated along the main

street and the main route through town. Major businesses and industrial

activity include the OTK Co-operation and Joy Manufacturing which are

the largest suppliers of employment. The business node in Hendrina is

fairly unstructured.

Limited business activities in Kwazamokhule force local residents to

travel to Hendrina for goods and services. Informal traders, Spaza shops

and a few general dealers provide daily goods and services.

• Rietkuil

Rietkuil is situated ±35 km. east south east of Middelburg, being the third

largest settlement in the study area (see Figure 7d).

- Residential

Rietkuil consists of 860 single residential middle income stands. These

stands were developed by Eskom to accommodate personnel employed

at Arnot Power Station.

- Business

Business activity in Rietkuil is limited to a neighbourhood centre,

providing in day to day needs of the community.

• Pullen’s Hope

The village of Pullen's Hope is situated ±30km. south of Middelburg and is

the fourth largest settlement (see Figure 7f).

- Residential

Pullen’s Hope consists of 850 single residential middle income stands.

These stands were developed by Eskom to accommodate personnel

employed at Hendrina Power Station.

- Business

Business activity in Pullen’s Hope is limited to a neighbourhood centre,

providing in day to day needs of the community.

• Komati

Komati is situated approximately 45km. south of Middelburg. The village is

the smallest of the former three Eskom villages. Council will manage Komati

village with Blinkpan/Koornfontein village. This cluster will be the fifth largest

settlement in the study area. Blinkpan and Koornfontein were developed as

mining villages accommodating mine employees (see Figure 7g).





41

- Residential

Komati consists of 434 single residential middle income stands, whilst

Blinkpan/KoornSamora Machel consists of 170 residential stands totalling

604 for the cluster.

- Business

Business activities in Komati/Blinkpan/Koornfontein are limited to a

neighbourhood centre, providing in day to day needs of the community.

• Doornkop

Doornkop is situated west of the Middelburg/Groblersdal road and ±17km.

from Middelburg (see Figure 7k).

- Residential

A total of 426 stands have been planned as part of the Land Restitution

claim that was successful. The formalization of tenure rights are still in

process. A number of squatters moved onto a portion of the Doornkop

land. These squatters will be re-settled on Doornkop Phase 2. The

Doornkop Township will consist of 456 residential stands. No formal

business or community facilities are presently available in either of these

developments.

• Kranspoort

Kranspoort is a private township proclaimed as a “Vakansiedorp”. All

services are rendered by the governing body. Council only assist with the

approval of building plans (see Figure 7m).

- Residential / Housing Summary

Kranspoort consists of 505 residential even of which ± 87, 5% are still

vacant.

• Presidentsrus

Presidentsrus is situated ±15km. west of Middelburg. This township was

developed as a holiday destination. A total of 242 residential stands were

developed of which ±92% are still vacant (see Figure 7n).

4.4.2 Transport Network

As far as the transport network is concerned, the main feature in Steve Tshwete

is the N4 freeway. The N4 connects Gauteng Province with Nelspruit, the capital

city of Mpumalanga Province as well as with the international harbour in Maputo.

The freeway transverses the Nkangala District from west to east and connects

the major settlements, specifically Emalahleni, Middelburg and Belfast. The N12

from Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni links up with the N4 to the east of Emalahleni

and in turn links up with the N4, which traverses the area of Jurisdiction of Steve

Tshwete Local Municipality.





42

There is a railway line running adjacent to the N4 freeway through Mpumalanga

Province to the Maputo harbour. The combination of the freeway and railway line

has resulted in the identification of the N4 Maputo-Gaborone Corridor, with

significant inherent economic opportunities.

The N11/R65 and adjacent railway line which runs from Middelburg in a southern

direction towards Ermelo. This road and railway line provide a link with tourism

attractions in KwaZulu-Natal and the Richards Bay harbour.

N11/R65 north, which provides a link with the settlements in the north west of the

District and Groblersdal in Limpopo Province.

A variety of National, Provincial and Local roads and streets traverse the area of

jurisdiction of Steve Tshwete Local Municipality.

The most prominent of these are the N4, crossing the area from east to west. The

responsibility of this road falls under the jurisdiction of the Department of Transport,

but forms part of the agreement between TRAC – a private consortium and the

Department of Transport. In terms of this agreement, TRAC has the right to

develop the road to a toll road. Another National route traversing the area is the

N11, traversing the area from north to south. The Provincial roads are as follow:

• P154 Middelburg to Emalahleni and WonderSamora Machel;

• P127 Middelburg to Van Dyksdrift;

• P180 Emalahleni to Van Dyksdrift;

• P182 Hendrina to Van Dyksdrift;

• P30 Middelburg to Bethal; and

• P52 Hendrina to Bethal and Carolina.

These roads as well as a number of district roads fall under the jurisdiction of the

Mpumalanga Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport. The Middelburg

Roads Branch is the responsible office for the maintenance of these roads.

• Middelburg & Mhluzi

The majority of the roads are tarred and provided with storm water drainage.

Upgrading of the storm water system in Mhluzi is being undertaken

according to a storm water plan prepared by consultants.

• Hendrina / Kwazamokhule

Relatively few roads are tarred and provided with storm water drainage.

Attention will have to be given to address the backlogs as the maintenance

cost of gravel roads is high.

• Rietkuil

The internal roads are tarred and Council is responsible for the maintenance

of the roads. Roads are in a fairly good condition.

• Pullen’s Hope







43

• Komati



• Blinkpan & Koornfontein

These towns now known as Blinkpan village has been proclaimed, and was

recently taken over by Council who renders all municipal services. The mine

has made funds available to council to do some maintenance work including

patching and resealing of certain streets.

• Doornkop

No formal roads or storm water systems are in place.

• Presidentsrus

Only gravel roads are available. The low water bridge was upgraded which

reduces the possibility of flooding. The access road (P20) is in a bad

condition due to the large number of heavy vehicle from the brickworks that

make use of it.

• Kranspoort

This is a private township proclaimed as “Vakansiedorp” and all services are

rendered by the governing body. They approached the Municipality with the

request to assist with building inspections only.

4.5 Natural Environment

The environmental analysis provides a concise summary and background on the

environmental aspects within the study area. The analysis is not aimed to be all

inclusive and individual development and development proposals should still be

subject to detailed case by case environmental studies. The purpose of this

analysis is to provide a background for strategy, policy and guideline formulation.

4.5.1 Topography, Hydrology and Climate

4.5.1.1 Climate

• Middelburg

- Temperature

° The temperature of Middelburg is generally the same as the

temperatures occurring on the Highveld with the lowest

temperature registered as -11,70C in July with a known maximum

as 36,10C in January. The average annual winter temperature can





44

be taken as 15,50C and the average summer temperature as

27,20C.

° The average known daily temperature difference varies from a

minimum of 13,50C in January to a maximum of 20,60C in August.

° It is interesting that temperatures of less than 00C have already

occurred from April to October and that over a period of 27 years

frost has been registered from as early as 24 April until as late as

22 September.

- Wind

In general, the wind is light to moderate for most of the time, ranging from

1,0 to 5,4 m/s for 51% of the year. Strong winds are associated with

pressure gradient forces in winter and with thunderstorm activity in

summer. Winds with a velocity > 8m/s (29km/h) occur on average 5% of

the time (18 days per year). Calm conditions prevail on average 34% of

the time (124 days per year).

During the autumn months (March to May), an easterly wind is more

dominant, which in turn comes from the southern section during the

winter months.

- Rainfall

° It is noticeable that there appears to be a similarity between the

altitude above sea level and the average annual rainfall in the

area, because the rainfall figures vary from 750mm to 775mm in

the vicinity of Middelburg Dam, 725mm to 750mm in Middelburg,

the southern (Aerorand) and eastern (Vaalbank) area, while in the

north-east (Kanonkop) and north (Botshabelo) the rainfall varies

from 700mm to 725mm per year.

° The average annual rainfall for Middelburg has been determined at

740mm and the figures vary from average 119mm in January to

9mm in the winter months. The annual rainfall probability is 18,

4% or 67 days per year.

° The most intensive downpours are experienced during the summer

months of November , December, January and February.

° Hail storms occur on average 4 to 7 times per year.

• Hendrina, Rietkuil, Pullen's Hope and Komati

For the purpose of Komati, Rietkuil and Pullen’s Hope the following data is

obtained from the National Weather Bureau (Weather Station Hendrina

Municipality (1949 - 1997), climn 0479369 was used. The annual average

precipitation for the above-mentioned towns is 707, 4 mm. The towns are

situated in the cool summer rainfall area of the inland Highveld Plateau of

Southern Africa. Summers are moderately hot with cold winters. Frost has

a high frequency occurrence. Summer months are characterized by

thunderstorms, often associated with strong wind and floods.

Rainfall intensity in terms of maximum rain within a period of 24 hours

varies between 19, 0mm and 132 mm. The annual average temperatures

for the towns were not available and for this reason, data from Carolina

was used. This indicated that the average annual temperature for the

region is in the order of 210C, with June being the coldest month varying





45

around 160C and January the hottest month with temperatures varying

around 240C.

• Presidentsrus

The lowest temperature registered was during July name – 11,70C and the

maximum 36,10C during January, whilst the average annual winter

temperature is 15,50C and the average summer temperature 27,70C. The

average rainfall per year in the area as measured at the Loskop station

over a period of 46 years is 612,9mm. The temperature of the area varies

from a minimum of 13,50C to 27,90C. The general wind direction is north-

west.

• Kranspoort

Kranspoort is situated in the Loskop Valley. Climate varies much from the

rest of the area of jurisdiction. Temperatures are generally 3-50C warmer

than what is experienced on the Highveld.

4.5.1.2 Topography

• Middelburg

Middelburg is characterised by the typical undulating Highveld topography

in the south at a height of ± 1600m above sea level. A number of

prominent hills and steep inclines are located towards the north-west of the

Greater Middelburg at a height of 1400m where the Klein Olifants River

leaves the northern boundary.


The town is situated ± 1650m above mean sea level, in moderately

undulating plains, typical of the Southern Mpumalanga Highveld region.

The town in general, slopes towards the catchment area of the Klein

Olifants River. The topography as such may not seriously hamper

development other than the tributary separating Kwazamokhule and

Hendrina, which will not be suitable for development, as it is utilized for

recreational purposes.

• Rietkuil

Rietkuil is situated in the Southern Mpumalanga Highveld region between

1660 and 1700 meters above sea level. The slope is predominantly south

and south-west.

• Pullen’s Hope

Pullen’s Hope is situated in the Southern Mpumalanga Highveld Region,

between 1600 and 1620 m above sea level. The town has a

predominantly western slope towards a north / south running stream.

• Komati

Komati is situated in the Southern Mpumalanga Highveld region, between

1525 and 1670 meters above sea level. The town has a moderate slope in

a predominantly northern direction towards the Koringspruit.





46

• Doornkop

Doornkop is situated west of the Middelburg / Groblersdal road

approximately 15 km north of Middelburg. The village is situated between

1525 meters and 1560 meters above sea level on a moderate flat slope.

• Presidentsrus

Presidentsrus is situated in the Central Mpumalanga Highveld adjacent to

the Olifants River. The town is situated between 1470 and 1525 m above

sea level. The town has a moderate slope towards the Olifants River that

bisects the town.

• Kranspoort

Kranspoort is situated in the Loskop valley. The topography is typical of

the mountainous nature of the southern point of the valley. The slope

varies from low to steep in places and draws into all the various direction.

4.5.1.3 Hydrology

• Catchments

Drainage occurs in a northerly to north westerly direction in the southern

part of the area, and south to southwest in the northern part of the area,

towards the Klein Olifants River, which in turn flows west towards the

Olifants River, which drains into the Loskop Dam.

The Loskop Dam wall was built in the 1930’s across a nearby gorge. In

the 1970’s, the dam wall was raised, flooding more of the valley. The dam

is approximately 30km long and supplies water to a vast irrigation scheme

in the areas of Loskop, Groblersdal and Marble Hall.

The Middelburg Dam catchment covers an area of 1 576km², but a

significant portion of it drains to pans. These pans act as small isolated

catchments which reduces the effective total catchment area draining to

Middelburg Dam to 1 401 km². The Klein Olifants River is the most

significant river in the Middelburg Dam catchment. The mean annual

runoff for the Middelburg Dam catchment is 37,1 million m³/annum.

The Middelburg Dam is one of five sub-catchments in the upper Olifants

River basin, upstream of Loskop Dam. The Klein-Olifants River, which

drains to the Middelburg Dam, forms part of the B100 drainage region. It is

an important catchment, not only in context of water supply to the greater

Middelburg area, but also in terms of the flow and pollution load

contributions to Loskop Dam.

As indicated in Figure 1, the catchment is impacted on by various land

uses including towns and related settlements, coal mining, power

generation, agriculture, feedlots and other industrial activities.

There are two major power stations in the Middelburg Dam catchment.

Hendrina Power Station (2 000 MW) and Arnot Power Station (2 100 MW)

are supplied with coal from Optimum Colliery and Arnot Colliery.

Extensive coal mining for the foreign and domestic market is taking place

in the Middelburg Dam catchment. Approximately 9% (15 million tonnes /





47

annum) of South Africa’s annual coal production originates from this

catchment. Coal is mined and beneficiated for use in the power stations

as well as for the metallurgical industry.

Urban development in the Middelburg catchment is limited to mostly rural

settlements and residential villages at the power stations and collieries.

• Surface water quality

An intensive monitoring program was undertaken in this catchment during

1995 / 1996 by Wates, Meiring and Barnard for the Department of Water

Affairs and Forestry (Report No. WQM B100/00/0197). The monitoring

indicated the following:

- Water quality downstream from the coal mining and power

generation facilities are highly seasonal. The seasonal character is

reflected in high TDS concentrations during winter base flow periods

in summer. The bulk of the salinity load is transported to the

Middelburg Dam during summer.

- The sulphate and the TDS concentrations in the headwaters of the

catchment are low. As the streams pass through the coal mining

areas, substantial increase in salinity levels is observed. The

streams most heavily impacted are the Woestalleen East Spruit, the

ZevenSamora Machel Spruit and the Bosman Spruit. All of these

streams have low base flows that increase the impact of mining

related pollutions of these streams.

- The eastern Woestalleen Spruit and the ZevenSamora Machel

Spruit have the highest calcium and magnesium concentrations in

the catchment. This high concentration of cationic constituents in

the Woestalleen Spruit is due to mining activities and natural

weathering of geological formations.

- An effective buffering system occurred in the Woestalleen Spruit,

which decreased the effect that AMD had on the Stream. The

buffering does not occur in the Bosman Spruit and ZevenSamora

Machel Spruit.

- Although high heavy metal concentrations are periodically observed

in the ZevenSamora Machel Spruit and Bosman Spruit, the eastern

Woestalleen Spruit indicated low heavy metal concentrations.

- The most serious water quality issue of concern in the Middelburg

Dam remains the high concentrations of TDS and specifically

sulphate. The dam is mesotrophic for most of the time, but tends

towards a eutrophic state during the winter period.

• Surface water use

Water in the Middelburg Dam and Loskop Dams catchments is used

according to the following user categories as specified in the South African

Water Quality Guidelines (1996):

- Domestic;

- Livestock watering;

- Irrigation;

- Industrial; and

- Aquatic environment.





48

Table 2 provides an indication of affected water users in the Middelburg Dam

catchment.

Table 2: Affected water users in the Middelburg Dam Catchment (taken from Clean Stream Environmental Services, May 2002)

Segment User User Category Domestic Livestock

watering Irrigation Industrial Aquatic

environment Klein-Olifants River

Alzu Farming X X X Ede Farming X X X Gert van Eden X X C.J. Bothma X X Johan Uys X X

Middelburg Dam

Steve Tshwete Local Municipality

X X

Columbus Stainless Steel

X X

Water from the Klein-Olifants River is used extensively for irrigation and livestock

watering purposes. Irrigation use is mainly for the growth of maize and potatoes.

Livestock watering is mainly for free-roaming cattle and sheep but river water is

also used in two extensive piggeries along the Klein-Olifants River. The surface

owners next to the Klein-Olifants River do not use water for domestic purposes.

Loskop Dam supplies water to a vast irrigation scheme in the areas of Loskop,

Groblersdal and Marble Hall.

4.5.2 Vegetation

The Steve Tshwete Local Municipality Area falls within the Grassland Biome.

Within the said municipal area, two grassland types (Low and Rebelo, 1998) occur,

namely:

� The Rocky Highveld Grassland (Acocks veld type 34) and

� The Moist Sandy Highveld Grassland (Acocks veld type 37).

Closer to Loskop Dam, the area borders onto the transition between Rocky

Highveld Grassland (veld type 34) of the Grassland Biome and the Mixed Bushveld

(veld type 18) of the Savannah Biome (Low and Rebelo, 1998).

According to Lotter and Emery (2003), the Acocks Veld Types represent the

variation in vegetation in Mpumalanga better than that of Low and Rebelo (1996).

Accordingly, the vegetation of the area would be described as of Bankenveld (veld

type 61). Closer to Loskop Dam, Sourish Mixed Bushveld (veld type 19) and Mixed

Bushveld (veld type 18) would be represented. North-eastern sandy Highveld

vegetation could be present in the southern eastern portion.

As evident from Figure 10 the majority of the remaining vegetation is indicated as

unimproved grassland, which would correspond to the Rocky Highveld Grassland

and Moist Sandy Highveld Grassland. It is also evident that vast amounts of this

vegetation type have been transformed by agricultural activities (cultivate lands),

forest plantations, mines and quarries, urban (commercial, industrial / transport /

residential) developments.





49

Closer to Loskop dam, thicket / bushland and forest and woodland were identified,

which would correspond to the Mixed Bushveld vegetable type.

Wetlands constitute an important and restricted habitat type for a variety of plants

and animals. The wetland vegetation throughout the Highveld region of

Mpumalanga is under great threat from factors such as alien invasive plant species

(Henderson and Musil, 1987), altered hydrological patterns, reduced water quality,

ploughing and overgrazing. Any remaining area of untransformed wetland must

therefore be regarded as of elevated conservation importance.

The type, distribution and conservation status of wetlands within the said area

needs to be verified.

4.5.3 Geology and Mineral Potential

The geology of the area south and southeast of Middelburg is mainly underlain by

sediments of the Ecca Formation of the Karoo Supergroup. The lithology of the

Ecca Formation consists of shale, shaly sandstone, grift, sandstone,

conglometerate, coal (in places near base and top).

The area located south of Middelburg falls within the so-called Springs-Emalahleni

Coalfield, which extends over a distance of some 180km from the Brakpan and

Springs areas in the west, to Belfast in the east and about 40km in a north-south

direction.

The irregular northern margin of the coalfield is defined by the sub-outcrop of the

Vryheid Formation against the Pre-Karoo rocks of the Transvaal sequence, the

Waterberg Group and volcanics associated with the Bushveld Igneous Complex.

North of this margin there are few coal-bearing outliers of Karoo sediments. The

southern margin of the coalfield is clearly defined over the central portion of the

area by pre-Karoo granite and felsite hills, which separate the Emalahleni Coalfield

from the Highveld Coalfield from the Highveld Coalfield.

To the east and the west of the central portion, the southern boundary is poorly

defined and the demarcation in the vicinity of Delmas, Leslie and Hendrina is rather

arbitrary.

Mines include Woestalleen Colliery, Optimum Colliery, Arnot Colliery, Black Wattle

Colliery, Graspan Colliery, Polmaise Colliery, etc.

The Selons River Formation of the Rooiberg Group, Transvaal Supergroup, is

indicated to be present within the area south and southeast of Middelburg. It

consists of a bed of sandstone or quartzite at the base as well as massive, red

rhyyolite of which the top shows flow bedding. It contains a few intercalations of

sandstone, tuff, black rhyyolite and breccia. A bed of dark, fine-grained mudstone

is present approximately in the middle of the sequence.

The geology of the area from Middelburg towards Loskop Dam is characterised by

the Loskop and the Wilge River Formations of the Waterberg Group.





50

There is a distinct angular unconformity between the Loskop Formation and the

Wilge River Formation, Waterberg Group of Mokolian age. This Formation is

composed essentially of reddish brown to purple, medium- to coarse-grained

sandstone, grit and quartzitic sandstone, with intercalations of conglomerate and

shale. A bed of conglomerate is usually present at the base. A number of diabase

dykes and sills intrude the above-mentioned rocks.

Resting on this formation is the Loskop Formation, Transvaal Supergroup. The

presence of lava flows in the Loskop Formation indicates a gradual transition

between this formation and the Rooiberg Group. The Loskop Formation crops out

practically without interruption all along the north-eastern rim of the Middelburg

basin, in the Loskop Dam-Middelburg area.

The Dwyka Group of the Karoo Supergroup is also indicated to be present in the

area north of Middelburg. It is composed mainly of rudaceous rocks, i.e.

diamictite with subordinate varved shale, and mudstone containing striated and

faceted pebbles, fluvoglacial gravel and conglomerate, all presumably of glacial

origin.

The youngest geological deposits are represented by unconsolidated alluvium

(soil transported by water), which is confined to the drainage channels throughout

the area, colluvium (soil transported mainly through gravity) and ferricrete, all of

Quaternary age.

4.5.4 Soil Types

Six broad soil types occur within the municipal area namely: Ba, Bb , Bc. Ea, Fa and

Ib (Steenekamp, 2004). Figure 11 provides an indication of the distribution of the

various soil types within this area.

• Middelburg

The Greater Middelburg is underlain by granite lava in the south, better

known as Rooiberg felsite. The south-western section of the study area is

characterised by the rich coal deposits on the farms Uitkyk and RietSamora

Machel forming part of the Ecca and Dwyka series of the Karoo system.

