The legacy of the Separate Amenities Act: Perceptions of recreation and future planning in the Northern Province, South Africa

Since 1990, South Africa has been undergoing a socio‐political transformation from apartheid to non‐racial democracy. This transformation culminated in April 1994, with the first‐ever general election in which people of all races participated. However, in this period of change there has not been much integration of previously separate recreational spaces, especially in more conservative regions such as the Northern Province. This article examines the perceptions, knowledge and awareness of urban blacks with regard to outdoor recreation. It also explores their expectations under the new political dispensation, as envisaged by the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) of the new government. Finally, it looks at five key aspects of planning and development for deprived communities, namely education, marketing, structural constraints, public participation in development, and the development of tourism.

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Department of Geography, University of the North, Sovenga, South Africa. The author gratefully acknowledges the financial and technical support of the University of the North.