Three PDI communities have been identified in the Hessequa region, one of which is flourishing, one which is trying to rise above the economic inactivity and one that needs a lot of TLC and for developers to take an interest in its obvious tourism potential.

Slangrivier (PDI Community)

The village of Slangrivier is five kilometers from Heidelberg and has its origins in a farm that was gifted by Queen Victoria to the ‘Coloured’ men who fought in, presumably, the Eastern Border war in the 1820s. 

The settlement has grown into a village of 2000 inhabitants, but unemployment is high and poverty rife, as there is little economic activity. 

Vermaaklikheid (a small PDI community)

This a "forgotten" village situated close to the mouth of the Duivenhoks River, that is known for its charming "Kapstyl huisies" (Cape-style houses). 

The roads to Vermaaklikheid, from Riversdale, Jongensfontein and Witsand are uneven and difficult to negotiate, which contributes to the town not been frequented by visitors.

Historically there were a number of small, productive farms along the river where brandy was produced from local grapes. Today the farms are the property of mostly absentee owners who visit during the holidays. 

The result of this inactivity in the region is that the local folk have no jobs and are therefore mostly living below the breadline.

The building of Hop houses has given the community a permanence that is somewhat out of step with its economic prospects; however one hopes that the brandy production will boost the community’s economy.  On the positive side, the little village has an excellent restaurant and chalet accommodation, and developers recently started a property development in the town. 

The village has great tourism potential but the access roads will need to be addressed.

Melkhoutfontein (PDI community)

Melkhoutfontein is a village seven kilometers from Stilbaai.  It is a PDI community of some 2000 residents. The village was originally developed as a fishing and farming community. 

By the 1990s, Melkhoutfontein was identified as one of the most neglected communities in the Western Cape. 

This prompted a remarkable leader within the small community, Moos Kleinhans, to form a number of alliances and partnerships that would eventually lead to the redevelopment of the small village. 

By the end of the 1990s Melkhoutfontein had houses, tarred roads, running water and other essential facilities.

Through a PDI tourism initiative to develop a system of Homestays and to interact with international and local tour operators, a number of overseas visitors came to Melkhoutfontein to lend a hand with community development projects. 

The rapid growth of Stilbaai contributed to the progress of Melkhoutfontein and today Melkhoutfontein is one of the more advanced PDI communities in Hessequa.

There are Homestays in the village and also "Cookup Kamammas" (locals that prepare traditional meals for visitors); however there are no clearly developed tourism products.