It is estimated that ± 40 million tons of exploitable coal can be found on 560

ha of land in the Uitkyk vicinity and 60 million tons on 460 ha of the farm

RietSamora Machel, west of Federale Stene.

Clay deposits suitable for brick making, are located on the farm RietSamora

Machel and was made available to Federale Stene by Council.


The Greater Hendrina area, which was investigated, is underlain by

sediments of the Vryheid Formation, Ecca Group and Karoo Sequence.

The sedimentary bedrock comprising of mainly ivory coloured massively

bedded sandstone is sequentially overlain by a partial to well developed

honeycomb hardpan ferricrete layer overlain by a transported layer of beige-

brown silty sand with an average thickness of 0,8m, but varying between

0,5m and 1,0m. Except for collapsible soils and a high water table, no





51

detrimental soil conditions exist that will pose any high risk factor such as

dolomite.

4.5.5 Biodiversity, Conservation Areas and Nature R eserves

Steve Tshwete Local municipality is a very important area regarding threatened

species (see Figure 12) . In total Steve Tshwete supports 79 threatened species,

18 of those being Red Data Flora species. The Giant Bull Frog (Pyxicephalus

Adspersus) is the only Red Data frog species to have been recorded in the

Nkangala District Municipality and it is found within the municipal boundaries of

Steve Tshwete. The most critical areas in respect of biodiversity and

environmental sensitivity are:

• The Loskop Dam Nature Reserve (mammals, birds, reptiles);

• The grasslands between Middleburg and Loskop Dam NR( Flora); and

• The ecological corridor traversing the western boundary in a north –

south alignment towards Vandyksdrif.

Apart from the Fauna and Flora, a number of Floodplain wetlands, seepage

wetlands, and endorheic pans occur in Steve Tshwete which should be seen as

priority conservation.

4.5.6 SOER: District Wide Environmental Concerns

State of Environment Reporting (SoER) provides information on the current state

of the environment, what is causing environmental change and what is being

done about it. The aim is to improve understanding of environmental issues and

to give guidelines for sound environmental management. The following

environmental concerns (applicable for a Development Framework) have been

identified and extracted from the Nkangala District State of the Environment

Report (May 2006):

A) Land

� The Grasslands is in a very poor condition as more than half have

been lost and ecosystem functioning has been compromised.

B) Water Resources

� The Steve Tshwete Local Municipality has the highest percentage of

rivers (89%) in the Critically Endangered class;

� The fitness-of-use of the water for drinking purposes improved since

1999 to 2005. There is however a cause for concern at the increase

in the number of faecal coliform bacteria in the water. This is an

indication of contamination by faecal waste from human or animal

origin. Poor operation of treatment works, poor sanitation

practices/services, and informal settlements located too close to the

water resources may be sources of the increase in faecal pollution in

the water resources; and

� Aquatic ecosystem toxicity levels increased from 1999 to 2005. The

presence of higher concentrations of heavy metals such as

Aluminium, Cadmium, Copper, Lead and Zinc in the treated water

are of concern. The presence of these metals and the recorded

changes in pH render the water unsuitable to sustain aquatic life.





52

C) Conservation

� Steve Tshwete is very inadequately protected.

D) Vulnerability

• The installation of proper sanitation systems in un-serviced

areas is of great importance.

4.6 Spatial Distribution of Economic Activities

4.6.1 Overview: NSDP, MPISF and MPGD Identified Tre nds, Opportunities

and Challenges

By applying and contextualising the NSDP in the Province, the following spatial

construct emerges for the Nkangala District Municipality from the Mpumalanga

Growth and Development Strategy (refer to section 3.1.2) in terms of variations in

social need (poverty ), economic activity (potential ) and environmental

sensitivity .

Table 3: NSDP Classification for selected Municipalities in Nkangala

NSDP Classification Meso- Zone No

% of DM

% of Province

Municipal Code

Municipal Name

(A) High Levels of Economic Activity (Potential)

9 10 11 11

MP311 MP312 MP312 MP313

Delmas LM Emalahleni LM Emalahleni LM Steve Tshwete LM

(B) High Levels of Poverty Concentrations

1 1

16

16 44

42

14

MP316 MP315 MP313 MP312 MP314 MP314 MP312

Dr JS Moroka LM Thembisile LM Steve Tshwete LM Emalahleni LM Emakhazeni LM Emakhazeni LM Emalahleni LM

(C) Area of Combined Poverty and Economic Activity

15 15 2 3

41 4

67 43

46

MP312 MP313 MP316 MP315 MP311 MP315 MP312 MP314 MP313

Emalahleni LM Steve Tshwete LM Dr JS Moroka LM Thembisile LM Delmas LM Thembisile LM Emalahleni LM Emakhazeni LM Steve Tshwete LM

(D) Environmentally Sensitive/Irreplaceable

N/A See corresponding areas on Map





53

Table 4: Business Function Index in the Nkangala Ar ea

Characteristic Human Settlements Human Settlements with a Business Function Index of more than 1 : • High Levels of Formal Local

Economic Activity; • High Dependence on

surrounding Area for resource inputs;

• Constitutes the first & second order/primary & secondary economic activity nodes

Emalahleni; Middelburg ; Delmas; and Belfast

Human Settlements with a Business Function Index of less than 1 : • Low Levels of Formal Local

Economic Activity; • High Dependence on higher

order Settlements for specialised goods and services;

• High Levels of Public Sector Investment

Siyabuswa Ga-Rankuwa Waterval Boven Dullstroom Kriel Ogies Kwamhlanga Hendrina Sundra Machadodorp Marapyane Coalville Vandyksdrif Rietkuil Verena Balmoral Bamokgoko Stoffberg

Salient features highlighted by the NSDP in respect of the Nkangala District

include:

• Approximately 39% of its population lives in urban areas, with the most

dominant urban areas being Emalahleni (Emalahleni) and Middelburg (Steve

Tshwete). These urban areas have a strong resource base in coal,

manufacturing and agriculture with related industrial centres;

• The Emalahleni and Middelburg areas have well established industrial

clusters around them;

• Small settlements have developed in response to mining or coal power

station activities in the area. This has led to the formation of smaller centres

with good infrastructure, but spatially segregated from any economic activity;

• Emalahleni and Middelburg urban centres perform a regional function.

These centres are likely to experience economic growth and development

due to the N4.

• Large-scale urban informal settlements are found in eMalahleni and

Middelburg and their growth rate is increasing due to the rate of economic

growth experienced in this area.

Apart from these, some key structural changes have taken place in the Province

over the past decades which may impact on the Nkangala District. These include:

• Decline in mining in terms of jobs and output;

• Decline of manufacturing in terms of jobs but growth in output; and

• Growth in terms of both jobs and output in the tertiary or services sector.

4.6.2 Agriculture

Figure 10 provides an indication of the land use within the Steve Tshwete

Municipal Area.

Table 5 provides a description of the type of land-cover, derived agricultural

activities as well as the area and percentage comprised by each land-cover unit.





54

Table 5: Agricultural Activities in the Steve Tshwe te Local Municipal Area (Steenekamp, 2004)

Description of Land Cover Derived Agricultural Activities, Land Uses and Features

Area (ha) Area (%)

Cultivated: temporary - commercial dry land

Agronomic cash crops – maize, soybeans, dry beans, potatoes, grazing after harvesting - cattle.

143044.8 35.96

Cultivated: temporary - commercial irrigated

Centre pivots, intensive farming – Maize, soybeans, potatoes, wheat.

1064.3 0.27

Forest plantations Forestry 15275.2 3.84 Forest and Woodland Grazing – Cattle and sheep 14201.1 3.57 Unimproved grassland Grazing – Cattle and sheep 180430.1 45.36

Improved grassland Pastures – harvesting and grazing

1073.9 0.27

Thicket & bushland (etc) Grazing – Cattle and sheep 14972.0 3.76 Waterbodies Dams and pans 4261.6 1.07

Wetlands Seepage zones – cattle grazing 1049.2 0.26

Mines & quarries

Mainly opencast coal mining, sand and gravel quarries, underground mining.

17847.7 4.49

Urban / built-up land: commercial Other developments 48.6 0.01

Urban / built-up land: industrial / transport Industrial development 657.3 0.17

Urban / built-up land: residential Residential areas 3831.8 0.96 TOTAL 397 757.6 100.0

4.6.3 Forestry

Figure 10 also provides an indication of the location of forestry activities within

the Steve Tshwete Municipal Area.

4.6.3.1 Conservation Initiatives

• Provincial Reserves

The Steve Tshwete Local Municipality borders onto the Loskop Dam

Nature Reserve, of which a portion falls within this municipal area (see

Figure 1).

The Loskop Dam Nature Reserve is a proclaimed nature reserve, which is

owned by the Mpumalanga Parks Board (MPB). The extent of this reserve

is 23 174.9 ha, of which 2350 ha is water surface.

Within the reserve, geology appears to be the strongest factor influencing

the distribution of 1014 recorded plant species on the reserve.

Many habitats for a variety of large and small mammals can be found due

to the mountainous type of terrain. Approximately 70 species are present

of which three of these are members of the Big Five: White Rhino, Buffalo

and Leopard.

Many reptile species are also found in the reserve with the most obvious

being the crocodiles. Smaller species that are regularly seen include

snakes, lizards (9 species), tortoises, skinks (7 species), leguaans (2

species), geckos (4 species) and one species of chameleon.





55

• Conservancies

Within the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality area, only one conservancy is

indicated namely, the Olifants Gorge Conservancy.

The municipal area borders onto the Bankenveld Conservancy and the

Bakoondkrans Conservancy (899.8 ha). The status of the Bankenveld

Conservancy is presently uncertain.

4.6.3.2 Environmental Sensitive/Problem Areas

The following issues are considered key to ensuring sustainability in

Mpumalanga (Mpumalanga State of Environment Report, 2003), and could also

be seen as environmental sensitive/problem areas within the province. These

issues would have to be addressed for the Steve Tshwete Municipal Area in

order to ensure sustainable development.

WATER � Intensity of water use per sector � Pesticides and herbicides � Wetland destruction � Alien fish species � Agricultural pollution � Abandoned mines � Alien plant species � Water consumption by forestry � Sulphates � Stream piracy � Heavy metals � Cross-boundary water transfer � Sand mining in rivers � Biological pollution � Payment of water � Water quality � Water consumption � Acid mine drainage

� Access to water � PH � Sanitation

WASTE MANAGEMENT

� Permitting of landfills � Inadequate land for landfills � Private waste sites � Landfill site suitability � People living near waste sites � Control of CH4 emissions from landfills � Contamination of water points � Illegal dumping � Hazardous waste transport � Waste generation � Hazardous waste � Sewage facilities � Waste separation at collection � Waste minimisation � Adequate waste collection services

AIR QUALITY

� Greenhouse gases � Air pollution � Visibility (saw dust, fires, burning) � Pollen � Vehicle emissions � Dirt roads � Domestic coal use � Reliance on coal for electricity generation � Respiratory health problems � Odours � Ambient particulate concentration � Asbestos � Coal dumps � Abandoned mines � Industrial and other emissions

LAND

� Afforestation � Increasing industrialisation � Encroachment of agriculture onto natural land � Land invasions





56

� Conflicts over land use � Degradation of natural resources � Overgrazing � Land degradation � Degradation of soil resources � Soil erosion � Soil quality

BIODIVERSITY

� Riparian destruction � Habitat fragmentation � Bio-prospecting � Wetland destruction � Deforestation � Resource value of protected areas � Reduction of resource base � Decreasing natural vegetation � Curio trade � Impacts of tourism on natural resources � Encroachment of agriculture onto natural land � Muti trade � Loss of biodiversity � Spread of alien species

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

� Uncoordinated conservation and land use planning � Overlapping roles of national, provincial and local government departments � Private sector support for environmental management � Uncoordinated approach to the EIA process � Control of illegal activities � Government capacity to fulfil their monitoring role � Government capacity to control activities � Government capacity for implementation of policies, plans and programs

POVERTY AND VULNERABILITY

� Economic development and growth � Education � Unemployment � Literacy rate � Health care provision/access � HIV/Aids � Typhoid � Malaria

� Cholera � Human settlements � Provision of services and infrastructure � Health � Poverty � Human Development Index

The applicability of these indicators to the Steve Tshwete Local Municipal

Area will have to be determined.

4.6.4 Power Stations and Mines

The south western region of the Nkangala District Municipality is known as the

Energy Mecca of South Africa due to its rich deposits of coal reserves and power

stations such as Matla, Duvha, Komati, Arnot, Kendal, Hendrina and Kriel. While

some of these power stations have not been in operation for a number of years,

Eskom is planning to rejuvenate these “mothballed” stations to supplement

energy supply. These plans could have a positive effect on the development of

these settlements and the coal mines feeding the power stations. Apart from

feeding the power stations in the District, the coal mines also serve as the main

source of coal export of South Africa via Richards Bay.

4.6.5 Industry (Manufacturing)

Manufacturing dominates the local economy. This is followed by the mining,

electricity and community services sectors. As a result of growth in the remaining

sectors, the relative importance of the manufacturing sector decreased during

1996-1999 but during 1999-2002 the relative contribution of the manufacturing

sector increased to levels higher than in 1996. Conversely, the mining sectors





57

proportional contribution increased during 1996-1999 and decreased to levels

lower than in 1996.

Middelburg is identified by major industries such as Columbus Steel and

Middelburg Ferreochrome. Ancillary service industries to the mining industry has

developed over the past few years. The area to the east of Samora Machel Drive

(formerly Samora Machel Street) and to the north of the N$ Freeway has seen

some major developments in terms of industrial townships.

4.6.6 Business Activities

The business activities in the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality are closely

related to the hierarchy of settlements. There are business activities occurring in

the majority of the towns and villages throughout the Municipal area of

jurisdiction.

Middelburg has the highest order and diversity of business activities including

retail, wholesale trade, financial services and offices. Similar activities also occur

in the secondary node of Hendrina. The tertiary/rural nodes have businesses on

a limited scale purely to serve the local community.

Middelburg is identified by a primary node which is the traditional CBD area

followed by a series of secondary nodes dispersed throughout the town.

4.6.7 Tourism

Steve Tshwete Local Municipality with Middelburg as the Primary node is

strategically located in terms of the major tourism opportunities in the eastern

parts of South Africa. The N4 and N12 and N11 freeways provide links from

Gauteng to the major tourism centres in Mpumalanga, specifically the Kruger

National Park to the east and Pilgrim’s Rest, Graskop, Lydenburg and Hoedspruit

to the northeast, as well as the Loskop Valley to the northwest.

The importance of the tourism sector in the regional economy of the Nkangala

District is increasing significantly.

4.7 Community Facilities, Sport & Recreation Facili ties, and

Cultural & Historic Sites

4.7.1 Community Facilities – Overview

Table 6 indicates the distribution of community facilities in the Steve Tshwete

area. Most of the facilities are found in the major towns, with some facilities in the

secondary towns. Middelburg has the most community facilities in the region,

strengthening its role as primary node in the Municipality.





58

Table 6: Community Facilities in the Municipal area

Land Use Mbg Hendrina Rietkuil Pullens

hope Komati

Library 3 2 1 - -

Community hall 3 1 1 1 1

Sport stadium 4 2 1 1 -

Golf Course 1 1 1 1 1

Police Station 2 2 - 1 1

Clinic 8 2 1 1 1

Post Office 1 1 1 1 1

Crèche 3 3 1 2 1

Primary School 17 3 1 1 1

Secondary School 7 4 - - -

Technical college 1 1 - - -

Cemetery 8 2 1 - -

4.7.2 Sport and Recreational Facilities

The Regional Sport and Recreation Master Plan provide an assessment of the

type of facilities currently in the municipal area (e.g. soccer, netball, athletics

etc.), location (town) and condition. The existing facilities are divided into four

categories, namely regional, major, secondary and tertiary or informal facilities,

and are summarised in the table below:

Table 7: Sport and Recreational Facilities in the M unicipal area

NAME CLASSIFICATION CONDITION FACILITIES OFFERED

Kees Taljaard Stadium, Middelburg

Regional Facility Very good. Main playing field should be remarked to be closer to the pavilion.

Rugby club with very good facilities and floodlights. Adequate pavilions. B-field and two soccer fields with weak floodlights.

Multipurpose Sport Complex

Regional Facility Very good. Olympic standard swimming pool. Wrestling hall. Three badminton courts. Two squash courts. Two gymnastics halls. Exercise facility for the elderly. Tennis courts. Four netball courts. Basketball courts with floodlights. Two bowls pitches. Jukskei courts. Cricket field, clubhouse and change rooms.

Nazaret Stadium, Middelburg

Could be upgraded to Secondary Facility

Good. Goal posts of soccer field require nets. Change rooms require maintenance.

Grass athletics tracks. Soccer field. Two tennis courts.

Hlalamandi, Middelburg

Informal Facility Poor No grass. Close proximity to existing housing.

Soccer field.

Eastdene Sport Complex, Middelburg

Major Facility Good Goal posts of soccer field require nets.

Two soccer fields. Three open temporary pavilions. Two tennis courts





59

with floodlights and clubhouse. One beach volleyball court.

Mhluzi Stadium Major Facility Very good. Nets of soccer posts require maintenance.

Soccer field. Athletics track. Floodlights. Two B-field practice soccer fields. Two tennis courts. Three basketball courts. Two practice courts: one for tennis and one for cricket. Two volleyball courts. Two netball courts. Pavilion and ablution facilities.

Greater Mhluzi Informal Poor Eight soccer fields used for practice and informal games.

Mhluzi Swimming Pool

Secondary Facility Very good Adult pool and children’s pool. Lawns with grass umbrellas. Ablution facilities. Fenced off.

Kwazamakuhle Sport Stadium, Hendrina

Could be upgraded to Secondary Facility

Fair. Requires urgent maintenance. No floodlights.

Playing field. Athletics track. Soccer field. Ablution facilities. One basketball court. One netball court. One tennis court.

Hendrina Proper Secondary Facility Fair. Two facilities, one vacant, one used as squash courts.

4.7.3 Formalisation of Cultural and Historic Sites

Due to the presence of culturally and historically import sites and areas within the

local municipalities of the Nkangala District (as demonstrated above), BKS

Consulting Engineers and Cultmatrix was contracted to provide an assessment of

these.

What follows are direct extracts from the document entitled “Formalisation of

Cultural and Historic Sites in the Nkangala District, 2004”, and highlights

important features found within the municipal area, currently protected by the

National Heritage Resources Act (Act no 25 of 1999):

The Middelburg municipal area is traversed by the historic Pretoria-Maputo

railway line, which played an important role during the Anglo-Boer War. The

northern part of the municipal area consists of Bushveld and Bankenveld

with level ridges. The heritage of this area is characterised as mostly

agricultural, with historic farmsteads and a few small villages such as

Selonsrivier.

This particular region has a long history of human habitation dating back to

the Middle Stone Age (120 000 years ago) ant there are some major Iron

Age settlement sites, notably the Little and Great Olifants River valleys,

including the Loskop Dam Nature Reserve. It is also associated with major

forced removals involving the Botshabelo, Doornkop and GroenSamora

Machel communities. Near Siyabuswa, the tradition of a female ‘king’ of

women was stated at Doornkop near Middelburg and the inauguration of the

Village Women Leader is still practiced at Phathisizwe.





60

The southern part of the municipal area is typical Highveld, with pans and

grassy downs. It is rich in coal deposits and many collieries operate here.

The coal deposits were also responsible for the erection of some of Eskom’s

power stations that dominate the landscape today. The region is more

heavily populated and there are a number of villages associated with the

mines and power stations.

Priority sites identified in the rural areas include:

• Zulu royal graves, Farm RietSamora Machel, west of Middelburg;

• Pan railway station, 1894; and

• Arnot railway station precinct.

Figures13a and 13b indicate the Cultural Historic Sites in the municipal area

including Middelburg and Botshabelo. This includes elements of military history,

cemeteries, industries, royal tribal and architectural/engineering. The Middelburg

area has a large collection of heritage resources, but the town itself lacks

urban legibility – the result is that it appears as if there is no coherent strategy to

showcase these, even if there is. The two main axes of the town and its

related places and elements must be strengthened th rough good urban

design, and heritage related information transfer i nstalled along it .

The Anglo Boer War Route in Middelburg includes the English Bridge, old canon

blockhouse and cemetery, concentration camp cemetery, the Drift, a Canal and

the Lane of the English Garrison. During the war, almost a thousand children died

in the area and more than 1 300 women and children died in the Concentration

Camp from May 1900 to 1902. The Anglo Boer War history of the town should be

more aggressively marketed and sites must be better signposted. It is advised

that a central heritage information centre be established at the historical core of

the town near the NG Church with a map of Anglo Boer War sites and directions.

The Middelburg Colliery is the largest opencast mine strip in the world situated at

approximately 20 km south of Middelburg. The mine came about as a result of

the merger between Duvha Opencast Services and Middelburg Mine in 1995.

Integration with the initiatives to conserve the NZASM Oosterlijn and its related

centres from Pretoria to Maputo along the Maputo Corridor as a possible World

Heritage Site, has to be included in development thinking in Middelburg.

The township of Mhluzi is located across the ridge on the north-western side

towards Botshabelo. The black history of Middelburg is however not visible to the

visitor or inhabitant. Signage and information transfer at all the sites identified in

the asset register is advised.

Botshabelo (meaning “place of shelter” or “sanctuary” was the name of the farm

that was bought from the Berlin Mission Society by two young missionaries.

These missionaries, Alexander Merensky and Heinrich Grutzner arrived in Natal

to spread the Word and settled in Botshabelo in 1865. The church and parsonage

of 1865 have been conserved in Botshabelo.

