Focusing on the ‘blessing’ and not the ‘curse’ of second homes: notes from South Africa

This paper is set against the backdrop of criticism from certain quarters framing second homes as an elitist phenomenon that is part of the negative consequences of changing rural geographies. It is shown that South Africa has a long history and ever growing number of second home owners across the whole spectrum of class cohorts who form an integral part of the country's rural geographies. It is argued that accepting and framing second homes as a potential positive development agency might suggest strategies that could enhance rural development.