Laingsburg an indepth look at the town

RAPID REVIEW OF DESIGNATED VULNERABLE AREAS IN THE WESTERN

CAPE PROVINCE

Chapter 2

Central Karoo: Laingsburg

Prepared by: Charles Wyeth and Alan Webb Prepared for: Provincial Administration: Western Cape, Department of Social

Services, Directorate: Poverty Alleviation

Date: 14 July 2002

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RAPID REVIEW OF DESIGNATED VULNERABLE AREAS IN THE WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE

Contact Persons:

Charles A Wyeth Strategic Innovation Group

CSIR Manufacturing and Materials Technology P.O Box 320 Stellenbosch

7599

Tel: +27 21 888 2400 Fax: + 27 21 888 2696

E-Mail: [email protected]

Alan Webb Enterprise Development Centre

CSIR Manufacturing and Materials Technology 15 Lower Hope Street

Rosebank 7700

Tel: +27 21 685 4309

Fax: + 27 21 689 1726 E-Mail: [email protected]



FOREWORD The CSIR is the premier technology and research organisation in Africa. It is committed to innovation, supporting sustainable development and economic growth and creating value for our clients, partners and stakeholders. As a national asset, the CSIR provides technology solutions and information to support sustainable development and economic growth in the context of national priorities. As a Knowledge Intensive Technology Organisation, the CSIR provides its services through multi –disciplinary project teams sourced from the CSIR's nine operating divisions, or from experts located in partner organisations. Our multi- disciplinary approach means that CSIR is able to address complex problems using the integration of the different skills and resources of our staff and partners, to provide solutions to complex, multi-faceted problems and other challenges. This report has been drafted by a core team of scientists, researchers and business development specialists, with additional inputs from the following persons: Core Team: Charles Wyeth CSIR – Innovation and Business Development Group (Manufacturing

and Materials Technology) Alan Webb CSIR – Enterprise Development Centre (Manufacturing and Materials

Technology) Bernadette Brown CSIR - Environmentek Sadi Luka CSIR – Technology for Development Dave Harcourt CSIR - Biochemtek Other Contributors: At Kruger CSIR – Environmentek Steve Button CSIR – Innovation and Business Development Group (Manufacturing

and Materials Technology) Andries Naude CSIR – Roads and Transport Technology Emma Maspero CSIR – Roads and Transport Technology Sekokoko Lekalakala CSIR – Enterprise Development Centre (Manufacturing and Materials

Technology) Godfrey Moses CSIR – Environmentek Esbeth van Dyk CSIR – Roads and Transport Technology Adrian Simmers CSIR – Environmentek Maryke Meerkotter University of the Western Cape Charlene Biggs University of the Western Cape The CSIR would also like to acknowledge the contribution of the survey staff who participated in the door-to-door Household Survey in each of the towns visited, particularly the individuals from those towns.



TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION 2. LAINGSBURG

2.1 BACKGROUND 2.2 BIOPHYSICAL FEATURES

2.2.1 Rainfall 2.2.2 Watersheds 2.2.3 Altitude 2.2.4 Soils 2.2.5 Vegetation

2.3 SOCIO – DEMOGRAPHIC FEATURES 2.3.1 Profile of the population 2.3.2 Health Status 2.3.3 Literacy Levels 2.3.4 Social Assistance and Welfare Grant Beneficiaries

2.3.4.1 INTRODUCTION 2.3.4.2 MUNICIPAL GRANTS 2.3.4.3 GOVERNMENT PENSIONS 2.3.4.4 DISABILITY GRANTS 2.3.4.5 FOSTER –CARE GRANTS 2.3.4.6 CHILD SUPPORT GRANTS 2.3.4.7 CIVIL PENSIONS 2.3.4.8 CARE DEPENDENCY GRANTS

2.4 ECONOMIC FEATURES 2.4.1 INTRODUCTION 2.4.2 EMPLOYMENT AND UNEMPLOYMENT 2.4.3 INCOME LEVELS 2.4.4 CONSUMPTION PATTERNS 2.4.5 COMMENTARY

2.5 CREATING COMMUNITY ASSETS: INFRASTRUCTURE DELIVERY 2.5.1 INTRODUCTION 2.5.2 WATER PROVISION 2.5.3 SANITATION 2.5.4 ELECTRICITY SUPPLY 2.5.5 HOUSING 2.5.6 STREETS AND STORMWATER 2.5.7 COMMUNITY FACILITIES 2.5.8 COMMENTARY

2.6 CREATING COMMUNITY ASSETS: SOCIO-INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK 2.6.1 INTRODUCTION 2.6.2 LIST OF INSTITUTIONS AND ROLES

2.7 MOST VULNERABLE GROUPS 2.7.1 INTRODUCTION 2.7.2 CHILDREN YOUNGER THAN SEVEN YEARS OLD 2.7.3 OLD AGE PENSIONERS 2.7.4 CHILDREN AGED EIGHT TO SIXTEEN YEARS 2.7.5 PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY CHALLENGED PEOPLE



2.7.6 FEMALE-HEADED HOUSEHOLDS 2.7.7 MALE HEADED HOUSEHOLDS

2.8 DEVELOPMENT PLANS AND OTHER PROJECTS 2.8.1 INTRODUCTION 2.8.2 NATIONAL GOVERNMENT 2.8.3 PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT

2.8.3.1 Health 2.8.3.2 Education 2.8.3.3 Housing 2.8.3.4 Public Works 2.8.3.5 Transport 2.8.3.6 Agriculture 2.8.3.7 Economic Development 2.8.3.8 Social Services and Welfare 2.8.3.9 Sport and Recreation

2.8.4 DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY 2.8.5 LOCAL GOVERNMENT 2.8.6 OTHERS

2.9 DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT INTERVENTIONS: SOCIAL 2.9.1 INTRODUCTION 2.9.2 YOUNG CHILDREN 2.9.3 OLD AGE PENSIONERS 2.9.4 DISABLED PERSONS 2.9.5 UNEMPLOYED FEMALES 2.9.6 UNEMPLOYED MALES 2.9.7 RECOMMENDED SOCIAL INTERVENTIONS

PROPOSAL 1 ESTABLISHMENT OF VEGETABLE AND FRUIT TREE GARDENS PROPOSAL 2 FISH – BASED FOODS AND FEEDS

FISHING EQUIPMENT COLD STORAGE & PROCESSING EQUIPMENT LAND OTHER INPUTS TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING FINANCE

2.10 DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT INTERVENTIONS: ECONOMIC 2.10.1 INTRODUCTION 2.10.2 PROPOSED INTERVENTIONS

PROPOSAL 1 ESTABLISHMENT OF A REGIONAL MARKETING BUSINESS PROPOSAL 2 PROMOTION OF INDIGENOUS SHEEP BREEDS PROPOSAL 3 PROCESSING AND VALUE ADDITION TO FRUIT AND VEGETABLES LAND

WATER OTHER INPUTS TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING FINANCE

PROPOSAL 4



PROMOTION OF MICRO – LIVESTOCK ENTERPRISES PROPOSAL 5 HIDES, SKIN AND LEATHER BASED CRAFTS PROPOSAL 6 HIDES, SKIN AND LEATHER BASED CRAFTS PROPOSAL 7 INTEGRATION MODEL

CAPACITY AND COMPETENCE BRANDING AND QUALITY CONTROL FUNDING

PROPOSAL 8 INTEGRATED CRAFT AND TOURISM CENTRE

LAND LABOUR FUNDS PRODUCTS FOR SALE

PROPOSAL 9 ESTABLISHMENT OF A TAXI SERVICE

FINANCE RESPONSIBLE PARTY LOW RATE CHARGED TO COMMUNITY 2.11 SECONDARY PRIORITY PROJECTS

2.11.1 CONSTRUCTION OF BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN PATH AND BICYCLES FOR SCHOLARS. 2.11.2 UPGRADING OF THE TRUCK STOP 2.11.3 CHEESE MAKING BUSINESS – GOAT AND SHEEP MILK 2.11.4 COMMERCIALISATION OF KAROO WILD FLOWERS 2.11.5 INTRODUCTION OF OLIVE PRODUCTION AND PROCESSING

2.13 CLOSING REMARKS/COMMENTS BY THE CSIR



1. INTRODUCTION The Central Karoo is the largest and poorest region in the Western Cape. It is sparsely populated and distances between towns are great. Although the Karoo is a vast semi-desert area, it is one of the world's most interesting arid zones. The total population of the Central Karoo District is about 56500, with a Gross Regional Product of only R581 million. The two leading sectors in the regional economy are agriculture and tourism.

Beaufort West in the biggest town in the region, with an estimated population of 31522, or just under 56% of the region's population. The other major towns in the region are Prince Albert, Murraysburg and Laingsburg.



2. LAINGSBURG 2.1 BACKGROUND

Laingsburg is a small town situated on the banks of the Buffelsriver in the Central Karoo about 200km from Cape Town. It is well known for the 1981 flood that devastated a large part of the main town, although little evidence of the flood remains. Laingsburg was originally established as a service centre for rural agriculture and rail transport. Both these sectors are in decline in terms of economic activities, and the advances in communication technology and road transport have resulted in redirecting much of the economic activity to larger centres such as Cape Town and George. The National Road from Cape Town to Johannesburg (N1) bisects the town, and is responsible for generating a significant portion of the town’s income. The town is currently structured into 4 sections:

• Centralised ‘Oudorp’ including the main business areas

• Nuwe dorp on the Western bank of the river

• Bergsig, an RDP housing development on the western extreme of the town

• Goldnerville on the eastern extreme In addition, the area includes farmland as well as the settlements of Matjiesfontein (hotel and 28 houses) and Konstabel (3 houses). The Ou & Nuwe dorp settlements are predominantly white, whilst Bergsig and Goldnerville are predominantly inhabited by the coloured community. The black population is very small, at +/- 20 persons. The town has:

• Municipal Offices

• Office of the Dept of Agriculture

• Traffic Department

• Police Station

• Magistrates Court

• Post Office

• 22 Bed Hospital with ambulance and Helicopter landing. 8 nurses and one doctor.

