Eastern Cape Archives - Arid Areas Research and Development

The origin of towns in the Eastern Cape midlands

IN this study the Eastern Cape Midlands are defined as that “,rea including most of the upper and middle sections in the drainage basins of the Sundays and Great Fish rivers, the southern boundary being taken as the Klein Winterberg and Suurberg ranges. This region consists of the magisterial districts of Murraysburg, Aberdeen, Graaff-Reinet, Jansenville,…

Rural and Urban Dynamics in the Eastern Cape Karoo A preliminary investigation over 100 years.

Nel, E, Hill, T, Taylor, B and Atkinson, D (2007), Rural and Urban Dynamics in the Eastern Cape Karoo A preliminary investigation over 100 years. Abstract Arid and semi-arid areas are often considered environmentally and economically marginal which has been exacerbated by economic realities, shifts in agricultural production and land use, policy implementation and general perceptions…

Revalidating vernacular techniques for a sustainable built environment by way of selected examples in the Eastern Cape

Steenkamp, C (2012), Revalidating vernacular techniques for a sustainable built environment by way of selected examples in the Eastern Cape, Masters in Architecture thesis, University of the Free State. Abstract Hassan Fathy, an Egyptian architect, held that architects are in a unique position to revive people’s faith in their own culture, and if, as…

The Benefits of Applying Vernacular Indigenous Building Techniques in Human Settlements

Steenkamp, C & Whitfield, KP (2012), The Benefits of Applying Vernacular Indigenous Building Techniques in Human Settlements: The Case of uMasizakhe Township, Graaff-Reinet, Eastern Cape,. Human Settlements Review, Vol. 2. No 2 Abstract The South African government has embarked on providing housing for the country‟s poor and underprivileged populace through the Reconstruction and Development…

Perceptions of climate change and barriers to adaptation amongst commonage and commercial livestock farmers in the semi-arid Eastern Cape Karoo

Muller, C and Shackleton, SE (2013), Perceptions of climate change and barriers to adaptation amongst commonage and commercial livestock farmers in the semi-arid Eastern Cape Karoo, African Journal of Range & Forage Science. Click here for online version http://dx.doi.org/10.2989/10220119.2013.845606 ( you may need to pay for this item), or contact Sheona Shackleton at s.shackleton@ru.ac.za. Abstract…

Oviston Nature Reserve: Stakeholder Analysis Report

Atkinson, D (2008b), Oviston Nature Reserve: Stakeholder Analysis Report, Unpublished report for Eastern Cape Department of Environmental Affairs, Karoo Institute, Philippolis. Purpose and methodology of the study The National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, 2003 promotes mechanisms in place to engage local communities in protected areas. It further states that park plans must be compiled in consultation…

The Governance and Management of Commonages in three Small Towns in the Eastern Cape

Martens, C (2009), The Governance and Management of Commonages in three Small Towns in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, Masters thesis, Environmental Science, Rhodes University, Grahamstown. Abstract Commonage is land that is usually found adjacent to a town, which is owned by the local municipality and acquired through state grants or, historically, through the church. Since…

Bethulie case study

Sigenu, K (2007), Bethulie case study. Unpublished report, Centre for Development Studies, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein. BACKGROUND Bethulie had its origins as a mission station for the displaced San from nearby Philippolis in the mid 1820s. Nowadays it is part of the Kopanong Local Municipality along with eight other towns, i.e. Gariepdam,…

Cradock case study

Sigenu, K (2007), Cradock case study. Unpublished report, Centre for Development Studies, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein. BACKGROUND The history of Cradock dates back to the beginning of the 19th century, when British troops were stationed in the Great Fish River area to ensure peace on the country’s Eastern Frontier. A fort was…

Graaff-Reinet case study

Sigenu, K (2007), Graaff-Reinet case study. Unpublished report, Centre for Development Studies, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND Graaff-Reinet lies in the horse-shoe bend of the Sundays River and in the shadow of the rocky Sneeuberg Mountain Range. It is known as the “Gem of the Karoo”. It gets this name from…