Authorities » Capricorn

Physical & Locational Characteristics

The Capricorn DM is situated in the centre of the Limpopo Province, sharing its borders with the Mopani DM to the east, Sekhukhune DM to the south, Vhembe DM to the north and Waterberg DM to the west. The district is situated at the core of economic development in the Limpopo Province and includes the capital of the province, that is, the City of Polokwane. Capricorn District Municipality is located at the centre of Limpopo Province and shares borders with four district municipalities: Mopani (east), Sekhukhune (south), Vhembe (north) and Waterberg (west). The district encompasses the city of Polokwane, the capital of Limpopo Province and boasts the core of economic development in the province. The N1 (National Road from Gauteng to Zimbabwe and the rest of Africa) and various other provincial roads (e.g. the P33/1 (R37) from Polokwane to Burgersfort/Lydenburg, the P94/1 (R521) from Polokwane to Alldays and Botswana and the P17/1 (R71) from Polokwane to Tzaneen and Phalaborwa) pass through the district municipality area. Its central location in Limpopo province means that trip generation and trip interchanges happen and are strongest in Polokwane.

The Capricorn DM comprises five Local Municipalities, including Aganang, Blouberg, Polokwane, Molemole and Lepelle Nkumpi. CDM covers an area of 185 222.27 hectares which constitutes 12% of the total surface area of the Limpopo Province. The spatial distribution of the major growth points reflects the travel and transport pattern in CDM. The majority of trips and movement is located in corridors that connect the main five local municipalities, at the same time transport trip generation and movement converges strongly to the CBD of Polokwane, which is the Provincial capital of Limpopo.

The figure below depicts the geographical location and distribution of the five local municipalities that constitute CDM.

Figure: Local Municipalities in Capricorn District Municipality (Source: CDM Spatial Development Framework (2007))

The main characteristics of each of the respective local municipalities with particular focus on transport aspects are briefly discussed below:

Aganang Local Municipality:

It is located on the north-western side of Polokwane and has the potential for agricultural and tourism development. The municipality is closer to Polokwane on its south-eastern border. This aspect, linked with the economic integration of the municipality with Polokwane Municipality, suggests that Aganang may have to grow in a south-eastern direction. Aganang Municipality does not have a viable revenue base. Aganang Local Municipality is experiencing environmental problems i.e. land degradation, pollution, desertification, deforestation and veldt fires that affect development in the area. The municipality does not have planning systems and tools to guide development such as the By-laws, and Town Planning scheme. Although the Land Use Management Scheme has been developed, it still has to be promulgated and implemented. Invariably, the transport system is poorly developed and an inward sharper focus on local travel and transport requirements missing.

Blouberg Local Municipality:

It is located at the far northern part of CDM approximately 95 km from Polokwane. Blouberg Local Municipality is composed of one district growth point, Alldays and two municipal growth points, namely, Senwabarwana, and Eldorado. The Provincial Spatial Development Rationale's description of growth point was used in identifying these growth points.

Blouberg municipal area is located at the far northern part of the Capricorn District Municipal Area. Aganang borders Blouberg on the south, Molemole on the southwest, Makhado on the northeast, Lephalale on the northwest, Mogalakwena on the southwest and Musina on the north. Six Growth Points were identified in the Blouberg local municipal area, i.e. Senwabarwana, Alldays, Eldorado, Buffelshoek, Harriswich and My-Darling. The central locality of the municipal area in relation to the rest of the country ensures that a number of important regional routes transverse the area, of which the R521 (Polokwane-Alldays) and D1200 (Dendron-Bochum-GaMankgodi) routes links the municipal area with the rest of the country. Other routes, which are also of a regional and sub-regional importance, are the D1589 which links Blouberg with the Waterberg district municipal area and Botswana and the D1468 (Vivo-Indermark), which should be prioritised due to its economic importance.

Lepelle-Nkumpi Local Municipality:

It is the second largest municipality within the district and is located in the southern area of the district. Lepelle-Nkumpi Local Municipality comprises two urban nodes: Lebowakgomo district growth point and Magatle municipality growth point, including a surrounding rural area that comprises of both commercial and communal mixed-farming activities. The municipality is located in the centre of the country providing it with the advantage of important links with the rest of the country through national and regional routes that transverse through it including the N1 and other Local Municipality roads.

Lepelle-Nkumpi municipal area is the second largest municipality within the District and is located in the southern area of Capricorn. The occurrence of unsettled land claims in the area is hindering spatial development in the municipal area. The municipal area comprises 2 urban nodes, namely the Lebowakgomo District Growth Point and the Magatle Municipality Growth Point, and a surrounding rural area that accommodates both commercial and communal mixed-farming practises. The central locality of the municipal area in relation to the rest of the country ensures that a number of important national and regional routes transverse the area, of which the R37 (Polokwane-Burgersfort) is the most important.

Molemole Local Municipality:

The spatial characteristics of the municipality consist of: farms, plantations, small scale mining, housing (low cost, informal, middle income), and transportation networks (road and rail), and agricultural areas (commercial and subsistence), recreational and community facilities. The municipality has potential for tourism development, which needs to be improved and marketed to attract and create the economic base. In addition, municipality has agricultural development potential for both livestock and crop farming and privately owned farms and properties dominate, which has impact on future development. Also, there has been a lack of private investment in certain areas within the municipal area leading to deterioration of these areas and an under-utilization of existing infrastructure in some areas.

This municipality is located on the north-eastern side of the District. The N1 crosses through the municipal area linking the Molemole with Zimbabwe to the north. It comprises farms, lantations, small-scale mining, housing (low cost, informal, middle income), transportation networks (road and rail), agricultural areas (commercial and subsistence), and recreational and community facilities. It has a potential for tourism development, which needs to be improved and marketed to attract and create an economic base.

Polokwane Local Municipality:

Polokwane City is the capital of the Limpopo Province and is located on the N1 highway, running from Gauteng to Zimbabwe and the rest of Africa. The municipality contributes �55% towards the GGP of CDM and �13.3% towards the total GGP of Limpopo Province. The spatial pattern of the municipality reflects that of the historic apartheid city model. Polokwane is the main centre with other nodes such as Seshego and Mankweng located 10km northeast and 30km north of the city centre. Further away are extremely impoverished rural settlements scattered in the peripheral areas of the municipality.

Polokwane City is the capital of Limpopo and is located on the N1 that extends from Pretoria to Zimbabwe. The spatial pattern of the municipal area reflects the historic "apartheid city" model, with Polokwane as the main centre and other nodes such as Seshego and Mankweng located 10km to the north-northwest and 25km to the east of the city centre respectively. Extremely impoverished rural settlements are scattered in the peripheral areas of the municipal area. The economic space is totally dominated by the Polokwane/Seshego nodal point. By 1996, the town was considered one of the fastest growing cities in South Africa. The node lies on the N1 axis, which is the main gateway to the rest of Africa. The capacity of this axis is constantly improved and it can be expected that the axis will become even more important for the transport of goods by road to and from Africa. This status is further supported with the Polokwane International Airport located just outside of Polokwane. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) also identified the node as a so-called Industrial Development Zone (IDZ). This supports earlier suggestions that the node be developed as an Export Processing Zone (EPZ). To the northwest of the Polokwane/Seshego node lies Senwabarwana and Thabamoopo, which are districts of the former Lebowa. The five local municipalities within the district have developed the Land Use Management Scheme to guide development but they do not have other tools such as by-laws.

CDM has approximately 547 settlements that are distributed as follows:

• Aganang LM: 96
• Blouberg LM: 138
• Lepelle-Nkumpi LM: 109
• Molemole LM: 37
• Polokwane LM: 167

Out of the 457 settlements that make the CDM, approximate 30.53% are located within Polokwane Municipality. 20% of all the larger settlements with a population of 5000 and more are also located within Polokwane. The district is characterised by a large number of small villages with less than 1000 people, spread across all five local municipalities.