• Railway Station

• Two public schools (180 pupil Model C and 710 pupil Primary)

• School hostel accommodating +/-80 pupils

• One small Christian (ACE) private school with ± 15 pupils

• 3 Nursery Schools

• Old age home (nominally integrated) accommodating ± 40

• Sports stadium

• Golf course

• Caravan park

• Mortuary 2.2 BIOPHYSICAL FEATURES



2.2.1 Rainfall

The Laingsburg municipal area is situated in a transitionary rainfall region. The southern areas receive winter rainfall (250 – 300 mm per year, the central region (Moordenaars Karoo) receives less than 100 mm per year and these rainfall “events” may occur in either winter or summer. Fortunately, the composition of the vegetation allows for some growth days in reaction to either summer or winter rainfall. The northern region, also known as the Koup in local vernacular, receives predominately summer rainfall, but the rainfall is very low (150 mm per year). There are several mountain ranges in the district, and at altitude, annual rainfall may be as high as 700 mm per year. In addition, snow occurs on the mountains. As a result, there is subterranean water available in the lower lying areas. 2.2.2 Watersheds Three watersheds occur in the region. The Matjiesfontein watershed diverts most of the winter rainfall away from the Laingsburg municipal demarcation. The little rainfall that does occur in the summer rainfall region is diverted by the Dwyka watershed and flows out of the district via the Dwyka River. Fortunately, the rainfall in several of the high altitude regions, flows through the district via the Vleilands, Buffels and Baviaans rivers. 2.2.3 Altitude

Altitude in the region varies from approximately 750 to 1500 m amsl. As a result, the winter temperatures are low. 2.2.4 Soils

The underlying geology is primarily sedimentary. The sandstones giving rise to sandy soils of low inherent fertility and the finer particle shales resulting in soils of higher clay content. Unfortunately, the severity and nature of the 1981 flood resulted in most of the fine particle, fertile alluvial soils in the immediate vicinity of the town being eroded and deposited further downstream. Therefore, more than 20 years after the event there are still negative consequences for urban agriculture in Laingsburg. 2.2.5 Vegetation

The vegetation (Karoo veld) is sparse and does not carry much nutrients, and results in an average carrying capacity of 10 ha per one sheep.



2.3 SOCIO – DEMOGRAPHIC FEATURES 2.3.1 Profile of the population Based on the 1:5 door – to – door household survey conducted by the CSIR, Laingsburg has a population of about 4457 people, excluding those individuals who reside on the surrounding farms (falling within the boundaries of the town). This figure compares favourably with the 1996 Census estimation, which estimated the towns population at 3654. Statistics South Africa (1996) estimated the population of the magisterial district to be 5913, including Matjiesfontein, with a population of 140.

The previous graph indicates the relative numbers of males versus females in the town. As can be seen, 45% of the towns population is male, and 55% female. This unequal gender distribution is normal for rural areas, where economically active males tend to leave the town for long periods in search of work in the big cities. From the graph below, it can be seen that nearly 47% of the towns population fall outside of the prime economically active population segment (18 to 50). This situation places immense pressure on the (employed) economically active.

Laingsburg Population

2450

2007Females

Males

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The population of the town is not equally distributed within its boundaries, and the highest concentration of people is located in Goldnerville, an area covering only 15% of the town’s total surface area, but housing 54% of its people. The graph below provides a breakdown of the population according to the four main parts of town.

2.3.2 Health Status Access to health care facilities and adequate nutrition in Laingsburg is a major problem, as nearly 20% of the towns population is either physically or mentally challenged, or suffering from chronic illnesses. This places immense pressure on the 8 nurses and one doctor who work at the 22 - bed hospital in the town. A primary health care clinic operates from the hospital, and treats some 2000 patients each month. The clinic staff also visits the outlying areas, where they see an additional 60 persons every two weeks. It should however be noted that health care is merely one of the determinants of health, along with housing, sanitation and access to safe drinking water. Fortunately the level of service provision in the town is of a high standard, and most families have access to, albeit crowded, formal housing. Laingsburg has no chemist or pharmacy, which increases the cost of treatment for patients, as they have to visit the only doctor in town to secure prescriptions for medication. Given that 883 of the 4457 people in the town are over the age of 50, the incidences of chronic high blood pressure, diabetes and other ailments associated with elderly people are relatively high. The following graph compares the number of chronically ill versus the total population. In this graph, P/MC refers to physically or mentally challenged persons, and CI refers to Chronically ill persons.

Suburb population distribution

24271278

425327

Goldnerville

Bergsig

Oudorp

Nuwedorp



A further cause of concern in Laingsburg is the current high levels of malnutrition and inadequate eating patterns of the poorer people, particularly the residents of Bergsig, who on average only eat protein two days per week. This supports information provided by the clinic, indicating a high level of treatment for malnourished children. The graph below provides a very vivid picture of the nutritional shortcomings in the diets of the poorer segments of the population. It also indicates that Carbohydrates are the staple foods of the town. In the following graph, and subsequent references to the abbreviations, GV refers to Goldnerville, BS to Bergsig, OD to Oudorp, and ND to Nuwedorp.

The Laingsburg Clinic is short staffed and requires an additional Primary Health Care Provider. The Sister in charge of nutrition is willing to be trained for this position but the funds are not available. There are a number of cases of Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) being treated at the clinic, an unfortunate consequence of the high level of alcohol abuse in the town.

Laingsburg Suburb Nutrition

0

2

4

6

8

Protie

n

Car

boVeg

Fruit

Trad

Days per week

Average

GV

BS

OD

ND

Challenged persons

3558

194

705

HealthyPopulation

P/M C

CI



2.3.3 Literacy Levels

The graph below indicates that whilst most of the town’s adult population is literate, there are still several hundred adults who are not literate. In this report, literate refers to persons beyond the age of 16 years who (by their own definition) are able to read and write. Even though the survey did not explore the competency levels of those individuals who identified themselves as being literate, some of the stakeholders visited indicated that the overall level of education is extremely low, and most people are probably only able to do basic reading and writing.

Formal Education

• Primary and Secondary Schooling The town has two public schools, with a combined total of 890 pupils, and a small private Christian school with only 15 pupils. The secondary school has a hostel, which accommodates +- 80 pupils. Cold drinks and sandwiches are provided daily for the Grade 1 – 5 pupils. Generally, education levels of the townsfolk are very low, as only 7.7% of the adult population has formal secondary schooling. In addition, only about 100 people have any form of tertiary education. The high school has a high attrition rate, with increasing numbers of pupils not completing their secondary schooling.

0

500

1000

1500

2000

Adult Females Adult Males

Adult Literacy levels

Total

Literate



• Tertiary Education. The town has no tertiary educational institutions, nor any institutions filling a tertiary education function.

No (local) bursaries or scholarships (from the Local Authorities or other (local) sources) exist at present for promising students to study further. There are also no incentives for these young people to bring their skills back to Laingsburg on completion of their studies.

Informal Education

• Day-care/crèche/pre-primary schooling. Goldnerville has a nursery school with 79 pupils, and 5 staff members (3 of whom are teachers). The school is funded by the WCED and a grant from the Dept. of Social Services. Children here receive three meals daily.

• ABET programmes. Notwithstanding the fact that nearly 50% of the townsfolk are illiterate, the majority of whom are adults, no formal or informal ABET programmes are being conducted by any institutions in Laingsburg.

There is a lack of Basic Life Skills Training, including alcohol and drug abuse counselling, coping skills, financial planning (budgeting and saving money earned), and dealing with sexual harassment and HIV/AIDS education and prevention strategies. These are all issues which urgently need to be addressed, although no government departments or other institutions (e.g. NGOs) are currently providing these services. Very few extramural activities are on offer to keep the youth of the town occupied and to broaden their minds. What activities there are, are run through the High School for their pupils thereby excluding those that do not pursue secondary education. There are no programmes in place to encourage the training and employment of women. Such programmes would not only improve the self-image of women and contribute to birth control, but financially independent women may be able to leave abusive environments. 2.3.4 Social Assistance and Welfare Grant Beneficiaries 2.3.4.1 Introduction A unique feature of the income patterns of Laingsburg is the high level of households living off social and welfare grants. From the graph below it can be seen that only 745 people receive a wage, compared with the 1511 that receive some form of social/welfare assistance.

0

200

400

600Number

Primary Tertiary

Level completed

Female

Male



2.3.4.2 Municipal Grants About 562 households receive the Municipal Services Equitable Share Grant (MSES Grant) each month, which ranges from R85 to R96, depending on the perceived level of need within each household. 2.3.4.3 Government Pensions 220 Individuals of qualifying age receive Old Age Pensions of R620 per month from the Government. For many households, including those with individuals of an economically active age, this represents the only form of household income. 2.3.4.4 Disability Grants 282 people receive these grants. 2.3.4.5 Foster –Care Grants 22 Individuals receive a monthly foster – care grant of R450. 2.3.4.6 Child Support Grants 407 young mothers receive a monthly grant of R100. It is reported that teenage girls see the child support grant as an incentive to have a child, as it increases their potential income by R100 per month. 2.3.4.7 Civil Pensions About 14 people receive Civil pensions or other forms of company pensions.

0 200 400 600 800

Number of households

Wages

Remittances

Social Grants

Pension

UIF

Other

Income Source

Income type



2.3.4.8 Care Dependency Grants Four persons receive a monthly Care Dependency grant of R620.



2.4 ECONOMIC FEATURES 2.4.1 Introduction As stated in the introduction to Laingsburg, the town was originally established as a service station to the surrounding agricultural areas, as well as the railways. Unfortunately, both sectors have been in decline over the past few years, and together with changing communication patterns, is resulting in decreasing use of the town as a regional centre. There are only a handful of formal businesses in the town, none of which are organised into any formal Chamber of Commerce. The main town has four bottle stores and only two food shops (OK and a Superette). The other businesses include a general dealer, Pep stores and a butcher. There is no Pharmacy. In general shopping is very limited, and many of the wealthier residents shop in other towns such as Worcester and Beaufort West. There are two banks – Standard and ABSA (which has an auto teller). Two white owned micro lending agencies operate in the town, and charge between 13 & 30% interest (per month!). There are two hotels and at least one guesthouse. Goldnerville and Bergsig have a few mobile & home shops, as well as a number of Shebeens, reportedly 25 in Goldnerville, and 9 in Matjiesfontein (where there are 28 houses in total). Agriculture remains the dominant economic activity, and consists mainly of extensive small stock grazing (Dorper and Döhne Merino sheep). The district produces an estimated 80 000 sheep carcases per annum. Approximately 50% of this annual yield is marketed and processed outside the district. A small amount of wool is still produced in Laingsburg district.

