KAROO NEWS - The Camdeboo Development Forum and three community activists, Nico Palm, Willie van der Schyf and Richard Jansen, are exploring the implementation of the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs' Small-Town Regeneration (STR) strategy in Graaff-Reinet.
STR is aimed at regenerating, restoring, and fulfilling the economic potential of underperforming towns by exploring ways to strengthen small-town economies, provide a better quality of life, and to optimise the town's assets.
It focuses on sustainable economic development, improved service delivery, and empowering local communities through projects aimed at revamping infrastructure.
Van der Schyf explained that their engagement with the forum follows a discussion between the Graaff-Reinet community and Dr Braam Hanekom, Director of the Centre for Public Witness, and the subsequent establishment of the forum, late last year. Hanekom has been visiting towns all over South Africa to facilitate community discussions as part of the centre's #100DorpeDialoog project.
This project seeks to cultivate a culture of unity and mutual respect to promote social cohesion.
Bridge builders
Hanekom was accompanied by Van der Schyf who is involved in identifying bridge builders in towns. The bridge builder initiative is driven by GreyPower, a non-profit organisation aimed at organising, mobilising, and practically activating the knowledge and expertise of senior citizens for their own benefit and the benefit of the entire community. At the time, the STR strategy was still in its developmental stages but after it was finalised at the beginning of this year, Van der Schyf teamed up with Nico Palm who was requested to serve on CoGTA's National Task Force to assist with the rolling out the strategy.
Richard Jansen, Director of a leading security-risk intelligence consultancy, Paradigm Alpha, also came on board to assist with data collection. They have since been focusing on re-engineering municipal services through public-private-community partnerships. A notable number of projects aimed at improving services such as solid waste management and the provision of water and electricity have already been implemented in Viljoenskroon in the Free State.
Paradigm Alpha also introduced the Smart-Safe City Concept to improve the livability of towns. It is based on the premise that good urban governance, planning and management can improve prosperity.
Community buy-in
Palm, Van der Schyf and Jansen was invited to Graaff-Reinet by the Forum. Palm explained they are not employed by CoGTA, but a community effort acting in the interest of the people. "As members of the community, we work to empower other communities to take ownership and to stabilise basic services as soon as possible.
" Palm believes that stabilising basic services will bring about peace and prosperity and ultimately lead to economic growth. Successful implementation of the STR strategy requires the buy-in of the council and administration, the community and the business sector. Cooperation between these stakeholders is critical. "We will facilitate and assist but sustainability will depend on the community. It is up to the community to make it work and maintain it," said Palm.
Chairperson Johnny Swartz says the Camdeboo Development Forum has requested the buy-in of Dr Beyers Naude Local Municipality, who acknowledged the request, and the forum is hopeful that the STR strategy can be put into motion soon.
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