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Misplaced Expectations? The Experience of Applied Local Economic Development in Post-Apartheid South Africa

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  • Etienne Nel

Abstract

A hallmark of post-apartheid South Africa has been the introduction of bold and innovative policy in areas ranging from the national Constitution to resource management policy. In line with this approach, there has been a clear commitment to principles of decentralization and participatory development, with Local Economic Development (LED) featuring prominently in national, provincial and local government pronouncements and planning. Despite considerable policy and funding support for LED, results at best can be described as only modest. This paper critically reflects on the importance attached to LED in South Africa, what has been attempted over the last decade, and the various reasons that might explain the limitations experienced with applied LED, including those that are inherent in the nature of LED and those that can be attributed to local factors. The paper draws upon field-based research undertaken over more than a decade and the findings of a major study undertaken by an international development finance organization. The paper raises challenging questions about the nature, focus and potential of LED as an appropriate development intervention.

Suggested Citation

  • Etienne Nel, 2009. "Misplaced Expectations? The Experience of Applied Local Economic Development in Post-Apartheid South Africa," Local Economy, London South Bank University, vol. 24(3), pages 224-237, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:loceco:v:24:y:2009:i:3:p:224-237
    DOI: 10.1080/02690940902895877
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Etienne L. Nel & Ronald W. McQuaid, 2002. "The Evolution of Local Economic Development in South Africa: The Case of Stutterheim and Social Capital," Economic Development Quarterly, , vol. 16(1), pages 60-74, February.
    2. Ash Amin, 1999. "An Institutionalist Perspective on Regional Economic Development," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 23(2), pages 365-378, June.
    3. Etienne Nel, 2001. "Local Economic Development: A Review and Assessment of its Current Status in South Africa," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 38(7), pages 1003-1024, June.
    4. Christian Rogerson, 2000. "Local Economic Development in an Era of Globalisation: The Case of South African Cities," Tijdschrift voor Economische en Sociale Geografie, Royal Dutch Geographical Society KNAG, vol. 91(4), pages 397-411, November.
    5. Tony Binns & Etienne Nel, 2002. "Devolving Development: Integrated Development Planning and Developmental Local Government in Post-apartheid South Africa," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 36(8), pages 921-932.
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    Cited by:

    1. Rogerson Christian M., 2014. "Reframing place-based economic development in South Africa: the example of local economic development," Bulletin of Geography. Socio-economic Series, Sciendo, vol. 24(24), pages 1-16, June.

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