Approximately 75% of all settlements in the district are small (2050 people per settlement in average) and scattered throughout the western, southern, northern and eastern areas of the CDM. Low population densities (averaged 71.10) in the district have severe implications for service provision to communities as the cost for service delivery and infrastructure becomes very high. This in turn has unintended negative economic consequences.

Development Corridors

Limpopo province has selected seven competitive cluster value chains to act as engines for increased economic growth. The thinking behind the 'competitive cluster value chain' strategy is targeting capital investment, sustainable economic growth, job creation, and economic and spatial diversification. A broad overarching framework emphasising the integration of public development interventions guides the whole approach and programme. In this context, Spatial Development Initiatives (SDI) are viewed as targeted interventions by government aimed at facilitating the unlocking of economic potential, new investment and job creation in a local area or region.

Spatial Development Initiatives are targeted interventions by central government to help unlock economic potential and facilitate new investment and job creation in a local area or region. All the SDI corridors meet in the CDM, specifically in the City of Polokwane and are indicated in Figure below. Several mining and tourism projects were identified along the SDI corridors.

Figure: Spatial Development Initiatives in the Limpopo Province

The four areas where the new platinum mines will be concentrated include:

• The Lebowakgomo District (South)
• Groblersdal - Cluff mining
• Dilokong or Burgersfort / Steelpoort corridor (Joint Development Forum (JDF) who represent Anglo and Impala platinum)
• Mokopane - Anglo Platinum & African Minerals

The size and scale of the platinum industry will equal or possibly surpass the operations in Rustenburg in the North West Province, making Limpopo the largest national contributor of platinum. Most of the platinum concentrate from the above-described areas will be transported in the form of platinum concentrate to the Polokwane Smelter.

There is potential for expansion and new ventures in mining in the CDM. A new diamond mine was established at Zebediela. The following Coalfields were demarcated, namely Mopani in the Blouberg LM, Pietersburg Greenstone in the Polokwane LM, and the Springbok Flats in the Lepelle-Nkumpi LM. There are potential new Platinum mines - Mussina Platinum mine, in Lebowakgomo and Matlala Platinum mine northwest of Polokwane. Further, the Silicon Smelters in Polokwane were expanded.

There are 12 growth points in the CDM. Most of these are situated in the Blouberg, Polokwane and Molemole municipal areas - 3 growth points each. Approximately 24% of the district population is found in these growth points (CDM IDP, 2006).

The District Municipality (DC35) is situated in the centre of the Limpopo Province, sharing its borders with four district municipalities namely; Mopani (east), Sekhukhune (south), Vhembe (north) and Waterberg (west). The district is situated at the core of economic development in the Limpopo Province and includes the capital of the province, that is, the City of Polokwane. One national and various major provincial roads pass through the district municipal area, i.e. the N1 - National Road from Gauteng to Zimbabwe and the rest of Africa, the P33/1 (R37) from Polokwane to Burgersfort /Lydenburg, the P94/1 (R521) from Polokwane to Alldays and Botswana and the P17/1 (R71) from Polokwane to Tzaneen and Phalaborwa.

Tourist Attractions along the Proposed Roads

Figure below shows a map indicating primary tourism zones in Limpopo Province. These main tourism centres have the effect of attracting international and local tourists. Tourism transport is a highly specialised transport with transport and travel patterns that are not necessarily identical with general public transport. The proposed transport unit could play a pivotal role in overall monitoring, management and regulation of tourism transport and infrastructure service as a way of complementing efforts by the province and the South African government in promoting Limpopo as an attractive tourism destination. It is also important to take advantage of the forthcoming 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup to improving tourist transport infrastructure and facilities. The proposed TA could spearhead efforts of streamlining the universal transport infrastructure and facilities (including special needs transport such as for tourist groups) while at the same time allowing for skills and knowledge transfer in terms of local participation and entrepreneurial sustainable development beyond the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup event.

The major tourism magnets in CDM or within ease access and reach are:

• Drakensberg Escarpment: A tourism development plan has been completed which focuses on the development of Tzaneen, Doorndraai, Ebenezer and Flag Boshielo dams.
• Mapungubwe World Heritage Site: The provincial strategy intention is to merge Soutpansberg complex with Limpopo Valley. This has the proposed effect and impact of creating a provincial destination of choice through stimulating all year tourism in Alldays.
• Waterberg Biosphere World Heritage Site: The proposed establishment of 100,000 hectare "Wildlife Wilderness Park" Biosphere Reserve initiatives is important in this regard. This initiative will be fully realised in the context of developing an all inclusive developmental working partnership development model that involves the participation and beneficiation of local communities.

Figure: Tourism zones in Limpopo Province

In the context of tourism development in CDM and its immediate environments, the condition of roads is considered to be one of the biggest threats to the tourism industry. Other public infrastructure requiring maintenance includes tourism parking, signage and public transport. CDM could explore the possibility of providing tourism infrastructure provision and maintenance through local community service providers. The proposed TA in conjunction with DEAT and other relevant departments could explore the options for a local tourism signage infrastructure maintenance and sustainability model.

As an example, the Golden Horse Shoe route (R572) has been identified to service the four key tourism zones including integrating the tourism industry within Limpopo. This route functions as a golden thread consolidating an eco-tourism wilderness of some four million hectares on the province's western, northern and eastern perimeters. A significant portion of this area already consists of publicly and privately owned game and nature reserves. The Golden horseshoe includes two Trans-Frontier Conservation areas, being firstly the Kruger National Park and neighbouring game reserves in Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

The second tourist route involving the development of a 500,000 hectare Peace Park bisected by the Limpopo river, and incorporating public and private game reserves west of Musina in Limpopo, and in neighbouring Zimbabwe and Botswana also exists. The Limpopo Economic Development Enterprise strongly belief and at one time stated that "The Golden Horseshoe has the real potential to attract at least R7 billion of investment and even to double the size of the Limpopo economy".

The vast tourism potential has implications and impact for transport in CDM and Limpopo province in general.

Agriculture

The Capricorn District is home to one of the largest citrus estates in the country, namely, Zebediela Citrus Estate, which is located in the Lepelle-Nkumpi Local Municipality. The District also has thriving livestock farming. The LGDS identified potential for a red and white meat cluster in the District. Farming opportunities for red and white meat can be established and should be promoted in all Local Municipalities of the CDM.

The CDM SDF (2008) identified high agricultural potential, especially around settlements in the District. High agricultural potential also exists along the rivers in the District, especially the following:

• The Natse River in the Blouberg and Aganang LM.The Nokaymantala and Matlala River in Aganang LM
• The Sandriver in Molemole LM
• The Diepriver in Polokwane LM
• The Olifantsriver in Lepelle-Nkumpi LM.

High agricultural potential also exists in the southern side of the Molemole LM and on the border of the Molemole LM and Polokwane. The area around Mphakane in Molemole also has potential for development of agriculture. The Grootfontein area and the Zebediela area in Lepelle-Nkumpi are also known for having high agricultural potential. Various areas in this LM have also been identified to have potential for Agri-villages.

There is also a number of irrigation regions in the Capricorn District, namely the Polokwane south region and the Dendron-Vivo irrigation region. These irrigation regions are highly suitable for the production of vegetables, tobacco, cotton, and citrus.

Potatoes are the most widely cultivated crop in the CDM, followed by tomatoes; while chicken egg breeds and broilers are the most common livestock raised in the area. Pork and citrus productions are also substantial contributors to the agricultural output of the CDM. The area also has comparative advantages in the agro-processing industry.