• Sheep Farming: As stated earlier, most carcasses are sent away to Maitland; Beaufort West & Ceres as there are only 2 small abattoirs in the vicinity. As a result, no skins are processed locally. Due to the poor vegetation, farms are extensive and have a low sheep population density. Wool production is not a priority, but wool is also sent away.

Dorper

Döhne Merino



Dorper is the main type, but some merino are also found. Angora is probably also suited to the area.

• Fruit Farming: There is a 50 km stretch in the Vleiland area SW of the town, which gets water from the Floriskraal Dam, as well as a 20 km stretch north (Moordenaars Karoo) of the town. These are the traditional fruit farming areas, which produce apricots, peaches and plums. Due to poor infrastructure, the fruit is damaged in transport, so most is dried on the local farms. Some grapes are produced, and sent to de Doorns for processing.

• Seed Farming. For the past 6 years, the above area is also being increasingly utilised for seed production on a contract basis for a European Co who supply the feedstock and technology. Main products are onions, chard, pumpkin & beetroot.

Work is very scarce, only at the garages, hotels and on the farms. Farm work is seasonal and low paid R 70 –R130 per week. It is furthermore difficult to break into this work, as most farmers use the same workers each year. People travel as far as Tulbagh to look for work in the fruit season. 2.4.2 Employment And Unemployment As stated earlier, employment opportunities are extremely scarce, and limited to the garages, hotels, farms and the few other small businesses located in the town. The limited businesses and declining economic activities consequently results in a high unemployment rate (37%), which is double the provincial average of 19%.

It should furthermore be noted that employment opportunities appear to be skewed in favour of males, as can be gleaned from the following graphs, 34% of males are unemployed, as opposed to 39% of females.

Unemployment

63%

37%

Employed

Unemployed



From the graph below it can also be seen that the level of self-employment is almost non-existent, indicating a very low capacity of the people to generate employment opportunities for themselves.

It should also be noted that for the sake of this study, it was resolved that only people receiving a monetary remuneration would be considered as being employed. All others, e.g. Housewives would be considered as unemployed. The graph above does however distort the employment

FE – Female Employed FSE – Female self – employed FUE - female unemployed ME – Male employed MSE – Male self employed MUE – Male unemployed

66%

34%

Male Employed

Male Unemployed

Female Unemployment

61%

39%Female Employed

Female Unemployed

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

FE FSE FUE ME MSE MUE

Category

Employment



situation somewhat, as can be seen in the graphs below. These graphs indicate that only about half the employed people are employed on a full-time basis. Seasonal and part-time work together account for nearly half of all employment, and indicate that incomes are not as high as they would have been should people have been employed on a full-time basis.

In both these graphs, FFT refers to Females Full time employed, FPT refers to females part-time employed and FS refers to Females seasonally employed. The same definitions apply to males, where the M replaces the F.

2.4.3 Income Levels Income levels in the town vary considerably, with some families earning below R250 per month, and others earning above R5000. Statistically, Bergsig is the poorest part of town, where the average income is only R687.84 per household per month. In Goldnerville, the average monthly household income is R876.49, and this compares with R1623.15 in Oudorp, and R1508.68 in Nuwedorp. The graph below provides a breakdown of the residents income based on selected categories.

Female Employment

FFT

52%FPT

30%

FS

18%

FFT

FPT

FS

Male Employment

MFT

54%MPT

28%

MS

18%

MFT

MPT

MS



A further breakdown of the income distribution in the town reveals that 66% of the town’s population earn below R1000 per month.

2.4.4 Consumption Patterns Another way of assessing the poverty in Laingsburg is reviewing the income expenditure patterns of the local residents. With 67% of the towns population earning below R1000 per month, expenditure is largely based on the purchasing of basic foodstuffs and payment for municipal services. The next graph provides a breakdown of expenditure per residential area to the expenditure type of the residents. As can be seen, very few households have any disposable income for recreation or savings once the costs of food and services have been deducted from their income.

%residents in income group

0.0

10.0

20.0

30.0

40.0

50.0

60.0

R 250 R 500 R 1

000

R 2

000

R 3

500

R 5

000

R

5000+

Goldnerville

Bergsig

Oudorp

Nuwedorp

Income Distribution

250

9%

500

15%

1000

37%

2000

25%

5000

4%5000+

6%3500

4%

250

500

1000

2000

3500

5000

5000+



From the following graph, it can be seen that on average, households spend about 70% of their income on basic living expenses, which in this instance is nearly entirely attributable to food and municipal services. The rate of payment for municipal services in the town is high. Very few people have any kind of formal savings (mainly bank and endowment policies). Only 4% of households currently save any money.

2.4.5 Commentary As indicated by the Poverty and Inequality Report, extreme inequality can be a major obstacle to development within a community/society. Such is the case in Laingsburg, where one individual owns most of the most profitable (and biggest) businesses in the town. In addition, land ownership patters are also highly skewed in favour of specific individuals. This limits the potential of other residents to effectively participate in entrepreneurial initiatives and the broader local economy. It further limits the proper functioning of a local market economy, resulting in market failure, albeit it, at a local level. As a key stakeholder in local development processes, the Local Authority and government

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

Bas

ic Living

Lifestyle

Sav

ing

Deb

t

Other

Expenditure

Ave

GV

BS

OD

ND

Expenditure Patterns

71%

12%

4%

11%

2%Basic Living

Lifestyle

Saving

Debt

Other



needs to create scope for a freeing up of the resources of the town (natural, institutional, economic and other), to at least create some possibilities for the participation of a larger number of people in the economic affairs of the town. As can be seen from the graph on Types of Employment in the town, there is an extremely low level of Self Employment and personal income generating activities taking place. This needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency, as the people themselves will have to play a bigger and more direct role in initiating and implementing local economic development interventions in their town.



2.5 CREATING COMMUNITY ASSETS: INFRASTRUCTURE DELIVERY 2.5.1 Introduction Laingsburg is in the very fortunate position that much of the town’s “engineering” infrastructural needs have already been met, or programmes are currently being implemented to ensure that these services, such as water reticulation, sanitation, electricity supply and refuse removal will be supplied within the foreseeable future. 2.5.2 Water Provision All residential erven and sites have access to at least one water point per site. Water is of a good quality, and managed and monitored by the local municipality. 2.5.3 Sanitation All sites have access to waterborne sanitation. All other forms of sanitation (e.g. VIP - latrines and buckets) in both coloured areas, viz. Bergsig and Goldnerville, have been converted to flush toilets. 2.5.4 Electricity Supply Eskom, through the Municipality is the supplier of electricity, and all households have access to electricity. 2.5.5 Housing Over the past five years, 317 houses have been built in Laingsburg. Nearly all these houses have been funded through the Housing Capital subsidy scheme of the national department of housing. The town still plans to build another 450 low-income houses over the next five years, in so doing providing an asset to many of the poorest residents of the town. 2.5.6 Streets And Stormwater Most of the streets in the Ou- and Nuwe-dorp are tarred, together with the main commercial streets in the “business” area. Although most of the streets in Bergsig and Goldnerville are not tarred, concrete kerbing is being installed to prevent degradation of the road surfaces and “protection” of the sidewalks. 2.5.7 Community Facilities As stated earlier (2.3.2) the town has a clinic and small hospital, in addition to a library, police station and post office. A Multi-purpose community centre is currently under construction, which could provide a venue for the delivery of various community services, such as a crèche, frail – care services and a venue for social events. 2.5.8 Commentary The Municipality has done an outstanding job in providing the necessary infrastructure (for which it is responsible) to all the residents of the town, and this is evident in the high level of



services currently available. The Municipality furthermore provides a monthly “Equitable Share Grant” to poor households, a grant which essentially provides a R85 to R96 subsidy on services to qualifying residents. Currently, 562 households receive this grant, which remains a vital affordability tool for residents to have access to these basic services. Many residents would not have access to the services currently offered (water, sanitation, refuse removal and electricity) were it not for the “Equitable Share” Grant. The provision of these basic services to nearly all households in Laingsburg has gone a long way in alleviating absolute poverty in the town, and provides residents with a certain minimum basic quality of living. The high level of municipal services provision in the town is perhaps evident of the Municipality’s capacity to access CMIP and other funding sources for infrastructure projects. Whilst fulfilling a necessary function, these infrastructure projects also provide income to residents during the construction and implementation phase. Such public works/infrastructure projects do however often only provide short – term injections of money into the local economy, but do not materially improve the overall level of economic sustainability of the town. The Municipality therefore needs to start placing as much emphasis on initiating sustainable job creation and local economic development interventions.



