The European Union is South Africa’s largest source of donations. Our R1 billion (One Billion Rand) Annual Development Co-operation Budget spans areas as diverse as education, water and sanitation and the entrenchment of a human-rights culture. Local Economic Development fits into this picture because of the need for job creation in South Africa. The remarkable achievement made in improving access to public infrastructure in the last 10 years has not been matched by South Africa’s job creation record.

The Gijima Programme in KwaZulu Natal particularly focuses on harnessing creativity at a local level through a demand-led approach and the centrality of a partnership approach. This suggests that what we are doing in KwaZulu Natal is actually a pilot exercise. If it succeeds, this Programme could have a significant impact on the shape of our development co-operation with South Africa in the future.