Mining

The mining resources in the Capricorn District are predominantly clustered in the Lepelle-Nkumpi LM. The District, through Lepelle-Nkumpi, forms part of the Platinum Mining Cluster on the Dilokong Corridor. In Lebowakgomo, the new Mussina Platinum Mine has been commissioned. Other mining operations in Lepelle-Nkumpi include:

• LONMIN in Ga-Mphahlele (platinum, chrome, granite)
• Rooibosch Mining Operation in Zebediela
• Granite Mining Operation
• Diepsloot Mining Operation

The Corridor Mining Resources is planning an exploration for precious group metals. Other prospecting opportunities include granite, chrome, coal, gold, silica and platinum. The following table lists the mining/mineral potential for each of the Local Municipalities in the District:

Tourism

The Capricorn District serves as a gateway to neighboring countries such as Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique. It is also centrally located between Gauteng and eastern gates of the Kruger National Park, and Gauteng and hunting regions of the northern Limpopo. The district boasts a number of natural heritage sites such as Brackenhill and Goedehoop, Makgabeng Rock Art, and the ZCC pilgrimage (Moria). Capricorn is considered to have a high rate of tourists influx wherein demand is higher than supply, especially during Easter - when people influx Moria.

Polokwane is the tourism mecca of the district. The City of Polokwane is endowed with a casino, museums, shopping facilities, art gallery, cultural village facilities and nature reserves. The Polokwane Municipality also boasts a good supply of accommodation establishments and an intermodal transportation system.

The tourism potential of the District is also evident in municipalities such as Molemole, Lepelle-Nkumpi, and Blouberg. Blouberg has two nature reserves - Maleboho and Blouberg Nature Reserves. In Lepelle-Nkumpi there is the Zebediela Citrus Estate,the Wolkberg Wilderness, Lekgalameetse Nature Reserve, and Bewaarskloof Reserve. Molemole has the Tropic of Capricorn stopping point located on the N1 highway, which includes the Motumo Trading Post, and encompasses the agricultural region around Mogwadi that is well known for its annual potato festival. The Aganang Municipality has numerous cultural and heritage tourism resources.

Limpopo Provincial Growth and Development Strategy (PGDS)

The PGDS was developed in 2004 following a rigorous stakeholder process to determine the development priorities for the Limpopo province. It identifies the following key development objectives for the province, namely:

• Improving the quality of life of the population of Limpopo;
• Growing the provincial economy;
• Sustainable job creation and competitiveness,
• Improving the institutional efficiency and effectiveness of Government,
• Addressing priorities of BEE, HIV/AIDS-TB, poverty, land and environment,
• Attaining regional integration

The PGDS also identifies seven development clusters selected on the basis of the main economic drivers of the province, namely - mining, tourism, agriculture and tourism. These clusters are summarized below:

Limpopo Spatial Rationale (LSR)

The Limpopo Spatial Rationale has created a hierarchy of settlements from provincial growth points to scattered settlements. Development interventions are proposed in terms of infrastructure provision and government services in such a manner that the natural economic potential of growth points is realised. Interventions at scattered settlements are such that basic services are provided to ensure that the quality of life objective in the Growth and Development Strategy is achieved, but that prevents over investment in places that are depopulating.

The LSR has identified 12 growth points in the CDM. Most of these are situated in the Blouberg, Polokwane (Provincial Growth Point) and Molemole municipal areas - 3 growth points each. Approximately 24% of the district population is found in these growth points (CDM IDP, 2006).

CDM LED Framework

The CDM is home to one of the largest citrus estates in the country, namely, Zebediela Citrus Estate (13 785 ha) which is located in the Lepelle-Nkumpi Municipality in Zebediela. This estate produces citrus mainly for the international market. The Zebediela Citrus Plantation exports most of its produce and supplies the rest to local markets.

CDM has thriving livestock farming. The majority of livestock are goats (44%) followed by cattle (38%), pigs (10% and sheep (9%). The district had 240 000 goats, 200 000 cattle, 55 000 pigs and 50 000 sheep in 2001. The proportion of cattle in the district increased between 1995 and 2001 while the proportion of goats lessened. Commercial livestock farming constitutes 25% of livestock farming in the district, whilst communal represents 75%. The Limpopo Department of Agriculture is a key partner of the district's agriculture development programme. More than 100 different agriculture development projects are being supported across the district. These are focused on poultry, vegetables, lucerne production, livestock, diary farming and agro-processing. The district has budgeted for the establishment of a chicken abattoir, broiler chicken farming and processing (R1 million), fishing farm (R1.3 million), secondary vegetable cooperatives (R80 million), Paprika Beneficiation (R3.2 million) and hydroponics (R177 million) amongst other major agricultural developments.

Mining is the smallest contributor to the CDM economy and accounts only for 0.6%. It is the only sector that experienced negative growth (-6.7%) in the last decade. Its total contribution in 2006 summed R154 million. However, although mining may proportionally be of less significance at the district level, it remains an important sector to the Lepelle-Nkumpi where it contributes more than 20% to the local GVA. Between 1999 and 2004 the mining sector in Lepelle-Nkumpi experienced a 10% average annual growth. The mining sector in Lepelle-Nkumpi contributes 40% of the mining sector output in the district.

The district, through Lepelle-Nkumpi forms part of the Platinum Mining Cluster on the Dilokong Corridor. Three types of mining activities are being performed in this region i.e. surface, opencast and underground mining. The commissioning of the new Mussina Platinum Mine in Lebowakgomo is a major positive step for the district. The mine's anticipated revenue for 2002 was R230 million and it is now projected at R610 million per annum.

Other mining operations in the district include LONMIN which is situated in Ga-Mphahlele. This operation employs 1800 people and approximately 60% are locally based. The total output amounts to 120 000 tons of platinum annually. By products include chrome, platinum and granite. There are also the Roibosch, Granite and Diepsloot mining operations located in or closely to Zebediela.

Mining holds major possibilities for the district, especially the Lepelle-Nkumpi Municipality. The Corridor Mining Resources is planning an exploration of 22 000 m for precious group metals in Ga-Mphahlele. The value of this operation is estimated at R100 billion and aims to produce 360 000 ounces of precious group metals annually for 22 years and to create full-time employment for 1500 people. Other prospecting opportunities include granite, chrome coal, gold, silica and platinum.

The mining sector presents a number of backward and forward linkage opportunities for the entire district, but perhaps more so for industries in Lepelle-Nkumpi and the Polokwane Municipalities because of close proximity and existing industries. Most mining inputs are sourced from outside the district. The tourism and manufacturing industries stand to benefit greatly should the backward and forward linkages be optimised.

Cluster Development

The PGDS identifies a number of clusters that include the Capricorn district. The first, the Logistics Cluster in Polokwane is the establishment of Polokwane as a gateway city to Southern Africa and as such promotes NEPAD aspirations. This would be done through the creation of industrial development park around the airport and would include the Polokwane international airport, rail truck inn, expanded airport to accommodate role of UN Logistics Deport for Sub-Saharan Africa, the International Convention centre incorporating national and international sporting events; regional shopping centres with customs clearing facilities; R&D centre to undertake innovative product development with a special focus on Science and Technology. Although Polokwane Municipality has implemented a series of feasibility studies, much is yet to be done to accomplish the PGDS objectives in this regard.

The second is the Red and White Meat Cluster. The focus of this cluster is to build on current and emergent cattle and poultry production in all the districts, as well as animal-feed production, and possible expansion to incorporate under-utilised facilities such as state farms across the province. Up-stream development opportunities include sorghum production by emergent farmers (a major substitute for maize), as a strategy to raise the competitiveness of animal-feed and meat production in Limpopo. Down-stream activities would include improved efficiencies at abattoirs, as well as the packaging and distribution supply chain. Other opportunities include taking advantage of the growing trend in game farming, demand for venison and increased goat farming The third cluster focuses on maximizing the tourism sector opportunities. These clusters where further confirmed and agreed upon at the Capricorn growth and development summit in 2007.

Land development and land use management is hindered by the applicability of different types of legislation to different areas and towns/settlements/villages in the CDM area. The plethora of planning legislation creates uncertainty and sometimes conflict between various role-players.