2.6 CREATING COMMUNITY ASSETS: SOCIO-INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK 2.6.1 Introduction Whilst the Local Authority has been good at delivering the infrastructural services for which it is responsible, the provision of social support services at a community or household level has not kept pace with the needs of the community. Notwithstanding the dire need for various services, very few organisations are currently active in the town. The only agency that seems to be active in the town is the Child and Family Welfare Society, a Dept. of Social Services supported institution, although their work is hampered by lack of space, support and interest. The following community forums/committees have been formed:

• Multi Purpose Centre committee

• Police Forum

• Health committee There are small offices of both the ANC and the DA in town, although the feeling is that neither are very effective. The ANC Women’s League is also very active in the area of HIV counselling. From the graph below it can be seen that membership and participation in church/religious structures is very high, and highlights the potential role that the church could play in driving and supporting development initiatives in the town. A major point of concern in the town is the large number of shebeens. According to the latest police figures, there are seventy-three shebeens in the town. The police are by all accounts, at present, unable to deal effectively with this issue. There is no system of regulation or means

%participation in Community Structures

0.0

10.0

20.0

30.0

40.0

50.0

60.0

70.0

80.0

90.0

100.0

CHURCH

COMM. F

ORUM

SOC. C

LUBS

SPORTS C

LUBS

NEIG

H. W

ATCH

OTHER

Goldnerville

Bergsig

Oudorp

Nuwedorp



of controlling the quantity of alcohol sold or to whom it is sold. 2.6.2 List Of Institutions And Roles Dept. of Agriculture The department has two representatives (one clerk and an

extension officer) in town who provide information and support to farmers in the area. Limited impact – mainly for white farmers.

Dept. of Social Services The department has one full-time social worker (Ms Snyders) who deals with many of the day-to-day complaints and social issues troubling residents. She is supported by a second social worker (who although based in Beaufort West), handles all court – related social cases. From September 2001 to March 2002 there were 67 new cases added to their existing case load of 257.

Police Forum Responsible for initiating the first “Community Garden”, the Forum maintains an interest in broader community – development initiatives.

Child & Family Welfare Soc. Two people are currently employed by this organization. They have 6 projects on the go at the moment. These are "Die Karoolelies" (club for aged); Reach Out (an HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention project); Alcohol and Drug abuse prevention project; Sewing project; Pre-primary school ("die Donald Duck kleuterskool"); Youth project ("om die jeug lewensvaardighede te leer"). They have many people that volunteer their time and services for many of the projects, and reach between 300 and 400 people through these projects.

Alcoholics Anonymous Provides support to alcoholics and their families. Limited impact, not really active in prevention programmes.

Sisters Bond A women’s group in Goldnerville that provides support to the needy.

Local ANC office Provides information to the community and caters mainly for the Coloured Community. Very limited impact.

Local DA Office Provides information to the community and caters mainly for the White Community. Very limited impact.

ANC Women’s League Provides a soup kitchen and sandwiches for the aged. School Governing Body addresses school related problems, mainly complaints about

school fees and uniforms. Limited to learners, their parents and staff of the respective schools.

Churches & Church Groups There are 6 churches in town. The potential impact of the churches and church groups is enormous, although the churches do not appear to be very active in the community, and do not appear to have any significant projects currently in implementation.

3. MOST VULNERABLE GROUPS 3.1 Introduction From the information gathered in Laingsburg, it is very difficult to assess who the most vulnerable groups are. Poverty is widespread, and not limited to any specific part of town, or racial group. As far as the accumulation of assets is concerned, the distribution of wealth is



highly skewed in favour of the White residents, although this should be viewed against the fact that current income levels across the town remains low. As can be seen from 2.3.4, there are households of both the Oudorp (36%) and Nuwedorp (21%) who live off a monthly income of less than R1000 per month. Based on age and income as well as economic and social vulnerability, the following vulnerable groups have been identified: 3.2 Children Younger Than Seven Years Old In a community with many single, unemployed mothers, the basic nutrition and health care needs of young children is often not adequately addressed. Inadequate nutrition and upbringing results in impaired mental and physical growth and development of the child, resulting in further problems being experienced later in life. There are 683 children under the age of seven living in Laingsburg, representing 15% of the total population of the town. Children are exposed to domestic and “community” violence, physical and mental abuse, especially in households where alcohol and drugs are being over - consumed. Children are also often left alone or in the care of relatively unknown people when their parents go to work or in search of work. This increases their risk to sexual and physical abuse, both of which are reported in Laingsburg. Children are entirely dependent on others for the provision of their basic needs, making them probably the most vulnerable population group. Mothers of these children receive a R100 State grant, and it is reported that this often serves as an incentive to young girls to have children. The mothers also have access to “free” health care at the local clinic and hospital, where it is possible to receive support for malnourished and sick children. 3.3 Old Age Pensioners Nearly all the households headed by elderly people receiving government pensions have no other forms of income, and are consequently only receiving the R620 income per month. In addition, many have very low levels of education, and in the case of the aged in Goldnerville and Bergsig, are illiterate and poorly skilled. This further exacerbates their vulnerability, as they are unable to secure worthy employment (should such opportunities be available). Furthermore, many of those who are chronically ill or disabled have difficulties accessing health care and other essential facilities, due to impaired mobility, which is exacerbated by a lack of public transport in the town. Given that there are 391 (9%) people over the age of 65years, many of who suffer chronic illnesses, this group is particularly dependent on social and welfare services and support. 3.4 Children Aged Eight To Sixteen Years There are nearly 800 children in Laingsburg who fall into this “school-going” category. Neither the children, nor their parents receive any direct welfare support from the State. Many of the young who are subjected to high levels of poverty often resort to begging and crime. 3.5 Physically And Mentally Challenged People Two hundred and eighty two government Disability Grants are paid out by the State in Laingsburg. There are no formal support programmes or structures for disabled persons, even



though 5.6% of the population is physically and/or mentally challenged. Many of these people, nearly all of who are unemployed, only receive the R620 disability grant. 3.6 Female-Headed Households Within Laingsburg, males are more likely to find employment (53%) than females (50%). In addition, males often receive higher wages for the same work, than females do. Furthermore, unemployed females with dependents are more vulnerable than unemployed females without dependents, both of whom are more vulnerable than employed females with and without dependents. According to the South Cape District Municipality, 29.19% of households are headed by females. 3.7 Male Headed Households Even though males appear more likely than females to secure employment in Laingsburg (2.3.3) incomes in the town are low for both men and women. In addition, it should be noted that both unemployed males and female who have dependents, are more vulnerable than unemployed males and females without dependents.



4. DEVELOPMENT PLANS AND OTHER PROJECTS 4.1 Introduction The draft IDP has been completed, and has the potential to truly involve all residents in the

“participatory planning process to achieve future goals b.m.o the integration of sectoral strategies to realize the optimal allocation of scarce resources in an orderly, manageable and sensible manner, for the purpose of sustainable development, equity and empowerment of all residents.”

Once established, the IDP Forum could play a leading role in facilitating different social and economic development interventions in the town. Given that the purpose of the IDP process is to alleviate and eradicate poverty, strengthen the local economy, create sustainable employment opportunities and expand the reconstruction and development process in the town, the IDP Forum should take on this leading role in driving the various social and development processes in Laingsburg. Laingsburg is in the fortunate position that Council maintains a positive bank balance, as well as a fund for any “disasters” that may occur in the future. The Municipality also has an ambitious project list, and hopes to secure funding from external sources, particular other government departments to pay for those priority projects. The IDP lays the foundation for all development planning and prioritisation in the town, and guided by the towns vision and mission statement, seeks to steer the town towards an equitable and sustainable future. The town has close links with the Central Karoo District Municipality, as well as the District’s PIMMS initiatives. This bodes well for positioning of the town with one of its biggest stakeholders. Whilst many of the initiatives identified in the IDP go a long way in identifying what should be done to support socio-economic development, few concrete plans or initiatives are identified that will realise the dreams and vision of the townsfolk. 4.2 National Government Various programmes initiated by the National Government but being implemented through Provincial Government departments are currently in implementation across the province; these include the Integrated Sustainable Rural Development Programme (ISRDP) and the Consolidated Municipal Infrastructure Programme (CMIP). Projects funded by these programmes, but being implemented through the relevant provincial government departments are reflected in section 2.8.3.



4.3 Provincial Government 4.3.1 Health The Western Cape’s Department of Health is currently in the process of renovating and extending the buildings at the local hospital, but does not (at this stage) appear to have made any provision for additional nursing staff for the hospital. Whilst the extra facilities will benefit the community, one of the highest needs of the community is extra staff, as people have to wait very long for help. This project will not have any job creation or poverty relief impact, as the workers needed for the building work will be the currently employed staff of the Provincial Department of Public Works. 4.3.2 Education The Department of Education does not have any projects planned for Laingsburg. 4.3.3 Housing The Department of Housing intends to construct an additional 450 “RDP” houses in Bergsig over the next three years. One hundred units are budgeted for the 2002/3 financial year, and an additional 270 houses in 2003 and 2004. 4.3.4 Planning and Local Government The provincial Department of Planning and Local Government acts as a conduit through which funding from the treasury is channelled into local authorities for “Transformation” and other special capacity building programmes. CMIP funding is currently being used for the upgrading of the oxidation ponds (R152 000), Water pipeline rehabilitation (R47 000) and roads and storm water upgrading (R1.3 million). 4.3.5 Transport and Public Works Notwithstanding the fact that Laingsburg has a high need for a Rapid Response Unit to deal with the high level of accidents within 20km of the town, apparently neither the Department of Transport nor the local authority have any plans for the provision of said services within the next three years. 4.3.6 Agriculture The Department of Agriculture has an extension office with two staff members located in Laingsburg. The extension officers provide technical support as well as information to farmers in and around Laingsburg. 4.3.7 Economic Development and Tourism The Department of Economic Development and Tourism does not have any projects planned for Laingsburg.