Botshabelo is the premier cultural historic site of Middelburg and probably the

whole of Nkangala – it has the potential to explain the Missionary venture in

South Africa, and also the colonising mindset and experience of the colonised –

this site also has the potential to be a World Heritage Site. Deterioration of

structures and the lack of an integrated development strategy, which includes





61

current heritage conservation philosophy, must receive immediate attention. A

complete Heritage Impact Assessment is required for any future development.

Priority sites identified include:

• NZASM Middelburg Station, 1890’s;

• NZASM Railway houses;

• Kanonkop Concentration Camp;

• Old Magistrate Office (currently SA Police Detective HQ),

1908;

• Fort Wilhelm (Merensky) at Botshabelo, (1865+);

• Berlin Mission complex at Botshabelo, (1865+);

• Corrugated sheet metal ex-military house – turn of 19th

century;

• Middelburg old cemetery (war graves);

• First house in Mhluze (Hermaans Street); and

• First church in Mhluze.

Figures 14a and 14b indicate the multitude of Cultural Historic Sites in and

around Hendrina, which include historic houses, shops, mining areas and graves.

The town of Hendrina has a low residential density and sparse vegetation, with a

few important heritage assets. The town is however economically depressed due

to its location far from major cities. The town has potential to be a good living

environment, but requires integrated space planning. The town should market its

historic spatial qualities and heritage assets more aggressively in the district’s

tourism initiatives – the town has an excellent tourism map, which is a good basis

for further action.

4.8 Engineering Services

Analysis with respect to infrastructure services, i.e. water, sanitation, roads and

storm water, and electricity are briefly outlined as part of the analysis phase.

4.8.1 Water

General water supply to Middelburg is from Rondebosch-, Pienaars- and Kruger

Dam. Hendrina and all the former mining and Eskom villages obtain water from the

Eskom Network. The existing water supply infrastructure comprises of pipelines,

reservoirs and treatment works. Doornkop obtains water from boreholes.


Water is provided from Middelburg dam, Pienaars Dam and Kruger Dam. A

pipeline is also in place to provide water from Emalahleni Dam when the

existing sources are not sufficient. The water is purified at the Vaalbank and

Kruger Dam water purification works. Networks provide water to households

except at the informal settlement of Newtown where communal taps are

available.


Raw water is purchased from the Department of Water Affairs and supplied

from the Nooitgedacht Dam. The water is purified at the water treatment

works, and networks provide water to the households in Hendrina and

Kwazamokhule.





62

The networks need upgrading and communal standpipes will be replaced by

metered connections to stands. Certain capital works have already been

performed to upgrade the networks.

• Rietkuil

Bulk water is supplied by Eskom. The network is being upgraded where

after it will be transferred to Council, whom will be responsible for

maintenance.

• Pullen’s Hope



maintenance.

• Komati



maintenance.

• Presidentsrus

The water purification works is operated by the Municipality.

• Doornkop

A borehole at the school provides water to the residents. This is not

sufficient to provide in all the needs and water must be transported over long

distances.

• Rural area in general

Data captured during the compilation of the rural study is indicated per Ward.

A total of 70% of the settlements obtain water from boreholes. In various cases

these boreholes are fitted with either hand pumps or electric or diesel pumps.

Dams and tanks are normally used as storage facility. In cases where piped water

or stand pipes are available the network is fed from a dam or tank.

A total of 16, 5% of the settlements only obtain water from rivers / streams

including springs. These water sources are normally shared with cattle.

This results in a water source not necessarily fit for human consumption. With the

drought certain of the rivers and streams dried up leaving residents with no water.

Water tankers are supplying water to 2, 5% of the settlements. Three percent of

villages have no water available on the specific property and residents need to

obtain water from neighbouring farms.

4.8.2 Sanitation


Full waterborne sewerage networks are available except in Newtown

where biological toilets are provided. The ratio is one toilet per four stands.

Sewerage is purified at the Boskrans sewerage purification works which

has sufficient capacity.





63


A new sewerage purification works was recently commissioned and has

sufficient capacity. As money becomes available the existing septic tanks

will be phased out and where no service is available, it must be provided

as a matter of urgency.

• Rietkuil

Sewerage purification is done by Eskom and Council is only responsible

for the opening of blockages.

• Pullen’s Hope



• Komati



• Presidentsrus

Owners must provide their own septic tanks.

• Doornkop

No sewerage purification system is in place. Geo-hydrological surveys

must be done to ensure that underground water is not contaminated. A

health hazard will be created if this situation is not treated correct.

Doornkop Phase 2 will have VIP-toilets installed.

Sanitation systems throughout the study area differ substantially. Services

vary between house connections (water borne system), septic tanks, pit

latrines, VIP-toilets, biological toilets and none.

A total of 64% of all settlements have access to pit latrines, compared to only 1%

that has access to VIP toilets, the latter being more environmentally friendly.

Furthermore 11% of settlements have access to septic tanks and 4% access to a

water borne system. Twenty present of settlements have no form of sanitation and

residents utilize the surrounding area as a toilet, thereby polluting the environment.

In one instance a stream has been utilized by the community as a toilet.

Ward 17 being the ward with the largest number of households, namely 1229 is

also the ward with the highest percentage (30%) of settlements without any

sanitation. Ward 21 and 23 are the wards in which 24% and 26% of the

settlements do not have any sanitation.

This is alarming as these are the wards adjoining Middelburg and also being in the

catchments area of Rondebosch and Loskop Dam which poses a real threat

towards the environment.

4.8.3 Roads and Stormwater

A variety of National, Provincial and Local roads and streets traverse the area of

jurisdiction of Steve Tshwete Local Municipality.





64

The most prominent of these are the N4, crossing the area from east to west. The

responsibility of this road falls under the jurisdiction of the Department of Transport,

but forms part of the agreement between TRAC – a private consortium and the

Department of Transport. In terms of this agreement, TRAC has the right to

develop the road to a toll road. Another National route traversing the area is the

N11, traversing the area from north to south. The Provincial roads are as follow:

• P154 Middelburg to Emalahleni and WonderSamora Machel;




• P30 Middelburg to Bethal; and

• P52 Hendrina to Bethal and Carolina.

These roads as well as a number of district roads fall under the jurisdiction of the

Mpumalanga Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport. The Middelburg

Roads Branch is the responsible office for the maintenance of these roads.

Table 8: Type of link roads in the rural area

Ward Graded % Gravel % Tar %

Ward 10 75 83% 15 17% - -%

Ward 17 40 52% 36 47% 1 2%

Ward 20 113 75% 38 25% - -

Ward 21 50 27% 132 71% 3 2%

Ward 22 24 83% 5 17% - -

Ward 23 121 70% 47 27% 4 3%

Ward 24 30 73% 11 27% - -

Total 453 61% 284 38% 8 1% Source: Rural Study 2003

In other words a total of 35% of villages obtain access via a graded link road and

46% via a gravel link road. Only 19% obtain access via a tar road.

In terms of internal roads the majority consist mainly of graded roads (61%) whilst

38% have gravel roads and only 1% has tar roads.


The majority of the roads are tarred and provided with storm water drainage.

Upgrading of the storm water system in Mhluzi is being undertaken

according to a storm water plan prepared by consultants.


Relatively few roads are tarred and provided with storm water drainage.

Attention will have to be given to address the backlogs as the maintenance

cost of gravel roads is high.

• Rietkuil



• Pullen’s Hope







65

• Komati



• Blinkpan & Koornfontein

These towns now known as Blinkpan village has been proclaimed, and was

recently taken over by Council who renders all municipal services. The mine

has made funds available to council to do some maintenance work including

patching and resealing of certain streets.

• Doornkop

No formal roads or storm water systems are in place.

• Presidentsrus

Only gravel roads are available. The low water bridge was upgraded which

reduces the possibility of flooding. The access road (P20) is in a bad

condition due to the large number of heavy vehicle from the brickworks that

make use of it.

• Kranspoort

This is a private township proclaimed as “Vakansiedorp” and all services are

rendered by the governing body. They approached the Municipality with the

request to assist with building inspections only.

4.8.4 Solid Waste

• Middelburg / Mhulzi

Household refuse is removed from all households and the dumping site is

licensed by the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry. Garden refuse

is removed by private contractors. Waste removal takes place once per

week in Middelburg and twice per week in Mhluzi.


Refuse is removed once per week from all households and dumped at the

dumping site situated on the Remaining extent of portion 6 of the farm

GrasSamora Machel 199 IS. The site does not comply with the legal

requirements and a permit has not been issued. A feasibility study

whether to try and legalise the site or to rather close it down, must be

done. Dumping of ash and other waste is taking place in Kwazamokhule

and must receive attention.

• Rietkuil

Waste collection takes place once per week and refuse is dumped at the

Middelburg dumping site.

• Pullen’s Hope







66

• Komati



• Presidentsrus

Refuse’s collected once per week by the Municipality.

• Doornkop

No service is provided.

4.8.5 Electricity

• Middelburg / Mhluzi

Electricity is purchased from Eskom and distributed to all formal

households. The informal settlement of Newtown has also been provided

with electricity. Underground cables as well as overhead lines and bundle

conductors are used in the distribution network. Streetlights and/or high

mast lights are provided in all the extensions.


Electricity is purchased from Eskom and distributed to all the extensions of

Hendrina and Kwazamokhule. In Kwazamokhule Ext. 2 (Mafred) electricity

is distributed by Eskom. The networks are old and extensive upgrading is

presently being conducted to reduce the number of interruptions of supply.

• Rietkuil

The distribution of electricity is done by Eskom. The network is being

upgraded at the moment.

• Pullen’s Hope



• Komati



• Presidentsrus

Only the hotel and 12 other stands have electricity supplied by Eskom.

The unavailability of electricity creates a problem for prospective owners in

obtaining finance from financial institutions.

• Doornkop

Except for the supply to the borehole no other distribution is done by

Eskom in whose supply area Doornkop is situated. Council will apply for

the distribution licence as township establishment has been done by

Council.

• Rural Areas

On average only 27% of the settlements have access to electricity, thereby

leaving 73% of the settlements having to rely on other sources of energy





67

such as wood, coal, gas and paraffin. Ward 24 is the ward with the highest

percentage of households with electricity namely 39%, whilst only 15% of

the settlements in Ward 20 have access to electricity.

4.9 Demographic Analysis / Socio-Economic Profile

The socio-economic analysis is specifically aimed at spatial related matters, i.e.

demographics, employment and income and economic profile.

Census 1996 and 2001 were used and comparisons made with the 2007

Community Survey where applicable.

4.9.1 Dwelling Units and Population

Table 9 indicates the growth in dwelling units by type in the Steve Tshwete area

since 1996.

Table 9: Steve Tshwete: Dwelling Units by Type 1996 , 2001, 2007

1996 % 2001 % 2007 %

Formal 24,762 74% 26,772 74% 39,795 79%

Traditional 3,169 10% 3,513 10% 2,788 6%

Informal 5,171 16% 5,853 16% 7,406 15%

Other 241 1% 74 0% 460 1%

Total 33,343 100% 36,212 100% 50,449 100%

1996 - 2001 2001 - 2007

Formal 1.6% 6.8%

Traditional 2.1% -3.8%

Informal 2.5% 4.0%

Other -21.0% 35.6%

Total 1.7% 5.7%

1996 - 2001 2001 - 2007

Formal 2,010 13,023

Traditional 344 -725

Informal 682 1,553

Other -167 386

Total 2,869 14,237

Increment

Ty

pe

of

dw

ell

ing

Ty

pe

of

dw

ell

ing

Ty

pe

of

dw

ell

ing

Average Growth p. a. (%)

The above mentioned table indicates that 79% of the 2007 population reside in

formal dwellings, an increase from 74% in 1996 and 2001.

The population residing informally has decreased slightly from 16% to 15%,

whilst the traditional settlements decreased from 10% to 6%.

The number of units increased from 33 343 in 1996 to 36 212 in 2001 to 50 449

in 2007. This represents a substantial increase of 14 237 over the previous 6

years or 5,7% per annum.





68

Table 10: Steve Tshwete: Population, 1996, 2001, 20 07

1996 % 2001 % 2007 %

African 92,235 68% 114,370 80% 144,307 79%

Coloured 3,530 3% 3,552 2% 5,186 3%

Asian 1,900 1% 1,308 1% 2,598 1%

White 37,747 28% 23,544 16% 30,415 17%

Total 135,412 100% 142,774 100% 182,506 100%

1996 - 2001 2001 - 2007

African 4.4% 4.0%

Coloured 0.1% 6.5%

Asian -7.2% 12.1%

White -9.0% 4.4%

Total 1.1% 4.2%

1996 - 2001 2001 - 2007

African 22,135 29,937

Coloured 22 1,634

Asian -592 1,290

White -14,203 6,871

Total 7,362 39,732

Po

pu

lati

on

Gro

up

Po

pu

lati

on

Gro

up

Average Growth p. a. (%)

Increment

Po

pu

lati

on

Gro

up

Table 11 indicates that the African population decreased slightly from 80% to

79% of the total population in the study area (2001-2007).

A slight increase also took place in terms of the White population from 16% in

2001 to 17% in 2007. Steve Tshwete hosts the largest percentage of White

people within the Nkangala District. Skilled labour tends to move to the

metropoles and larger cities as better and more jobs are available.

The African population increased by 29 937 persons since 2001 or 4,0 on

average annually. The White population increased by 6871, the Coloured

population by 1634 and the Indian population by 1290 persons since 2001.

The total population increased by nearly 40 000 people since 2001, at an

average growth rate of 4,2% per annum.

Table 11: Population by Gender 2001 vs 2007

Male % Female %

Steve Tshwete 2001 70,596 49% 72,184 51%

Steve Tshwete 2007 97,092 53% 85,415 47%

Nkangala DM 2007 612,067 50% 614,434 50%

Mpumalanga 2007 1,769,394 49% 1,874,042 51%

The percentage of males increased substantially from 49% in 2001 to 53% in

2007. This can mainly be attributed to more job opportunities created by the

mining and industrial sectors.

Table 12: Age Profile 2001

2001 % 2007 % Comments0-4 13,759 10.4% 15,307 9.4%

5-9 13,906 10.2% 15,285 10.7%

10-14 14,622 11.0% 15,408 9.6%

15-19 14,737 11.0% 16,432 9.5%

20-24 13,496 9.6% 19,350 9.0%

25-64 67,486 42.8% 94,258 46.5%

65+ 4,745 4.97% 6,467 5.25%

Total 142,751 100.0% 182,507 100.0%

A slight increase in the % of young

school going children was

recorded, wheras the proportion

of working and old people

increased significantly.

Ag

e

A slight increase in the percentage of young school going children was recorded

since 2001, whereas the proportion of working age population (25-64) and

pensioners (65+) increased significantly.





69

1996 % 2001 % 2007 %

Employed 47423 80% 41678 65% 67594 76%

Unemployed 11574 20% 22798 35% 21068 24%

Total Economically Active 58997 100% 64476 100% 88662 100%

Total Population 135,412 44% 142,774 45% 182,506 49%

4.9.2 Education, Employment and Income

• Education

The highest level of education reached for the population in the study area is

reflected in Table 13 .

Table 13: Level of Education

Persons 2001 % None 15 769 27,8 Pre School 2 063 3,6 School 37 243 65,6 College 958 1,7 Technikon 319 0,6 University 226 0,4 Adult Education Centre 48 0,1 Other 132 0,2 Total 56 758 100

Source: 2001 Census data

° Only 3% of the population has a tertiary or higher qualification.

° 27,8% of the population have no qualification. It is noted that infants and

children less than 5 years are excluded from this figure.

° The high levels of illiteracy reflect the need for education facilities and

after school learning.

• Employment

The analysis of employment and income levels in the study area are reflected as

informal, formal and unemployed workforce, and average income per capita.

Table 14: Steve Tshwete Economically Active Populat ion, 1996, 2001, 2007

° The economic active population increased from 44% of the population in

1996 to 49% in 2007.

° Although unemployment has decreased from 35% in 2001, it is still high on

24% of the economically active population.

Income

The per capita income for the study area is presented in Table 15 .





70

2001 % 2007 % CommentsElectricity 19047 53% 38837 77%

Gas 456 1% 311 1%

Paraffin 6515 18% 5872 12%

Wood 1849 5% 1460 3%

Coal 8041 22% 3969 8%

Animal Dung 94 0% 0%

Solar 110 0% 0%

Other 113 0% 0%

Total 36225 100% 50449 100%

Electricity 19137 53% 32565 65%

Gas 359 1% 398 1%

Paraffin 3487 10% 2554 5%

Wood 2183 6% 1951 4%

Coal 9607 27% 10791 21%

Animal Dung 87 0% 0%

Solar 154 0% 59 0%

Other 1205 3% 2131 4%

Total 36219 100% 50449 100%

Electricity 27062 75% 45623 90%

Gas 53 0% 180 0%

Paraffin 623 2% 971 2%

Candles 8325 23% 3553 7%

Solar 64 0% 0%

Other 98 0% 121 0%

Total 36225 100% 50448 100%

Households using electricity for

heating purposes has increased

substantially.

Fu

el u

sed

fo

r C

oo

kin

gSo

urc

e o

f Li

gh

tin

g Households using electricity, gas

and paraffin increased in the

period, whereas the use of

candles decreased significantly.

The provision of solar energy

needs much more attention.

Households using electricity for

cooking purpose has increased

substantially.

Fu

el u

sed

fo

r H

ea

tin

g

Table 15 : Individual Monthly Income, 1996, 2001, 2007

1996 % 2001 % 2007 %

No income/Response not given 54,806 54% 91608 64% 66,761 51%

R 1 - R 400 3,586 4% 6,258 4% 3,266 2%

R 401 - R 800 17,642 17% 13,100 9% 6,648 5%

R 801 - R 1 600 6,257 6% 9,897 7% 18,710 14%

R 1 601 - R 3 200 6,057 6% 9,888 7% 11,883 9%

R 3201 - R 6 400 9,666 9% 6,723 5% 9,212 7%

R 6 401 - R 12 800 2,957 3% 3,593 3% 6,997 5%

R 12 801 - R 25 600 624 1% 1,177 1% 3,255 2%

R 25 601 - R 51 200 285 0% 278 0% 1,285 1%

R 51 201 - R 102 400 93 0% 135 0% 365 0%

R 102 401 - R 204 800 90 0% 81 0%

R 204 801 or more 25 0% 266 0%

Institutions 2,032 2%

Total 101,973 100% 142,772 100% 130,761 100%

Persons per Income Category

A general increase in monthly income is noticed. The percentage of people with

no income or response not given, decreased from 54% of the population in 1996

to 51% in 2007.

The percentage of persons earning less than R800 per month decreased from

21% in 1996 to 7% in 2007. The majority of people earn between R801 and

R1600 per month (14%).

4.9.3 Access to Services

In this section access to facilities and services such as electricity and piped water

in dwellings will be discussed.

• Access to Electricity

Table 16 : Access to Electricity

- The number and percentage of households that use electricity for cooking

purposes have increased significantly since 2001; from 53% to 77%. The

second largest fuel used for cooking purposes was paraffin (12%).

- The majority of households (65%) use electricity for heating purposes, an

increase from 53% in 2001. Unfortunately 21% of households are still

using coal for heating purposes, which contributes to air pollution in the

area, posing a serious health hazard.

- Households using electricity for lighting purposes have increased

substantially in the period; from 75% in 2001 to 90% in 2007. The





71

provision of solar energy to assist in cooking/heating and for lighting

purposes, needs much more attention in future.

• Access to Water

Table 17: Access to Water

2001 % 2007 % Comments

Piped water

inside

dwelling/Yard 28087 78% 41934 83%

Piped water

from access

point outside

the yard 6643 18% 6045 12%

Borehole/Spri

ng/Rainwater

tank 539 1% 1414 3%

Dam /

Pool/River/St

ream 263 1% 219 0%

Water vendor 60 0% 118 0%

Other 620 2% 721 1%

Total 36212 100% 50451 100%

Access to running water inside

dwellings/yards increased to

levels above 80%.

Ma

in w

ate

r su

pp

ly

- According to Cairncross et al (1990)1 The quality and quantity of

drinking water is probably one of the most important determinants of

health of individuals, especially infants and children.

- Access to drinking water inside the dwelling or yard has increased from

78% of all dwellings in 2001 to 83% in 2007.

1 Cairncross, S, JE Hardoy and D Satterthwaite, D (eds) (1990), The poor die young: Housing and health in Third World Cities, Earthscan, London.

• Access to Solid Waste Services

Table 18: Access to Refuse Disposal

2001 % 2007 % CommentsRemoved by

local

authority at

least once a

week 30061 83% 39198 78%

Removed by

local

authority less

often 824 2% 3597 7%

Communal

refuse dump 251 1% 969 2%

Own refuse

dump 4142 11% 5069 10%

No rubbish

disposal 947 3% 1557 3%

Other 0% 58 0%

Total 36225 100% 50448 100%

Re

fuse

dis

po

sal

The regular removal of refuse

increased in numbers, although

the percentage is lower.

The above shows the level of service relating to refuse removal in the Steve

Tshwete Local Municipality.

- Lack of regular refuse disposal or removal is also a health hazard, e.g.

Catapreta et al (1999)2 stated (in a survey done in Brazil) that children

exposed to the absence of solid waste disposal have a 40% higher

chance of presenting diarrhoeal, parasitic, and dermatological diseases

than not-exposed children.

- The regular removal of refuse increased in numbers, from 30 061

households in 2001 to 39 198 in 2007, but decreased in relative terms

compared to none or lesser services.

2 Catapreta CA, L Heller (1999), Association between household solid waste disposal and health, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.