Aganang has potential for agricultural and tourism development but does not have a viable revenue base and is experiencing environmental problems.

Blouberg comprises six growth points, i.e. Senwabarwana, Alldays, Eldorado, Buffelshoek, Harriswich and My-Darling. The central locality of the municipal area in relation to the rest of the country ensures that a number of important regional routes transverse the area.

Lepelle-Nkumpi municipal area is the second largest municipality and comprises two urban nodes (Lebowakgomo District Growth Point and the Magatle Municipality Growth Point). The occurrence of unsettled land claims in the area is hindering spatial development in the municipal area.

Molemole comprises farms, plantations, small-scale mining, housing (low cost, informal, middle income), transportation networks (road and rail), agricultural areas (commercial and subsistence), and recreational and community facilities. It has a potential for tourism development, which needs to be improved and marketed to attract and create an economic base.

Polokwane is the capital of Limpopo and is located on the N1. The spatial pattern of the municipal area reflects the historic "apartheid city" model, with Polokwane as the main centre and other nodes such as Seshego and Mankweng located 10km to the north-northwest and 25km to the east of the city centre respectively. Extremely impoverished rural settlements are scattered in the peripheral areas of the municipal area. The economic space is totally dominated by the Polokwane/Seshego nodal point. By 1996, the town was considered one of the fastest growing cities in South Africa. The node lies on the N1 axis, which is the main gateway to the rest of Africa.

The capacity of this axis is constantly improved and it can be expected that the axis will become even more important for the transport of goods by road to and from Africa. This status is further supported with the Polokwane International Airport located just outside of Polokwane. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) also identified the node as a so-called Industrial Development Zone (IDZ). This supports earlier suggestions that the node be developed as an Export Processing Zone (EPZ). To the northwest of the Polokwane/Seshego node lies Senwabarwana and Thabamoopo, which are districts of the former Lebowa.

The local municipalities within the district do not have planning systems and tools to guide development such as by-laws and a town-planning scheme.

Structuring of the Capricorn SDF

From the individual SDFs of Local Municipalities, as well as the influences from other plans on national, provincial and district level, the following SDF-building blocks for the Capricorn SDF, in order to address issues mentioned in the terms of reference, have been identified, namely nodal development points, corridors / linkages and the concept of rural service centres. A hierarchy of settlements have been identified which should guide decision-making on where development should be concentrated or not.

Nodal Development Points

Nodal development points are those specific locations where development tends to concentrate. The following nodes have been identified, in the Provincial SDF, 2007 (The district is currently reviewing the SDF to be aligned with Limpopo Spatial Development Framework):

Provincial Growth Points:

• Polokwane (Polokwane LM)
• Seshego (Polokwane LM)

District Growth Points

• Lebowakgomo (Lepelle-Nkumpi LM)
• Middelkop (Lepelle-Nkumpi LM)
• Morebeng (Molemole LM)
• Mogwadi (Molemole LM)
• Morebeng (Molemole LM)
• Nthabiseng (Molemole LM)
• Ntshitshane (Polokwane LM)
• Nobody-Mothiba (Polokwane LM)
• Mankweng (Polokwane LM)
• Ga-Thoka (Polokwane LM)
• Ga- Makanye (Polokwane LM)

Municipal Growth Points:

• Senwabarwana (Blouberg LM)
• Alldays (Blouberg LM)
• Avon (Blouberg LM)
• Puraspan (Blouberg LM)
• Witten (Blouberg LM)
• Eldorado (Blouberg LM)
• Thlanasedimong (Blouberg LM)
• Magatle (Lepelle-Nkumpi LM)
• Mapatjakeng (Lepelle-Nkumpi LM)
• Matseke (Molemole LM)
• Mphakane (Molemole LM)
• Ga-Rampuru (Aganang LM)
• Ga-Ramoshwane (Aganang LM)
• Chloe A (Aganang LM)
• Sebayeng A & B (Polokwane LM)

Population Concentration Points

Due to the rural nature of the area, and the fact that small settlements or villages are scattered over the area, these are areas where most of the population is located. The existing resources or features might determine the settlement pattern. Various such population concentration points have been identified in all of the respective local municipalities.

Transportation Distribution Hub

This is a concentration of public transport amenities that enable commuters to access different public transport modes within close proximity of one another. In the Aganang local municipality, Tibane, Mashashane and Kalkspruit have been identified as transportation distribution hubs.

Tourism development nodes

The following has been identified, namely:

Bakone and Ratang Baeng Nature Reserves (Aganang LM); area along Matlala and Mashashane (Aganang LM); Maleboho and Blouberg Nature Reserves (Blouberg LM) various German missionaries stations (Blouberg LM); and African Ivory Route (Blouberg LM).

In this regard it is proposed that these centres, as already identified and classified, should be utilised in order to manage or transform the future spatial form of the entire district. The following Coalfields have been demarcated, namely Mopaxie in the centre of the Blouberg LM, Pietersburg Greenstone running east-west to the south of Polokwane in the Polokwane LM and the Springbok Flats on the western boundary of the Lepelle-Nkumpi LM

Potential Agricultural Areas

have been identified along the western boundary of the Blouberg LM, in an area cutting across the Blouberg, Aganang and Molemole LMs and on the southern boundary of the Lepelle-Nkumpi LM; Various Nature Conservation Areas have been identified, namely Moletjie and Blouberg (Blouberg LM); Bakone (Aganang LM); Turfloop (Molemole LM); Percy Fyfe, Pietersburg, Kuschke and Zebediela (Polokwane LM) Bewaarskloof, Wolkeberg Caves, Serala, Thabina, Lekgalameetse and Stellenbosch (Lepelle-Nkumpi LM).

Spatial Analysis: Spatial Planning and Land Use

The White Paper on Spatial Planning and Land-use Management was approved by the national government and gazetted on 27 June 2001. The most dramatic effect of the White Paper is that it proposes the rationalization of planning laws into one national system that will be applicable in each province, in order to achieve the national objective of wise landuse. The White Paper also builds on the concept of the Municipal Systems Act, 2000 and required Spatial Development Frameworks that should guide and inform all decisions of municipalities relating to the use, development and planning of land.

Concurrently with the White Paper on Spatial Planning and Land-use Management, a Landuse Management Bill was published in 2007 for comments. According to the Provincial SDF, 2007, the two most important development determinants for spatial development in the Limpopo Province are economic and political processes and forces. These two processes and forces which shaped (forced) the existing spatial pattern will most likely become the influencing factors to guide spatial development in the future. There are also other secondary factors, which will influence the spatial pattern in the future such as HIV/AIDS, illegal immigration, migration between provinces (which is mainly because of economic and employment opportunities).

Spatial Location and Description

The main characteristics of each of the respective Local Municipalities are summarised below: AGANANG- Aganang municipal area is located to the northwest of Polokwane. It has potential for agricultural and tourism development. Aganang Municipality does not have a viable revenue base. Aganang is experiencing environmental problems i.e. land degradation, pollution, desertification, deforestation and veld-fires that affect development in the area. The municipality does not have planning systems and tools to guide development such as by-laws and a town planning scheme.

BLOUBERG

Blouberg municipal area is located at the far northern part of the Capricorn District Municipal Area. Aganang borders Blouberg on the south, Molemole on the southwest, Makhado on the northeast, Lephalale on the northwest, Mogalakwena on the southwest and Musina on the north. Six Growth Points were identified in the Blouberg local municipal area, i.e. Senwabarwana, Alldays, Eldorado, Buffelshoek, Harriswich and My-Darling. The central locality of the municipal area in relation to the rest of the country ensures that a number of important regional routes transverse the area, of which the R521 (Polokwane-Alldays) and D1200 (Dendron-Bochum-GaMankgodi) routes links the municipal area with the rest of the country. Other routes, which are also of a regional and sub-regional importance, are the D1589 which links Blouberg with the Waterberg district municipal area and Botswana and the D1468 (Vivo-Indermark), which should be prioritised due to its economic importance.