4.3.8 Social Services and Poverty Alleviation The Provincial Department of Social Services is responsible for the funding and implementation of the Multi Purpose Community Hall (in Bergsig). It has budgetary responsibility for the payment of the various social grants paid to eligible residents, and funds the two social workers who operate in the town. In addition, the department also provides financial support to the Child and Family Welfare Society, the Karoo Lelies club for the aged, the local crèche in Goldnerville as well as the Old Age Home in the Oudorp. 4.3.9 Cultural Affairs and Sport The Department of Sport and Recreation does not have any projects planned for Laingsburg. 4.3.10 Other Government Departments No other Provincial Government departments were identified that have any plans or projects planned for Laingsburg for the next three years. 4.4 DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY A number of initiatives that will impact Laingsburg have been identified in the IDP of the Central Karoo District Municipality. The Tourism Forum and Tourism Marketing Programme in particular have the potential to increase the visibility of the town, and in so doing, encourage more people to visit Laingsburg. This is however a medium to long – term intervention, and will not lead to direct job creation within the short – term, or for that matter contribute to sustainable economic growth without additional supportive interventions being undertaken. Other initiatives such as the Flood Route (and its marketing) and the Small Farmer Empowerment initiative do however contribute to “economic value” of the town, and need to be supported. 4.5 LOCAL GOVERNMENT Through the IDP process, the Municipality has identified a number of projects that it has identified as most addressing the needs of the community, and potentially improving the quality of life of the majority of the residents. Nevertheless, it should be noted that at this stage, (June 2002), funding for only the upgrading of the street lighting and street and storm water control has been secured. It is hoped that funding from provincial and national government departments will be secured for the remaining projects. 4.6 OTHERS Based on the information obtained, no other institutions were identified as planning any projects for Laingsburg. 4.7 COMMENTARY The Development Strategy presented in the Laingsburg IDP is based on the vision of



“advancing, increasing and maintaining the standard and quality of living of the greater Laingsburg community”. Whilst the IDP lists ten different performance areas for achieving this vision, it provides little concrete plans for “identifying the economic limitations and opportunities to stimulate the local economy in a sustainable manner”. In the opinion of the CSIR project team, the forty or so projects identified in the IDP will certainly lead to an increase in the quality of living of the town’s residents, by improving the engineering infrastructure in the town. It will however have very limited impact on the overall standard of living of the town’s residents. In fact, the team has no reason to believe that the projects identified will stop the current situation of negative economic growth and migration from the town. There needs to be a stronger, more focused and proactive look at revitalising the local economy of Laingsburg. The Municipality needs to invest more money, time and effort in this function, to ensure that future infrastructure investments are not wasted on a “dying”town. The IDP Forum (identified in the IDP) has the potential to address all the issues raised herein in a comprehensive and integrative manner, and all attempts to launch this local structure needs to be encouraged as a matter of extreme urgency.



5. DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT INTERVENTIONS: SOCIAL 5.1 INTRODUCTION It is noted that the success of most “economic” interventions recommended herein depend on parallel “social” processes taking place. Laingsburg is a town heavily influenced by a culture of alcohol and drug abuse, symptomatic of a sub-economic environment. According to some local stakeholders, a “Culture of Poverty” is entrenched in the minds of many residents, and there appears to be a philosophy that the Government grants are enough to live on and there is no point to working. Unless these social ills can be treated simultaneously with the implementation of any of the recommended projects and interventions, little will change. The Laingsburg Community needs to proactively engage development, reject alcohol and drug abuse and those who sell those products, and instead embrace gainful employment and its resulting rewards. The fractured social environment must be mended and residents need to agree on common goals and be prepared to work together to achieve those goals. 5.2 YOUNG CHILDREN One of the key challenges facing young children, particularly those in the pre-school going years, is the high level of malnourishment. This is partly attributed to the lack of knowledge of parents, particularly young mothers about basic nutrition, but primarily a result of an inability of parents to buy food. Interventions are required that will improve the basic nutrition of children, to prevent any long-term damage to their personal and physical development. 5.3 OLD AGE PENSIONERS There is a need in the predominantly coloured “suburbs”, for a facility for the aged. The town only has one old age home, which according to the local residents, caters mainly for the white community. Pensioners who live with their children often find their pensions being used as the only source of income in the household. In many instances, children also steal some of their parents money. Given the governments latest policies in dealing with the aged, it is recommended that a frail care centre or similar amenity providing basic services to the aged be established. Another major problem experienced by the aged and frail is a lack of access to the limited facilities available in Laingsburg. A subsidised taxi service would solve this problem. 5.4 DISABLED PERSONS Disabled persons find it very difficult to seek and secure gainful employment, not only because employment opportunities themselves are limited, but also because of potential employers attitudes towards physically and mentally challenged persons. There are no support structures in Laingsburg for this group, and disabled people often have to secure the help of church members, neighbours and strangers (often at great cost) to get from point A to point B. Like the aged and frail, access to services in town is difficult and expensive, and some form of public transportation would go a long way in dealing with this problem. 5.5 UNEMPLOYED FEMALES Of the economically active population, unemployed females (with dependents) are probably the most vulnerable. Job creation is really the only sustainable solution to problems



experienced here. There is however, a need for some form of support structures or groups to be established to help women cope with the pressures of being unemployed and without income. 5.6 UNEMPLOYED MALES Notwithstanding the fact that unemployed males are probably less vulnerable than some of the other groups identified, it should not distract one from the fact that wages throughout the area are very low, and all unemployed people are vulnerable to poverty. Even employed people often do not have the means to sustain themselves and their families. Economic growth and job creation represents the only real tool for breaking the cycle of poverty. All strategies that therefore seek to create jobs, improve the nutrition of the poor, deliver services such as water, sanitation and electricity will therefore contribute to addressing the most basic needs of the poor. 5.7 RECOMMENDATIONS Within Laingsburg, religion and politics play a leading role in influencing people’s behaviour. Both the churches and the political parties are visible in the town, although some of the stakeholders interviewed have questioned the impact of either. Church leaders in particular are respected for their position, and could play a vital role in driving specific development interventions. Based on the information gathered during the socio-institutional scan, as well as the focus groups, the need for the following key social support interventions was identified. The list below also includes the names of individuals who were identified by the CSIR as local residents who could play a valuable role in implementing any of the interventions listed below.

• Training and capacity building in nutrition and child care. Any initiative of this type could be spearheaded by Sister Jenny Duimpies of the clinic.

• Further education and training (FET). Messrs Eygelaar and Essau of the local schools could be valuable drivers of any programme of this nature.

• Entrepreneurial skills training and development. Mr Eygelaar (High School Principal), Mrs Myburgh (ex- community development facilitator), Inspector Augustyn (SAPS) and Cpt. Dyantji (SAPS), especially given their experience with the community vegetable gardens project.

• Life skills training. Rev. F Kietas has experience in dealing with youth training and development initiatives.

• The creation of a Forum for the sharing of lessons learnt and success stories within the community, as well as between different communities. Mr B Kleinbooi of the Laingsburg Municipality could play a vital networking and relationship building role in this regard.

• Special Youth Enrichment and Development programmes for local residents. Rev F Kietas (Roman Catholic Church).

• Incentive schemes for encouraging further learning. Mr Gouws (the mayor), Mr Essau and Mr Eygelaar.

• The creation of an “Awards and Recognition Scheme” within the town to honour and praise outstanding individuals and groups. Mr Williams (the mayor).

• Establishment of a nutrition supplementation programme (vegetable gardens). Cpt.



Dyantji (SAPS) and Sister J Duimpies (clinic).

• Training and capacity building associated with alcohol and drug abuse. Rev. E April, Rev. F Kietas, Sister Duimpies.

• Construction of a trauma centre (at the police station). Cpt. Dyantji (SAPS). 5.8 HOUSEHOLD FOOD SECURITY Household Food Security can be simply stated as “the right of all households to the right food for a life with dignity”. It is generally accepted that this requires the continuous availability of food, the accessibility of this food by the household and a conducive household and community environment. This view is included in the Department of Health’s Integrated Nutrition Programme (http://www.doh.gov.za/programmes/nutrition-f.html) which states:

“Many factors contribute to the development of malnutrition. Some direct causes of malnutrition are disease, illness, poor health and poor/incorrect food intake. Underlying causes of malnutrition include: a household’s inability to access food needed for a healthy active life; poor care of members of the household, particularly mothers and children; an unhealthy environment; and poor access to clean water”

There is much literature available on this complex subject – a good starting place is probably the United Nations’ document entitled “System-Wide Guidance on Household Food Security and Nutrition” published in October 2000, that contains the figure below (http://www.ids.ac.uk/poverty_hunger/Guidance-Final.pdf). This indicates the complexity of the issues and allows the impact of the proposals contained in this report to be considered and to understand constraints on poverty alleviation. Many of the proposals are focussed on improving purchasing power so as to improve access to the food that is widely available in Laingsburg (see second column of figure). The first phase of the vegetable garden proposal focuses by giving direct access to nutritious fruit and vegetables for families at risk of malnutrition. The infrastructure proposals are aimed at improving purchasing power while improving the overall environment.



The figure above also indicates all the other issues that need to be in place e.g. the socio-economic and political environment, health and sanitation and care practices. A particular concern is the care practices, where the Participlan indicated overall community problems as well as substance abuse that would clearly impact here. Just as nutrition will not improve, the proposals addressing poverty in this report will fail if these constrains are not addressed On the other hand Health and Sanitation is well addresses with all houses having piped water and waterborne sanitation and some of the proposals will improve on food safety and quality and nutritional aspects of healthcare. 5.9 PROPOSED INTERVENTIONS The following interventions represent the opinion of the CSIR Domain Specialists, who visited Laingsburg, and the short overviews of each intervention are intended to provide interested stakeholders with sufficient information to consider further studies or pilot implementation of the proposals presented.



