ABSTRACT
Seymour provides a significant case-study of Local Economic Development (LED) in South Africa. The notion of support supplementing local resolve finds expression in the draft Green Paper on LED and the activities of various development facilitation authorities and agencies internationally. A catalytic role in launching the town’s LED initiative was played by the local charismatic leaders who recognised the need for applied development and had the experience of the town’s past prosperity to serve as an inspiration. With the support of Corplan, the Seymour Development Forum embarked on a locally driven process of LED. In collaboration with Corplan, a range of additional development strategies have been identified which the Forum hopes will open up new market and employment opportunities. Till the late-1970s Seymour was the centre of a prosperous agricultural district, serving as a district supply, marketing and processing centre. The town’s economy revolved around a major saw-milling and tobacco processing plant located in the physical centre of the town.