LEPELLE-NKUMPI

Lepelle-Nkumpi municipal area is the second largest municipality within the District and is located in the southern area of Capricorn. The occurrence of unsettled land claims in the area is hindering spatial development in the municipal area. The municipal area comprises 2 urban nodes, namely the Lebowakgomo District Growth Point and the Magatle Municipality Growth Point, and a surrounding rural area that accommodates both commercial and communal mixed-farming practises. The central locality of the municipal area in relation to the rest of the country ensures that a number of important national and regional routes transverse the area, of which the R37 (Polokwane-Burgersfort) is the most important.

MOLEMOLE

This municipality is located on the north-eastern side of the District. The N1 crosses through the municipal area linking the Molemole with Zimbabwe to the north. It comprises farms, plantations, small-scale mining, housing (low cost, informal, middle income), transportation networks (road and rail), agricultural areas (commercial and subsistence), and recreational and community facilities. It has a potential for tourism development, which needs to be improved and marketed to attract and create an economic base.

POLOKWANE

Polokwane City is the capital of Limpopo and is located on the N1 that extends from Pretoria to Zimbabwe. The spatial pattern of the municipal area reflects the historic "apartheid city" model, with Polokwane as the main centre and other nodes such as Seshego and Mankweng located 10km to the north-northwest and 25km to the east of the city centre respectively. Extremely impoverished rural settlements are scattered in the peripheral areas of the municipal area. The economic space is totally dominated by the Polokwane/Seshego nodal point. By 1996, the town was considered one of the fastest growing cities in South Africa. The node lies on the N1 axis, which is the main gateway to the rest of Africa. The capacity of this axis is constantly improved and it can be expected that the axis will become even more important for the transport of goods by road to and from Africa. This status is further supported with the Polokwane International Airport located just outside of Polokwane. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) also identified the node as a so-called Industrial Development Zone (IDZ). This supports earlier suggestions that the node be developed as an Export Processing Zone (EPZ). To the northwest of the Polokwane/Seshego node lies Senwabarwana and Thabamoopo, which are districts of the former Lebowa. The five local municipalities within the district have developed the Land Use Management Scheme to guide development but they do not have other tools such as by-laws.

Most Frequently Exported Products in Capricorn District

CDM has a total of 1108 kilometre paved roads. 567km of these tarred roads are located in Polokwane municipality and 541 km of tarred road length is in the other municipalities of CDM. In Polokwane municipality a backlog of 137km of streets for tarring exists, which is increasing yearly. The rural side of Polokwane municipality has approximately 800km of low volume roads that require upgrading and sealing. 3200 gravel road length is located in CDM giving a combined total of 4 308 total kilometres road network in Limpopo. Blading is a major maintenance high cost factor in the area. However, surface repair, road maintenance, pothole repairs, edge break repairs and bush clearing are some of the major maintenance activities undertaken in CDM. The current average cost of constructing a paved road is R2 million per kilometre, and the maintenance cost of a paved road is R0.5m rand per kilometre. However, the cost varies from one municipality to another given local conditions. Labour intensive construction costs R0.5 million per kilometre.

The ITP for CDM enumerates the status quo of transport infrastructure, transport services and proposals for transport demand management in the context of the spatial framework and other national, provincial and local plans.

In CDM, backlogs in the provision of roads and stormwater infrastructure include provision of access roads to villages/residential areas including access to social facilities within the villages/townships. Provision of adequate storm water infrastructure in the municipal areas i.e. storm water channels where flooding is eminent, storm water low level bridges and safe disposal of such storm water remains a challenge. The ITP has highlighted that the road hierarchy in CDM is not well defined. In addition, the roads are not friendly for non-motorised transport users. Sidewalks were provided are below standard and not user friendly. Conflicts between hawkers and pedestrians and heavy vehicle travel patterns are common. In CDM, there are inadequate public transport facilities such as taxi ranks and bus stations in rural and urban areas, loading and unloading bays, parking spaces in the CBDs, shelter and ablution facilities especially at public transport terminals. There is the absence of a major transport interchange for all modes of transport.

Access to SADC markets is obtained through the N1 highway. The national route also links the Limpopo Province with the Gauteng Province. A rail line running parallel to the N1 highway traverses the Province providing railway transportation to the City Deep Industrial Zone in Johannesburg and SADC countries. The Capricorn DM is connected with the Maputo Development Corridor running between Johannesburg and the Maputo Port in Mozambique through the Phalaborwa Corridor. The main road link in the Phalaborwa Corridor stretches from the N1, north of Polokwane, eastwards through the rich agricultural area around Tzaneen towards Phalaborwa. It then turns south to link with the Maputo Development Corridor at Nelspruit. Therefore, industries in the district have access to a deep?water port in Maputo, Mozambique. The Maputo port is located 300?400 kilometers from the main mining and agricultural regions in the Limpopo Province compared to a thousand kilometers distance to the port in Durban.

The Dilokong SDI traverses the District and constitutes the provision of public transport and a rail network along the corridor for cargo transportation, long?distance passengers, and commuters. It covers the platinum mining area in the east?central region of the province.

In addition to the road and railway transportation, the Capricorn DM is linked to the international markets by air through the Gateway International Airport situated in Polokwane and by road through the Cape to Cairo highway. Since 2005, the airport offers improved services and in the future will offer such facilities as a new terminal and larger freight and cold storage capacity. Other corridors running between the CDM and other municiaplities in Limpopo include:

• The East-West Corridor: it covers the mining and econ?tourism areas in the west?central region of the Province
• The Trans-Limpopo Corridor: follows the N1 from Polokwane into Zimbabwe.

A key challenge in transportation sector of the district is that most roads in the CDM are in poor state of repair (ITP, 2007). The rural roads are poorly designed and not maintained with specific attention to storm water drainage. Transportation costs are considered a key factor that affects competitiveness in the district. This affects other sectors of business include tourism as the accessibility of the district, and the province at large is made much costly due to high transport costs arising from the remoteness of the district in relation to other main economic centres of the country.

It is estimated that about 80% of tourist visitors to the Capricorn district are South Africans. More than half of these are from Gauteng and about 44% from within Limpopo. An estimated 14% of all foreign tourists into the district are predominantly from Zimbabwe and Europe, with a smaller proportion from the USA. Business and conference-related activities are the main travel motivations for 82% of visitors in Capricorn (M Gardner, 2003). Capricorn serves as a provincial tourism gateway for Limpopo. It is situated between Gauteng and the Northern areas of Limpopo and between the North Western areas and the Kruger National Park. It is a gateway to Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. The district boasts a number of Natural Heritage Sites such as Brackenhill and Goedehoop, Makgabeng Rock Art and the ZCC pilgrimage (Moria). Capricorn is considered to have a high rate of tourists influx wherein demand is higher than supply.

Roads and transport

The CDM is serviced by a complex network of national, provincial and district roads that are developed, maintained and managed by the National Government (SANRAL), the Provincial Government (RAL) and the CDM.

Moving South Africa identified three significant freight corridors through Limpopo, of which two are traversing through the CDM, namely:

• The N1 from Pretoria to Zimbabwe through Polokwane, Makhado, and Beit Bridge Border Post; and
• The R37 from Lydenburg to Polokwane, through Burgersfort and Lebowakgomo.
• Major Freight and Private Mode Corridors. The R101 is preferred to the N1 toll road due to the toll fees, and the safety implications since the R101 is a single carriageway road, and heavy vehicles tend to slow down traffic and reduce passing opportunities.

Most roads in the CDM are in poor state of repair. The rural roads are poorly designed and not maintained and specific attention to water drainage is critical. The CDM intends to tar 4% (100km) of all district routes by 2012 and re-gravel about 4.5% as well by 2010.

