Since 1994, the main challenges of rural development in South Africa are related to fighting against the marginalization of the poor, which requires change in access to resources (i.e. land, water, education and skills), rural infrastructure and other government services (National Planning Commission, 2011:195). Numerous rural development programmes and strategies have been introduced in South Africa since the downfall of the apartheid government to address rural challenges based on the improvement of rural economic development and meeting basic human needs, but they lacked the configuration of integrated and coordinated planning (Olivier et al., 2010:101). In 2009 rural development became one of the key priority programmes in South Africa, through a Comprehensive Rural Development Programme (CRDP). The CRDP is a strategic programme aimed at being an effective response against poverty and food insecurity by maximizing the use and management of natural resources to create vibrant, equitable and sustainable rural communities (Olivier et al., 2010:101). It has a holistic approach, partnering various stakeholders like government departments, non-governmental organizations, the business sector and the communities, in order to enhance socio-economic issues (DRDLR, 2009:1). An analysis was conducted based on the current and proposed planning approach for CRDP in South Africa. The current planning approach for CRDP was analysed by means of a case study illustrating the current reality and process. The pilot project used to illustrate the current planning approach for CRDP was identified by the Office of the Premier (North West Province) in 2009, and was selected as the case study of this research, including the villages of Mokgalwaneng, Matlametlong and Disake, and to demonstrate the proposed planning approach for CRDP, Klein Eiffel was identified within the Joe Morolong Local Municipality, formerly known as Moshaweng Local Municipality, in the John Taolo Gaetsewe District Municipality. Structured interviews and semi-structured interviews were conducted with officials from the government departments, private sector and Eskom (cross reference Annexure B), to obtain expert views on the current and proposed planning approach for CRDP. Sixteen (16) interviews were scheduled with officials, managers and deputy directors individually (based on their expertise and availability) who are responsible for the planning, monitoring and implementation of the CRDP programme. During the conduct of these interviews, all officials commented critically on the current planning approach for CRDP and positively towards the proposed planning approach for CRDP, but only thirteen (13) responded in writing. The inputs and comments received enabled the formulation of the research conclusions and recommendations. / MArt et Scien (Urban and Regional Planning), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Since 1994, the main challenges of rural development in South Africa are related to fighting against the marginalization of the poor, which requires change in access to resources (i.e. land, water, education and skills), rural infrastructure and other government services (National Planning Commission, 2011:195). Numerous rural development programmes and strategies have been introduced in South Africa since the downfall of the apartheid government to address rural challenges based on the improvement of rural economic development and meeting basic human needs, but they lacked the configuration of integrated and coordinated planning (Olivier et al., 2010:101). In 2009 rural development became one of the key priority programmes in South Africa, through a Comprehensive Rural Development Programme (CRDP). The CRDP is a strategic programme aimed at being an effective response against poverty and food insecurity by maximizing the use and management of natural resources to create vibrant, equitable and sustainable rural communities (Olivier et al., 2010:101). It has a holistic approach, partnering various stakeholders like government departments, non-governmental organizations, the business sector and the communities, in order to enhance socio-economic issues (DRDLR, 2009:1). An analysis was conducted based on the current and proposed planning approach for CRDP in South Africa. The current planning approach for CRDP was analysed by means of a case study illustrating the current reality and process. The pilot project used to illustrate the current planning approach for CRDP was identified by the Office of the Premier (North West Province) in 2009, and was selected as the case study of this research, including the villages of Mokgalwaneng, Matlametlong and Disake, and to demonstrate the proposed planning approach for CRDP, Klein Eiffel was identified within the Joe Morolong Local Municipality, formerly known as Moshaweng Local Municipality, in the John Taolo Gaetsewe District Municipality. Structured interviews and semi-structured interviews were conducted with officials from the government departments, private sector and Eskom (cross reference Annexure B), to obtain expert views on the current and proposed planning approach for CRDP. Sixteen (16) interviews were scheduled with officials, managers and deputy directors individually (based on their expertise and availability) who are responsible for the planning, monitoring and implementation of the CRDP programme. During the conduct of these interviews, all officials commented critically on the current planning approach for CRDP and positively towards the proposed planning approach for CRDP, but only thirteen (13) responded in writing. The inputs and comments received enabled the formulation of the research conclusions and recommendations. / MArt et Scien (Urban and Regional Planning), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015