72

• Access to Sanitation Services

Table 19: Access to Sanitation Services

2001 % 2007 % CommentsFlush toilet

(connected to

sewerage

system) 27473 76% 39425 78%

Flush toilet

(with septic

tank) 340 1% 1508 3%

Chemical

toilet 1771 5% 1199 2%

Pit latrine

with

ventilation

(VIP) 1356 4% 2121 4%

Pit latrine

without

ventilation 2421 7% 3670 7%

Bucket latrine 439 1% 877 2%

None 2423 7% 1648 3%

Total 36223 100% 50448 100%

Households connected to a

sewerage system increased

slightly, only 3% of housesholds

reported no toilet facalities.

To

ile

t fa

cili

tie

s

- The occurrence of communicable and infectious diseases is related to

the type of sanitation facilities. Omar (1993:26)3 studied the relationship

between diarrhoeal prevalence and the type of toilets used. He found that

people living in households with a flush toilet present had the lowest

prevalence of diarrhoeal diseases, while the highest prevalence was

found among people living in households using pit latrines. Omar

(1993:27) also studied the prevalence between diarrhoeal diseases and

the number of people per toilet, in Accra, the capital city of Ghana. The

greater the number of people per toilet, the higher the diarrhoeal

prevalence.

3 Omar, MIA (1993), ‘Child health and the environment in spontaneous settlements in Accra’, Environment and Urbanization, 5(2), pp. 13-34.

- Households with a flush toilet (connected to a sewerage system)

increased during the period 2001 to 2007, from 76% in 2001 to 78% in

2009. Only 3% of households reported no access to toilet facilities.

4.9.4 Housing

The current land and housing needs are based on the backlog in towns as well

as the anticipated number of units required per rural node as identified in the

rural study. It should be noted that these figures are guidelines and should be

revised on an annual basis. These figures will further provide clear guidance to

the Spatial Development Framework on land needs and existing shortages.

It should further be noted that some of the land with respect to the current and

future land needs have already been identified and town planning processes are

in process.

Table 20: Housing/Residential Needs as per the Curr ent Backlog

Land Use Population Stands Current Land Requirements

Middelburg/Mhluzi 27 119 6 883 490 ha Hendrina/Kwazamokhule 2 167 550 Provided in Kwaza

X7 Rietkuil 788 200 30 ha Pullen’s Hope 591 150 22 ha Komati/Blinkpan 1 970 500 36 ha Thokoza 591 150 22 ha Naledi 788 200 14 ha Kwamakalane 1 379 350 50 ha Doornkop 1 142 290 Provided in Phase

2 Total 36 535 9 273 664 ha

Source: Rural Study 2003





73

4.10 Economic Analysis

4.10.1 Growth Profile

The economic profile of the study area is indicated by certain economic factors,

i.e. GGP, employment per economic sector, minimum living level, and

dependency ratios.

The Steve Tshwete Local Municipality is situated in the centre of the Nkangala

District Municipality. The economic structure of the Steve Tshwete economy is

presented graphically in Graph 1 .

Diagram 2. Middelburg GGP profile by sector, 1996 to 2002

Source: Global Insight Version, 1.50 (172), 2003

Manufacturing dominates the local economy. This is followed by the mining,

electricity and community services sectors. As a result of growth in the remaining

sectors, the relative importance of the manufacturing sector decreased during

1996-1999 but during 1999-2002 the relative contribution of the manufacturing

sector increased to levels higher than in 1996. Conversely, the mining sectors

proportional contribution increased during 1996-1999 and decreased to levels

lower than in 1996.

The agriculture and community services sectors’ proportional contribution

decreased during the medium term (1996-2002) while the transport and finance

sectors contribution increased during the same period.

The growth rates achieved by the various sectors are presented in Table 21 .

Table 21: Growth Rates 1996-2002

Table Growth rates 1996 -2002

Sectors 1996-1999 1999-2002 1996-2002

Agriculture -0.2 3.4 1.6

Mining 7.5 -2.0 2.6

Manufacturing 2.7 7.3 5.0

Electricity 2.9 7.8 5.3

Construction 6.9 -2.1 2.3

Trade 3.8 4.1 3.9

Transport 12.6 9.0 10.8

Finance 12.4 7.0 9.7

Comm. services 0.3 0.6 0.4

Total 4.1 4.2 4.2

Source: Global Insight Version, 1.50 (172), 2003

Transport, finance, electricity and manufacturing recorded relatively high growth

rates between 1996 and 2002, whereas mining and construction declined

significantly recently (1999-2002).

The aggregate Steve Tshwete economy recorded a relatively high growth rate for

all the periods under observation. This economy grew at the second highest

0.0

10.0

20.0

30.0

40.0

50.0

Agricu

lture

Mining

Man

ufactu

ring

Electri

city

Constr

uctio

n

Trade

Trans

port

Financ

eCom

m se

rv

1996 1999 2002





74

growth rate when compared to the other local municipalities in the Nkangala

District.

The above economic analysis presents the following implications for Steve

Tshwete:

- Middelburg constitutes one of Nkangala’s two key industrial areas. Hence,

the strong growth in the manufacturing sector should be stimulated and

maintained. This implies that the growth should be stimulated in specific

sub-sectors to facilitate a diversification of the manufacturing base.

- The agriculture sector should be included in the development initiatives in

a manner that exploits the opportunities associated with the Maputo

Corridor.

- The high growth of the transport sector indicates that opportunities exist for

the establishment of transport related initiatives, as well as the formation of

a transport hub that serves as a link between the remainder of

Mpumalanga and Gauteng.

Apart from the above mentioned implications, various initiatives should be

formulated and implemented to ensure that Steve Tshwete’s sectoral advantages

(agriculture, mining, manufacturing, and finance) are leveraged/exploited.

4.10.2 Sub-Regional Comparative Advantages

In 2006 the Local Economic Development Plan (LED) for Steve Tshwete Local

Municipality was completed. The formulation of the plan was based on the

existing NDM LED Plan to ensure the alignment of Local Municipal LED projects,

whilst facilitating a shared and common LED approach in the District as a whole.

Consequently, the Steve Tshwete LED plan proposes similar economic

development strategies and projects to those identified by the NDM LED plan.

The seven strategic pillars identified are:

• Good governance and capacitation;

• Human resource and community development;

• Industrial and big business development;

• SMME development and support;

• Agricultural development; and

• Tourism development.

4.10.3 Strategic Interventions

Development needs and implications arising from a synthesis between the 2006

Steve Tshwete LED strategy and the preceding section Economic Profile include

inter alia:

• Manufacturing and industrial activities - The strong growth in

manufacturing should be stimulated and maintained. Hence, specific

actions should be undertaken to ensure that the current rate of expansion

is sustained. Prominent industries and capacity that should be used as a

growth lever include mining activities, Columbus Steel and Eskom power

plants;

• Agro-processing - agricultural development has been identified as an

important dimension in stimulating development in the Steve Tshwete

area. Hence, the agriculture sector must be included in development

initiatives in a manner that exploits the opportunities associated with the

Maputo Corridor;

• Transport – opportunities exist for the establishment of transport related

activities, such as the establishment of a transportation hub that serves as

a link between the remainder of Mpumalanga and Gauteng; and





75

• Tourism development - the development of icons such as gateways,

nodes, precincts and routes offer an opportunity to focus product

development and marketing resources.

4.11 Land Audit

It is evident that virtually the entire northern part of the municipal area has been

claimed for restitution purposes. Fairly large concentrations have also been

claimed towards the south-east and south-west.

According to Table 22 a total of 270 claims have been lodged and registered in

the Steve Tshwete local municipality. These claims are located on 61 individual

properties in the municipal area. A large number of the claims are located on

property number 7 which is the farm Doornkop 246 JS located to the north of

Middelburg town.

Apart from the farm Doornkop, there are also smaller concentrations of claims on

the farms LemoenSamora Machel 436 JS (8), KleinSamora Machel 432 JS (17),

Hartbeesthoek 393 JS (24), Bankplaats 329 JS (25) and Mooiwater 247 JS (35).

It is also evident from Table 7 that a large number of claims are located on small

individual properties within the urban area of Middelburg town itself.

Table 22: Land and Restitution Progress Report 06/2 006: Steve Tshwete

No KRP Project NameNo of claims

Project Officer

P1: Lodgement

& Registration

P2: Screening &

Categorisation

P3: Determination of Qualification

P4: Negotiations

P5: Settlement

P6: Implementation

1 931 Nooitgedacht 417JS 1 0 X - - - - -4976 Nooitgedacht 417JS 1 0 X - - - - -4977 Nooitgedacht 417JS 1 0 X - - - - -

2 921 Olifantslaagte 378JS 1 8 X 31/08/06 30/09/06 30/09/06 31/10/06 -Olifantslaagte 378JS 1 8 X 31/08/06 30/09/06 30/09/06 31/10/06 -Olifantslaagte 378JS 1 8 X 31/08/06 30/09/06 30/09/06 31/10/06 -Olifantslaagte 378JS 1 8 X 31/08/06 30/09/06 30/09/06 31/10/06 -

1040 Olifantslaagte 378JS 1 8 X 31/08/06 30/09/06 30/09/06 31/10/06 -3 914 Panplaats 395JS 1 0 X - - - - -

5000 Panplaats 395JS 1 0 X - - - - -5001 Panplaats 395JS 1 0 X - - - - -

4 Rietkuil 491JS 1 14 X 31/10/06 31/10/06 31/10/06 30/11/06 -5045 Rietkuil 491JS 1 0 X 31/10/06 31/10/06 31/10/06 30/11/06 -

5 554 Toevlugt 320JS 1 0 X - - - - -6 548 Weltevreden 367JS 1 0 X - - - - -

9846 Weltevreden 367JS 1 0 X - - - - -7 947 Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -

1036 Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -4651 Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -4655 Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -4663 Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -4664 Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -4668 Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -4667 Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -4666 Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -4695 Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -4697 Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -4698 Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -4699 Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -4700 Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -4705 Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -4706 Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -4701 Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -4702 Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -4703 Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -4704 Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -4707 Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -4708 Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -4709 Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -4710 Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -4711 Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -4712 Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -





76

Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -

8 Lemoenfontein 436JS 1 0 X - - - - -Lemoenfontein 436JS 1 0 X - - - - -Lemoenfontein 436JS 1 0 X - - - - -Lemoenfontein 436JS 1 0 X - - - - -Lemoenfontein 436JS 1 0 X - - - - -

25 Bankplaats 239JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -Bankplaats 239JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -Bankplaats 239JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -Bankplaats 239JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -Bankplaats 239JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -Bankplaats 239JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -Bankplaats 239JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -

5359 Bankplaats 239JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -4242 Bankplaats 239JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -

26 Rietfontein 286JS 1 0 X - - - - -Rietfontein 286JS 1 0 X - - - - -

27 Wonderhoek 376JS 1 0 X - - - - -Wonderhoek 376JS 1 0 X - - - - -

28 Suikerboschplaat 252JS 1 0 X - - - - -Suikerboschplaat 252JS 1 0 X - - - - -Suikerboschplaat 252JS 1 0 X - - - - -Suikerboschplaat 252JS 1 0 X - - - - -

967 Suikerboschplaat 252JS 1 0 X - - - - -


Project Officer

P1: Lodgement

& Registration

P2: Screening &

Categorisation


P4: Negotiations

P5: Settlement

P6: Implementation

4713 Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -4714 Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -4650 Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -4659 Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -5362 Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -5363 Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -5651 Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -

Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -Doornkop 246JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 29/09/06 -


Project Officer

P1: Lodgement

& Registration

P2: Screening &

Categorisation


P4: Negotiations

P5: Settlement

P6: Implementation

9 Koornfontein 27IS 1 0 X - - - - -10 1670 Broodsnyersplaats 25IS 1 0 X - - - - -11 5897 Elandspruit 291JS 1 0 X - - - - -12 5552 Rockdale 442JS 1 0 X - - - - -

5406 Lemoenfontein 436JS 1 0 X - - - - -13 5603 Boschkloof 251JS 1 0 X - - - - -

Boschkloof 251JS 1 0 X - - - - -14 Zeekoegat 115JS 1 17 X 04/08/06 29/07/06 17/08/06 30/11/06 -

1165 Zeekoegat 115JS 1 17 X 04/08/06 29/07/06 17/08/06 30/11/06 -15 Rietfontein 314JS 1 0 X - - - - -

Rietfontein 314JS 1 0 X - - - - -Rietfontein 314JS 1 0 X - - - - -

16 Groenfontein 266 JS 1 3 X 04/08/06 30/09/06 30/09/06 15/10/06 -9066 Groenfontein 266 JS 1 3 X 04/08/06 30/09/06 30/09/06 15/10/06 -1038 Groenfontein 266 JS 1 3 X 04/08/06 30/09/06 30/09/06 15/10/06 -

10287 Groenfontein 266 JS 1 3 X 04/08/06 30/09/06 30/09/06 15/10/06 -17 11697 Kleinfontein 432JS 1 0 X - - - - -

9639 Kleinfontein 432JS 1 0 X - - - - -5009 Kleinfontein 432JS 1 0 X - - - - -989 Kleinfontein 432JS 1 0 X - - - - -

10158 Kleinfontein 432JS 1 0 X - - - - -9980 Kleinfontein 432JS 1 0 X - - - - -

Kleinfontein 432JS 1 0 X - - - - -Kleinfontein 432JS 1 0 X - - - - -

18 1037 Gemboksfontein 411JS 1 14 X 31/12/06 31/12/06 31/12/06 31/01/07 -19 Birmingham 197IS 1 0 X - - - - -20 Boschmanskop 154IS 1 8 X 31/08/06 30/09/06 30/09/06 31/10/06 -21 Gloria 186IS 1 0 X - - - - -

530 Gloria 186IS 1 0 X - - - - -22 Wonderboom 249JS 1 15 X 25/08/06 12/09/06 12/09/06 11/09/06 -

Wonderboom 249JS 1 15 X 25/08/06 12/09/06 12/09/06 11/09/06 -895 Wonderboom 249JS 1 15 X 25/08/06 12/09/06 12/09/06 11/09/06 -1151 Wonderboom 249JS 1 15 X 25/08/06 12/09/06 12/09/06 11/09/06 -

23 1162 Sterkstroom 400JS 1 0 X - - - - -24 Hartbeesthoek 393JS 1 0 X - - - - -

Hartbeesthoek 393JS 1 0 X - - - - -Hartbeesthoek 393JS 1 0 X - - - - -Hartbeesthoek 393JS 1 0 X - - - - -Hartbeesthoek 393JS 1 0 X - - - - -Hartbeesthoek 393JS 1 0 X - - - - -Hartbeesthoek 393JS 1 0 X - - - - -Hartbeesthoek 393JS 1 0 X - - - - -Hartbeesthoek 393JS 1 0 X - - - - -





77


Project Officer

P1: Lodgement

& Registration

P2: Screening &

Categorisation


P4: Negotiations

P5: Settlement

P6: Implementation

29 Haasfontein 28IS 1 0 X - - - - -415 Haasfontein 28IS 1 0 X - - - - -

30 Springboklaagte 416JS 1 0 X - - - - -Springboklaagte 416JS 1 0 X - - - - -

4995 Springboklaagte 416JS 1 0 X - - - - -4996 Springboklaagte 416JS 1 0 X - - - - -4997 Springboklaagte 416JS 1 0 X - - - - -4998 Springboklaagte 416JS 1 0 X - - - - -5607 Springboklaagte 416JS 1 0 X - - - - -

31 Boschmanskraal 184IS 1 0 X - - - - -32 Langkloof 265JS 1 0 X - - - - -33 Vaalbank 177IS 1 0 X - - - - -

5355 Vaalbank 177IS 1 0 X - - - - -5361 Vaalbank 177IS 1 0 X - - - - -

34 Ede 463JS 1 0 X - - - - -35 Mooiwater 247JS 1 0 X - - - - -

Mooiwater 247JS 1 0 X - - - - -Mooiwater 247JS 1 0 X - - - - -Mooiwater 247JS 1 0 X - - - - -Mooiwater 247JS 1 0 X - - - - -Mooiwater 247JS 1 0 X - - - - -Mooiwater 247JS 1 0 X - - - - -Mooiwater 247JS 1 0 X - - - - -Mooiwater 247JS 1 0 X - - - - -

36 9866 Welverdiend 231IS 1 0 X - - - - -9814 Welverdiend 231IS 1 0 X - - - - -

37 4979 Groenkloof 440JS 1 0 X - - - - -38 4984 Blesbokvlakte 24IS 1 14 X 31/12/06 31/12/06 31/12/06 31/01/07 -39 Rietspruit 402JS 1 12 X 15/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 31/10/06 -40 6161 Elandsfontein 433JS 1 16 X 22/08/06 05/09/06 22/09/06 30/10/06 -

6160 Elandsfontein 433JS 1 16 X 22/08/06 05/09/06 22/09/06 30/10/06 -41 Woestallen 477JS 1 0 X - - - - -42 Hartogs Hof 413JS (Pt5) 1 0 X - - - - -43 5046 Zevenfontein 415JS 1 0 X - - - - -

Zevenfontein 415JS 1 0 X - - - - -44 4988 Roodepoort 418JS 1 0 X - - - - -

4989 Roodepoort 418JS 1 0 X - - - - -4990 Roodepoort 418JS 1 0 X - - - - -

45 De Groote Rietplan 497JS 1 0 X - - - - -46 Voouitzicht 437JS 1 0 X - - - - -47 1048 Kromdraai 486JS 1 5 X 31/07/06 14/10/06 15/10/06 30/10/06 -

5341 Kromdraai 486JS 1 5 X 31/07/06 14/10/06 15/10/06 30/10/06 -1134 Kromdraai 486JS 1 5 X 31/07/06 14/10/06 15/10/06 30/10/06 -

48 Vlakfontein 166JS 1 0 X - - - - -49 5360 Draaihoek 271JS 1 0 X - - - - -50 10168 Zevenfontein 484 JS 1 0 X - - - - -

9819 Zevenfontein 484 JS 1 0 X - - - - -51 1098 Groenkraalfontein 369JS 1 0 X - - - - -52 1006 Leeuwpoortje 267JS 1 0 X X X X X -

1272 Leeuwpoortje 267JS 1 0 X X X X X -1100 Leeuwpoortje 267JS 1 0 X X X X X -

53 1385 Driefontein 240JS 1 0 X - - - - -1461 Driefontein 240JS 1 0 X - - - - -9055 Driefontein 240JS 1 0 X - - - - -

54 1673 Boschmansfontein 182IS 1 17 X 18/08/06 22/07/06 01/08/06 31/08/06 -1339 Boschmansfontein 182IS 1 17 X 18/08/06 22/07/06 01/08/06 31/08/06 -


Project Officer

P1: Lodgement

& Registration

P2: Screening &

Categorisation


P4: Negotiations

P5: Settlement

P6: Implementation

55 1469 Keerom 374JS 1 17 X 12/08/06 31/07/06 18/08/06 15/10/06 -1461 Keerom 374JS 1 17 X 12/08/06 31/07/06 18/08/06 15/10/06 -

56 5358 Bankfontein 375JS 1 14 X 31/12/06 31/12/06 31/12/06 31/01/07 -1172 Bankfontein 375JS 1 14 X 31/12/06 31/12/06 31/12/06 31/01/07 -

57 7905 Speculatie 483JS 1 0 X - - - - -58 5579 Klipfontein 238JS 1 18 X X 12/09/06 12/09/06 11/08/06 -59 1461 Driefontein 372JS 1 17 X X 31/07/06 11/08/06 15/09/06 -75 9727 Bankfontein 264JS 1 0 X - - - - -

Groenkloof 266JS 1 0 X - - - - -1038 Groenkloof 266JS 1 0 X - - - - -

10287 Groenkloof 266JS 1 0 X - - - - -61 STEVE TSWETE 231

OTHER CLAIMS34 11130 Eedfarm 1 0 X - - - - -

10936 Avontuur Weinfontein 1 0 X - - - - -10866 Perdekloof 1 0 X - - - - -

74 10685 Doornkop 273 JS 1 0 X - - - - -10685 Lammerkop 1 0 X - - - - -

60 10228 Mooifontein 285 JS 1 14 X 31/10/06 31/10/06 31/10/06 30/11/06 -9819 Mooifontein 285 JS 1 14 X 31/10/06 31/10/06 31/10/06 30/11/06 -9050 Skipad 1 0 X - - - - -

73 9051 Hartebeestplaat 105 JS 1 0 X - - - - -80 9052 Sewefontein 1 0 X - - - - -62 6169 Broodboomkrans 362 JS 1 0 X - - - - -61 6169 Noordhoek 333 JS 1 0 X - - - - -79 9082 Een en Slagte 1 0 X - - - - -78 9762 Piet Klasten 1 0 X - - - - -80 11874 875 Mhluzi 1 0 X - - - - -83 7906 Rem erf 136 1 0 X - - - - -85 12166 458/9 Middelburg 1 0 X - - - - -82 7909 1009 Mhluzi 1 0 X - - - - -86 7908 614/5/6 Mhluzi 1 0 X - - - - -84 7912 522 Mhluzi 1 0 X - - - - -81 11368 151 Mhluzi 1 0 X - - - - -77 1405 Erfdeel 4468 1 5 X 07/08/06 X X 20/08/06 -

Roosenkal 1 0 X - - - - -Roosenkal 1 0 X - - - - -Block Batik 1 0 X - - - - -Block Batik 1 0 X - - - - -

63 Mooiplaats 242 JS 1 0 X - - - - -Busberg 1 0 X - - - - -Vietbomme 1 0 X - - - - -

87 394 Plein Street 1 0 X - - - - -72 Hartbeesfontein 339 JS 1 5 X 07/10/06 30/07/06 14/08/06 28/08/06 -71 Rondebosch 403 JS 1 8 X 31/08/06 31/08/06 31/08/06 30/09/06 -64 Bothashoek 475 JS 1 8 X 31/08/06 30/09/06 30/09/06 31/10/06 -70 Rondevalley / Hamelfontein 462 JS 1 14 X 31/08/06 31/10/06 31/10/06 30/11/06 -65 Elandsfontein 368 JS 1 16 X 16/08/06 03/09/06 05/09/06 30/10/06 -66 Kopermyn 435 JS 1 16 X 30/07/06 05/09/06 18/09/06 30/10/06 -67 Tweefontein 263 JS 1 18 X 25/08/06 05/09/06 18/09/06 30/10/06 -68 Slaghoek 250 JS 1 18 X 25/08/06 12/09/06 12/09/06 11/08/06 -69 Bankfontein 340 JS 1 18 X 30/08/06 27/09/06 19/09/06 16/08/06 -

OTHER CLAIMS 39

61 270 Source: Land and Restitution Progress Report 06/2006: Delmas





78

4.12 Conclusion


Municipality. The Municipality is well located in terms of the Maputo Development



The area is sustained by Eskom power stations, local mines, Columbus Steel,

strong agricultural areas, a thriving commercial community and tourist attractions.