RAL has budgeted R848 million to upgrade and improve the road network in the CDM between 2006 and 2010. Most of this work is ongoing. The CDM has adopted an Integrated Transport Plan which it implements as part of its IDP budget and in partnership with the relevant authorities.

Roads

The total length of the district roads is 2,350 km. Since 2001, 163kms of district road were tarred. 56 kms of roads is still under construction.

The district is mostly rural. Most communities are sparsely populated in low-density villages. The densely populated urban and semi-urban areas are Polokwane, Mogwadi, Morebeng, Lebowakgomo, Seshego and Mankweng. Five settlement clusters were identified in the Spatial Development Rationale as: Polokwane/Perskebult, Mankweng/Badimong, Sebayeng/Dikgale and Mabukelele/Ramongwane.

The planned road and transport targets in response to the current situation are:

• To tar 4% (100km) of the District routes by 2012.
• To improve access of District Roads by re-gravelling (4%) 100km of roads by 2010.
• To improve access to sports facilities to 80% by 2010.
• To reach 0.5% of road users with safety awareness programmes per year.

Road Network

Responsibility for the road network in CDM rests with three agencies/authorities, as follows: The South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) - responsible for the national route network. The national route network within CDM area comprises of portion of the N1 and including full access interchanges. Limpopo Province, Department of Roads and Transport - responsible for the provincial road network and include two and multi-lane roads. Capricorn District Municipality - It is not clear at this stage whether CDM holds the responsibility for any road section in its area of jurisdiction.

The total length of the district roads is 2,386 km. of which 281kms (11.77%) is tarred. Molemole Local Municipality, responsible for the local road network which comprises approximately 398 km of roads. Blouberg Local Municipality, responsible for the local road network which comprises approximately 513 km of roads. Lepelle-Nkumpi Local Municipality, responsible for the local road network which comprises approximately 380 km of roads. Aganang Local Municipality, responsible for the local road network which comprises approximately 474 km of roads.

Polokwane Local Municipality, responsible for the local road network which comprises approximately 1900 km of roads. The highest backlog is observed in Polokwane LM at 1827kms followed by Blouberg 452km, Lepelle-nkumpi 349km, Aganang 412km, and Molemole at 344km. There are 285 taxi routes in the CDM and �} 50% of the routes are in the Polokwane local municipal area. Only 4.4% of commuters use private vehicles as their mode of transport.

Transport

Car ownership is low and commuters depend on public transportation. Further, mobility of communities is a serious concern.

The major public transport services in CDM are bus and taxi operations. Most roads in the CDM are in a poor state of repair. The rural roads are poorly designed and not maintained with specific attention to storm water drainage. There is also significant freight transport due to the mining activities in the district. Four in five persons walk to their various destinations due to a lack of public transport or a lack of money to pay for public or private transport. Minibus taxis are the most popular form of transport with 6% of commuters making use of taxis, while 4% of commuters make use of bus transport.

There are 107 taxi facilities in the CDM area, with only 29 taxi ranks that are formal. The dominant travel pattern of bus passengers is "home to work" in the morning and a return trip in the evening. There are 180 subsidised bus routes in the CDM and 196 subsidised buses in operation. There are some very long routes (from 40km to 100km) and journey times, which are in excess of two hours. Some buses depart as early as 3:40am. These factors affect the quality of life of long distance commuters and would benefit from a stronger alignment between rural development and urbanisation strategies.

The district has got an Integrated Transport Plan that is relevant for the period from January 2007 to December 2011, and the five-year implementation plan and budget will be reviewed annually.

Challenges

The White Paper on National Transport Policy (1996) recognized the challenges facing public transport provision in South Africa. Those challenges include fragmented institutional and management structures, wasteful subsidized competition, lack of integration of service between modes, lack of adequate control and enforcement. Above all that transport functions and responsibilities were largely fragmented between and within the various spheres of government, that is, the national, provincial, and municipal spheres of government. This lead to difficulties with the effective management and co-ordination of providing effective transport services in the metropolitan areas.

Currently, the Department of Roads and Transport's policy does not cater for the subsidisation of learners, students and the elderly. As well the current bus subsidy budget makes little provision for learner transport. Subsidised buses serve mainly peak hour commuters and offer limited off-peak services to learners, students and the elderly. There are 285 taxi routes in the CDM and � 50% of the routes are in the Polokwane local municipal area. Only 4.4% of commuters use private vehicles as their mode of transport.

Interventions

The White Paper and the National Land Transport Transition Act (NLTTA) of 2000 encouraged the devolution of transport functions to the lowest appropriate sphere of government by the establishment of Transport Authorities (TAs). It was envisaged that the TA, with appropriate structures and authorities, would provide for the overall provision and management of transport facilities and services.

To address the challenges indicated above, CDM will focus its efforts and resources on the following strategic components of transportation capacity and skills development;

• Motivate subsidised public transport coverage in the CDM with the objective of reducing the cost of travel,
• Install public transport infrastructure such as shelters, lay-bys, and inter-modal facilities, and upgrade road infrastructure and streets between residential and business nodes,
• Support the non-motorised transport plan and implement projects, manage congestion;
• Develop a Central Communications Centre for Incident Management, conduct road safety audits, address hazardous locations, motivate law enforcement and conduct education and communication campaigns.
• The District is currently conducting a feasibility study for the possible formation of the TA. , addressing the transport area, its functions, its structure, funding models, organisation and human resource requirements
• The district has identified school going children who travel on foot for more than 5 Kms to schools as a priority.
• Through the implementation of the subsidised bicycle project, needy school going learners have access to affordable non-motorised transport.

Budget

The following table highlights the medium term capital expenditure for roads and transportation services.

Access to Markets

Access to SADC markets is obtained through the N1 highway. The national route also links the Limpopo Province with the Gauteng Province. A rail line parallel to the N1 highway traverses the Province, through the district, providing railway transportation towards the City Deep Industrial Zone in Johannesburg and SADC countries. The Capricorn DM is connected with the Maputo Corridor running between Johannesburg and the Maputo Port in Mozambique through the Phalaborwa Corridor.

The main road link in the Phalaborwa Corridor stretches from the N1, north of Polokwane, eastwards through the rich agricultural area around Tzaneen towards Phalaborwa. It then turns south to link with the Maputo Development Corridor at Nelspruit. Therefore, industries in the district have access to deepwater ports through the Maputo Corridor (N4 highway) linking Johannesburg and Pretoria region with Maputo and Matola in Mozambique. The Maputo port is located 300- 400 kilometers from the main mining and agricultural regions in the Limpopo Province compared to a thousand kilometers distance to the port in Durban. In addition, the Capricorn DM is linked to the international markets by air through the Gateway International Airport situated in Polokwane and on the Cape to Cairo highway. Since 2005, the airport offers improved services and in the future will offer such facilities as a new terminal and larger freight and cold storage capacity.

Other corridors include:

• The East-West Corridor: it covers the mining and econ-tourism areas in the west-central region of the Province
• The Trans-Limpopo Corridor: follows the N1 from Polokwane into Zimbabwe.

Figure : Limpopo Province Main Road Network

In 2008, Capricorn District recorded the third highest exports of R1.3 billion, the highest being recorded by Mopani District, according to TIL: Investment Tracking Legotla Report, March 2009. Capricorn District has recorded the third lowest imports of R0.3 billion in 2008.

LED Opportunities and Threats within CDM

(a) Agriculture

The CDM's investment and marketing strategy indicates that the agricultural sector lost approximately 187 employment opportunities since 2004. Most of the jobs were lost due to the declining competitiveness of this sector in the Capricorn DM. Given the number of jobs lost in the agricultural sector and the importance of this sector to the local economy, it requires continuous monitoring. The agricultural sector have a contribution to employment in the District, even though this sector's full potential is not yet realised in the economy. The main agricultural products produced within the District are: Potatoes, Tomatoes, Eggs, Broilers/Beef, Pork, Citrus and Maize. Aganang LM has a low potential for agriculture. There are patches in the LM that has more agricultural potential- this is due to the rivers traversing the LM. Along the Nokayamantala and Matlala rivers, as well as the Natse River and Houtriver, one can find agricultural land with low to moderate capability. The rivers also ensure water for irrigation purposes. The land cover in the LM is mostly vegetated. According to the Department of Agriculture, approximately 10,000 ha suitable for cultivation is currently not under any form of cultivation.

