government of South Africa's separate development policy. As a result, a large artificial barrier was drawn and effectively splitting the Hammanskraal Region into two different countries. This once again had a profound impact in the developmental trajectory of the area and resulted in the continued decentralized settlement model that persists today. It is worth noting that the Bophuthatswana Government did make a contribution to the development of the area albeit it under an unpopular political context. The Bophuthatswana government is credited with driving economic development by the constructing of the Babalegi Industrial Development Zone in the 1970s and the construction of the Carousel Casino in 1992. This and other investments in infrastructure, schools and utilities saw the generally underserved and overlooked region obtain some much needed economic injection in the 1980s and early 1990s. Post the 1994 South African election, the region of Hammanskraal has seen a significant decline in service delivery, infrastructure and social development with the exception of the private sector investments leading to the building of shopping malls and private schools. Geography Location The region of Hammanskraal is located on the Far Northern Boundary of Gauteng Province and is strategically located at a trade way hub linking the North West Province, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Gauteng Province. This makes Hammanskraal a Trans Provincial Region that functionally connected and spreads along 4 provinces. The only single Geographic area in South Africa that straddles 4 Provinces. Boundaries The boundaries are outlined in order to give definition to the Spatial composition of the Region. The western boundary of the region is along the Stink Water River which separates Hammanskraal from Soshanguve. The Northern Boundary straddles Pienaarsrivier and Rust De Winter towards Limpopo Province and the eastern boundary is towards the Madala Game Reserve on the Border between Gauteng and Mpumalanga Provinces. Spatial components The purpose of this chapter is to outline the key spatial features that form part of this regions geographic landscape. Hammanskraal is surrounded by an enormous agricultural environment. Agriculture is the base economic activity for the region. The area has a large concentration of grain and wheat farms and many farms producing animal feeds. Livestock and poultry farming is also very prevalent. Natural Conservation is also a notable spatial component on the landscape of the Hammanskraal region. The Dinokeng Game Reserve to the east of the region is a large and well maintained natural asset. This game reserve