Darling, in the Western Cape, has set a bold vision: to become the country’s first green, resilient, and inclusive town. Getting there will require a foundation of trust, strategic partnerships, and strong community engagement.
Darling is a small town in a farming area on the west coast region of South Africa’s Western Cape province, about 75 km (46.6 mi) from Cape Town. {Image by Lizelle Lötter Photography}
Over the past two years, national urban planning non-profit, Ranyaka Community Transformation, in its capacity as implementation agent for the Nedbank Proud of My Town (PoMT) programme, has played a crucial role in building these foundations.
The Darling story demonstrates what is possible when visionary funders invest in an intentional process to help stakeholders find common ground. Through the support of PoMT, Ranyaka could roll out a strategy that bridges divides, fosters collaboration, attracts additional investment, and creates economic opportunities that benefit all.
Ranyaka facilitates dialogue between local residents and stakeholders across socio-economic, cultural and racial divides. {Image by Lizelle Lötter Photography}
Trust and inclusion
The journey began when urban planner and Ranyaka Executive Director, Johan Olivier, met Klaus Göbel a few years ago while working on the Stellenbosch Bridge development in Klapmuts. Klaus saw how Ranyaka’s approach to social facilitation helped communities become active participants in their own development. So, when the opportunity came to develop Darling Green Country Estate, he appointed Ranyaka as social facilitator to ensure the local community was involved and benefited from the project.
Initially, community members were sceptical – fearing that the development would prioritise profit over local needs. However, through trust-building, open discussions and inclusive planning, perceptions began to shift.
A place of much potential – gems around every corner in the town of Darling. {Image by Lizelle Lötter Photography}
Ranyaka’s first step was to conduct a DNA mapping workshop, where residents identified key challenges, strengths, and opportunities in their area. The insights gained, helped shape a development approach that prioritised community interests. A project design workshop followed, where even loadshedding could not deter residents and stakeholders from learning about the practical development of citizen-led projects. They worked together by candlelight to explore ways to tackle the challenges facing their town.
Ranyaka then facilitated engagements between the developers and key local stakeholders, such as the Darling Black Business Forum and the Darling Action Group, to ensure open and productive conversations. Early meetings were tense, with miscommunications and resistance. However, continuous dialogue helped build trust.
Even loadshedding could not deter residents and local stakeholders who participated in a project design workshop to come up with solutions to address local challenges. {Image by Diane Pritchard}
Ranyaka team members meet with some of the key stakeholders at its Local Coordinator’s Office in Darling. From left to right: John Goliath (Local Coordinator), Sebastiaan Lewis (Site Manager, Darling Green Country Estate), Eugene Sias (Trust), Jonathan Petersen (Trust), Johan Olivier (Ranyaka), and Archie Mbhele (Darling Action Group). {Image by Lizelle Lötter Photography}
Empowerment and employment
During the engagement process it became clear that local businesses needed support to compete for contracts and benefit from the town’s development. Ranyaka guided the process to establish a local business, ensuring registration with COIDA and full compliance with legislation, allowing the business to secure larger contracts and grow sustainably.
A significant milestone in early 2024 was the establishment of the Cochoqua Trust. PoMT funded the registration and compliance process for the Trust, which serves as a fundraising vehicle to support local economic and social development initiatives.
Darling Green Country Estate appointed Ranyaka as social facilitators for the development to ensure that the local community is involved in the development of the area. {Image by Lizelle Lötter Photography}
Because of these initiatives, over 250 residents have, to date, been employed (in full-time, as well as part-time jobs) at the Estate and by Sustainable Power Solutions (S.P.S.) at the solar farm. A local coordination office has been established by Ranyaka. Managed by local residents, the office connects job seekers with opportunities, and provides a central hub for the coordination of community projects. The office is financially supported by Darling Green Country Estate and S.P.S., with Ranyaka providing ongoing mentorship and technical assistance.
Sebastiaan Lewis is a site manager at the Darling Green Country Estate. {Image by Lizelle Lötter Photography}
“It’s not often that you find large businesses or property developers who actually have the courage to say they want to create spaces and places for the community.” – Sebastiaan Lewis, a site manager at the Darling Green Country Estate. Sebastiaan was one of the speakers at the recent launch of the solar farm at the Estate and is also spearheading the establishment of a business entity that will form the BEE partner for the estate.
On site at the Darling Green Country Estate. {Image by Lizelle Lötter Photography}
Heritage and future focus
The process also highlighted the need to honour the town’s diverse cultural heritage, particularly its ties to the indigenous Khoisan and San communities. In September 2024, Ranyaka partnered with Rev. Bossie Muller from Culture Connect to implement their programme to foster social cohesion. Culture Connect is a project of the Unit for Reconciliation and Justice at the Beyers Naude Centre at the Stellenbosch University.
This journey is bringing diverse groups together, encouraging residents to see diversity as a strength rather than a division.
From left to right: Jan Farmer (Nedbank), Archie Mbhele (Darling Action Group), Jonathan Petersen (Trust), Amy Levendal (Ranyaka), Johan Olivier (Ranyaka), Purdey September (Ranyaka), Andiswa Ndinisa, Sebastiaan Lewis (Site Manager, Darling Green Country Estate), Eugene Sias (Trust) and John Goliath (Local coordinator). {Image by Lizelle Lötter Photography}
Through the catalytic support of Nedbank’s PoMT programme, Ranyaka has been able to promote cohesion, invest in skills development, provide mentorship, and play a pivotal role in creating sustainable economic structures in Darling. As a result, local black-owned businesses have access to opportunities to participate meaningfully in the town’s future.
Pieter Farmer, Darling resident and a local small farmer. {Image by Lizelle Lötter Photography}
These quirky characters were simply picture perfect during our most recent visit to Darling. {Image by Lizelle Lötter Photography}
Looking ahead, the focus is on strengthening the relationship between the Cochoqua Trust, Sama Sisonke (Pty) Ltd, the Darling Green Country Estate, and the local business community. Ongoing key interventions such as monthly strategic planning sessions and business development workshops, continue to create spaces where groups can collaborate and find common ground.
The progress in Darling serves as a model for inclusive, community-driven transformation. By prioritising trust, fostering economic opportunities, and embracing cultural diversity, Darling is proving that meaningful change happens when communities, businesses, and developers work together, and the catalytic funding of visionary investors unlocks opportunity.
Images (unless otherwise specified): Lizelle Lötter Photography