Almost 60% of the land in Blouberg LM has low to moderate agriculture capability. The rivers and the Glen Alpine Dam in the LM ensure water for irrigation purposes. The area is highly vegetated - 392,136 ha of the Blouberg LM are under some form of vegetation. Agriculture activities in the municipality are mostly subsistence farming. According to the Department of Agriculture, 106,000 ha are suitable for irrigated agriculture. According to the Local Economic Development Plan (LED) of the LM, the most important factor limiting agricultural production and development in municipality is the availability of water. A large part of the municipality's available agricultural land is vegetated. According to the Department of Agriculture, 165,000 ha are suitable for agriculture, but vegetated. Only 1,300 ha are suitable and available for agriculture, while 34,000 ha are already cultivated.

More than 90% of Molemole municipality's land has low to moderate agricultural potential. Approximately 7% of land has moderate to high potential. The land with the highest agricultural potential can be found on the eastern part of the LM. According to the Department of Agriculture, the LM has 140,000 ha suitable for agriculture. Approximately 6,000 ha of land in Molemole have high agricultural potential. The land in the Polokwane LM has low agricultural potential. The Department of Agriculture indicated that the availability of water for irrigation purposes in the LM is a constraint to agriculture. The Capricorn District is home to one of the largest citrus estates in the country, namely, Zebediela Citrus Estate which is located in the Lepelle-Nkumpi Local Municipality. The District also has thriving livestock farming. The LGDS identified potential for a red and white meat cluster in the District. The CDM SDF (2008) identifies the high agricultural potential, especially around settlements in the District. High agricultural potential also exists along the rivers in the District especially the following:

• The Natse River in the Blouberg and Aganang LM.
• The Nokayamantala and Matlala River in Aganang LM

The Sand river in Molemole LM

• The Diepriver in Polokwane LM
• The Olifants river in Lepelle-Nkumpi LM

(b) Mining

The mining resources in the Capricorn District are predominantly clustered in the Lepelle- Nkumpi LM. The District, through Lepelle- Nkumpi, forms part of the Platinum Mining Cluster on the Dilokong Corridor. In Lebowakgomo, the new Musina Platinum Mine has been commissioned. Other mining operations in Lepelle-Nkumpi include:

• LONMIN in Ga-Mphahlele (platinum, chrome, granite)
• Rooibosch Mining Operation in Zebediela
• Granite Mining Operation
• Diepsloot Mining Operation

The mining sector contributes 0.3% to local employment, which gives a lower importance to the sector in terms of job creation. The analysis of its employment dynamics on the national and local levels highlight that the local sector's employment is growing slower than on the national level. It requires special attention from the government to ensure that jobs created within the sector are not lost. Although mining in the District contributes insignificantly to employment and to the local economy, it plays a significant role in the economy of the Lepelle-Nkumpi Local Municipality. According to the Lepelle-Nkumpi LED, the mining sector contributes 21.5% to the GDP in the municipality. The mining sector of the Lepelle-Nkumpi LM contributes nearly 40% of the mining sectors output in the District and nearly half of the District mining sectors employment. Therefore, it is evident that it is vital to the local economy in terms of government earnings and bringing money into the region. Loss of jobs would mean the closure of mines or decrease in production output, which would eventually lead to a lower contribution to the GGP and lower government earnings.

Mining holds major possibilities for the District, especially the Lepelle-Nkumpi Local Municipality. The sector presents a number of backward and forward linkage opportunities for the entire district and there is considerable potential to utilize the mining sector as a catalyst for developing other economic activities by strengthening these linkages. The platinum mining developments, especially in Lebowakgomo and the envisaged shaft in Makurung, the revitalization of diamond mine in Zebediela, as well as brick clay mining development in Zebediela could create opportunities for SMME's along the value chain. Access to these opportunities would require negotiations with mine management. There are also numerous opportunities along the platinum corridor traversing the District, as identified in the PGDS. Blouberg LM also has potential for platinum mining around Harrieswith. The Molemole LM is known for its granite mining, Polokwane has silicon potential and Aganang LM has reserves of platinum and iron that could be exploited. Most of the minerals mined in the District are currently exported in raw form.

Therefore, potential for mineral beneficiation in the District exists, with Polokwane LM indicating that it would like to be positioned as mineral processing and beneficiation hub. The biggest opportunity in the mining sector is in the support of small businesses linked to the mining industry. Mining houses and hostel requires catering services (which again links with agricultural development because local farms could supply fresh vegetables and meat), cleaning services, and repairing of machinery. Manufactured inputs could also be supplied to the mines.

(c) Tourism

Capricorn District Is Named after the Tropic of Capricorn, which passes through the northern section of Limpopo. It stretches lithely from the Ysterberg, along the foothills of the lush Wolkberg Mountains, to the Tropic of Capricorn in the north. It is ideally situated as a stopover between Gauteng and the northern areas of Limpopo and between the northwestern areas of the country and the Kruger National Park.

It is also in close proximity to the neighboring countries of Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. The major centres of the Capricorn District include Polokwane, Dendron, Sekhukhune and Zebediela, the last being home to one of the largest citrus farms in the southern hemisphere. The fascinating diversity of the region, incorporating grassy plains, bushveld and misty mountains, as well as a myriad plant and animal species, makes it a veritable treasure chest for the traveler. The region has mines, farms, forests, cultural villages, dams, art, game and monuments, as well as a fascinating and diverse people. It is the centre for local African culture, to which the numerous towns south of Polokwane and north of Mokopane attest in the coming together of carefully preserved social traditions and indigenous identities.

Capricorn is a land of beautiful and contrasting landscape, which is typical of Africa hence it has become a favorite destination for leisure and adventure travelers worldwide. Experience the district of infinite scenic beauty with a great diversity of natural and manmade attractions, rich cultural heritage and an abundance of wildlife and nature-based tourism activities. Below is a range of activities that a tourist can enjoy within the district:

• Air experience- charter flight and micro lighting
• Culinary experience- African food, coffee shops, family restaurants, pubs, seafood etc.
• Land Activities- caving, hiking, canyoning, mountain biking, paintball e.t.c
• Wildlife Experiences- birding, game drives, game walks, hunting, walking safaris Etc
• Business, Venues and Wellness- casinos, conference centres, health spas, team building, tour operators and travel agencies
• Education, Culture and Heritage- art galleries, cultural villages, education centres, museums monuments, heritage centres, rock arts sites and universities.

CDM offers a large number of accommodation options. Facilities at the numerous accommodations in the district vary, ranging from rustic camps and chalets close to nature, to very luxurious establishments.

Camping sites, bed & breakfast establishments, self-catering chalets, holiday resorts, game lodges and hotels are some of the facilities are available in the district.

