Phuthaditjhaba: The Rise and Fall of a Homeland Capital

Abstract

AbstractGrand Apartheid in South Africa created ten ‘homelands’, each of which had a capital city. These capitals became places of power and symbolism. The apartheid government allocated large subsidies to support industrial development in these capitals, through the regional industrial development programme. Phuthaditjhaba became the capital of the QwaQwa homeland, with a parliament building, houses for chief ministers, and public spaces and buildings named after leaders. However, with the incorporation of QwaQwa into South Africa after the transition to a democratic government, Phuthaditjhaba lost its capital status. Despite one statue being removed, most of its public places named after homeland leaders remained. Today, Phuthaditjhaba is part of the Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality and stands to benefit from funding from the intermediate city support programme. However, poor financial management, political infighting and allegations of corruption are preventing it from accessing these funds. City planners would do better to focus on Phuthaditjhaba’s regional services function and the sustainable development role in the mountainous context and promote rural development.