PROPOSAL 1

ESTABLISHMENT OF VEGETABLE AND FRUIT TREE GARDENS Background Vegetable gardens have been used throughout South Africa as development vehicles for both the rural and urban poor since the late eighties. These gardens were originally (mainly in the drought of the late eighties) established to improve the nutrition of poor families. These gardens often succeeded when success was measured as the improved intake of vegetables by the household. Later community gardens were established to allow the individual users the opportunity to generate income. When evaluated against this objective, these gardens have been much less successful and there have been few long - term (more than 3 seasons sustainable operation) successes. The main cause of this is that projects have been set up with groups/individuals with low commercial capacity and poor infrastructure. Under these circumstances, the gardens were unable to generate sufficient income from sales to cover all the input costs (e.g. pumping energy, maintenance seeds, fertiliser) required to run the garden, and have subsequently fallen into disarray. The food garden established in Laingsburg is an example or a garden that failed. Information collected during the Rapid Review was conflicting, including non-representativity, theft, vandalism and market limitations. These reasons need to be confirmed, unpacked and addressed as the first phase of any centralised garden in Laingsburg. The flagship project in Beaufort West gives further background on the constraints on the establishment of vegetable gardens. In this case, the garden was established with 40 of the most needy women in the town and aimed at income generation with the objective of attaining financial sustainability. The project has been through many changes and adjustments and is still not sustainable although it now employs less than ten people and has expanded into chickens and other products, and is strongly supported with “grant” funds and inputs. The Department of Health currently coordinates the projects and has a case study that any future projects should be built on. In addition to these nearby examples, much experience and literature is available. The best practices therein should be integrated into the design of any intervention to ensure that failures common to many garden projects do not occur in Laingsburg. It must be noted that this may result in projects that are not financially sustainable without some grant input. In South Africa the Limpopo Province has considerable experience in the establishment of community vegetable gardens for both nutrition and income generation. Ms Marjorie Mongwe the Deputy Director of Nutritional Services in the Northern Province Department of Health (015 291 2798) is currently completing a study on this which will be available on request. A recent in depth review of food-based interventions by the International Food Policy Research Institute stated that:

“This review shows that increasing the availability of foods rich in vitamin A and iron by encouraging households to tend home gardens and to raise small animals and fish is a popular approach. Increasingly, the food-based strategies



combine a variety of intervention components. A key to success appears to be the inclusion of a strong nutrition education and behaviour change intervention. For example, strategies to promote increased production of micronutrient-rich foods are more effective when combined with a nutrition education intervention, which ensures that increased household food supply and income translates into improved dietary quality. Proper processing and storage of plant products, in order to retain vitamins and minerals and to extend the time when fruits and vegetables are available—through drying, for example—are other ways to boost consumption of essential nutrients year-round.”

Marie T. Ruel; Can Food-Based Strategies Help Reduce Vitamin A and Iron Deficiencies?; International Food Policy Research Institute; Washington, D.C.; December 2001;

and provides reference to the original information. The Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) has large amounts of information on household gardens e.g. Agriculture, food and nutrition for Africa - A resource book for teachers of agriculture; Food and Nutrition Division; Food And Agriculture Organization Of The United Nations; Rome; 1997 and should be consulted in intervention design. Justification There is both land and water available for significant production of a range of vegetables and fruit. Implementation could involve the establishment of a range of solutions that provide appropriate community members with opportunities for improving their nutrition, as well as their income (albeit to a lesser extent). It is proposed that the production of vegetables and fruit is introduced in a phased process that results in a range of opportunities being created for the townsfolk. This phased approach will be of a developmental nature, and recommends a development path for people as the markets for the vegetables and fruit change. The existing gardens established by the Food Garden Foundation could form the basis of a nutrition based household intervention. Currently there appears to be an opportunity for an extension of the growing season, which is currently limited. Vegetable production will be reviewed from a horticultural viewpoint and a set of products developed with the Department of Health’s nutritional input that will maximise food availability to the household. An area of

approximately 10 m2 per household is recommended for the production of vegetables, excluding any staple food production, for nutrition supplementation. Should this “first phase” be successful, a second phase could be initiated, in which people with proven capacity could focus on replacing vegetables supplied into Laingsburg. The local needs will be evaluated and plans developed to produce as much as possible of the currently “imported” vegetables. This would most likely be through the establishment of larger gardens where jobs would be created on a much larger scale. These larger gardens will require preparation, fencing, and provision of a water supply. According to the Department of Public Works they should be sized to provide a minimum of 2 square meters per person and would cost of approximately R25 000 per hectare to establish. It should be noted that this data is totally dependent on what part of the family’s food needs are to be produced and the location



of the garden. With gardens operating successfully, there will be an opportunity to identify and supply higher value markets with more unique products such as herbs and speciality vegetables. Additionally, should markets justify it; there is an opportunity to introduce improved production technologies such as shaded gardens, tunnel and hydroponics. On the product - side there is the potential of organic production. The introduction of vegetable production will allow Laingsburg to supply its own needs for vegetables and to progressively grow into additional and higher value markets. The gardening system will also supply a significant part of the raw materials for the small-scale production of processed foods. Key Requirements LAND It should be noted that the figures below depend on what is to be grown and are given as indicators. It is in fact critical to develop the garden design from the bottom up rather than implementing an outside design. A bottom up design would evaluate the nutrition needs and convert these to a production need, which would define the amount of land required for implementation. In the household phase, the houses of Laingsburg have sufficient ground (say a maximum of 20 square meters per household) to produce significant quantities of nutritious vegetables for targeted households. The currently disused community vegetable garden would provide a starting place for developments of “market gardens” in Laingsburg. As success is achieved, there is room for some expansion of the garden but a plan should be put in place to identify further land, which should be easily available. WATER Water supply does not appear to be a limiting factor in Laingsburg, and it should be easy to secure a reliable and cost effective supply. OTHER INPUTS On going inputs for household gardens are basically seedlings and aftercare as all labour, water and materials for composting are available in the household.. Commercial gardens will need to generate income to pay for all their input costs including seeds, water, labour, packaging, TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING Very little technical skills will be required to establish a project of this nature at household Phase 1 level. Training and on-going support could however be provided very easily by extension officers of the Dept. of Agriculture, or local farmers. In the commercial level there will be a significantly increased demand for real entrepreneurial



skills particularly in the marketing and logistics areas. This project requires considerable local support to ensure success. The Beaufort West Dept. of Health office has written a case study on this type of project, and has reflected much of the requirements for successful implementation. FINANCE Funding will be required for the start-up of these vegetable gardens. For commercial gardens, other organisations active in this field estimate the costs to be in the order of R 25 000 per ha (see justification). Impact The introduction of vegetable production as a poverty relief project will allow Laingsburg’s women to supply their children’s nutritional needs for vegetables and to progressively grow their skills and capacity to enter into additional and higher value markets. Should the project be focussed on malnourished households only, indications are that in the order of 75 families could benefit in Laingsburg Initially the vegetable gardens will improve household nutrition and wealth by freeing income to be used for purposes other than food. In the later phases there will be increasing job creation

which could reach 10 “full time” jobs / 2000m2 assuming that sufficiently good markets can be established. Beneficiaries It is proposed that the household project is mainly run by the women of Laingsburg because of their commitment to the nutrition status and development of their children. This type of project should only be implemented where private household ownership models are employed. The commercial gardens need to be run by skilled entrepreneurs although it is proposed that the women of Laingsburg become shareholders and are supplied with produce for their nutritional needs.



PROPOSAL 2

FISH – BASED FOODS AND FEEDS

Background A lack of protein intake in the diets of the poor is common throughout the world. Protein intake along with sufficient carbohydrates and the necessary micronutrients is the basis for the healthy development of children. In many parts of the world, fish although a potential sources of proteins in diet, is seldom a major part of a child’s diet. This is particularly true in South Africa, especially in the interior. However, in the East fish, including freshwater fish, forms a much larger part of the diet. The Floriskraal dam, some 20 km from Laingsburg, is a potential source of freshwater fish, probably barbel, which has the potential to improve nutrition as well as create job opportunities. However, it is important to realise that consumption of freshwater fish is not normal and that it should not be imposed as a solution but rather offered as an opportunity. The first step of any utilisation of the resource is the evaluation of the fish population and potential of the Floriskraal dam. The next phase in the utilisation of the resource would be based on supplying fish, cooking and nutrition information to households at risk, to combat malnutrition. To further utilise the fish it is proposed that the production of fish meal be introduced to form the basis of a sustainable business, which would then develop local markets by using novel processing technologies and international markets where there is an established demand for specialised barbel products e.g. smoked barbel in Holland Justification The Floriskraal dam is potentially one of the largest agribusiness resources in the area and has the potential to support nutrition programmes leveraging government’s spending on malnutrition and to create income and jobs both as part of the nutrition intervention and within a sustainable business. Key Requirements The key requirement of the proposal is for the community of Laingsburg to gain the right to the fish in the dam. Thereafter the requirements focus on the fishing and processing. FISHING EQUIPMENT There is a definite need for equipment probably boats and nets to fish the dam. This will be defined by the resource survey. COLD STORAGE & PROCESSING EQUIPMENT Cold storage both at the dam and in Laingsburg will be required throughout the project. Once



processing is started, a processing plant will be required. Fishmeal production is expensive as pressure processing and drying is involved. While small scale packaged plants are available in Europe it will probably be necessary to consider local manufacture because of their high cost. Since this will form the basis of the enterprise, a financially sustainable operation is vital and an early feasibility study is recommended. The production of novel fish products will require a processing plant but, assuming that all operations can be manual, a reasonably priced plant is possible. To process around 500 kg of fish using freezing and smoking would require a capital investment in the order of R 300 000. The processing of significantly more fish and the introduction of blast freezing and canning and pasteurisation would require significantly higher capital LAND Land will be required for the housing of the boats and fishing equipment as well as the processing plant or a cold store if the processing plant is sited in the town where better services are available. However, the area would be small nothing larger than a standard commercial site being necessary – no more than a total of half a hectare will be required. OTHER INPUTS Normal food processing inputs will be required both for fish dressing and processing. TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING Training in household fish preparation and nutrition, fishing, processing and enterprise management will need to be built into the various phases of the project. FINANCE The first funding required would be for a survey of the fish resource and a report on its capacity and harvesting mechanisms. Impact The impact in terms of improved nutrition and job creation will be determined by the magnitude of the resource. An evaluation of this should, therefore, be a first step in any project. Beneficiaries Households and in particular the under twelve year olds at risk of malnourishment will benefit from subsidised access to high protein food. In the under 12 group the long-term effect can be very large avoiding stunting and retarded development. In the commercial phase, jobs will be created for local workers and an entrepreneurial opportunity will be created.



6. DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT INTERVENTIONS: ECONOMIC 6.1 INTRODUCTION Job creation and growing the local economy of the town was identified as the two highest priorities to address poverty in all its forms. Through these interventions, it is hoped that food insecurity and the other manifestations of poverty would be effectively addressed. It must also be noted that without economic opportunities, higher education and skills levels, and better health will not eradicate poverty or inequality. Nevertheless, sectors such as education, health, welfare and police alleviate poverty by increasing well being and productivity, and equity demands that the poor have greater access to social services. Whilst the previous section (2.9) dealt with social interventions, this section of the document lists a number of economically sustainable projects that have been assessed by the CSIR to have a high potential for success, should the necessary support structures, capacity and resources be provided. It is followed by an Opportunities Grid, which lists and ranks all the projects identified by the project team, and assesses their relative impact against specific criteria identified by the PAWC. Eradicating poverty and inequality and the meeting of basic needs are primary (but not the only) goals of the government. To make a significant impact on poverty, government needs to break the forces that perpetuate a vicious circle of poverty at one extreme, whilst encouraging income, wealth and opportunities to be amassed at the other. For many of the projects presented hereafter to be successful, grant funding will be required for the set – up costs, as well as some of the learning and capacity building (at community level). Given the limited capacity within the target communities, ongoing mentoring and support will be required to develop the ability and capacity of the target communities to implement these projects after the initial start-up phases. 6.2 PROPOSED INTERVENTIONS The study has called on the CSIR Domain Specialists to identify potential projects and entrepreneurial interventions. It focuses on agribusiness, but the principles apply to all areas. Methodology There are three ways in which agribusiness opportunities can be identified, namely in response to:

� information on agricultural or indigenous crop availability

Basing agribusiness on a resource-based approach is simple and focussed, as the agricultural and natural resources are defined and known.

However, once the introduction of new agricultural products is considered the picture becomes more difficult because of the large number of possibilities. See for example the "Labour Intensive Agriculture" study by Carstens, SANCRA the Southern African New Crop Research Association, the “Forgotten Plant Series”by BOSTID that focuses on opportunities beyond simple commercial viability.



Of course, with the input produce defined, there are still a large number of possible final products because of the range of processing opportunities - drying, cooking, blending, milling, agglomeration, pasteurisation, packaging etc

� identified markets

These products can be based on real information but still be far from reality. For instance, there is a well-identified trend towards convenience, health & variety. Responding to this it is possible to generate many very innovative products that have little real chance of market success.

� Outgrowing/sourcing opportunities

These opportunities are real and should be focused on as an opportunity identification project

CSIR APPROACH While the generation of ideas based on the resource and food market ideas is very easy to a technologist, a technology-focused approach can easily generate numerous and unpractical results. The difficulty for the Domain Specialist is to find a balance between what is conceivable and what is workable. The former represents the impressive and exciting ideas while the latter is what is more likely to succeed and promote development. In an ideal world, the latter is what the Domain Expert should produce and what the client should expect. This can only be achieved by communicating very well with the client, on how choices have been made. In all cases, we need to bear in mind that the food industry is itself always looking for new market ideas and that we need to find where our competitive advantage lies and design around that. From poverty relief to the establishment of large industries, most of the potential projects presented here offer a range of opportunities, assuming appropriate markets can be served. In many instances most of the projects presented as poverty relief projects could be increased in size and scope to become much larger economic entities should sufficient market opportunities be created. For example, a large community vegetable garden filling purely a nutritional supplementation function could be increased in scale to become a regional supplier of selected vegetables should a sufficiently large market for the produce be developed. The interventions proposed on the next few pages would impact on, and reduce the need for the proposed social interventions. For example, households with sufficient income can source the food they need for a healthy life, and more likely to understand the need for nutrition given that they are able to focus on the household’s development, education and health. The interventions have been identified by the CSIR according to the Rapid Review Methodology, and have been listed according to High Priority and Secondary priority projects. Over the next few pages a two –page concept proposal or project proposal outline is provided for each of the high priority projects, followed by a short overview outlining each of the



secondary priority projects. It should furthermore be noted, that these short overviews of each of the project proposals are not intended to be a business plan for each idea presented. Instead, they present an overview of what potential projects exist, and seek to stimulate further discussion and research into possible piloting of the projects proposed. HIGH PRIORITY PROJECTS � Establishment of a Regional Marketing Business � Promotion of indigenous sheep breeds � Processing and Value Addition of Fruit and Vegetables � Promotion of Micro livestock Enterprises � Hides, skin and leather – based crafts � Waste to wood � Integration model � Integrated Craft Centre � Establishing a Local Taxi Service SECONDARY PRIORITY PROJECTS � Installation of Bicycle and pedestrian pathways � Truck stop upgrading � Cheese making business – goat and sheep � Commercialisation of Karoo Wild Flowers � Introduction of Olive Production and Processing � Establishment of a Tourist Resort at the Floriskraal Dam



PROPOSAL 1

ESTABLISHMENT OF A REGIONAL MARKETING BUSINESS Background South Africa’s focus on small business is important to the country’s future and leads to a significant number of SMME proposals in this study. However, to date the level of success of SMMEs has been poor. DTI has identified that the major cause for these failures has been a failure to identify and supply markets. This has resulted from a lack of attention to the market issues as well as the advantages the multinational food companies have in terms of economies of scale and product diversity. These difficulties will be addressed by a Regional Marketing Business that fills the following roles:

• Provide information to support the SMME to select products that address viable markets and avoid direct competition with established brands e.g. traditional, local & novel foods.

• Introduce a Fairtrade�

component to supplement the market-focused products of well-developed SMME products.

• Market and distribute market products from many small businesses together under a generic brand. This is the only feasible way to put any level of marketing and brand development into the products of small food processing enterprises producing a few specialised products.

The Regional Marketing Business would start by

• establishing a database of entrepreneurs and their products

• identifying market opportunities

• developing a brand for the products of small enterprises in the Central Karoo

• promoting the brand and selected products and would grow into roles in

• communicating and replicating successful enterprises

• franchising successful enterprises Key Requirements LAND No land will be required but a fully equipped office with strong communications facilities will need to be established ENTREPRENEURSHIP



The proposal is out and out a business one and will therefore have to be run by entrepreneurs with particular skills in marketing ands sales. The entrepreneurs will need to be on strong performance based contracts. TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING Although it is successful entrepreneurs who are going to drive the business their skills will need to be grown and developed particularly in the marketing and business areas. FINANCE Funds will be required for the day to day running which will include sales material, marketing visits, attendance at trade shows and conferences, provision of samples, development of test marketing processes but also to hire professional inputs on branding and marketing campaigns. The marketing business will generate income from a royalty on sales and will need some initial investment and funding during the development and piloting of the process.

Impact It is only through a marketing organisation that all the small manufacturing entrepreneurs will be able to access more than local and some regional markets and grow the turnover to the stage where they become strong viable commercial enterprises. Beneficiaries Entrepreneurs are the direct beneficiaries of this project while their employees are the indirect beneficiaries of the resulting local economic development.



PROPOSAL 2

PROMOTION OF INDIGENOUS SHEEP BREEDS Background Indigenous or early-domesticated sheep breeds originated in the Middle East migrated southward through Africa with the Khoi pastoralists and entered the current political boundaries of South Africa about 600 BC. These animals are haired sheep, i.e. they do not produce wool, are hardy and several breeds are adapted to the Karoo. Due to their conformation (body shapes adapted to walking long distances), fat tails, the accumulation of fat on the rump, changes in the commercial market, and ethno-historical reasons these animals have become marginalized and in some cases driven close to extinction. Justification These animals are adapted to the environment, can potentially be farmed without the use of veterinary externalities. The latter point indicates low input costs, higher profitability and a low capital requirement by new entrants to sheep farming. Furthermore, if no agrochemicals are used the possibility exists to compete in the organically produced food market. These sheep also produce skins of considerably more value than the skins of conventional breeds. The fat from the fat tail and rump is also in demand during the winter game-hunting season for combination with various processed venison products. To gain maximum benefit per animal they should therefore be slaughtered only during the winter months. Key requirements LAND The Laingsburg Municipality owns two farms adjacent to the town. The town commonage is 3 000 ha and the farm Soutkloof (where a large proportion of the towns fresh water originates) is 7 000 ha, i.e. a total of 10 000 ha. The town commonage is already being developed (water and fencing) for small-scale stock farmers. Therefore, the availability of land need not be a constraint. Should additional land become available, it would be possible to increase the scope and impact of this project. WATER Water for livestock is available on the town commonage and the farm, Soutkloof. It is possible to extend the water supply to both properties at low cost. ANIMAL STOCK There are still flocks of several of these breeds in the district and further a field. The animal genetic resource is therefore, also obtainable. It should take no longer than 6 months and R 140 000 to purchase a breeding nucleus (200 ewes and 10 rams) of one of the indigenous breeds and start a sustainable sheep farming business. To prevent genetic erosion of this valuable resource it is recommended that only one breed be used at Laingsburg. The Blinkhaar Ronderib Afrikaner is recommended



Blinkhaar Ronderib Afrikaner sheep TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING It is possible to identify an appropriate institution/person to provide training and ongoing support to the new business. The required training would probably entail an intensive four-week session, as well as follow up sessions on a regular basis. It is also possible for the Extension Officers of the Department of Agriculture to play a key-mentoring role. FINANCES Financing of the start-up costs of this business will be required to secure the breeding populations of indigenous sheep, as well as minimal infrastructure and some fodder in the case of severe drought occurring during the start up years. Total direct costs for the establishment of this business will be about R 275 000 for the first season. This business should be able to support at least 50% of all its costs for the second season and should be independent by the end of the third season. EQUITY It is recommended that the persons identified to own the business do not receive any salaries or wages during the establishment/"project-financed phase" but should instead contribute their labour as equity in the new business. Impact Extensive grazing of indigenous livestock on 10 000 ha equates to 1 000 sheep. At an estimated gross margin of R 150 to R 200 per animal (current prices), there is a potential income of R 150 000 to R 200 000 per annum. A longer-term conservative average annual income of R 100 000 per annum could provide poverty alleviation to an estimated 20 families (100 people). The potential value of local value addition, hide processing and leatherwork articles is not factored into the estimates given above, but will increase the total income per annum as well as create further job opportunities. For example, the skin with its shiny hair is used for the manufacture of valuable and highly sought after blankets. Local slaughter of the animals will also generate waste streams such as the organic matter removed from the stomachs (soil ameliorants) and could benefit other suggested projects such as the food garden and community gardens initiative and the cold storage and processing plant.