The economy of Steve Tshwete Municipality is largely based on manufacturing

followed by mining, electricity and community services activities. In order to

maximise the comparative economic advantages of the study area, industrial

development in the area should focus on the existing urban nodes and centres.

The aesthetic impact of industrial development, including warehousing in general,

should be carefully assessed and restricted to the urban centres to maintain the

existing rural character and tourism potential of the area.

The Steve Tshwete Municipal area has a dispersed spatial structure . This

could mainly be ascribed to the fact that it is a predominantly rural area with

settlements dispersed through the area. Population densities vary from very high

in some of the urban areas, to very low in some of the small settlements in the

rural areas.

The provision of adequate housing facilities for the population of the study area is

one of the key principles and priorities embedded in the constitution. The

development of residential areas and creation of liveable environments is of critical

importance for social sustainability and upliftment of the people residing within the

study area.

Areas with high and medium agricultural potential are located in the central and

southern area in the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality.

These areas should be preserved for primary agricultural purposes, which are an

important contributor to economic development and employment creation.

Although there are mining activities located in these zones, the areas not utilized

for mining and mining infrastructure should be considered and promoted for

agricultural purposes where feasible.

Labour intensive agricultural enterprises (small-scale farming) should be promoted

and supported in order to increase rural employment, production and income.

Small-scale farming could provide productions for the immediate local market and

for the local industry.

Un co-ordinated development within the area may have detrimental impacts on the

sensitive environment, as well as on concentration of people and land uses within

nodes and settlements for their sustainable functioning. The positive effects of a

well-managed development pattern are varied and include, amongst others:

• To ensure well balanced development pattern and to promote economies

of scale;

• To guide decision making for the equitable distribution of development to

sustainability of needs and settlements;

• To increase employment by maximising development opportunities;





79

• To protect sensitive environmental areas, prime and unique agricultural

land and thereby broadening the municipalities economic base; and

• To reduce overlapping and co-dependency of community facilities, and

services, including service duplication.

Environmental conservation is prioritised on a National, Provincial and Local level.

Sustainability of the natural environment can only be achieved when adequate

environmental protection and conservation measures, policies and strategies are in

place. The role of environmental management, linked to tourism, job creation and

economic growth and development cannot be over emphasised. These sectors

are playing a more important role as development through the study area is

diversified and the role and contribution of agriculture and mining towards a GGP

decreases.

The influence of mining on the environment still remains high. The rehabilitation of

mining areas, and the general mining procedures and processes followed by small

individual mines are sometimes not executed properly, which results in the

degradation of the environment.

The Steve Tshwete municipal area has tremendous tourism and recreational

potential with emphasis on the largely under developed north western area which is

ideal for conservation related and eco-tourism land uses. In line with the National

and International trend, tourism and recreation is becoming an increasingly

important component of the regional economy, including job creation, economic

sustainability and development in general. Growth and development of the tourism

industry should be dealt with as a separate sectoral planning initiative.

5 SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK

5.1 Development Vision

To be the best community driven Local Municipality on provision of sustainable

services and developmental programmes.

5.2 Spatial Development Objectives

The formulation of a spatial development strategy for the Steve Tshwete Spatial

Development Framework forms a prominent part of the abovementioned study and

should:

- Indicate future areas for expansion of residential, community facilities,

industrial, business, resort development and other activities;

- Indicate the urban edge; and

- Provide guidance with respect to areas of highest impact and priority

projects.

• Guiding Principles

The purpose of the spatial development framework is to give direction to

future planning and development in the Steve Tshwete Local Council. This

framework thus has to integrate the spatial manifestation of the various

components of the urban structure. The spatial development framework





80

also has to conform to the general principles for spatial development outlined

in the Development Facilitation Act. These principles are:

(i) Promote the integration of the social, economic, institutional and

physical aspects of land development;

(ii) Promote integrated land development in rural and urban areas in

support of each other;

(iii) Promote the availability of residential and employment opportunities in

close proximity to or integrated with each other;

(iv) Optimise the use of existing resources including such resources

relating to agriculture, and minerals, bulk infrastructure, roads,

transportation and social facilities;

(v) Promote a diverse combination of land uses, also at the level of

individual erven or sub-divisions of land;

(vi) Contribute to the correction of the historically distorted spatial patterns

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

infrastructure; and

(vii) Encourage environmentally sustainable land development practices

and processes.

5.3 Development Priorities and Strategies

Towards Integration: The Semi-Lattice Urban Develop ment Concept

A concept of urban form, which is currently regarded as most conducive to

increasing urban performance in both local and international planning circles, is the

semi-lattice concept . It can be regarded as a combination of the nodal and the

development axis concepts, since it proposes the creation of a structuring

framework (or backbone) for urban development consisting of different order nodes

being interconnected by development axis. This axis or so called development

spines are focus areas for dense mixed land use development.

The rationale behind implementing a semi-lattice system consisting of activity

corridors (and activity spines) and interconnecting nodes of different order is as

follows:

To create a structuring framework for urban develop ment , whereby ad-hoc

decision-making which distracts from logical urban form and legibility can be

kerbed. Since urban sprawl is partly manifested by the haphazard location of

major traffic generators such as shopping centres, office industries and housing a

pro-active corridor development will promote a more concentrated and spatially

ordered development philosophy with a clear indication of higher and lower

intensity development areas.

To create an urban structure conducive to the imple mentation of an

unsubsidized effective and efficient public transpo rtation system that serve all

citizens (rich and poor) conveniently. The location of mostly higher order land

uses, as well as high density residential development alongside specific routes.

These routes now serve as channels for different types of public transportation

modes since a high degree of people and activities are focused on these routes.

Urban development in this fashion also enables different public transportation

modes to support each other more logically than is currently the case. Current

planning practices result in environments that cannot for the most part be serviced





81

by public transport effectively. Densities are too low, and higher order land uses

are spread in an illogical fashion throughout the urban structure.

To create opportunities for small and medium enterp rise to be visible and

accessible to passing traffic. Currently, most shopping facilities are concentrated in

nodes, situated at the intersections of major transportation routes. These spaces

are monopolized to a great extent since few small businesses can afford rent in

these locations. Furthermore informal trading on these premises is usually

unwanted. This situation makes it difficult for small and medium enterprises to get

exposure to the market that they need for survival. By allowing direct access and a

mixture of land uses on the transportation routes between nodes, smaller

businesses obtain exposure to exposed or otherwise impenetrable trade markets.

To effectively integrate sectors. The essence of activity corridors is their linear

form, which enables integration to a greater and more practical extent than any

other urban form. (A single point creates an access problem to places further away

from it, while a line allows more places to focus alongside it). Current planning

practices such as zoning result in mono-functional urban environments. This

separation between land uses makes the public reliant on vehicular transportation

and furthermore accelerates the aspect of congested traffic arterials.

• A semi-lattice urban development system consists of the following

interrelated components:

Parallel limited-access rights of way (mobility spi ne) for both fast-moving

private transport (e.g. a freeway) and public transport (e.g. a railway and/or bus-

way) with frequent connections to the activity spine or main road;

An activity spine is the route within a development corridor on which all

development is focused. Activity spines will be major carriers of all modes of

transport and will enable direct access to a range of high intensity land-uses such

as retail, cultural, residential and employment;

Activity streets are smaller versions of activity spines, although the same

principles namely linearly, accessibility, land use diversity and intensity apply. In

activity streets however there are much lower levels of opportunity, e.g. there may

be no freeways or metropolitan scale land uses in proximity; and

Nodes (e.g. shopping centres, stadiums, hospitals, and commercial /employment

areas) need to be located alongside the activity spines and streets, to serve as

magnets and assist in facilitating movement along these spines.

5.4 Spatial Development Framework

5.4.1 Nkangala District Spatial Development Framewo rk

The Nkangala District Spatial Development Framework is depicted on Figure 15 .

Important directives derived from the Nkangala SDF and which are applicable to

Steve Tshwete Local Municipality are the following:

• To achieve a sustainable equilibrium between urbanisation, biodiversity

conservation, industry, mining, agriculture, forestry, and tourism related

activities within the District, by way of effective management of land uses

and environmental resources.





82

• To establish a functional hierarchy of urban and rural nodes (service

centres/agri-villages) in the Nkangala District area; and to ensure equitable

and equal access of all communities to social infrastructure and the

promotion of local economic development by way of strategically located

Thusong Centres (Multi Purpose Community Centres) (MPCCs) in these

nodes.

• To functionally link all nodal points (towns and settlements) in the District to

one another, and to the surrounding regions, through the establishment

and maintenance of a strategic transport network comprising internal and

external linkages, and focusing on the establishment of Development

Corridors.

• To incorporate the existing natural environmental, cultural-historic and

man-made resources within the Municipality in the development of Tourism

Precincts, with specific focus on the Tourism Gateway in the north-eastern

parts of the District (Emakhazeni); as well as the northern and north-

western mountainous parts of the District (Loskop/Mabusa/ Skosana/

Mkhombo/Dinokeng)

• To promote a wide spectrum of extensive commercial farming activities

throughout the District, and to establish local markets for fresh products at

the main nodal points identified. To optimally utilise the mining potential in

the District without compromising the long term sustainability of the natural

environment.

• To concentrate industrial and agro-processing activities at the higher order

nodes in the District where industrial infrastructure is available.

• To enhance business activities (formal and informal) at each of the

identified nodal points in the Nkangala District by consolidating these

activities with the Thusong Centres and modal transfer facilities.

• To ensure that all communities (urban and rural) have access to at least the

minimum levels of service as enshrined in the Constitution.

• To consolidate the urban structure of the District at the highest order centres

by way of infill development and densification in identified Strategic

Development Areas (SDAs) and Implementation Priority Areas.

5.4.2 Municipal Area Figure 16 reflects the Spatial Development Framework for the Steve Tshwete

Local Municipality as a whole.

Different types of urban settlements mark the Municipal area.

Primary and Secondary Urban Nodes: These are Middelburg, Hendrina and

Kwazamokuhle.

“holiday” towns frequented by people for leisure purposes. These towns are

Presidentsrus and Kranspoort. Development in these towns is strictly controlled to

maintain a specific character.

The second category of towns is the towns associate d with the mines and

power stations in the Steve Tshwete area of jurisdiction.. These towns have been

developed by Eskom namely Rietkuil, Pullen’s Hope and Komati. Mining villages

namely Blinkpan/ Koornfontein, Naledi and Lesedi were developed to

accommodate mine employees. Kanhym as farming company developed Tokhoza

and Eikeboom villages. Social services and amenities are usually better developed

in the abovementioned settlements.





83

The last settlement type represented are those that can be regarded as an

“agri-village” These villages are Doornkop, Kwamakalane and Mafube.

As with an MPCC, the development of an Agri-Village takes place over time and

is based on an incremental growth process guided and stimulated by a number of

strategic investments by various spheres of government within and around a

strategically selected spatial point in order to stimulate local economic

development activity.

The land use composition of the Agri-Village is generally seen as being the same

as that of a MPCC, except that Agri-Villages, provided their location within areas

displaying potential for both commercial and subsistence agricultural

development, become the spatial focal points of agriculturally driven LED

interventions (e.g. tunnel production) and land reform initiatives. As such, Agri-

Villages should become the primary focus points around which to promote small-

farm development and communal grazing practices via a land reform process

comprising land tenure reform and redistribution.

5.4.3 Middelburg

Figure 17 reflects the Spatial Development Framework for the Middelburg

area.

a) Mobility Spines/Fast moving access ways

The N4 Freeway (Maputo Development Corridor), situated to the south of

Middelburg, is currently the only route that functions as a mobility spine/fast

moving access way. The proposed P220-1 and P228-1 would in future

function as mobility spines. The primary purpose of these fast moving

mobility spines is to provide mobility for high volumes of traffic linking in with

the broader region with limited access allowed onto these routes. Land uses

which benefit from high levels of visibility and regional accessibility would

locate along mobility spines.

A number of National and Provincial roads traverse the area of jurisdiction of

Steve Tshwete Local Municipality.

The most prominent of these are the N4 National route crossing the area

from east to west and the N11, traversing the area from north to south.

Furthermore a number of Provincial Roads traverse the area. These include

the following:

• P154 Middelburg to Emalahleni and Wonderfontein;




• P30 Middelburg to Bethal;

• P51 Groblersdal to Stoffberg and Middelburg;

• P62 Stoffberg to Belfast; and

• P169 Stoffberg to Roossenekal.

These provincial roads are important communication routes along which the

majority of activities at a local scale and movement are concentrated. The

provision of social and other facilities along these routes will improve

accessibility of the surrounding rural areas to these type of facilities.





84

b) Activity Spines

Local access needs to be provided to development areas along activity

spines. Activity spines are closely connected to the fast moving access

ways (mobility spines), and provides areas in which densification and

development should be focused.

These activity spines are characterised by conflicting traffic movements, on

street parking and signalised intersections. The activity spines contain

various modes of transportation and will give direct access to a range of high

intensity land uses, including retail, cultural, residential, employment and

recreational facilities. The proposed activity spines within the Steve Tshwete

local Municipality area are described below:

• Dr. Beyers Naude/Ikageng Streets

This proposed east-west activity spine is situated to the north and parallel to

the N4 mobility spine. This spine would in future serve as a link road

facilitating movement between two of the proposed north-south stretching

activity spines (the P220-1 and P51-2) and between the proposed Mhluzi

Activity Node and the existing Middelburg Central Business District.

• Cowen Ntuli Street

Cowen Ntuli Street functions as the main east/west activity spines in

Middelburg, and links up the residential areas on the western side of town

with the CBD and following through to the industrial areas and residential

areas on the eastern side of town.

It is proposed that this activity spine be extended eastwards (on the Old

Belfats Road) as future urban development expands in an easterly direction.

• Keiskamma / John Magagula Street

These activity spines would facilitate movement between the southern urban

areas and the Middelburg Central Business District.

• Walter Sisulu Street

This is the main north-south activity spine through Middelburg. This activity

spines lends itself towards mixed use developments north of Cowen Ntuli

Street up to the intersection with Protea Street in the north. South of

Cowen Ntuli Street, Walter Sisulu street forms an institutional corridor.

• Samora Machel Street

Obtianing direct access from the N4, National Road, Samora Machel

Street will serve as an prominent activity spine between the intersection

with the N4 in the south and the intersection with Cowen Ntuli Street in the

north.

c) Activity Streets

The primary functions of activity streets are providing access and connection

between the different activity spines. Activity streets are thus regarded as

streets of more local nature and importance, providing access to activity

spines and nodes as well as to inter-modal transfer facilities.

The areas along these streets are characterised by lower levels of current

development including most of the smaller development nodes





85

(neighbourhood nodes) within the study area. Streets that have been

identified to fulfil an activity street function include the following:

- Ring Road: Mandela Street

- Protea Street

- Samekoms Road

- Cowen Ntuli Street

- Harry Gwala Street

- Sipres Street

- Renoster Road

- Lilian Ngoyi Street

- Long Street

- Zuid Street

- Verdoom Street

- Orange Street

- Hex River Road

- Philodia Street

d) Economic Activity Nodes

The hierarchy of Activity Nodes/Areas within the Steve Tshwete Local

Municipality area can be described as follows:

• Primary Node

The Middelburg Central Business District is the primary activity node of

Middelburg. Retail development, offices, government buildings and

municipal offices are located here. Figure 17a reflects the SDF proposals for

the CBD area and surrounds in more detail.

• Secondary Nodes

Secondary Activity nodes consist of two existing and several proposed nodes

namely:

* Existing nodes:

The Twin City and Eastdene nodes in Cowen NtuliStreet to the east of

the CBD.

* Proposed nodes:

The Middelburg Mall (Ext. 26) development in Aerorand to the south

of Mandela Drive and west of the Samora Machel Street extension.

Various nodes in Mhulzi inter alia Ngwako Street estension west into

Mhluzi, Mandela- and Ikageng Streets, Mandela- and Dr. Beyers

Naudé Streets and Dr. Beyers Naudé Extension at Federale Stene.

• Neighbourhood nodes

Local neighbourhood nodes compliment the primary and secondary nodes

and should be located in such a way as to serve all suburbs. There are

currently ten nodes of neighbourhood importance throughout the Steve

Tshwete Local Municipality area. Future development of these nodes

should be promoted in order to realise their full potential. Only one new

neighbourhood node is proposed.

* Existing neighbourhood nodes:

• Dennesig

• Kanonkop





86

• Tosca

• Merino

• Ermbee

• Middelburg Extension 18

• Aerorand

• Middelburg Extension 22

• Nasaret

• Mhluzi

• Kwazamokuhle

e) Mixed Land Use Zones

Mixed land use zones are identified along the Activity spines. Mixed land

uses entail higher density residential developments i.e. Residential 2 with a

density up to 20 dwelling units per hectare or Residential 3 zonings with

densities up to 30-40 dwelling units per hectare. Other land uses that are

envisaged are medical consulting rooms, offices, guest houses, institutional

or similar compatible uses, but excludes retail uses.

The mixed land uses along Cowen Ntuli street can also involve retail uses

due to the fact that it serves as a functional extension of the CBD area.

Careful attention in these areas should however be paid to access and traffic

impact statements and/access studies are proposed.

f) Residential Development

The spatial structure of Middelburg still portrays some elements of

development facilities of a previous dispensation. Eastdene and Nasaret are

closely situated on the eastern perimeter of Middelburg. Mhluzi

accommodates the bulk of low-income group citizens and is situated on the

north western sector of town, thus the furthest away from the major

employment nodes.

The density in Mhluzi is also considerably higher than the rest of the town,

followed by Nasaret and Eastdene.

Areas for infill development and densification have been identified in order to

promote integration and the optimal utilization of existing urban infrastructure

(i.e. engineering services and social facilities) in the short to medium term.

g) Residential Infill Development and Expansion

Residential infill and expansion areas proposed include the following:

The rondebosch area on the eastern side of town, where applications for

township establishment are already taking place. Residential infill and

expansion can take place in this area, with erf sizes varying from 350m²-

750m².

The vacant area to the north-east of the Dennesig and Kanonkop suburbs

up to the proposed urban edge should be used for expansion purposes.

Proposed erf sizes can vary between 650 to 1000m².





87

The area south of Mandela Street and to the west of Samora Machel Street

adjacent to the Mall Precinct is also earmarked for residential expansion.

Typically erf sizes would on average be 500m².

Areas proposed for densification purposes include the following:

Densification through sub-division (850m²) and/or rezoning in order to sub-

divide should be promoted in Middelburg Extension1, Groenkol, Middelburg

South and Middelburg Proper (“ou-dorp”).

h) Open space System

The open space system consists of the following elements:

o Rivers, streams and flood plains;

o The Kruger, Athlone and Middelburg dams;

o Ridges;

o The Botshabelo Nature Reserve; and

o Active and passive recreation facilities.

The open space system is an important structuring element of both the

existing and future urban structure, and should form an integrated part of the

overall spatial framework. Middelburg’s open space system is of importance

in terms of its tourism and recreational potential and its overall visual

aesthetically impact. The conservation of the open space system should

therefore be regarded as a priority.

i) Industrial Development

The existing industrial areas are situated south- east of Middelburg. The

land directly south of the existing industrial areas should be maintained for

the future expansion of the industrial area.

j) Mining

The south-western section of the study area accommodates rich coal

deposits on the farms Uitkyk and Rietfontein which forms part of the Ecca

and Dwyka series of the Karoo system. It is estimated that ±40 million tons

of exploitable coal can be found on 560 ha of land in the Uitkyk vicinity and

60 million tons on 460 ha on the farm RietSamora Machel, west of “Federale

Stene”.

It is therefore important to preserve this area for future mining purposes.

Mining activities within the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality are

predominantly located in the area south of the N4.

The current activities as well as future mining activities will play an important

role in the economic development and employment creation within the

region and province.

The potential conflict between mining activity and agricultural activities will

need to be addressed through proper environmental impact assessment.





88

k) Extensive Land Use/ Agriculture

The areas towards the north of Greater Middelburg and west of Mhluzi

encounters poor soil conditions and/or steep slopes and are not suitable for

urban development. These areas would however be suitable for extensive

land uses/agricultural purposes.

l) Rural Residential

The Rondebosch area to the north of the Old Belfast Road and south-east of

the Stoffberg Road is proposed for Rural Residential purposes where

subdivision up to a minimum of 1ha can be allowed. The same principle is

also proposed for the area adjacent and to the west of the Rondebosch dam.

m) Urban Edge

In the formulation of the proposed spatial development framework an urban

edge has been identified. This urban edge should be implemented as a

planning tool in order to promote the principles and guidelines underpinning

this spatial development framework. Figure 17b represents the urban edge

for the Middelburg area.

