Restructuring the post-apartheid space economy

The objective in this article is to examine the state's role in restructuring the psot-apartheid space economy. More specifically, the focus is upon the introduction of a set of new programmes and initiatives which are affecting the location of economic activity in the context of a radical shift in national macro-economic strategy. The article is organized in terms of four sections of dicsussion. First, analysis focuses on the directions and key themes in South Africa's new macro-economic programme, GEAR, a strategy for 'rebuilding and restructuring the economoy' in harmony with the goals of the RDP. In the second section, the directions, workings and potential implications of the application of the so-called Spatial Development Initiatives (SDIs) are analysed. Essentially, the SDI programmes represent a critical new set of strategic policy interventions which are being undertaken by the South African government and targeted to 'fast-track' new investment. Third, attention turns to examine the capital element of the Manufacturing Development Programme (MDP), which was introduced in November 1996 as a replacement for former regional development programmes. Finally, the article reviews emerging initiatives round Local Economic Development (LED) planning in South Africa and argues that LED initiatives will be of consiserable significance in the next decade in shaping the future post-apartheid space economy. Overll, the article draws upon several primary sources both in the form of recent planning documents and a set of focused interviews which were conducted with key government officials and other actors involved with new policy interventions for reshaping economic space in South Africa.