Introduction

The former Langeberg Municipality has been renamed Hessequa, meaning “people of the trees”; the name originally given by the indigenous Khoi-San people of the region.

Hessequa comprises the towns of Riversdale, Albertinia, Gouritsmond, Heidelberg, Stilbaai, Jongensfontein, Melkhoutfontein, Witsand and Slangrivier.

Geography and Climate

• GPS position: -34.090511 Latitude / 21. 249201 Longitude

• Time Zone: GMT + 2 hours

   

Hessequa covers a surface area of 5.731 km² and is situated along a coastal plateau between the Langeberg Mountains and the Indian Ocean.

The region enjoys a mild climate with sunny days throughout the year.

The average rainfall is 511mm, of which 59% falls during the winter months.

The average summer temperature is 26°C and winter, 16°C.

Sea temperature averages 20°C, but is higher for river mouths and lagoons.

The region falls within the World Heritage Cape Floral Kingdom and the abundant flora includes ‘suurbraak’, grassy fynbos (‘fine or delicate bush’) and Overberg coastal ‘renosterveld’.

Transport Infrastructure

An excellent road network provides easy access along the N2 national road from Cape Town (276 km) in the south, or Port Elizabeth (422 km) in the east, or from the Klein Karoo (hinterland) along the R323 and R62 from Ladismith.

There are two light aircraft airports, one near Riversdale and the other near Stilbaai and two non-commercial fishing / leisure harbours at Witsand and Stilbaai.

A railway network links Hessequa to Mossel Bay and beyond and also lends itself to non-scheduled vintage steam passenger trains.

Bulk Infrastructure

According to the Hessequa Socio-Economic Survey 2006, 86.68% of households have a flush toilet system, 78.02% have weekly municipal refuse removal, 98.8% have reasonable access to consumable water and 93.04% use electricity for lighting purposes.

Regional Economy and Growth Sectors

Hessequa is the fourth largest economic contributor at 12% to the EDM GDPR and showed an economic growth rate (GDP) of 5,5% for 2003 – 2004.

According to the LED 2005 strategy the local economy is dominated by the Government / public sector (35%) and Agriculture at 22%, with agriculture creating the greatest employment contribution at 34%, followed by Trade, Construction and the Government sector.

In 2004 the majority (41%) of the businesses in the informal economy was involved in trade-related enterprises followed by Manufacturing (17%); 72% of these enterprises operate from homes, with 57% from within the home itself, and 50% of all businesses being family enterprises.

The monthly turnover of 70% of these businesses average about R2 000 per month and the surrounding community makes up 94% of their clientele.

The main contributing sectors to the 2004 local economy are finance and business services, agriculture, fishing, forestry and manufacturing. The region’s manufacturing sector includes furniture and related products, paper and wood, chemicals, food and beverages and tobacco sub-sector.

Strategic sectors, which have shown considerable growth in the contribution to the GDP, are agriculture, electricity and water, finance and business, transport and communication.

Tourism is a major contributor and has the potential to play an even more important role.

Local Economy Strengths

Hessequa has a high Location Quotient in Agriculture, which indicates that the region enjoys a comparative advantage in this sector.

The strong performance in construction can be attributed to the large number of houses built in the coastal towns. The statistics indicate that 130 new houses were constructed in Stilbaai in 2004.

Assuming a very conservative estimate of R800 000 construction cost (investment), this would mean a total capital investment of just over R100 million.

Trade contributes a notable contribution to the local economy, and the shift-share analysis also shows that the sector is a leading one. Trade is still an important sector, mainly as a result of the N2 passing through the region.

Also, The Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) does not make provision for Tourism, as the industry cuts across a number of sectors such as Agriculture, Trade, Transport and Finance.

The Tourism Industry is seasonal, and the estimated number of visitors over the peak December / January period is about 40 000. As an indication of the significance of this number to the local economy: assuming that the average tourist stays for two weeks and spends R100 per day on accommodation, food, etc. The total injection into the local economy is R56 million (excluding the multiplier effect).

The majority of these visitors visit the coastal area, whereas the huge potential in the inland area is mostly unexploited.

The retirement industry is also presenting huge opportunities as many people choose to retire to the coastal towns of Hessequa. This influx on its own is bringing capital into the region.

SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROFILE AT A GLANCE

Demographics

Population

Total Population: 2001 - 44 224

Total Population: 2006 - 48 916

Male to Female %: 47.13% / 52.87%

Projected population: 2010 - 51 433

Population p.a. growth rate: 2001 – 2006: 1.6%

Estimated growth rate: 2006 – 2010: 1.3%

Urban population: 2001 - 70%

Rural population: 2001 - 30%

Demographic Profile by Age Groups 2006

0 – 14yrs (12 550) 26%

15 – 34yrs (14 649) 30%

35 – 64yrs (17 079) 35%

65+yrs (4 638) 9%

Economic Indicators

Gross Domestic Regional Product 2004 - R1 031m

Contribution to GDPR 2004: 12%

Annual Economic Growth Rate 2000 – 2004: 4.5%

Gross Domestic Regional Product (GDPR) 2004

Labour / Employment

Labour Force 2001 - 16 463

Employed 2001 - 14 174

Employed ;skilled - 35 %

Employed; highly skilled - 11 %

Semi- and unskilled - 50 %

Categories of Employment 2001. as a % of the

Total Eden District Workforce of 137 000

Senior Officials / Professionals:6.7 %

Operators / Technicians: 7 %

Clerks: 7.1 %

Trade / Crafts: 8.6 %

Services: 7.1 %

Elementary: 14.4 %

Hessequa - percentage of EDM total 10.3 %

Employment per Economic Sector 2001

Employment Sectors for Individuals 2006

Formal sector: 44.37%

Informal sector: 34.85%

Private sector: 18.61%

Domestic Statistics

Total Number of Households: 2001 - 12 660

Average household :2006 - 3

Telecommunications Facilities 2001

Telephone and / or Cellphone in dwelling - 21.78%

Mobile telephone only - 9.48%

Access to only a telephone in dwelling - 26.01%

Method Of Travel

Employed Individuals 2006

By motor vehicle - 15.08%

As passenger in a motor vehicle - 21.14%

Minibus taxi - 4.11%

Bus - 8.51%

Household Income / Earnings

Monthly Income 2006

1 to R1 600 - 49.56%

R1 601 to R3 200 - 21.69%

R3 201 to R6 400 - 10.73%

R6 401 to R12 800 - 8.07%

R12 801 to R25 600 - 2.29%

R25 600 plus - 0.59%

Education Levels

Levels of Education (older than 18yrs) 2006

Some Secondary / High school - 28.3%

Grade 12 / Matric - 19.8%

Higher / Tertiary education - 4.09%

CORE OBJECTIVES / POLICIES / INITIATIVES

Relevant Local Government Socio-Economic documents available on: www.hessequa.gov.za

Integrated Development Plan (IDP) 2nd Generation 2007 – 2012

The document includes: Section A - Executive Summary; Section B - 2nd Generation IDP, which includes such topics as Intergovernmental Planning Context, Sustainable Development, Sector Analysis and Spatial Development Framework; Section C - Long Term Strategic Focus, which includes such topics

as Economy, Infrastructure, Strategic Focus, Housing, Hessequa Environmental Management and Sustainable Development Framework and Strategic Long Term Vision.

Hessequa Tourism – Local Tourism Organisation

Hessequa Tourism under the management of Andras Kiss, represents a historic and dynamic shift away from the typical LTO in that the activities of this institution include both tourism development and marketing initiatives.

Hessequa Tourism has laid the foundation stones for this centralised institution, with its central offices, right on the N2 freeway, in Riversdale.

The six (6) Local Tourism Bureaus of Albertinia, Gouritsmond, Heidelberg, Riversdale, Stilbaai and Witsand, all fall under the jurisdiction and accreditation of Hessequa Tourism.

Hessequa Tourism has a series of unique soccer / tourism related events, organised as part of the overall Hessequa 2010 initiatives, in the lead up to the FIFA 2010 World Cup™. These events include including Six-a-Side tournaments and a phenomenal Summer Beach Soccer festival.

Hessequa Tourism

N2 / Spur City Building, Riversdale, Western Cape Province, 6670,

Republic of South Africa

Tel.+27 - (0)28 - 7138071

Fax:+27 - (0)28 - 7134148

In RSA - MaxiCall Tel. 0861 – 437737 / MaxiCall Tel. 0861 – HESSEQ

E-Mail:Info@hessequa.net

Hessequa 2010 Initiatives:

The Hessequa municipality has inspirational 2010, soccer related initiatives, with various linked legacy projects.

This dynamic initiative is centred on various events including 6-a-side soccer tournaments, a Summer Beach Soccer festival, together with soccer awareness programs and soccer training clinics.

During the FIFA World Cup, there will be a Hessequa Cup, featuring an international amateur soccer tournament, in Riversdale from the 3^rd – 11^th July 2010, which will also play host to small Community Viewing Areas.

Hessequa Cup info can be sourced from: www.hessequa-cup.net

Local Economic Development and Tourism

Implementation Plan – Revision process - 2010

Presently the LED and Tourism implementation plans are being revised and it is accepted that both these documents will be finalized before the end of this financial year ending 30 June 2010.

Spatial Development Framework

The Spatial Development Framework is available on the website www.hessequa.gov.za

Environmental Policies and Strategies

Environmental Policies and Strategies are available on www.hessequa.gov.za

HESSEQUA MUNICIPALITY

Van Den Berg Street, Riversdale

PO Box 29, Riversdale 6670

Republic of South Africa

Tel: +27 (0)28 713 8000

Fax: +27 (0)28 713 3146

Website: www.hessequa.gov.za