• Certain developments can take place in order to reinforce the urban

edge. These development should be carefully considered based on

the following:

o Development necessary to maintain essential rural economic

activity;

o The development of outdoor recreational facilities;

o Passive recreation facilities, golf courses and cemeteries;

o Residential estates, nature reserves and the majority of

development is dedicated to open space; and

o Nature reserve/eco-friendly resorts.

• These developments adjoining or reinforcing the urban edge should

maintain a general openness of the area and be of appropriate scale

and design. These developments should further provide a transitional

zone between high-density urban areas and agriculture land.

5.4.4 Hendrina and Kwazamokuhle Figure 18 reflects the Conceptual Spatial Development Framework for the

Hendrina Kwazamokuhle area.

Hendrina is situated on the intersection of three Provincial and one National Road.

These roads act as main transport corridors from east to west and north to south

and vice-versa. The National/Provincial roads traversing Hendrina are as follows:

- N11 - Hendrina/Ermelo;

- P52-1 - Bethal/Carolina;

- D1398 - Arnot/Hendrina; and

- D1287 - Hendrina/Davel.





89

a) Activity Spines

The N11 being the National road traversing Hendrina, from north to south

acts as the most prominent activity spine in Hendrina.

P52-1

This route forms the secondary activity spine in Hendrina as it intersects with

the N11-8 thereby creating the hub of the Hendrina CBD.

D1398

This district route acts as an additional activity spine as it links Hendrina to

Kwazamokhule past the industrial area.

b) Residential Development

Hendrina portrays the results of previous polices as separate towns

developed over the years. Kwazamokhule resulted in a dormitory town with

limited facilities and basically no employment opportunities.

The predominant land use in the Greater Hendrina is residential with a

average density of 10 units/ha in Hendrina and 30 units/ha in Kwazamokhule

From the aforementioned it is clear that Kwazamokhule has considerably

higher densities than Hendrina with its large “burger erwe”.

There are currently a number of vacant residential erven in Hendrina whilst a

large demand for erven exists in Kwazamokhule. Homeless people from

Kwazamokhule do however not take up the vacant erven in Hendrina,

mainly due to affordability.

Currently the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality experiences a large demand

for low cost/low income residential housing. There are currently

approximately 2000 informal backyard lodgers residing in Kwazamokhule.

The constant influx of unemployed and/or low-income people from mainly

farms contributes to this demand.

The need for low to high income residential erven should be addressed in

such a way as to promote the integration of the separate towns to prevent

urban sprawl and to enable the optimal utilization of existing social and

engineering infrastructure. This can be achieved through the identification of

existing vacant erven and farmland for infill and densification purposes.

c) Residential Infill Development and Expansion

• Kwazamokhule Extension 6 – Short Term

The Municipalityis currently in the process of developing 620 low-

income residential erven Kwazamokhule Extension 6. This extension

will be developed in two phases. The planned Kwazamokhule

Extension 6 can be seen as a step to link Hendrina Kwazamokhule.

• Future Extension 7 – Short to Medium Term

Approximately 600 erven

Residential erf sizes of 250-350 m²

• Future Extension 8 – Short to Medium Term





90


Residential erf sizes of 400 – 500m²

• Future Extension 9 – Short to medium Term


Residential erf sizes of 400 – 500m²

• The south eastern sector of Hendrina

The Municipality has recently densified certain underdeveloped

“burger erven” in Hendrina to erf sizes varying between approximately

400 to 500m²

• The south western sector of Hendrina

Sub-divisions up to approximately 900m² should be allowed in this

area, subject to the availability of engineering services.

The land to the south of Road P52-1 and to the east of Hendrina is

suitable for future urban development in the long term, once all the

infill and densification areas are fully developed. The existing graded

airstrip, which is rarely utilized, is situated on this land.

d) Open Space System

Hendrina’s open space system consists of the tributary separating

Kwazamokhule and Hendrina, the pans, dam and holiday resort.

The open space system is an important structuring element of both the

existing and future urban structure, and should form an integrated part of the

overall spatial framework.

The open space system is of importance in terms of its tourism and

recreational potential and its overall visual-aesthetically impact. The

conservation of the open space system should therefore be regarded as a

priority.

The Kosmospark municipal Caravan Park is situated to the west of the dam

and consists of 20 developed sites. Adequate underdeveloped space is

available and renders the opportunity to further develop the caravan park into

a holiday resort.

5.4.5 Doornkop/ Kwamakalane / Mafube The economic advantages and prospects of establishing agri-villages/rural

settlements and/or small scaling farming projects should be emphasised.

Development of agri-villages and small scale farming projects will make a

significant contribution to local economic development for rural communities

together with creating opportunities for prospective farmers.

Agri-villages or small scale farming activities can generally be defined as planned

farming activities on a relatively small scale and can include traditional small

holdings, a residential component that forms part of a large and communal farming

operation and larger communal farming operations without the residential

component. These activities would be normally associated with emerging farmers

and new farmer development.





91

There is also potential to establish Rural Development Nodes/Agri Villages at

Doornkop, Kwamakalane, Mafube and Thokoza, as part of a broader Rural

Development Strategy.

The detailed background information to what such initiatives could comprise of is

included in Annexure A of this document.

• Small-scale farming projects are normally associated with private/public

ownership under the management of a communal property association.

• Residents in agri-villages and small scale farming projects should merely

be involved with the main activity of these areas, i.e. agriculture.

• Agri-villages and small scale farming projects should be economically

viable units. This should be supported by the Department of Agriculture

with relevant supporting documentation.

• Sub-division of these areas should only be permitted with support from the

Department of Agriculture within the criteria of sustainable agricultural land

units.

• Housing and infrastructure development should adhere to normal planning

principles and housing units in these settlements should be grouped

together on land with the lowest agriculture potential.

5.4.6 Blinkpan/Koornfontein/Pullen’s Hope/Rietkuil/ Lesedi/Naledi/ Thokoza

Villages such as Rietkuil, Pullen’s Hope, Komati/ Blinkpan/ Koornfontein etc. are

third level towns providing housing for Eskom and mining employees. Other un-

proclaimed villages such as Bank, Naledi and Lesedi provide accommodation to

mine employees. Thokoza and Eikeboom village at Kanhym provide housing to

farmworkers.

It should be noted that many of the above mentioned towns and villages

have also been identified to host Multi Purpose Service/Community

Centres as proposed by the Nkangala SDF (2008) (refer to Figure 20).

5.4.7 Presidentsrus/Kranspoort

These towns are known as holiday towns. Development in these towns is strictly

controlled to maintain a specific character.





92

6 IMPLEMENTATION

6.1 Service Upgrading Priority Areas

From the above it is clear that there are certain specific priority areas that need to

be attended to in terms of the implementation of the Steve Tshwete SDF. These

matters need to be filtered through to the Steve Tshwete IDP process in order to

be budgeted for:

• Branding and development of the Steve Tshwete Tourism Precinct and

associated Cultural Historic Sites.

• Development of the Thusong/Multi Purpose Community Centres

earmarked in the Steve Tshwete municipal area, and development of Rural

Nodes at Mafube, Kwamakalane and Doornkop

• Township establishment on all land pockets earmarked for development.

• Bulk service upgrading to serve the future residential and business

developments in Middelburg

• Road Access Management Plans along all the major activity routes in order

to maintain the required mobility levels and provide sufficient access to

surrounding land uses.

• Expansion/upgrading of bulk infrastructure in Middelburg and Hendrina to

serve business, commercial and industrial precincts.

• Marketing campaign (and incentive program) for municipal area to highlight

development opportunities, with specific focus on agri-processing

industries.

• Branding of the N4 Development Corridor.

• Proper environmental management guidelines to conserve the natural

assets of the municipal area (to promote tourism) and to prevent pollution,

sinkhole formation etc.

6.2 Capital Investment Projects

What follows are selected Capital Projects which are to be undertaken as part of

the implementation of the Steve Tshwete Spatial Development Framework and

budgeted for until 2015.

Aerial Photography R1 200 000

Industrial Park Development R1 300 000

Purchase land for Township Development R1 600 000

Township Development East of Kanonkop R1 800 000

Township Development North of Dennesig R1 400 000

Township Development North of Rockdale x 2 R1 800 000

Development of Cemeteries ±R8 800 000

New MPCC’s R3 901 000

6.3 Implementation of Pilot Projects: Multi Purpose Service Delivery Centres

The development of Multi Purpose Service Delivery Centres throughout the Steve

Tshwete area should enjoy high priority in terms of investment. Due to limited

resources it would not be possible to develop all of the proposed centres in the

Nkangala District simultaneously. It is therefore necessary that the municipalities





93

prioritise certain areas/ projects by identifying some pilot projects to initiate the

process. It is proposed that in the Steve Tshwete Municipality the centre in Mhluzi

be prioritised for implementation. The other MPSDCs should grow over time from

continued investment into social infrastructure.

In order to initiate the development of these centres, it is necessary to undertake

detailed planning and compile business plans for each of the proposed MPSDCs.

The business plans should place the municipalities in a position to initiate the

detailed planning and design of such a centre. The business plans should

therefore address the following:

• Detailed land use investigation, to confirm the existing community facilities

and retail facilities in the area. Vacant land/ properties suitable for the

development of a MPSDC should be identified and the zoning of these

properties should be established.

• Determine the availability of public transport and current movement

patterns, including bicycle and pedestrian transport.

• Determine the availability of engineering services – water, electricity,

sanitation, waste removal and stormwater drainage. The availability of

natural resources (such as underground water for boreholes) should also

be determined.

• Determine the broad geological conditions (coal, undermining, clay etc.) in

the area.

• Determine the economic catalysts and the areas of employment.

• Determine the land ownership of vacant land/properties potentially suitable

for the development of a MPSDC.

• Determine the property values of vacant land/ properties potentially

suitable for the development of a MPSDC.

• Recommendation: Provide a recommendation on the best location

(site/property) and associated implementation strategy for the development

of the MPSDC. This should be based on an evaluation of opportunities and

constraints associated with the development of each site (from the findings

of the investigation), and/ or the possibility of establishing partnerships/

joint ventures with other service providers in the area, e.g. other

government departments.

• Cost estimate: Provide a broad estimate of the cost for the development of

the site/ property for budgeting purposes.

Once the business plan has been completed and a decision has been made to

proceed with the development, detailed planning and design should be

undertaken, which will form the basis of detailed cost calculations and

furthermore the implementation of these centres.

6.4 Requirements for successful implementation

• The concept of the Multi Purpose Delivery Centre has to be acceptable to

all the majority of the stakeholders from all 3 spheres of government

including non-governmental organisations, the private sector and local

residents. The partnership or joint venture will be driven by the local

government.

• Provision of lower order road network.

• Availability of adequate engineering services.

• Partnerships are crucial for the successful implementation of projects (i.e.

Public-Private Partnership and Public-Public Partnership).





94

• A conducive environment to attract investors by:

- Access to information;

- Provide necessary infrastructure;

- Processing of development applications in the required time framework;

and

- Market the projects.

• Source adequate funding for the provision of infrastructure.

7 REFERENCES

• Steve Tshwete IDP 2010/2011

• NDM SDF 2008

• Steve Tshwete Spatial Development Framework (2008).

• Steve Tshwete Environmental Management Framework (2009).

• National Spatial Development Perspective (NSDP) (2006).

• Mpumalanga Industrial Development Strategy (2004).

• Mpumalanga Provincial Local Economic Development Strategy (2008).

• Mpumalanga Provincial Growth and Development Strategy (LPGDS)

(2007).

• Mpumalanga Tourism Development strategy (2005).

• National Integrated Sustainable Rural Development Strategy (ISRDS).

• National Spatial Development Perspective (NSDP) (2006).





0

Annexure A





1

Affecting Comprehensive Rural Development:

Spatial Planning Principles for Municipalities in t he Nkangala

District

1. Introduction

Although rural development has frequently been expressed as being central to

development effort across the globe, especially in the developing countries, there

is little evidence suggesting that the situation of the rural poor world-wide has

really improved substantially (D’Haese and Kirsten, 2006). This is concerning,

considering that of the 1.2 billion of the world’s poorest people, seventy five

percent (75%) still live in rural areas.

Over the past two decades, there has been a decline in the funding and aid going

to rural areas as many developing countries have gone through a process of

macro-economic reforms, which ultimately had adverse effects on most rural

areas. Essentially, limited market opportunities followed the process of

liberalisation and lower government spending on basic social services made the

rural poor much more vulnerable with no stable source of income, no reliable

access to food, clean drinking water, health services and education. The situation

is exacerbated by the fact that opportunities to secure a decent livelihood through

either employment or self-employment are generally non-existent (D’Haese and

Kirsten, 2006). Hence, it has become very difficult to make an impact on rural

poverty.

Rural development is in a troubled state and needs to be addressed as a matter

of urgency in the larger struggle to alleviate rural and urban poverty in a more

sustainable manner. As noted by Ljung and Tannerfeldt (2006), rural

development is not only important for the future well-being of large groups of

people, but also critical in ensuring sustainable urbanisation as limited

opportunities for sustainable livelihoods in rural areas, insecurity of tenure and

widespread evictions contribute directly to the growth of informal settlements in

and around cities and towns.

The intention of this document is neither to provide an all-encompassing

overview of the subject of rural development nor to provide a comprehensive

framework with which to affect rural development, but rather delineates several

practical macro spatial interventions / principles which could be used by

municipalities in the Nkangala District as the firs t steps towards initiating

rural development by altering the spatial form of a municipal area to help

give effect to, and create the necessary space-econ omy conducive to

integrated rural development (IRD) .

2. Rural Areas, Rural People and Its Importance

From the literature study conducted, and as correctly noted by D’Haese and

Kirsten (2006), there is little agreement on what constitutes “rural”, “rural areas”

and “rural populations”. This is so because rural or non-urban areas are far from

homogenous as they include geographical areas and populations that are

markedly different from one another. In South Africa for example, the difference

between rural areas are complicated by past policies of racial segregation which

led to the creation of independent and self-governing homelands that have, and

still serve to reinforce some existing divisions, and blur others. Whilst one should

be careful not to equate ‘rural’ to agricultural’ since in many rural areas non-farm

incomes outstrip farm income, rural areas usually remain characterised by the





2

predominance of natural resource based economic activities, such as agriculture

and eco-tourism.

Perhaps, a good “working-definition” for rural areas is that suggested by D’Haese

and Kirsten (2006), namely that typical rural areas are characterised by the

fact that settlements and infrastructure occupy a v ery small area of the

landscape which is dominated by fields, pastures, v eld, forests, mountains

and deserts and that people reside in farmsteads or settlements of less

than ten thousand (10 000) people .

In similar light, the former Department Of Land Affairs, defined rural areas “as

the sparsely populated areas in which people farm o r depend on natural

resources, including the villages and small towns t hat are dispersed

through these areas. In addition, they include the large settlements in the

former homelands, created by the apartheid removals , which depend for

their survival on migratory labour and remittances” .

Despite the ambiguity, rural areas are for most part clearly recognisable as

illustrated by the table below, which was developed by D’Haese and Kirsten

(2006) from information sourced from the Department of Transport.

Table 1: Socio-Economic Characteristics of Rural Co mmunities

Characteristic: Former

Homelands

Displaced & Re-Settled

Communities

Commercial Farming Areas

Mining Areas

Population Range

500 to 10 000

3 000 to 20 000

10 to 150

1 000 to 15 000

Average household size @ 7


Average household size @ 7 (labourer / tenant)


Settlement Type

Scattered Homestead Dense Settlement

Dense Settlement

Villages Dense Settlement

Amenities

Shops, clinics usually distant Schools usually distant Formal and informal dwellings

Shops, clinics usually distant Schools usually distant Formal dwellings and some in RDP houses.

Shops, clinics usually distant Schools usually distant Commercial schools Formal and informal dwellings Informal and farm accommodation

Shops, clinics usually distant Schools usually nearby Formal (hostels and in some cases houses)

Employment

Subsistence farming Unemployment – in excess of 30% Under-employment at 50%

Commute to urban areas daily, weekly or monthly Unemployment – in excess of 70% Remittances

Labourers and tenants for commercial farming

Labourers (usually from nearby) and artisans (usually from far-away)





3

Significant remittances from urban area Off-farm employment negligible

from urban area Informal sector

Average Household Income (Weekly)

+/- R650 +/- R650 +/- R350 (labourer) +/- R750 (tenant)

+/- R900 to +/- R4000

In the contemporary, some forty five percent (45%) of South Africa’s population

live in non-urban areas, depending on the definition used. Of these, some eighty

three percent (83%) live in the former homelands, and the rest on commercial

farms and in small towns. According to D’Haese and Kirsten (2006), survey

results of rural households in South Africa show the prevalence of poor living

conditions, poor access to services, excessive time spent obtaining water and

fuel, poor schooling, insecurity of tenure, low incomes and large household size.

Only approximately eleven percent (11%) of rural households have adequate

housing, piped water, and acceptable sanitation. Furthermore, sustainable rural

development is hindered by the absences or severe d ecay of the static or

long-term types of infrastructural connections betw een rural and urban

areas (e.g. roads, railway lines, and water, electricity and

telecommunication networks) . As noted by D’Haese and Kirsten (2006) and

Ljung and Tannerfeldt (2006), in the absence of these linkages neither rural

nor urban development can take place .

Whilst rural areas may not necessarily form the driving force for economic growth

(D’Haese and Kirsten, 2006), they do play some key roles, as highlighted by the

research of Rauch, Bartels and Engel (2001):

� They are a major asset for a significant share of the population in their

efforts to secure a sustainable livelihood, especially those that are not

part of the formally economy;

� They generally provide a country’s population with food; and

� They provide a wide range of environmental resources such as water,

biodiversity, bio-energy and tourist attractions.

It would appear that the South African government has realised the key role rural

areas play. Already in 2009, the National Budget allocated to rural development

and small-farmer support amounted to some R1.8 billion, with the key objectives

associated with the budget being increasing agricultural output, raising rural

incomes, supporting small-scale farmers, and investing in rural roads.

3. Brief Overview of the Term (Integrated) Rural De velopment 3.1 Definition

Rural development emerged as a distinct focus of policy and research in the

1960s and only really gained full-momentum in the 1970s, as observes

increasingly realised that, whilst economic growth and industrialisation were

important, the rural areas and rural development had an important role to play in

a country’s development. In the contemporary, rural development is again





4

receiving renewed attention as successful rural development is seen as a

prerequisite for achieving sustainable urbanisation (Ljung and Tannerfeldt, 2006).

According to D’Haese and Kirsten (2006), rural development essentially displays

two fundamental characteristics:

� Firstly, rural development is an ‘area-based’ approach to

development . In other words, rural development policies and

programmes target specific geographical areas (rural areas) rather than

a specific economic sector (e.g. agriculture, manufacturing, education) or

a particular group (e.g. small farmers, female-headed households, ethnic

minorities) – even though individual sectors or groups of people may be

targeted as part of a broader rural development strategy.

� Secondly, rural development is ‘multi-dimensional’ . It is much broader

than poverty relief projects. It refers to improved provision of services

(e.g. access to food, health services and water supply), improved

physical infrastructure, roads, telecommunication, electricity, enhanced

opportunities for local income generation, cohesive and active community

based organisations, active representation in political processes, etc.

Rural development therefore refers to all those activities that affect the

well-being of rural populations.

According to the Rehovot Approach as discussed in Viljoen (2009) and D’Haese

and Kirsten (2006), integrated rural development relates to all sections of a

developing country which are not eminently urban or metropolitan. Included are

the rural towns that act as service centres in addition to the classical rural

elements, such as villages or homesteads. Notably, the Rehovot Approach

emphasises that urban decentralization is not only possible, but essential for

developing countries, and that a system of rural towns based on a hierarchy

of functions is necessary to increase the rate of r ural development. Without

such a system, it is almost impossible to establish the supporting services

and industrial infrastructure for agricultural deve lopment .

According to the World Bank, as discussed in Viljoen (2009), rural development is

a strategy designed to improve the economic and social life of a specific group of

people – the rural poor. Hence, according to the World Bank (Viljoen, 2009), the

objectives of rural development extend beyond any particular sector to

encompass improved productivity, increased employment, and improved access

to acceptable minimum levels of food, shelter, education and health.

Evidently, as briefly demonstrated, the majority of literature pertaining to rural

development, defines (integrated) rural development as a multi-dimensional,

area-based approach encompassing projects and progr ammes of action

extending beyond that of poverty relief projects, t o all those activities that

affect the over-all well-being of rural populations . Critical to this is the

improved provision of services (e.g. access to food , health services and

water supply), improved physical infrastructure, ro ads, telecommunication,

electricity, and enhanced opportunities for local i ncome generation .

3.2 Role of Small-Scale Agriculture

Provided the multi-dimensional and area-based nature of rural development,

current opinion is divided concerning the relative importance of different sectors





5

and of agriculture in particular. On the one hand there is the view that agricultural

development, driven by growth in the small-farm sector, is a prerequisite for the

wider development of the rural economy. On the other hand, there is the view

that excess focus on agriculture fails to take account of the complexity and

increasing diversity of rural livelihoods, and the importance of income generating

activities outside agriculture. (D’Haese and Kirsten, 2006).

