“Development” Boundaries and the Western Gaze

Note: This entry was originally written in April 2010.

Because South Africa cannot be neatly categorized as a “developed” country nor a “developing country,” its development-related challenges take on a completely different shape than both “First” and “Third” World counterparts. Take the Western Cape region as a case and point. The Cape Town city bowl, most of the Southern Suburbs, and other surrounding vicinity are considered to be “developed.” The City Bowl may not look like Athlone or Wynberg in terms of socio-economic status, but all these areas are composed of permanent infrastructure: housing, streets, shops, and schools. Gugulethu, Philippi, Mitchell’s Plain, Samora, Nyanga, Langa, and the numerous other townships that dot the area are “undeveloped” and “semi-developed” regions (“informal settlements” according to the preferred South African political discourse). Naturally, development initiatives focus on these township areas as opposed to those other areas, which are comparatively well off. It is not uncommon for policies, mentalities, and human beings to segregate these socio-spaces in a sort of de facto lingering apartheid. Worlds run parallel, “developed” and “undeveloped,” within one country.

Their geographic proximity and intertwined political reality limits this parallelism, however, particularly in light of the New South Africa. Humans cross development boundaries incessantly, even several times during a single trajectory. Increased interaction can sow more business opportunity and mutual cooperation, but it also can also create conflict and resentment. The fissures burden “developed” areas with many problematic spillover effects usually characteristic of more “underdeveloped” areas, while “underdeveloped” areas have access to additional infrastructure within the span of a brief commute.

One major side effect that plagues “developed” areas is a high crime rate. The lack of socio-economic opportunities in neighbouring areas leaves individuals struggling to make a living, and for those that choose illegal means to do so; the developed areas are clear, accessible, and profitable targets. Cape Town is definitely a hotbed of petty crime. Eight different Connect-123 interns have been mugged since arrival, albeit non-violently, but thieved nonetheless. Cape Town’s big, colourful buildings and trendy cafés give the illusion of developed security, but they are in fact penetrable. “Development” literally bumps up against “underdevelopment,” leaving “developed” areas prone to the same public security concerns as “underdeveloped ones.” Yesterday, another intern’s laptop was stolen right out from in front of her while she worked at a chic café’s sidewalk-front countertop. The illusion of development oft leaves one feeling secure while in fact security remains an underlying risk. Proverbial “underdevelopment” reached right over the weak, permeable boundaries between these domains and drove this point into the ground.

On the flip side of these boundary crossings is my own experience as foreign white development worker. I live in the developed City Bowl area of Cape Town but commute to work each day to a semi-developed lower middle class suburb. As I traverse the path from the Wynberg train station to my work building, I pass through an enormous, informal marketplace. There is an especially high proportion of foreigners among the vendors and the overall feel of the area is quite exotic. I can’t help to feel as I pass through that my own presence constitutes another boundary crossing and my Western gaze an enacted visualization of power relations. Met eye contact has often returned a “what do you want?” sort of look in response, and a few times I have even been harassed with a “hey, whitie!” provocation. Hop on the train and you’re again in another world. I suppose that’s South Africa for you.