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

Northern Cape PSDF
Volume 2
December 2011
landscape. Well‐known settlements include Kuruman, Van Zylsrus, and
Postmansburg, and the other smaller settlements were largely established where
mineral deposits occur.
Green Kalahari:
The Green Kalahari is a region of dramatic contrasts, where semi‐desert dunes meet
with vineyards and other cultivated farmlands. A flourishing green valley associated
with the Orange River cuts through the Province. Settlements in this region include
Kakamas, Kanoneiland, Keimoes, Kenhardt, Upington etc. The Augrabies Falls
National Park and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park are two of the main natural
resources of this region.
Karoo
Approximately 250 million years ago the Karoo was an inland lake fringed by cycads
and roamed by mammalian reptiles. Today, it is a geological wonderland with
fossilised prints of dinosaurs and other fossils. It is one of the largest wool and
mutton producing regions in South Africa. Important settlements are Colesberg, De
Aar, Hopetown, Marydale and Prieska, etc. The Karoo includes broad sub‐regions
such as the Hantam, Roggeveld and Boesmanland.
Namaqualand
This region extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to roughly Pofadder in the
east, up to the Orange River in the north, and beyond Bitterfontein in the south. It
includes the coastline, Richtersveld in the north, Knersvlakte in the south, and a
portion of the Boesmanland in the east. The primary settlements include Alexander
Bay, Garies, Kamieskroon, Nababeep, Port Nolloth, Springbok and Steinkopf.
Prominent conservation areas include the Richtersveld National Park, Namaqua
National Park and Goegap Nature Reserve.
BOX 1
SUMMARY OF KEY CONTEXTUAL ASPECTS
a) Align PSDF with development directives and objectives of adjoining countries and provinces.
b) Consider traditional parameters as a key criterion in the demarcation of municipal boundaries.
c) Enhance management of Kgalagadi and Richtersveld Transfrontier Conservation Areas.
d) Include municipalities in formulation and establishment of cross-border agreements (currently
primarily the function of national government).
e) Interrogate boundaries of John Gaetsewe District Municipality against inter alia traditional
domain parameters.
f) Interrogate efficiency of cross-border arrangements with Namibia with specific reference to
the Noord-Oewer / Vioolsdrift irrigation scheme, cross-frontier conservation schemes, and
cross-frontier economic schemes such as the proposed film industry.
g) Interrogate the delineation of the provincial, district, municipal and ward boundaries.
h) Provide appropriate spatial context and orientation for the Northern Cape in terms of
international agreements, protocols and conventions.
i) Strengthen historical binds between the Karas Region of Namibia and the Northern Cape
Province - aspects identified for further action are (i) the education and training sector, with
the focus on ensuring that best practice is shared in skills development for economic growth,
(ii) further development of the Nama language and culture, (iii) exchange of learners’ support
material and teacher development programs.
Office of the Premier &
Department of Rural Development & Land Reform
11
Dennis Moss Partnership