Beneficiaries Male headed households and children aged 8 to 16 years.



PROPOSAL 3

PROCESSING AND VALUE ADDITION TO FRUIT AND VEGETABLES

Background The role of food processing is to preserve production for later use, improve the taste of the food and to produce quality processed foods such as jams, juices and sauces. Small scale food processing is seen as a major small entrepreneurial opportunity in many parts of the world but has not been very successful in South Africa. It should be noted however that one of the most successful small manufacturing enterprises is a food one, namely the production of homebrewed sorghum beer. This is due to the existence of a large-scale industry and very good road infrastructure resulting in few opportunities where the distribution premium on food prices creates small business opportunities. Whatever opportunities do result are out - weighed by the lack of economy of scale for small business especially in the area of packaging costs. The small business has rather to find opportunities through serving niche markets. The small-scale production of simple foods (e.g. dried fruit and vegetables, jam, chutneys, achaar, tomato sauces, chilli sauces) is possible in small-scale enterprises with reasonably low capital cost and high labour demand. Justification The processing of fruit and vegetables produces higher value and shelf stable products that can be more easily marketed and will bring a more stable and higher price. This is very important to the remote, small-scale grower who has difficulty in linking to markets in the major centres. There is an additional opportunity to link into the proposed tourism and craft initiative that will provide markets for local and special products. Key Requirements LAND Small scale processing is carried out in a properly designed and sized building which will need to be built or rented on a properly serviced plot of land. The actual size of the building is not large and a normal industrial or commercial plot will be sufficiently large – a minimum of 1000

m2 would probably be workable.

WATER Water, effluent and power requirements are somewhat higher than those of most industries. In particular the availability of a good supply of fresh water is important to the operation of a process producing a safe, quality product. This in turn results in a large waste stream with high biological load.



OTHER INPUTS This proposal expects to process the produce of the Food Gardens proposal and other produce available in the region. To create full time jobs and to maximise the use of the capital investment it is necessary to process a range of fruits and vegetables. Other inputs including ingredients and packaging materials should be available locally or in the neighbouring industrial towns. TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING The processing plant will require good and in depth training of the operators in the manufacturing process and in the operation thereof in a safe and hygienic manner. This is important if products are going to be sold commercially. FINANCE The type of installation envisaged will require a capital investment in the order of R 50 000 in equipment and a similar amount in working capital. This assumes manual operation and packaging of simple foods is possible. Impact The impact in terms of jobs created is directly related to the turnover or sales of the enterprise. Experience elsewhere with simple processed products indicates that a monthly turnover of R 50 000 would support an enterprise of about 5 people. It therefore becomes important to produce and sell niche products, probably to the tourism market to increase turnover and the job creation potential. Processing will also provide the agricultural and horticultural sectors with additional markets that could expand their labour needs. Beneficiaries The main beneficiaries will be the workers in the processing plant who will most likely be the women of the community as they are more interested in this type of job and have a greater aptitude. There will be increased income to the local horticulture and agriculture sector through an increase in off-take.



PROPOSAL 4

PROMOTION OF MICRO – LIVESTOCK ENTERPRISES

Background Pigeons, rabbits and Angora rabbits are examples of micro-livestock. These animals are adapted to the environment (low humidity and cool evenings even in summer). The keeping of micro-livestock for household food production is an internationally recognised survival strategy. Furthermore, many cases have been reported in the literature, reporting on mostly single mothers and high school children, starting off small but taking it further to eventually pay for secondary education. Justification Micro-livestock are not noisy, making them suitable for urban agriculture. If well managed there need be no odour problems. If housed in the correct cages and pens these animals can be kept close to the house and locked up for security against theft. They are prolific breeders and small numbers of breeding stock can provide significant protein supplementation to a family. Furthermore, they integrate very well with a food garden in terms of providing soil fertility. Pigeon manure, for example, contains five times more nitrogen than chicken manure. A project would focus primarily on capacity building, the provision of well-designed cages and pens and the livestock. Key requirements LAND Micro-livestock require very little space. Most species are suitable for home gardens. For example, a cage of 1.5 x 2 x 2.5 m is sufficient to house 16 breeding pairs of pigeons. Each breeding pair can produce 8 to 10 squab per year. WATER Very little water is required and can be supplied from normal household water supply ANIMAL STOCK For example, suitable pigeon breeds are common in South Africa and it should be able to supply a household with a cage, accessories and breeding stock with approximately R 2000. The breeding stock is rotated every 4 years.



TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING It is possible to identify an appropriate institution/person to provide training and ongoing support to the new business. The required training would probably entail an intensive one-week session, as well as follow up sessions on a regular basis. The Laingsburg High School would be the ideal place to set up demonstration units and provide the training and capacity building. More than 70% of the learners are from previously disadvantaged communities. Furthermore, the school has great success with olive and seed onion projects at the school. The learners are enriched by these activities and the income allows the school to provide for many children not able to pay school fees. In the case of micro-livestock it is suggested that the High School would be the ideal place to determine the readiness of children to start their own enterprises at home, to provide ongoing training and to distribute the feed required by the micro-livestock. FINANCES Financing of the start-up costs of micro-livestock for household nutrition will be required to secure the breeding populations as well as minimal infrastructure and feed. Total direct costs for the establishment of this household nutrition scheme will depend on the number of households keen to participate and the type of micro-livestock selected. Continued support will be required in terms of animal rations. The provision of the animal rations is seen as a dignified alternative to the distribution of high protein food. EQUITY It is recommended that the identified households do not receive any salaries or wages during the establishment/"project-financed phase" but should instead contribute their labour as equity. Impact This survival strategy can provide high protein food for poor families and fertility for their home gardens. With improved skills, some families may elect to keep more animals and progress towards higher levels of production. For example, the keeping of angora rabbits for the production of high value mohair. Local processing of the mohair could lead to significant job creation. Progress from survival to surplus generation and job creation will obviously depend on other aspects of development in Laingsburg such as a market hub focussing on the N1

Rabbit for meat production

Pigeon squabs for meat



highway and perhaps even a production node for small processing industries. Beneficiaries The beneficiaries would be mostly female-headed households and children aged 8 to 16. The keeping of micro-livestock could also have significant social benefits in terms of combating idleness. Breeding micro-livestock is an interesting, mentally stimulating and labour intensive undertaking.



PROPOSAL 5

HIDES, SKIN AND LEATHER BASED CRAFTS

Background The major agricultural and economic activity within the Central Karoo is the extensive rearing of sheep livestock and to a smaller extent, cattle and other livestock. The by-products of the livestock, in particular skin and hides, could be expanded and diversified into commercially viable craft products. A number of stand-alone business activities could be established and that would entail collection of hides and skin, processing into leather and hide, and the manufacturing of craft products. This project would stimulate the local economic activities in the area and would further expand the current livestock farming. Justification Currently most of the sheep and other livestock like cattle are shipped out of the area where they are slaughtered and sold for meat purposes and the by-products soled as raw. This does not represent good value for money for the local community. Adding value to the products and the by-products of the livestock could increase the benefit the farmers are getting from their livestock. The meat could be sold as is, or processed into different types of foodstuffs such as sausages, hamburgers, minced meat, biltong, and meat extracts etc. The by-products, in particular skin and hides, could be processed and craft products manufactured. Art and craft is one of the rapid growing industries in the world, and this creates some business opportunities that could be quantified into viable businesses. Of critical importance is however the need to link this project to niche markets that will include external (and export) markets. Key Requirements This project may comprise of three components:

• Collection component – Depending on the quantity of the hides and skin, this component might be set up as a business(es) and an entrepreneur(s) could be set up to manage it, the main role (activity) being to collect the skin and the hides and supply the tannery for processing into leather and hides.

• Tannery – The hides and skin collected will be supplied to this component to process them into hides and leather from which final crafts products could be manufactured. Depending on conditions and circumstances, this component could also be an independent business to be managed by an entrepreneur.

• Production component – The skin and hides processed to suit specific crafts products will be supplied to this component for manufacture into final products. An independent business could be established and managed separately from the other two components.

The following would be the requirements:



LAND There will be land required necessarily for the operations. However, this would not require large piece(s) of land as this will not be very big operation. Depending on circumstances, current redundant buildings could also be explored and modified to suit this operation(s). WATER Water will be required for the tanning component and the other components will only require very little volumes of water. EQUIPMENTS/TOOLS Processing of skin and hides into leather and hides and the manufacture of final products will require an input of equipments. TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING Relevant institutions with a good reputation would be identified to transfer skills and knowledge to build capacity for the sustainability of the project(s). FINANCE The funds required for the project will be in the order of R500 000 which will be for the space required, training, equipment and manpower. It is envisaged that this funds will be sufficient to kick-start the project until such time that it will be able to generate income. Impact The impact of the project will be through job creation and empowerment of workers and entrepreneurs. This project will further serve as stimulation for new such projects to be identified and established. The success of the project will further call for expansion of the current livestock farming in the area. Beneficiaries The main beneficiaries will be workers whose job opportunities will be created in the collection of hides and skin, the tanning and the manufacturing of crafts products. Further benefit will be realised through expansion of the current livestock farming activities and this would create additional jobs for the unemployed.



PROPOSAL 6

WASTE TO WOOD

Background Waste to Wood is a green business opportunity. It is about the use of trees, in plantation format, to treat municipal wastewater and the use of municipal wastewater to irrigate trees (outside the human food chain) for high biomass yields. This enterprise is designed to be run by a small town municipality and to create jobs for their own rate and taxpayers. In the process, there are also several opportunities for entrepreneurs (self-employment and poverty eradication). From the international literature, it is clear that tree plantations are highly efficient in terms of treating municipal wastewater. Beneficial organisms in the plantation soil kill pathogens within 48 hours of every irrigation event. The trees are more efficient than conventional removal of nitrogen from wastewater and as efficient in removing phosphorus from the wastewater.

Laingsburg an indepth look at the town

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