Yet, agriculture, especially small-scale agriculture, remains a key activity in rural

areas of Southern Africa. As such, understanding the term “small-scale

agriculture” is of importance. The terms relating to “small-scale agriculture” are

numerous and diverse due to historical, political and socio-economic conditions,

but commonly “small-scale agriculture” is the opposite of “commercial agriculture”

or “large-scale farmers”. Furthermore, while this may not necessarily apply to all

parts of South Africa, small-scale farming generally means that labour is

substituted for machines. (From Ministry of Agriculture and Land Affairs in

D’Haese and Kirsten, 2006).

Perhaps, more important than the exact definition, small-farm production is

credited with being indirectly labour creating because it results in income

flows to low-income rural dwellers who tend to purc hase services, building

materials and consumer goods from local small-scale rural services and

industries . (From Ministry of Agriculture and Land Affairs in D’Haese and

Kirsten, 2006).

4. Existing Policy Directives 4.1 General Spatial Policy Directives

Current policy documents guiding the physical development of South Africa’s

space-economy address the issue of rural development, either directly or

indirectly. Those indirectly addressing the way in which rural development is

proposed to occur include the National Spatial Development Perspective (NSDP);

the Regional Industrial Development Strategy (RIDS); the National Industrial

Policy Framework (NIPF); Breaking New Ground (BNG); and the National

Transportation Master Plan (NATMAP).

Each of the aforementioned policy documents delineates several spatial

guidelines or directive to guide the future spatial development of South Africa’s

space-economy. In other words, they essentially serve to guide where and how

Government’s spending relating to social and infrastructural spending activities

should ideally take place. In respect of rural development, the aforementioned

policies insinuate that rural development should be done in a manner so as to

respond to the following spatial directives (summarised and synthesised):

� National Spatial Development Perspective (NSDP)

- Areas displaying significant economic development potential

become the focus of more extensive infrastructure spending.

- Areas displaying little or no potential for economic development

are preferably targeted as areas only to receive the

constitutionally mandated minimum levels of services; and





6

- Development opportunities are channelled into activity corridors

and nodes that are adjacent to, or linked to the main growth

centres.

� Regional Industrial Development Strategy (RIDS) and National

Industrial Policy Framework (NIPF)

- Encourage industrial development at a relatively limited number

of locations (focussing on cluster development) which are able to

develop a competitive edge in regional and international markets.

- Promote a multi-sectoral approach to development which moves

beyond an exclusively manufacturing focus, to a focus on

knowledge-based development, tourism and improvement of

human capital.

- Areas displaying significant economic development potential

should be developed by means of delineating Special Economic

Zones, and hence become the focus of more extensive

infrastructure spending.

� Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa (ASGISA)

(Review 2008)

- Focusing strongly on the linking of the competitive economic

sectors to market opportunities via a highly effective

transportation network (e.g. the Maputo Corridor); protecting the

District’s valuable natural resources from competing land uses;

and the provision of social, community and educational services

in a sustainable manner through adopting a nodal approach.

� Sustainable Human Settlements – Breaking New Ground (BNG)

- Ensure the development of compact, mixed land use, diverse,

life-enhancing environments.

- Ensure that low-income housing is provided in close proximity to

areas of opportunity.

- Multi-purpose cluster concept should be applied to ensure the

sustainable provision of primary municipal facilities, such as

parks, playgrounds, sports fields, crèches, community halls, taxi

ranks, satellite police stations, municipal clinics, and informal

trading facilities.

� The National Transportation Master Plan 2050 (NATMA P)

- Greater integration between land use development and

transportation planning via ensuring that land development is

concentrated in and around transport corridors linking nodal

developments (e.g. Maputo Corridor), and that corridors are

orientated towards providing sustainable rail transport rather than

road-based transport modes (e.g. the Moloto Rail Corridor

Initiative).

As mentioned, the aforementioned policy documents indirectly address the topic

of rural development. Those documents directly addressing rural development

within the South African context include the National Integrated Sustainable Rural

Development Strategy (ISRDS) and the Comprehensive Rural Development

Programme (CRDP). Similarly in nature to the other policy documents, both the

ISRDS and the CRDP also provide directives in respect of how development





7

should take place in rural South Africa. These are summarised in section 4.2

below.

4.2 Rural Spatial Policy Directives

4.2.1 The National Integrated Sustainable Rural Dev elopment Strategy

(ISRDS)

As mentioned, rural South Africa is faced with conditions that are widely

associated with rural areas around the world, such as high levels of poverty,

constrained incomes due to economies that are not sufficiently vibrant, and

sparse populations. Furthermore, the South Africa context features some unique

aspects and development challenges derived from the apartheid planning

system. Consequently, South Africa features numerous marginalised high

density settlements isolated from economic opportunities and basic

infrastructure provision.

Hence, in order to rectify this situation, national government launched as

supplementary to the principles contained in the NSDP, the Integrated

Sustainable Rural Development Strategy (ISRDS).

The four basic principles fundamental to the ISRDS are as follow:

� Rural development: is multi-dimensional and much broader than

poverty alleviation through social programs and transfers; it places

emphasis on changing environments to enable poor people to earn more,

invest in themselves and their communities and contribute toward

maintenance of key infrastructure; a successful strategy will make people

less poor, rather than more comfortable in their poverty.

� Sustainable: sustainability is derived from increased local growth, and

where rural people care about success and are able to access resources

to keep the strategy going.

� Integrated: integration is complex and requires effective co-ordination

across traditional sectors in all levels of government; the Integrated

Development Plan (IDP) process will establish a primary locus of

integration at the municipal level.

� Rural Safety Net: safety nets are still needed, and South Africa is

exceptional amongst developing countries in that many of the key

programs of social assistance extend to rural people and prevent much

hardship.

In respect of rural development, the ISRDS alludes to the fact that rural

development should be done in a manner so as to respond to the following

spatial directives (summarised and synthesised):

� Urban settlements play an integral part in comprehensive regional

development.

� Nodal development is promoted – resources should be targeted at

selected areas in response to identified development problems and

opportunities.





8

� Basic services are provided in a purposeful and financially sustainable

manner by local government – i.e. creating infrastructure to support

social or productive investment in a concentrated locality.

� Levels of inequality between living standards and access to basic

services between rural and urban areas are reduced.

� Mining, agriculture and tourism development is promoted.

� Commercial and small-farming and the exploitation of export markets

for agriculture are promoted. Furthermore, the marginalisation of

agriculture, particularly in the former homelands, should be addressed.

� Markets are created for rural products and the integration of markets

through appropriate infrastructure investments.

4.2.2 The Comprehensive Rural Development Programme Framework

(CRDP)(2009)

In support of the ISRDS, national government has initiated the Comprehensive

Rural Development Programme (CRDP) (2009). Essentially, the CRDP is aimed

at being an effective response to poverty alleviation and food insecurity by

maximizing the use and management of natural resour ces to create vibrant,

equitable and sustainable rural communities. The ultimate vision of the CRDP to

“create vibrant, equitable and sustainable rural communitie s is to be

achieved through a three-pronged strategy process based on:

1. A coordinated and integrated broad-based agrarian transformation;

2. Strategically increasing rural development; and

3. An improved land reform programme.

Critically, the objectives of each of the three strategic thrusts constituting the

CRDP’s strategy present spatial implications to which the spatial planning

activities conducted by municipalities should respond to. By doing so,

municipalities will be taking the first steps in effecting (integrated) rural

development. The objectives to be responded to per envisioned strategic thrust

include (summarised and synthesised):

� Agrarian Transformation

• Facilitating the establishment of rural and agro-industries,

cooperatives, cultural initiatives and vibrant local markets.

• Increased production and sustainable use of natural resources

by promoting farming and related value chain development

(exploring all possible species for food and economic activity).

� Rural Development

• Access to community and social infrastructure, especially well-

resourced clinics.

• Focusing on the development of new and the rehabilitation of

existing infrastructure.

• Improving and developing infrastructure conducive to economic

development – e.g. distribution and transportation infrastructure,

agricultural infrastructure, water and electricity infrastructure,

market and storage infrastructure, retail infrastructure, and

telecommunications infrastructure.





9

• Improving and developing infrastructure conducive to social

development – e.g. sanitation infrastructure, health

infrastructure, sports and recreation infrastructure, and

educational infrastructure (especially ABET centres).

� Land Reform

• Promoting restitution, tenure reform, and redistribution in a

sustainable manner.

• Increased access to land by previously disadvantaged people.

• Establishing Agri-villages for local economic development on

farms.

• Up-to-date information pertaining to land claims.

• Providing reliable and efficient property (deeds) registration

systems.

• Contributing to economic growth and housing development by

providing government and private agents with essential land

information in order to engage in planning as well as economic

transactions.

• Providing spatial planning information and services to local

municipalities and other public or private institutions that may

require these services for development purposes.

5. Synthesis: Spatial Planning Principles for Rural Development

5.1 Over-Arching Philosophy

Considering the picture painted by the preceding sections, as well as the opinion

of Ljung and Tannerfeldt (2006) that rural development is not only important for

the future well-being of large groups of people, but also critical in ensuring

sustainable urbanisation, it becomes clear that there is a dire need to resuscitate

rural economies and advance the cause of rural areas as potential engines of

economic growth that would contribute towards their own development and the

broader national development agenda.

In addition to existing policy directives, all of the proposed (macro) spatial

concepts / principles to follow are based on the general dynamics of growth in

rural areas which is understood in terms of sources of growth and linkages

that spread and multiply the initial impulse. As such, the proposed responses

fundamentally seek to facilitate the protection of resources, establishing focal

points with critical mass, and creating and supporting the necessary spatial

linkages to facilitate the optimal spreading and multiplication of economic activity

generated, and infrastructure investment made by government.

Ultimately, the proposed spatial concepts thus seek to support sustainable rural

development which, from a spatial perspective, is seen as the process of

“creating critical mass around existing or new foca l point(s) in strategically

well-located and connected area(s) via the use of l ocal competitive

advantages, resources and opportunities to enable t he sustainable

provision of bulk, community and social services an d infrastructure”.





10

Notably, the spatial concepts proposed to affect this spatial perspective on rural

development supports, enables and presents a means with which t o

implement the three critical objectives of the CRDP ’s rural development

component, namely improved economic infrastructure; improved social

infrastructure; and public amenities and facilities .

5.2 Broad Spatial Model and Principle s

5.2.1 Spatial Model

The proposed spatial principles combine to form a schematic spatial model with

which to achieve the sustainable social and economic integration and

development of a specific geographic area’s rural and urban environments (see

Figure 1 ).

It is the premise of the proposed model and associated spatial responses /

principles that neither rural development, nor urban development can take place

in isolation from one another, and hence should be viewed as one integrated

model. By following a balanced approach to rural development, the model (see

Figure 1) encourages a symbiotic relationship between urban and rural areas.

The proposed spatial principles and resultant model which translates

government policy directives and international best-practices on rural

development, can be described as being characterised by a settlement pattern

comprising a number of large and medium-sized urban growth cen tres,

connected via corridors of continuous or intermitte nt nodal development .

The supporting rural landscape is characterised by a li mited number of

strategically located rural service nodes, connecte d to one another and

urban growth centres via strategic rural road and r ail linkages . Importantly,

rural service centres are selected based on their a bility to sustain

surrounding rural areas, as well as their ability t o facilitate the

consolidation of a dispersed rural settlement patte rn , which often

characterise the spatial landscape of provinces such as Mpumalanga

Investment spending by government within the model is informed by both

the existing or latent economic development potenti al of an area (mostly

resource based – e.g. agriculture), as well as the relative need of an area .

Rural and urban areas with economic development potential become th e

primary focus for the provision of intensive econom ic, municipal and

transportation infrastructure needed to successfully facilitate the exploitation of

the competitive advantages of these areas. Government spending within

isolated rural areas is directed at projects and programmes that aim at

providing a platform for the development of sustain able rural communities

– e.g. the provision of bulk, social and community infrastructure around

strategically identified service centres, and the n ecessary basic

transportation infrastructure needed to link such s ervice centres to one

another, and to the urban centres .

Notably, the proposed spatial responses / principles and resultant model is

currently being put-forward by the National Transportation Master Plan

(NATMAP) as the best means to achieve balanced spending on rural and urban

development.





11

5.2.2 Proposed General Principles for Affecting Rur al Development

� General Principle 1: Settlement and investment shou ld be

encouraged in areas with high development and econo mic growth

potential.

Infrastructure is necessary to enable economic growth and economic

growth is a prerequisite for the achievement of other policy objectives,

such as poverty eradication and equitable development. However, to

achieve sustainability it is advocated that intensive infrastructure

investment should preferably be concentrated in areas of high

development potential or economic growth potential. This is key in

achieving sustainable rural development in developing countries where

settlements are dispersed, and do not have sufficient economic

development potential to warrant the extensive provision of infrastructure

development to all such settlements.

Importantly though, this does not imply that extensive infrastructure

provision should not take place in rural areas, but rather that

infrastructure development should firstly be focuss ed on those

rural settlements that do display economic potentia l. Specific

objectives relating to this proposal / principle include:

- Discourage a dispersed rural settlement pattern by directing

infrastructure development to selected rural growth areas;

- Strengthen the central place function of existing towns through

well-maintained transportation linkages;

- Enable the development of regional service centres in rural areas

through the development or upgrading of transportation linkages

to such centres and the use of clustering mechanisms such as

Thusong/ Multi-Purpose Community (Service) Centres (MPCCs).

- Encourage rural settlement consolidation through investment in

transportation and bulk services infrastructure in targeted areas;

- Use transportation infrastructure to open-up areas with

development potential; but to ensure environmental sustainability

only areas with sufficient water availability for settlement and

economic activity should be opened-up; and

- Unlock, and make available, well-located and serviced land

within existing towns and well-established service centres for

affordable housing and economic development via the provision

of appropriate infrastructure.

� General Principle 2: Settlements of exclusion shoul d be linked to

areas with economic opportunity.

Investment in economic infrastructure must not only address the basic

needs of people, but should also create an environment that is conducive

for income generating activities and productive employment. To achieve

this, areas of exclusion (and especially rural areas) sho uld be linked

to growth centres , rather than investing heavily in areas with limited

economic growth potential. Growth centres can be towns or

settlement within rural areas that show high levels of economic

development potential . Specific objectives relating to this principle

include:





12

- Link rural settlements that have high population concentrations to

towns or areas that contain economic opportunities; and

- Use transportation corridors to link towns and settlements to

metropolitan areas.

� General Principle 3: Promote the development of a f unctional and

integrated rural settlement pattern.

The integration of settlement development and areas of economic

opportunity and potential requires focusing future settlement and

economic development activities into activity corri dors and nodes

that are linked to main growth centres. This is of paramount

importance in vast rural areas . Such corridors should be designed to

encourage growth within the key economic sectors and natural resources

endowments that are found along those corridors – i.e. be based on local

competitive advantages. Specific objectives relating to this principle

include:

- Discourage urban / settlement sprawl through the sensible

location of new transportation and other municipal infrastructure

within corridors and at nodal points;

- Establish a network of corridors containing combined road and

rail transport infrastructure where possible;

- Functionally integrate fragmented rural areas through strategic

transportation infrastructure development that is conducive to

nodal development – i.e. Ensure that land development is

concentrated in and around transport corridors, and that

corridors are orientated towards providing sustainable rail

transport rather than road-based transport modes (e.g. the

Moloto Rail Corridor Initiative);

- Ensure the development of compact, mixed land use, diverse,

life-enhancing environments; and

- Ensure that low-income housing is provided in close proximity to

areas of opportunity.

� General Principle 4: Growth and development should be socially

and environmentally sustainable.

Economic growth and development in rural areas cannot be sustained

over the long-term if it is not done with due consideration to social and

environmental sustainability features . This includes the conservation of

natural resources , such as high-potential agricultural soils and

ecologically sensitive areas, the sensible management of mineral

resources , and providing social and community infrastructure in an

effective and responsible manner. Specific objectives relating to this

principle include:

- Discourage development on valuable agricultural land and in

areas of natural beauty through the sensible location of new bulk

municipal and transportation infrastructure;

- Protect and provide access to areas of natural beauty;





13

- Protect valuable natural resources from both intra- and inter-

competing land uses by clearly delineating specific development

areas for each land use;

- The provision of social, community and educational services in a

purposeful and financially sustainable manner through adopting

a nodal approach in order to support social and productive

investment in a concentrated locality – i.e. spreading public

infrastructure investment across rural areas in a sustainable

manner via the use of Thusong/Multi-Purpose Community

(Service) Centres (MPCCs); and

- Increased access to land, especially by previously

disadvantaged people, via restitution, tenure reform, and

redistribution.

� General Principle 5: Key rural areas should be deve loped into

sustainable economic entities.

Emphasis must be placed on facilitating the change of key rural areas

and settlements into sustainable economic entities . This requires

focussed development or spatial targeting, where resources are directed

to strategically selected areas and nodes in response to development

opportunities that are unique to that area or node . In other words,

certain rural areas may have comparative and competitive advantages

that can compete on a national and international level.

Key to such an initiative is selecting programmes that reflect the diversity

and uniqueness of rural communities, specifically in the agricultural,

forestry, mining and tourism industries. These primary economic sectors

are essential to the livelihood of rural areas. Hence, the presence or

lack of these sectors largely determines the econom ic development

potential of a rural area . Specific objectives relating to the unlocking of

this principle includes:

Agriculture

- Link and facilitate the transportation of agricultural products to

international market;

- Exploit opportunities to better utilize areas with agricultural

potential through infrastructure development – e.g. the

establishment of Agri-hubs, dams, irrigation schemes, water and

sanitation infrastructure;

- Enable subsistence agriculture to enter commercial markets

through infrastructure development;

- Upgrade access roads to irrigation schemes that have potential

for expansion; and

- Establish good transport linkages between agricultural areas,

agro-processing plants and local markets.

Mining

- Provide infrastructure to optimise economic benefits derived from

mining activity

- Put in place environmental management systems to protect other

natural resources (water, ecosystems, agricultural land) from

adverse effects of mining.





14

Forestry

- Unlock the potential of forestry by improving and constructing

access roads to woodlots and supportive economic

infrastructure.

Tourism

- Align tourism routes with the key tourist attractions and rural

villages / settlements; and

- Provide access infrastructure to unlock the development

potential of untapped tourist resources.

5.3 Key Principles

The aforementioned general spatial principles make use of several critical

elements (key principles) which are deemed as essential to affecting sustainable

(integrated) rural development. This is in line with the Rehovot Approach to rural

development which states that a “comprehensive approach to rural development

must at least aim at concrete and practical answers to basic elements which can

jointly lead to a meaningful system which can be implemented” (Viljoen, 2009).

These key principles are briefly expounded in the sections to follow.

5.3.1 Key Principle 1: Creating a Hierarchy of Func tional Towns and

Settlements

According to the Rehovot Approach, a system of rural towns based on a

hierarchy of functions is necessary to increase the rate of such

development. Without such a system it is almost imp ossible to establish

the supporting services and industrial infrastructu re needed for natural

resource development such as agricultural, mining a nd tourism

development within rural areas (Viljoen, 2009) – thus the need to create a

functional hierarchy of towns and settlements, especially in areas characterised

by vast rural expanses.

According to the Rehovot Approach, rural towns fulfil three primary functions of

the development process in developing countries, namely:

� They provide the basis for activating the supporting system necessary for

the transition from a farm with a closed economic structure to one able to

produce increasingly large varieties and quantities of produce for the

market.

� Comprehensive rural development depends upon the expertise and

energy of professional workers and entrepreneurs, such as planners,

agricultural instructors, engineers, technicians, as well as teachers and

doctors. Since these people are usually not prepared to live in the village

areas, they require an urban centre where they can find acceptable

services and amenities.

� Rural towns can serve as an appropriate location for industries required

for the development of rural regions. Less capital-intensive industries do

not have to be located in the large metropolitan areas and cities. They

can be dispersed throughout the rural areas and centred in rural towns,

where they can contribute to the development of the interrelations

between agriculture and industry (Viljoen, 2009).





15

Notably, according to all literature consulted on rural development, whilst playing

a critical part, rural development cannot focus solely on agriculture. Rural

development will not succeed in the absence of economic growth, and non-

agriculture sectors must develop sufficiently to absorb the excess of man power,

which requires the secondary and tertiary sectors to develop simultaneously with

agriculture (Viljoen, 2009) – i.e. sustainable rural development requires a

concomitant development of secondary and tertiary sectors.

Thus (integrated) rural development requires the need for the development of a

hierarchy of towns and settlements, featuring speci alised nodes / clusters

based on a careful appraisal of the growth potentia l of different areas

(Viljoen, 2009). Hence, the inherent macro-economic development potential of a

vast rural area should be systematically unlocked via the concentrated

development of industry-specific Special Economic Zones / Clusters / Nodes

around existing towns and strategically identified new economic growth areas.

Cluster categories seen as critical to rural development include agriculture,

mining and forestry, tourism and general industry.

Based on this approach, the economic importance of exiting towns requires them

to be the primary focus areas for more intensive infrastructure development and

spending. As such, all local, provincial and national service providers should align

their service delivery programmes and projects in line with the proposed

hierarchy of towns and settlements (service centres) of a municipality. Such

alignment could be achieved via IDP Technical Committees and Representative

Forums.

The following hierarchy of service centres are proposed to affect sustainable rural

development:

� Primary or First Order Service Centres – these comprise the main

formal towns found within a municipal area, offering the highest order

and widest range of goods and services to other smaller towns and

settlements. The economic function of these should be enhanced by the

provision of intensive and specialised infrastructure to promote

specialised cluster development in line with local competitive

advantageous.

� Secondary or Second Order Service Centres – a distinction can be

made between the existing and evolving centres. Existing centres fulfil

the function of a central place to the surrounding rural areas and small

villages. The prominence of these centres should be protected and

enhanced through service maintenance and upgrading. Evolving centres

/ new economic growth areas should be stimulated through the provision

of basic services infrastructure, and where deemed desirable and

economically feasible through the provision of specialised infrastructure –

e.g. the Moloto Rail Corridor.

