Volume II - The Northern Cape Provincial Spatial Development ...

Northern Cape PSDF
Volume 2
December 2011
consolidation of the economic base in the relatively better off areas. It is important to note that
the HDI for the Northern Cape (0.55) is substantially below the South African figure of 0.72. From
the table above it is evident that the HDI of 0.55 displays a pattern of semi‐development, and
there is a definite inequality between the different population groups, with the Whites having a
higher development lifestyle than the African or Coloured groups.
E.2.1 POVERTY
Poverty is a key problem with a high number of households living below the poverty line. Poverty
cannot be measured by income alone nor can anti‐poverty measures only address income‐
enhancing measures. This necessitates a multi‐sectoral and an integrated approach (PGDS). The
strategy that has proved most effective in improving economic and social well‐being consists of
three elements, namely labour absorbing growth, equitable investment in education and health
care and social support for poor and vulnerable groups. Social welfare policies and programs must
be aimed at enabling the poor and vulnerable groups to break the cycle of poverty. Social and
economic development are two inter‐dependent and mutually reinforcing processes. Equitable
social development is the foundation of economic prosperity and economic growth is necessary
for social development. Without social investment, economic growth will be compromised. The
key challenges facing the social sector are to:
• Enhance social integration and protection of the most vulnerable; and
• Build a caring society through sustainable development.
According to Botes (2011) 21 , two of the most frequent ways of measuring poverty is to use:
• Poverty line which is the average sum of money that a household or individual needs to
survive.
• Poverty gap, which indicates how far a household or individual falls below the poverty line
The proportion of Northern Cape people living below the poverty line has declined from 40 % in
1995 to 27 % in 2011, while the poverty gap was 11 % in 1995, compared to eight % 2011. In this
regard, the province intend to halve poverty by 2015, the population living below the poverty line
must stand at 20%, which means that the province is left between 2011 and 2015 to reduce
poverty by 7 % (Botes, 2011).
Table E.12: Percentage of people of living in poverty in the Northern Cape (Source: Global Insight,
2009 as cited in the PGDS).
Region 1996 2009
Northern Cape 43.8% 42.8%
John Taolo Gaetsewe 62.5% 52.8%
Namaqua 32.7% 41.0%
Pixley ka Seme 49.6% 44.7%
Siyanda 40.5% 39.1%
Frances Baard 35.2% 39.5%
The table above illustrates that from 1996 to 2009, the percentage of people living in poverty only
decreased by 1% but people living in poverty is still at 42, 8% which is very high. Frances Baard
experienced an increase in poverty by approximately 4%. However, John Taolo Gaetsewe
21
Botes, A. 2011: Budget speech by MEC for Social Development by Alvin Botes. 5 April 2011.
http://www.info.gov.za/speech/DynamicAction?pageid=461&sid=17611&tid=31597
Office of the Premier &
Department of Rural Development & Land Reform
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Dennis Moss Partnership