SA Trails Network paves the way to economic empowerment in the Western Cape
November 2022 marked the successful roll-out of Phase One by World Economic Forum’s award-winning SA Trails Network, in partnership with Imperial DP World Company – and Devonbosch Property Development Company (Pty) Ltd, to develop and continue to link community based trail that will help connect surrounding communities. So far, over 6400km of trails have been linked from Paarl to Franschhoek to Stellenbosch networks and are already beigng used regularly by pedestrian commuters, school-goers, runners, hiking parties, horse riders and cyclists.
“This initial phase has been instrumental in empowering and uplifting the surrounding communities through jobs and micro-enterprises created, while also providing safe access for commuters. Through the development of this safe off-road passage, SA Trails Network compliments government’s mobility policy that highlights the development of non-motorised transport networks while supporting their role in community upliftment. Through the support of SquareTurn Developments (a South African subsidiary of the Belgium based SquareGroup company) and the new Devonbosch Ddevelopment in this region, we believe this initiative will also bring much-needed, safe adventure tourism revenue to the country over time,” explains Reghard Goussard, Founder of Trails SA Network NPC and part of the SquareTurn development team responsible for the development of Devonbosch”
Unequivocally pledging their support for this community-focused project, the Department of Economic Development and Tourism said in an online statement, “The proposed linkage of multi-use route networks across the Western Cape fits into the gaps and opportunities identified by the Tourism Blueprint 2030. The potential benefits of the project include not only economic growth and job creation, but also the upliftment of local communities and reinforcing the Western Cape as the ‘Adventure Capital of Africa.”
According to Goussard, the first phase of this ground-breaking trail network is progressing well as they expand through Drakenstein and they have also received a lot of support from different municipalities in the region. City Manager, Dr Johan Leibrandt, conveyed his support of this initiative by stating,“The expansion of this trail through Drakenstein will enhance our product offering and we acknowledge the importance of this project to unlock further job opportunities”.
While the primary intention is to provide the communities’ families and children safe passage to and from Devonbosch as well as all surrounding areas; there are also plans to connect these trails to the already popular and well-established Bottelary Conservancy that offers cyclists access to trails on private working wine farms. Anthony Barnes, Acting Municipal Manager, added his voice and stamp of approval saying, “Stellenbosch Municipality recognises the budding potential this initiative presents to unlock various tourism and job creation opportunities. Stellenbosch Municipality is pleased to express in principle its support for the focus of this project”.
The Cape Winelands District Municipality highlighted the benefits of these new trails, explaining in a statement that “this creates safe commuter passages for commuters, residents and tourists”, and added that this network will also draw tourists to the Western Cape and ultimately contribute to increasing the GDP of the area and province.
Since the inception of the trails supported by the new Devonbosch development, there has been a significant decrease and prevention in poaching, bullying of kids, muggings of trail users, cable theft, drug trafficking, and deaths of women and children caused by violence and speeding on the roads. The trails have also contributed to the early detection of fires in the area.
“We are excited about the potential and benefits to the region and people in this area that the new Devonbosch development will bring with the trails being the first of a number of initiatives planned to roll out. In line with SquareTurn’s mission of not just creating developments, but rather delivering change in the areas we operate in, we intend on making this area a hive of activity and positive change. Devonbosch has the potential to be a catalytic project with far reaching effects in the long term that could see significant contributions towards job creation and the economic upturn of the province and country as a whole. Ultimately we want all trails in the area to lead to Devonbosch”, concludes Jean Pierre Nortier – CEO, SquareTurn Property Developers.
The first of a number of residential offerings within Devonbosch, the Piazza, is due to break ground at the end of November offering investors and homeowners the opportunity to buy into one of 36 designer apartments starting from R1 575 000 – with 9 of these apartments already sold. Devonbosch is positioned alongside Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek and this development will offer its residents a hub of activities on its doorstep that includes a natural lake and vast areas of wetlands, bespoke retail, restaurants and cafes, the winelands first-ever surfing without wind or waves creation, catch and release fishing, mountain biking, hiking and running trails, green parks and adrenalin pumping activities for all ages – to be developed to name just a few. The new Devonbosch Development is perfectly placed to offer buyers ‘life unlimited’. For more information or to register your interest before these limited amount of units sell out, visit www.Devonbosch.co.za.