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

4.5 Case study: Development profile of Springbok
Springbok provides a case study on the methodology that could be executed on any other
town or municipality in the province. The output in the form of tables, diagrams and maps for
all 115 towns in the province could be subjected to the same methodology should the need
arise. The town’s comprehensive development profile is presented for each of the nine
Indicator groups, as well as the Composite Indicators (refer back to Table 3.2), and presented
in a histogram (Figure 4.4). Each column represents the performance level a specific
development component in relation to the Northern Cape provincial average (zero-line).
Therefore these columns are an indication of each component’s relative position amongst the
115 towns in the province, and should not be interpreted in absolute terms.
At rank 4 on the overarching Development Potential scale (where position 1 represent the
best situation), Springbok is characterised by a High profile, well articulated for a favourable
development niche as a regional urban centre in the Western part of the Northern Cape and
Namaqualand. The main contributors to this general standing are Human Resources,
Institutional Services and Commercial Services (Figure 4.4): The town, therefore, scores very
good on Composite Resources, as well as Composite Infrastructure indices. Market Size and
Property Market display the weakest components in the town’s development profile and
should be investigated further in s follow-up study. (The definitions of the individual
indicators in Table 3.4 put these findings in perspective.)
The Human Needs index has a strong Low poverty level at rank 11 (rank 1 indicates the best
situation), implying that the quality of life in Springbok compares relatively favourable in
relation to the provincial average. When the town’s specific Development Potential index is
integrated with its Human Needs index, Springbok is a strong candidate for Infrastructure
Capital Investment, supplemented by Basic Services upliftment if needed.(as suggested by the
NSDP, 2006). This is because of the towns’ position in the High development potential and
Low human needs quadrant (Figure 3.8)
The town and municipality experience political and managerial stability, which should
enhance the endeavours of economic development and strengthen democracy through
community participation in a co-operative governance system. Being the head office seat of
the Namaqua District Municipality and the Nama Khoi Local Municipality, Springbok
functions as an administrative and regional service centre for the extensive Namaqualand in
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