Free State Provincial Growth and Development Strategy Revised Department of the Premier Free State Provincial Government October 2007 Table of Contents Foreword by the Premier Chapter One ....................................................................................................... 6 FSGDS Rationale and Overview ........................................................................ 6 1.1.Introduction and Outline of the FSDGS ........................................................ 6 1.2.The FSGDS Rationale.................................................................................. 8 1.3.The Review of the FSGDS ........................................................................... 9 1.4.Overview of the Provincial Landscape ....................................................... 10 1.4.1. Geography ......................................................................................... 10 1.4.2. Climate ............................................................................................... 12 1.4.3. Economy ............................................................................................ 12 Chapter Two ..................................................................................................... 14 The Provincial Spatial, Demographic, Environmental and Economic Perspective 14 2.1.Spatial Perspective .................................................................................... 14 2.1.1. The NSDP .......................................................................................... 14 2.1.2. District Municipalities ......................................................................... 15 2.1.3. Local Municipalities ........................................................................... 15 2.1.4. Settlement and Land Use .................................................................. 16 2.2.Demographic Perspective .......................................................................... 17 2.2.1. Demographics .................................................................................... 17 2.2.2. Settlement Types ............................................................................... 19 2.2.3. Migration ............................................................................................ 20 2.3.Environmental Perspective ......................................................................... 21 2.3.1. Environmental .................................................................................... 21 2.3.2. Water ................................................................................................. 22 2.3.3. Vegetation .......................................................................................... 23 2.3.4. Conservation ...................................................................................... 23 2.4.Economic Perspective ................................................................................ 24 2.4.1. Economy ............................................................................................ 24 2.4.2. Employment ....................................................................................... 25 2.4.3. Human Development ......................................................................... 26 2.4.4. Economic Structure ............................................................................ 27 2.4.5. Space Economy ................................................................................. 30 2.4.6. District Economy ................................................................................ 31 2.4.7. Local Economy .................................................................................. 34 2.5.Conclusion and Summary .......................................................................... 38 Chapter Three .................................................................................................. 39 The Provincial Social, Human and Governance Perspective ........................... 39 3.1.Education Perspective................................................................................ 39 3.1.1. Education ........................................................................................... 39 3.1.2. Skills Development ............................................................................ 41 3.1.3. Heath ................................................................................................. 42 3.1.4. Housing .............................................................................................. 47 Page 2 of 136 3.1.5. Basic Infrastructure ............................................................................ 50 3.1.6. Transport Infrastructure ..................................................................... 58 3.1.7. Sport, Recreation and Culture ........................................................... 59 3.1.8. Social Services .................................................................................. 60 3.1.9. Safety and Security ............................................................................ 63 3.1.10............................................................................................ Governance 66 3.2.Conclusion and Summary .......................................................................... 68 Chapter Four .................................................................................................... 69 Provincial Growth Potential, Capacity and Constraints .................................... 69 4.1.Key Provincial Priorities .............................................................................. 69 4.2.NSDP Principles of Need and Potential ..................................................... 69 4.3.Methodology ............................................................................................... 71 4.4.Innovation and Experimentation ................................................................. 72 4.5.High Value Differentiated Goods ................................................................ 74 4.6.Labour-intensive Mass Produced Goods ................................................... 75 4.7.Public Service and Administration .............................................................. 77 4.8.Retails and Private Services ...................................................................... 78 4.9.Tourism ...................................................................................................... 79 4.10.Resource Potential ................................................................................... 81 4.11.Development Potential: Summary ............................................................ 82 4.12.Development Needs ................................................................................. 83 4.13.Combining Development Potential and Development Needs ................... 85 4.14.Conclusion and Summary ........................................................................ 86 Chapter Five ..................................................................................................... 88 Provincial Development Priorities and Implications .......................................... 88 5.1.Key Provincial Priorities .............................................................................. 88 5.2.The MDGs, Development Trajectories, Trade-Offs, and Development Barriers............................................................................................................. 88 5.3.Contextual Approach .................................................................................. 90 5.3.1.Future Demographic Trends .............................................................. 90 5.3.2.The Link between the NSDP and Economic Sectors ......................... 91 5.4.Economic Development, Employment, and Investment: Priorities and Implications ................................................................................................. 92 5.4.1.Economic Growth: Development Trajectory and Trade-offs .............. 92 5.4.2Reducing Unemployment ......................................................................... 97 5.4.4.Barriers to Economic Development, Reducing Unemployment and Poverty ........................................................................................................ 98 5.5..Human and Social Development: Priorities and Implications .............. 99 5.5.1.Education ........................................................................................... 99 5.5.2.Education ......................................................................................... 100 5.5.3.Shelter and Services ........................................................................ 102 5.5.4.Free Basic Services ......................................................................... 103 5.6.Justice, Crime Prevention and Security: Priorities and Implications ........ 104 Page 3 of 136 5.7.Governance and Administration: Priorities and Implications .............. 105 Chapter Six .................................................................................................... 107 Strategic Direction .......................................................................................... 107 6.1.Introduction .............................................................................................. 107 6.2.Vision, Mission and Principles .................................................................. 107 6.3.Development Objectives .........................................................................