Towards a regional development strategy for Namaqualand

Initiated by the Second Carnegie Conference on Poverty in South Africa, this study analyses the causes and extent of underdevelopment and poverty in Namaqualand and outlines a possible approach to redress these problems. Namaqualand is shown to be a sparsely populated area, the physical characteristics of which are both a fundamental cause of underdevelopment and a constraint on future development. It is argued that competition for land and other resources is an important cause of poverty in the region. The processes by which the indigenous population was forced into uninhabitable areas, and mission stations were established to reserve land for local people, are traced. The contradictory role of missionaries is analysed as well as Government and other's efforts to coerce the region's inhabitants into wage labour. Relevant literature is reviewed to elucidate underdevelopment and the scope for future development. The conclusion drawn is that no body of theory adequately explains Namaqualand's underdevelopment or offers workable solutions. An eclectic approach is adopted. The present socio-economic characteristics of the population and the state of development in the major economic sectors are described. It is evident that there is little economic diversification. Namaqualand's inhabitants depend heavily on economic activities vulnerable to marked fluctuations. Employment opportunities are limited. Living standards are constrained by poor education, physical and social mobility. Current development projects and strategies are listed and analyzed. Initiatives taken by various development agents are found to have been retarded by the constraints already mentioned. It is concluded that they lack co-ordination and do not form part of a clearly formulated development strategy. A development proposal encompassing distinct strategies is presented. These are: (i) to enhance economic mobility (ii) to improve the quality of life (iii) to exploit development potential. The ways in which these strategies complement one another are outlined, and government's role emphasized. It is argued that efforts should be concentrated on activities in which Namaqualand appears to have a comparative advantage. The need for applied research into appropriate projects and techniques is stressed as is community involvement in all phases. Close co-operation between development agents is essential. Finally in an addendum some constraints and parallels between Namaqualand and some smaller black homelands in South Africa are drawn. Statutory influx control has not determined Namaqualand's low population mobility. Emigration is possible and should constitute a vital element of any development strategy for the region. The effect on the rest of South Africa would be negligible compared to the black homeland's surplus population. At the same time the need for local government initiatives and for the transfer of public resources into such regions is stressed.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

School of Economics

Year dc:date.issued

1986

Author dc:creator

• Dunne, Janeen Mary

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Wilson, Francis

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/15857

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/15857