The Growth and Development Strategy (GDS) is the first strategy of its kind in the Western Cape. It is a high-level analytical, broad-based strategic framework and regional policy statement to enable the Western Cape to achieve shared growth and integrated development by 2014.

The Growth and Development Strategy (GDS), previously called the Provincial Growth and Development Strategy (PGDS), takes the name Ikapa Elihlumayo, an isiXhosa term which means 'Growing the Cape'. The strategy is referred to as the GDS, Ikapa Elihlumayo or the Ikapa Elihlumayo GDS.

The GDS was developed over five years, with inputs from Western Cape social partners - government, labour, business and civil society. Below is a summary of key events in this process:

May: Construction Summit
Jul: Healthcare 2010 & National Job Summit
Nov: 'People's Partnerships for Skills, Jobs and Growth': Western Cape Growth and Development Summit

Ikapa stategy development process
Sept: Provincial Development Council Amendment Act

Feb: Social Capital Conference
Jun: Western Cape Sustainable Development Conference; Agriculture and Agribusiness Summit & Strategy
Jul: Western Cape Provincial Land Summit
Aug: Learning Cape Festival
Nov: State of the Environment Report; Draft Provincial Advanced Manufacturing Technology Strategy; Sustainable Human Settlement Summit
Dec: Provincial Spatial Development Framework

Mar: Western Cape Human Capital Development Strategy
Jul: Micro-Economic Development Strategy Synthesis Report
Oct: Provincial Growth & Development Strategy; Higher Education Summit; Socio-Economic Profiles for Local Government; Western Cape Social Capital Formation Strategy
Nov: Eden District and Cape Winelands Growth & Development Summits

Mar: West Coast District Growth & Development Summit; Strategic Infrastructure Plan; Infrastructure Indaba; Provincial Plan of Action [PPoA]
Apr: Central Karoo, Overberg, City of Cape Town Growth & Development Summits
May: Sustainable Energy Strategy for the Western Cape; Perception Survey of Government Performance and Service Delivery
Jun: Energy & Climate Change Summit; Western Cape Sustainable Human Settlement Strategy; Triennial Provincial Growth & Development Summit