Abstract:
Analyses the causes and extent of underdevelopment and poverty in Namaqualand and outlines a possible approach to redress these problems. Namaqualand s physical characteristics are both a fundamental cause of underdevelopment and a constraint on future development. It is argued that competition for land and other resources is an important cause of poverty in the region. The contradictory role of the missionaries is analysed as well as Government s efforts to coerce the region's inhabitants into wage labour. The literature is reviewed to elucidate underdevelopment and the scope for future development. The present socio-economic characteristics of the population and the state of development in the major economic sectors are described. Current development projects and strategies are analysed. It is concluded that they lack co-ordination and do not form part of a clearly formulated development strategy. A development proposal encompassing distinct strategies is presented to enhance economic mobility to improve the quality of life to exploit development potential The ways in which these strategies complement one another are outlined, and government's role emphasised. It is argued that efforts should be concentrated on activities in which Namaqualand appears to have a comparative advantage. Some parallels between Namaqualand and black homelands in South Africa are drawn.
