Today’s in-principle agreement between the Royal Bafokeng Nation (RBN) and Impala Platinum Holdings Limited (Implats) – in terms of which the RBN will secure a 13.4% direct stake in Implats – amounts to a major shot in the arm for the RBN’s visionary and ambitious Masterplan.
Masterplan, unveiled in the RBN capital of Phokeng earlier this month, is based on an intricately detailed assessment of the opportunities offered and constraints imposed by the 1 200 square kilometres of RBN-owned and controlled land in South Africa’s North West Province and by their environs.
Devised in conjunction with award-winning, Singapore-based urban design consultants, Surbana, Masterplan sets developmental directions for the RBN for the next 30 years. Raised living standards and community self-sufficiency are key objectives.
Masterplan projects a doubling of the population living on RBN land, from its current level of 350 000 to 700 000 in 30 years’ time. Dependency on mining for economic growth is expected to shrink from its current level of 80% to around 60% in the same timeframe. Planned economic diversification will see trade’s contribution to the RBN economy grow from 7% to 15%; transport from 8% to 10%; manufacturing from 5% to 9% and finance from 3% to 6%.
While mine boundaries, State- and privately-owned land are recognised as possible developmental constraints, the proximity of Rustenburg to RBN land opens up potential for the development of a ‘business corridor’ between the former and Phokeng. The R565 highway, which traverses RBN land for some 40 kilometres, is seen as an axis for the development of tourism activities between Sun City and the Pilanesberg National Park in the north and historic and scenic sites in the south.
Demarcation of RBN land into five (5) distinct regions is envisaged: the Capital Region to the south-east around Phokeng, providing “an attractive, vibrant and thriving cosmopolitan” environment; the Central Region, providing quality housing, recreational attractions and employment opportunities; the North Region, providing “quality living” in a mining environment; the North-east Region, providing “an attractive residential area amidst a natural agro-setting with comprehensive facilities”; and the South-east region, providing access to nature.
A plan to safeguard land for future development is in place. By 2035, it is anticipated that some 240 square kilometres, or 20% of RBN land will have undergone substantial development. Of the area developed by that time, the lion’s share – 49% – will be for housing, 30% for infrastructure, 9% for services, 5% for manufacturing, 4% for tourism, 2% for ‘green’ facilities, and 1% for commercial activities.. A major developmental focus is a four-cornered regional art, design and sports hub, linking manufacturing, retail and trade, tourism and public services.
A structure plan prioritises land division, distribution of key infrastructure, facilities, housing, major road and transport networks and the scheduling of development into three 10-year phases between 2006 and 2015, 2015 and 2025 and 2025 and 2035. From this structure plan, development guidelines will be established and implementation strategies set.
On Masterplan, His Majesty, Kgosi Leruo Molotlegi says, “It signals a more integrated, more coherent and more holistic approach to land use and our built environment than we have ever had.
“Masterplan is founded on the idea that if you want to do big things, you have to dream big. Take big risks. Reach beyond your limitations.
“Masterplan obviously takes available resources into account but it stems from the needs and desires of the community, not from the current bottom line.”
James Duncan
Russell & Associates
27 11 880 3924 (office)
27 82 892 8052 (mobile)
Charmane Russell
Russell & Associates
27 11 880 3924 (Tel)
27 82 372 5816 (Mobile)
