Butterworth Project

Despite having abandoned legal “segregated areas” under the Transkei government, the spatial development of Gcuwa has subsequently continued to be dominated by its original segregated form, and areas such as Umsobomvu and Ibika are more truly “locations” than surbubs or even townships. Furthermore, disjointed spatial planning and terrain broken by gorges and gullies has resulted in a spatial form that lacks intergration.

Aspire’s program initiative in Butterworth is based on altering the spatial dynamics and spatial development options for the town. The program is focused on stimulating development in three nodes:

• The development of the Central Business District (CBD) & Umsobomvu
• Development of the education node in Ibika
• Development of leisure and tourism activity at Gcuwa Dam and the golf course area

Completion of the Central Business District upgrade

The social and economic revitalisation of Butterworth in the Eastern Cape has been given a major boost with an extensive upgrade of the town’s Central Business District (CBD).
Aspire implemented the R17.3-million project in partnership with Mnquma local municipality. The upgrade was funded by National Treasury’s Neighbourhood Development Partnership Grant and Indalo Yethu.  Construction was completed in December 2011 and the improvements were officially handed over to the Mnquma municipality during a hand over ceremony in December 2011. A hand over agreement between Aspire and the Mnquma municipality was signed to ensure that the local municipality assumes responsibility for the maintenance, security and future expansion of the project, in line with its own development initiatives for the town.

To kick-start the developments, National Treasury’s National Development Partnership grant has allocated a funding envelope to Aspire of R273 million to include the small towns of Alice, Butterworth, Dutywa, Hamburg and Stutterheim.

Butterworth Launch and Handover Dec 2011

CBD upgrade with new lighting and paving

Aerial view of CBD and main road

Market Square upgrade