According to Limpopo Tourism and Parks (LTP), there are 64 accommodation establishments within the CDM. Alldays and Polokwane have been identified as the two most places to be visited within the district by LTP. Alldays is a small town that holds a distinct rural charm. Alldays and the villages of Vivo and Dendron serve an extensive area of private game and hunting farms. Prolific game - including the 'Big Five' - excellent accommodation and good hunting facilities attract many domestic and international trophy hunters. Various interesting tours are available for the spouses and partners of hunters, including a visit to the archaeologically significant Mapungubwe Hill. Three taxidermists operate in the area. Citrus farming on the banks of the Limpopo River is also an important economic activity in the district. The Blouberg ('blue mountain') range has a large surface of protected wall where climbers will find good solid rock. Most of the climbing spots are on private land but climbers can make arrangements through the Alldays Mountain Club. Several giant trees that occur in and around Alldays are another noteworthy feature of the area: a baobab at Bakleikraal, 21 m in circumference; a wild fig in Alldays itself, larger than the famous Wonder Tree in Tshwane; and a nyala tree that covers a surface of 100 m2. The following are among the areas that have high potential and attract tourists:

• Eersteling Monuments - The site of the country's first gold crushing site and its first gold power plant are marked by monuments. Open-Air Museum - This museum depicts the traditional and modern-day culture and lifestyle of the Bakone people Other attractions include:
• The Bakone Malapa Cultural Museum Northern Sotho Open-Air Museum, which depicts the traditional and modern-day lifestyle of this people.

The Polokwane Game Reserve, which has more than 21 species and offers scenic walks.

• The Savannah Mall, a modern shopping centre.
• Peter Mokaba Stadium will be used for matches for the 2010 World Cup.
• Makgabeng Rock Art with a potential to attract a lot of tourist both domestic and international.
• Religious pilgrimage i.e. ZCC Moria and historical churches pilgrimage also has a high number of tourists visiting the district.
• Zebediela Citrus Estate (Agri tourism) also has potential to increase inflow of tourists.
• Meropa Casino as a gambling hotspot
• The development of the Mall of the North will stimulate spinoffs in the value chain.

Major Freight Transport Corridors in Capricorn District Municipality

CDM has a total of 1108 kilometre paved roads. 567km of these tarred roads are located in Polokwane municipality and 541 km of tarred road length is in the other municipalities of CDM. In Polokwane municipality a backlog of 137km of streets for tarring exists, which is increasing yearly. The rural side of Polokwane municipality has approximately 800km of low volume roads that require upgrading and sealing. 3200 gravel road length is located in CDM giving a combined total of 4 308 total kilometres road network in Limpopo. Blading is a major maintenance high cost factor in the area. However, surface repair, road maintenance, pothole repairs, edge break repairs and bush clearing are some of the major maintenance activities undertaken in CDM. The current average cost of constructing a paved road is R2 million per kilometre, and the maintenance cost of a paved road is R0.5m rand per kilometre. However, the cost varies from one municipality to another given local conditions. Labour intensive construction costs R0.5 million per kilometre.

The ITP for CDM enumerates the status quo of transport infrastructure, transport services and proposals for transport demand management in the context of the spatial framework and other national, provincial and local plans.

In CDM, backlogs in the provision of roads and stormwater infrastructure include provision of access roads to villages/residential areas including access to social facilities within the villages/townships. Provision of adequate storm water infrastructure in the municipal areas i.e. storm water channels where flooding is eminent, storm water low level bridges and safe disposal of such storm water remains a challenge. The ITP has highlighted that the road hierarchy in CDM is not well defined. In addition, the roads are not friendly for non-motorised transport users. Sidewalks were provided are below standard and not user friendly. Conflicts between hawkers and pedestrians and heavy vehicle travel patterns are common. In CDM, there are inadequate public transport facilities such as taxi ranks and bus stations in rural and urban areas, loading and unloading bays, parking spaces in the CBDs, shelter and ablution facilities especially at public transport terminals. There is the absence of a major transport interchange for all modes of transport.

The following problems and constraints have been identified in the Transport and Communications sector:

• Poor local accessibility to social and community services due to a poor public transport service;
• Lack of non?motorised facilities ;
• Rail commuter services not utilised to full potential ;
• Sensitivity for crime and violence which constrains investment in this sector;
• Expensive capital outlays are required to provide and maintain infrastructure ;
• Low affordability levels of a large section of the population impact on their ability to pay market related tariffs for services ;
• The modal split is unbalanced, with minibus taxis as the most expensive form of public transport dominating the market.

The relatively high cost and low efficiency and capacity of the national logistics system has also been acknowledged in the ASGISA as a development constraint, and infrastructure spending, in line with the ASGISA, will be focused on addressing the availability and reliability of infrastructure services.

Infrastructure investment will be focused on, for instance, provincial and local roads and the electronic communications sector, including growing South Africa's broadband network, reducing telephone costs, and encouraging the establishment of telecommunications? and labour?intensive businesses in poor areas.

The following transport projects have been identified by the Road Agency Limpopo for the District:

Table: Road Agency Proposed Roads in Capricorn District Municipality

Taking the above factors into account, together with national and provincial policy directives and previous research conducted in the area, a number of development opportunities in the transport and communication sector can be identified that will build on the existing strengths of the region.

Table: Development Opportunities in Transport and Communications

The main spatial development corridors were identified in terms of the passenger volumes per peak period per direction and also in terms of existing road infrastructure provision and use by public transport. Ideally, the trunk line should be served by bus mode with feeder and distribution service by bus or taxi modes. During the off peak period the appropriate public transport mode, it could be argued, is a smaller capacity vehicle such as the minibus taxi. However, the current modal split and use of public transport does not depict such attributes. Rational use, deployment and public transport information availability and datasets on operational efficiency and effectiveness currently are sub-optimal

Currently considering the total traffic volume mix that uses the CDM roads, especially with special emphasis on public transport and freight corridors, a need to prioritise upgrading of roads exists including road infrastructure safety improvements and designs with specific attention to public transport and freight vehicles. The impact and effect of emerging public transport corridors routes such as Seshego to Polokwane, Mankweng to Polokwane and Lebowakgomo to Polokwane also need to be factored in building the total transport picture challenge in CDM.

Spatial Development Initiative (SDI) roads link up with other provincial roads. Ultimately these transport corridors lead to border posts in the North and the Maputo Development Corridor in the North East of South Africa.

The four sub-corridors in the province are namely Dilokong Sub-corridor, Phalaborwa Sub-corridor, Trans-Limpopo Sub-corridor and East-West Sub-corridor. From a transport perspective these corridors need to be supported in terms of passenger and freight transport as well as road infrastructure. Firstly, the Dilokong sub-corridor has three important roads that transverse the CDM area. These are:

• Polokwane to Burgersfort (P33/1 and P33/2) via Mafefe
• Flag Boshielo Dam through Lebowakgomo and Mafefe, linking the Sekhukhune district with the Phalaborwa and Kruger National Park areas and
• Chuenespoort via Boyne to Mankweng.

Secondly, the Phalaborwa corridor connects Mpumalanga (Hazyview) with Phalaborwa and Tzaneen via smaller towns to the west of the Kruger National Park. The following road sections form part of the corridor. The two core routes are:

• Route sections P17/3-5, D726, P112/1-3, P43/2, D1308 and P54/1 and
• Road section P146/1 from Klaserie to Blyde River, P116/1 from Hoedspruit to Ohrigstad via the Strijdom Tunnel, and P181/1 from the Oaks to Burgersfort.

Thirdly, the Trans-Limpopo sub-corridor connects Polokwane with Musina along the N1 route. The challenge in managing this corridor is the through freight traffic which may usually be overloaded. Exploring the scope for establishing a working overloading strategy which stipulates the minimum number of weighbridges and overloading management and sustainability system for the CDM may be critical.

Lastly, the East West sub-corridor links Polokwane via Mokopane to Botswana via the Border Posts at either Groblersbrug or Stokpoort. The following road sections constitute part of the corridor:

• P83/1 from Mokopane to Groblersbrug
• D3390 from Polokwane to Gilead, and
• P19/1-2 and P84/1 from Mokopane to Lephalale and Stokpoort.

This spatial frameworks review and analysis highlights that although public transport provision is a growing challenge in CDM, however, differential impacts exist complete with severity of public transport constraints and capacity gaps. The four main route corridors are thus subjected to greater transport infrastructure and service stress and strain than the other sections. Transport planning, rehabilitation and maintenance programme should take into account the level of service, use and road classification and function.