Rural settlement planning in the Ciskei

Abstract

The first half of the twentieth century has witnessed three major revolutions. The political revolution has given self-government to nearly a third of the world's population and has brought their aspirations for a better life to the forefront of world attention. The revolution in communications has broken down the barriers of distance and language, and the dynanism of ideas can no longer be contained within the limits dictated by social privilege or political consideration. The demographic revolution has imparted to the challenge of poverty and want a new dimension (Abbot, J.C. 1967). It is against this background that the Ciskei is about to join the ranks of new independent states and the rest of the Western World. One challenge of paramount importance facing the Ciskei is to sustain her people and in doing so utilize the natural resources available through agricultural development projects such as illustrated in the Ntabatemba Development Plan (Journal for Regional Planning No. 7 1 April t978 "After Thornhill" - A Resettlement Plan for Ciskeian lnmigrants Ex Herschel and Glen Grey Districts : G.F. Godden). In order to implement such a plan many rural villages will have to be modernised, the smaller or larger villages extended, reconstructed or new villages built.