� Tertiary or Third Order Service Centres – provide basic services to

nearby farming and mining communities. Service maintenance should be

the focus of government spending to ensure that the local economy and

functionality of these centres are sustained.





16

� Fourth Order Service Centres – these represent the lowest order of

service centres and are seen as crucial to sustainable and equitable rural

development (Refer to Section 5.3.2. below).

5.3.2 Key Principle 2: Ensure equitable access to s ocial infrastructure

and the promotion of local economic development by way of

Thusong/Multi Purpose Community Centres (MPCCs) and Agri-

Villages

Literature on rural development suggests that sustainable rural development is

dependant on urban decentralization to some extent in order to facilitate the

provision of the necessary support services and infrastructure needed for the

increased exploitation of latent natural resource potential. However, this does not

imply that traditional “urban services and infrastructure” should be rolled-out

across entire municipal areas, but rather that the reach of such services should

be extended via the establishment of a hierarchy of decentralised towns and

settlements.

Inherently, apart from facilitating the provision of economic, social and services

infrastructure, such a hierarchy aims at systematically unlocking the inherent

macro-economic development potential of a vast rural area – especially when

such a hierarchy is strengthened by the development of Special Economic Zones

/ Clusters / Nodes around existing towns, settlements and strategically located

new economic growth areas.

To extend the reach of basic service delivery even further in a sustainable

manner, the proposed hierarchy of towns and settlements with which to affect

sustainable and integrated rural development delineates a fourth order of service

centres. Significantly, as with the higher order service centres, the purpose of

these service centres is threefold. Firstly, they represent a geographic area

within which, and around which, to focus government spending on basic

(and where deemed appropriate) advanced infrastructure delivery (e.g. ICT

infrastructure) and the provision of social and community services and

infrastructure. Secondly, through channelling and focusing govern ment

investment spending, such centres strive to create local markets of critical

mass and to essentially function as market contact points for local

entrepreneurs. Thirdly, they support the over-all objective of systematically

unlocking the macro-economic development potential of vast rural areas,

by focusing on the systematic unlocking of localise d economic

development potential .

To systematically unlock localised development potential, the fourth order service

centres should, where appropriate and as in the case of larger centres, adopt a

philosophy of specialisation. Specialisation implies that, based on a careful

appraisal of the growth potential of different area s, fourth order service

centres should comprise a mix of general and specia lised centres.

Importantly, rural service centres should also be selected based on their

ability to sustain surrounding rural areas, as well as their ability to facilitate

the consolidation of a dispersed rural settlement p attern .

In the context of a developing country, and as a first step, the general service

centres are envisioned as constituting Thusong/Mult i-Purpose Community

(Service) Centres (MPCCs) , and the specialised centres as Agri-Villages .

The focus on the establishment of specialised centres in the form of Agri-Villages

in appropriate locations will specifically help to facilitate agrarian transformation





17

Creating Favourable Locational Factors

•Investing in physical infrastructure.

•Investing in soft infrastructure (workforce development, education, efficiency of local administration).

•Targeting particular parts of the city for regeneration or growth.

Better Use Of Locally Available Resources

•Coaching of entrepreneurs by experienced business people.

•Draw on natural, economic, political , and social resources.

Making Local Markets Work Better

•Attracting internal and external investment.

•Creating a friendly local investment climate.

Promoting Existing & New Business

•Supporting the growth of particular clusters of business.

•Supporting informal and newly emerging businesses.

•Encouraging the formation of new enterprises.

Source: Adapted from (Meyer-Stamer, 2003: 03) and www.worldbank.org

and land reform as envisioned by the CRDP. Notably, such villages also aim at

promoting food security.

Whilst differing slightly in land use composition in order to specifically target a

certain sector (e.g. agriculture) in some locations, the overall-role or function of

both MPCCs and Agri-villages remain the same – a one-stop, integrated

community development centre with its key purpose b eing the

enhancement of rural community participation throug h access to

information, services and resources from government and non-government

agencies . As such, these centres should function as localised geographic points

within which, and around which to focus the provision of retail and informal trade

opportunities, residential uses, municipal commonage and LED initiatives.

Notably, the establishment of MPCCs and Agri-Villages has the potential to

spatially address and satisfy the four factors deemed critical for rural

development by inter-alia the World Bank and Meyer-Stamer (2003) (see

Diagram 1 ).

Diagram 1: Factors Critical to Rural Development

The key to the success of MPCCs and Agri-Village development is rooted in the

principle of focused and deliberate government investment spending to ensure

that these centres develop to provide an extensive range of community facilities,

and in the case of Agri-Village, becoming the spatial focal points of agriculturally

driven LED interventions and land reform initiatives. By doing so, MPCCs and

Agri-Villages possess the inherent potential to act as spatial points within a larger

space-economy around which the critical mass required to initiate formal and

informal local economic development can occur.





18

A key benefit derived from MPCC and Agri-Village development is that it

becomes more cost efficient to provide the full range of engineering services to

these rural points as these are utilised for a number of purposes including

economic, social, as well as residential development. Thus, by being conducive

to focused rural infrastructure spending (a requirement of the ISRDS), the

collective benefits derived from investments made by various spheres of

government far out-weigh the individual contributions made. Furthermore, the

development of MPCCs and Agri-Villages requires inter-governmental co-

operation, which is seen as critical to promoting sustainable and integrated rural

development by the ISRDS and CRDP.

Thusong Centre/MPCCs Development

The development of a Thusong Centre/ MPCC takes place over time and is

based on an incremental growth process guided and stimulated by a number of



development activity. The ultimate goal is the establishment of a sustainable

rural activity node, comprising a number of communi ty facilities and

services, and which is supplemented by a range of e conomic activities

located in close proximity. Over time, such a nodal point then not only serves

the local residential development in close proximity to the node, but the

surrounding rural communities from as far as 15 to 20 kilometres away. In this

way it becomes possible to sustain a number of economic activities and even to

establish a fresh produce market which could act as a stimulus for the production

of surplus agricultural products in the surrounding rural communities and Agri-

Villages. In this way rural-urban linkages (interaction/integration) are established.

The development process is initiated by identifying an appropriate location for the

development of a Thusong Centre/MPCC. An ideal location would be one that

features good local and regional accessibility –e.g. in close proximity to the

intersection of two prominent route crossings (see Figure 2 ). The first step in the

physical development of a MPCC could be the establishment of a community

hall. The community hall can be utilised for a variety of functions, including

serving as a pension payout point by the end of the month; accommodating the

mobile clinic once a week or whatever the frequency is; accommodating

community meetings; serving as an adult basic education and training centre

during certain times of the week; etc.

Because of the location and concentration of people at the community hall during

the week, a bus or taxi rank may establish because people are being picked up

and dropped off at the facility. The natural concentration of people then leads to

the establishment of a small informal market close to the bus or taxi rank at the

community hall as depicted on Figure 2.

As the MPCC then develops further over time, it may establish a more permanent

clinic in a separate building from the community hall, and later on a number of

additional community facilities may be added by various spheres of government

as illustrated on Figure 2. This could include a post office, a library, police station

with an associated magistrates court, as well as a municipal pay point or

municipal satellite offices.

As the number of social facilities and services being concentrated at the nodal

point increases, the number of people visiting the area on a day-to-day basis

increases simultaneously. With the increased intensity of activity and number of





19

visitors, the informal market can then translate into some formal retail activities as

well (see Figure 2).

The people working as officials in the various community facilities and services as

illustrated on Figure 2, will require residential accommodation in close proximity

to the node. For this purpose it is then important for government to add the

subsidised housing components which may be either in the form of rental stock

(social housing/flats), and/or RDP units in close proximity to the node (see Figure

2). The concentration of housing stock at the nodal point brings more people

closer to the node which not only enhances the utilisation and viability of the

community facilities at the node, but also strengthens the capacity for local

economic development as it increases the “critical mass” required.

Associated with the residential development follows the establishment of

educational facilities like a primary school, sports fields and even a crèche which

could be located close to the MPCC as illustrated on Figure 2.

Over a period of time this node can then expand incrementally, and as more

functions and associated residential activities are added, it may eventually also

accommodate a fresh produce market, agro-industries and even some

commercial activities like hardware stores etc.

Agri-Village Development

As with an MPCC, the development of an Agri-Village takes place over time and

is based on an incremental growth process guided and stimulated by a number of



development activity.

The land use composition of the Agri-Village is generally seen as being the same

as that of a MPCC, except that Agri-Villages, provided their location within areas

displaying potential for both commercial and subsistence agricultural

development, become the spatial focal points of agriculturally driven LED

interventions (e.g. tunnel production) and land reform initiatives. As such, Agri-

Villages should become the primary focus points around which to promote small-

farm development and communal grazing practices (as illustrated by Figure 3 )

via a land reform process comprising land tenure reform and redistribution.

5.3.3 Key Principle 3: Developing and Maintaining S trategic Internal- and

External- Linkages

It is argued that sustainable rural development requires urban decentralisation to

occur in the form of, and by means of establishing a hierarchy of towns and

settlements (service Centres) in order to systematically unlock the micro- and

macro-economic development potential of vast geographic areas (Viljoen, 2009).

Key to the successful functioning of such a hierarchy of settlements is the

establishment of effective internal and external transport linkages. Provided

resource constraints and in order to promote sustainability, the focus of such

linkages should be on the development, upgrading and maintenance of strategic

road and rail linkages that serve to:

� Directly link identified economic activity centres / service nodes to

one another;





20

� Directly link identified rural settlements of exclu sion with high

population concentration to towns or areas that contain economic

opportunities; and

� Directly link identified main growth centres to met ropolitan areas.

Importantly, to support the development of a functional hierarchy of towns and

settlements and to effectively and sustainably integrate widely dispersed rural

settlements, the internal and external transportation linkages r equired to

establish such a hierarchy, should be used as spati al structuring elements

along which to consolidate all future physical deve lopment(s) within rural

areas – i.e. future settlement and economic development activities should be

encouraged along activity corridors and nodes that are linked to main growth

centres.

Notably, to systematically unlock the micro- and macro-economic development

potential of rural areas, activity and development corridors, like towns,

should seek to encourage growth and development wit hin the key

economic sectors and natural resources endowments f ound along such

corridors . Economic sectors seen as critical to rural corridor development

include agriculture, mining and forestry, tourism and general industry. Specific

objectives relating to corridor development include:

� Discouraging urban / settlement sprawl through the sensible location of

new transportation and other municipal infrastructure within corridors and

at nodal points;

� Ensuring that land development is concentrated in and around transport

corridors, and that corridors are orientated towards providing sustainable

rail transport rather than road-based transport modes (e.g. the Moloto

Rail Corridor Initiative) where possible;

� Ensuring that identified nodal and corridor development areas become

the focus areas for the provision of subsidised services and low-income

opportunities.

It should be noted though, that corridor development occurs over a long period of

time, and is dependant on the development of strong activity nodes at first. A

combination of key elements should ideally be present to give rise to efficient

corridor development. These include inter alia:

� Propensity for development which holds that there must be a natural

tendency for development to occur along / within the corridor.

� Densities and continuity which holds that apart from existing high density

developments, an area should ideally display clear potential for high

density development, both in terms of residential and business activity.

� Connection between major nodes and economic logic which holds that a

road earmarked to function as a development corridor should provide a

connection between major nodes and essentially function as a desire line

between forces and points of attraction.

� Significant land uses which holds that the existence of significant land

uses should ideally already be present along the corridor or at focal

points.





21

� Existence of multi-modal transportation which holds that both road and

rail transport should ideally be available in support of one another along a

corridor.

5.3.4 Key Principle 4: Natural Resource Development and Protection

Areas

As mentioned, economic growth and development in rural areas cannot be

sustained over the long-term if it is not done in a socially and environmentally

sustainable manner. This includes the conservation of natural resources , such

as high-potential agricultural soils and ecologically sensitive area , the

sensible management of mineral resources , and providing social,

community and economic infrastructure in an effecti ve and responsible

manner via the establishment of a functional hierarchy of town and settlements

(service centres).

Hence, to ensure that economic growth and development in rural areas takes

place in a socially and environmentally sustainable and equitable manner

requires the delineation of soft and responsive spatial boundari es to better

manage and prevent counter productive land use conf licts from occurring ,

and to create spatial opportunities for the rural poor to partake in the

benefits to be derived from available natural resou rces within a specific

geographic area . To do so, the following soft and responsive natural resource

land use zones / areas could be incorporated and implemented by municipalities

as structuring elements when formulating SDFs in order to better affect rural

development:

� Biodiversity Management Zones, Ecological Corridors , and

Biodiversity & Cultural Heritage Conservation Nodes . Within these

environmental heritage and conservation areas, biodiversity hotspots and

ecologically sensitive areas should be actively protected, managed and

enhanced, so as to ensure that they are not degraded by mining,

forestry, agricultural and human settlement activities. Importantly though,

to ensure that one land use does not dominate other uses to the

detriment of the local and regional economy, tourism related activities

should be allowed to take place within proposed Biodiversity

Management Zones, midst all necessary environmental procedures have

been complied with.

� Tourism nodes, areas and corridors . These spatial areas should be

created so as to utilise existing natural and cultural-historic capital to

facilitate the diversification of local economies, which is seen as a crucial

element of rural development by both existing local policy directives and

international best-practices.

� Mining, commercial agricultural and forestry areas . The economic

sectors represented by these three activities are pivotal to rural

development. Consequently, areas displaying potential for mining,

agriculture and forestry activities need to be optimally and equally

exploited by mitigating intra-land use conflicts by means of

concentrating and consolidating activities within i dentified high-

potential areas . For example, by consolidating mining activity within a

mining belt (a linear area of continuous “high-potential” areas), the

natural environmental assets on which a municipality’s tourism and





22

agricultural sectors depend, will be protected from extensive

environmental degradation. Furthermore, by consolidating mining activity

in such a belt, the development of multiple new isolated settlements is

prevented. Hence, the purposeful consolidation of resource activities

within high-potential areas is conducive to more effective settlement

planning within rural areas.

� Area Based Planning (ABP) areas . As noted by literature concerning

rural development, subsistence and small-scale farming has a

particularly important role to play in ensuring food security and

sustainable livelihoods. Small-scale farmers for example can contribute

towards poverty alleviation by providing employment opportunities to

isolated rural populations.

Hence, to facilitate small-scale and subsistence farming activities

throughout rural areas, Agri-Villages should be used as spatial focal

points around which to establish ABP areas , as envisioned by the

former Department of Land Affairs (DLA). The delineation of such areas

will not only help to create spatial opportunities for the rural poor to

partake in the benefits to be derived from available natural resources

such as agriculture land, but will also protect subsistence farming

activities from encroaching land uses.

Notably, the establishment of ABPs for subsistence and small-farming

purposes are consistent with the principles of the ISRDS and CRD P

which requires agrarian and land reform . Importantly though, the

successful establishment and long-term sustainability of ABPs will

necessitate that local communities are sufficiently capacitated by way of

skills development and equipment. Agri-Villages and ABPs should

become the spatial focus points for agricultural-based LED initiatives

such as tunnel production units. Tunnel production units have been

identified as major contributors to the development of rural economies,

especially when linked to urban economic activities such as mines

(D’Haese and Kirsten, 2006).

5.3.5 Key Principle 5: Promoting Sustainable Land R eform & Security of

Tenure via Agri-Villages and ABPs

According to D’Haese and Kirsten (2006), land reform is an essential component

of rural development. Greater reliance on small-farm production offers an

opportunity for achieving gains in terms of social justice, employment and

agricultural production. The central and exclusive ingredient in this strategy is a

land reform process. Such a process should deal with (a) land redistribution to

rectify the skewed distribution of ownership betwee n large farmers and

small-farmers , and (b) the reform of customary tenure (communal land) in

such a way as to ensure its efficient and equitable use . Land Reform is also

seen as a critical part of rural development by both the ISRDS and the CRDP.

Significantly, the establishment of Agri-Villages and the associated delineation of

ABPs can potentially satisfy all requirements deemed central to land reform and

rural development as contemplated in the ISRDS and CRDP. This is achieved as

follow:

• Agri-Villages: Provide municipalities with a spatial structuring element /

rationale around which to sustainably cater for the basic needs of rural





23

populations – i.e. the provision of water, sanitation, electricity, community

facilities, housing, etc. – residing within areas displaying agricultural

potential.

• Area Based Planning (ABP) areas: The delineation of ABPs around Agri-

Villages has the potential to pick-up the pace of land redistribution and

tenure reform, as such areas can create the necessary physical spaces

within agricultural areas within which to:

- Prioitise/Affect the redistribution and reform of agricultural land

ownership via the provision of title deeds to small -farmers and

village residents, and the implementation of the Communal Land

Rights Act (CLaRA), 2004, on communal (grazing) areas (refer to

Figure 3).

Importantly, the successful delineation and establishment of ABPs will require the

formulation and review of statutory land use mechanisms such as zoning

schemes, to ensure that ABPs are recognised as an official development

precinct/land use category / right within a municipalities’ jurisdictional areas, and

not simply remain spatial proposals pertaining to rural development on a SDFs.

6. Conclusion

Notably, the proposed practical (macro) spatial planning principles for

municipalities not only respond to existing policy directives relating to rural

development, and specifically those delineated by the rural development

component of the CRDP (see Figure 4 ), but also go a long way in creating a

spatio-economic environment necessary to implement the rural dimensions and

associated intervention areas delineated by the Multi-Dimensional Poverty

Assessment Tool (MPAT)4 in a sustainable manner (see Figure 5 ).

As such, it is believed that the implementation of aforementioned (macro) spatial

planning responses / principles by municipalities when conducting spatial

planning exercises can assist municipalities practically and in part, to respond to

the renewed call for sustainable integrated rural development, which among

other seeks to:

� Fast-track delivery of infrastructure and targeted rural infrastructure;

� Fast-track delivery of social and basic services;

� Reduce distances between areas where communities reside and

administrative and economic centres; and

� Promote land reform and food production.

4 Essentially, the MPAT is a newly developed, multi-purpose tool that can be used to assess and

support rural poverty alleviation efforts in developing countries. MPAT takes a step back from

assessment methods that are focused on economic- and consumption-oriented indicators and strives

to provide an overview of the ten (10) fundamental and relatively universal dimensions of rural

livelihoods and rural life, and thus of rural poverty. (IFAD, 2010).





24

7. References

CRDP. (2009). The Comprehensive Rural Development Programme Framework.

Ministry of Rural Development and Land Reform. South Africa.

D’Haese, L. and Kirsten, J. (2006). Rural Development: Focusing on Small Scale

Agriculture in Southern Africa. University of Pretoria. South Africa.

IBHONGO, 2010. An Agri-Village Layout. www.ibhongo.co.za

IFAD, 2010. Introducing the Multidimensional Poverty Assessment Tool (MPAT):

A New Framework for Measuring Rural Poverty. Rome. Italy

Ljung, P. and Tannerfeldt, G. (2006). More Urban, Less Poor. Earthscan.

London. United Kingdom.

Meyer-Stamer, J. (2003). Why is Local Economic Development so difficult, and

what can we do to make it more effective? Mesopartner working paper 04/2003.

Rauch, T; Bartels, M. and Engel, A. (2001). Regional Rural Development: A

Regional Response to Rural Poverty. Universum Verlgsanstalt, Wiesbaden,

Germany.

Viljoen, D.J. (2009). A Comprehensive Plan for Rural Development. University of

Pretoria. South Africa.

7a

16

18

1

SOUTH

AFRICA

THE 26 FUNCTIONAL

URBAN AREAS AS IDENTIFIED

BY THE NSDP

2

DELMAS

STEVE TSHW ETE

EMALAHLENI

Dr J.S.MOROKA

THEMBISILE

EMAKHAZENI

NATIONAL TRANSPORT MASTER PLAN 2 0 0 5 – 2 0 5 0 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT PHASE 1: INVENTORY

2

SOUTH AFRICA

CONCENTRATION OF

PEOPLE UNDER

MINIMUM LIVING

LEVEL (MIL) 2004

DELMAS

STEVE TSHW ETE

EMALAHLENI

Dr J.S.MOROKA

THEMBISILE

EMAKHAZENI

NATIONAL TRANSPORT MASTER PLAN 2 0 0 5 – 2 0 5 0 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT PHASE 1: INVENTORY

33

Concentration Area Types: DC 31 – Nkangala District Municipality

4Ga-Nala

4a

RIDS – Core Regions & Spatial Economic Linkages

4b

RIDS – Sector-Specific Districts with Significant Inherent Potential

5

6

Schematic Representation of National, Provincial and Local

Government Policy Directives

7b

MIDDELBURG TOWN

7c

7d

7e

7f

7g

7h

7i

LESEDI

7j

7k

7l

7m

7n

8

MIDDELBURG

9

MIDDELBURG

10

11

NKANGALA

DISTRICT MUNICIPALITYBIODIVERSITY ASSESSMENT

12

EmgwenyaeNtokozweni

eMakhazeni

Emalahleni LM

Victor Khanye LM

Steve Tshwete LM

Thembisile LM

Dr. J.S. Moroka LM

Emakhazeni LM

eMalahleni City

Middelburg

Delmas

1213a

FIGURE 2b

13b

FIGURE 3a

14a

14b

15

To Durban

N17 / N

3

OORNKODP

17

MIDDELBURG

17a

MIDDELBURG

17b

stlm.gov.zastlm.gov.za/sdf/sdf_2010_draft.pdfnkangala district municipality sdf nkangala district...

Documents