Calls from Alice residents to give their town, which is home to the University of Fort Hare, a new look and revitalise the local economy, could soon be answered.

The Amathole Economic Development Agency, after numerous public meetings with communities, recently called for proposals to draw up a renewal plan for the town.

Agency chief executive officer Phila Xuza said the vision was to “link the town and university to create a heritage town, providing retailing, housing, local tourism and a platform for showcasing exhibitions marketing local products”.

Addressing consultants at a briefing in East London earlier this week, Xuza added that another objective was to enhance the attractiveness of the town as a place to live, work, study and visit, and to counteract the outward flow of people.

“There are people who work in Alice but they buy homes in Fort Beaufort, 20km away,” Xuza said.

At this stage there aren’t any concrete plans about how Alice can be renewed, as proposals still have to be submitted.

“Some may decide to focus on agriculture and others on education. It’s up to you (consultants) to come up with a plan that will work in the area,” Xuza said.

She said they would, however, require research if consultants choose to focus on education and propose to turn Alice into a university town.

“Look at the others and see what would work in a university town,” she said, advising consultants to look at places like Stellenbosch. “(But) just remember, Alice will never be Stellenbosch.”

It remains to be seen whether turning Alice into a university town is feasible, however, as UFH plans to shift its future growth to East London.

Xuza said it was important to strike a balance between stimulating economic activity and beautifying the town.

“It can’t be 90 percent about beautifying Alice and people can’t put food on the table. And it can’t be 90 percent – although we would all prefer that – about economic activity,” said Xuza.

The agency’s plans have been warmly received by Alice residents, who say all they want is to see their small town being cleaned up.

National Minister of Correctional Services and proud “child of Alice” Ngconde Balfour said he would welcome any development that would breathe new life into the small town.

“This place has a good history. It made me who I am,” said Balfour, taking a leisurely stroll through the town on Thursday. “Alice used to be a nice, clean little town. It’s had its ups and downs,” he continued.

Balfour said it was important not to only restore the town to its former glory, but to create employment and uplift the standard of living of residents, “and generally give them that sense of belonging, like I have”.

Siphiwe Helesi, who makes a modest living from fixing shoes in town, said although news of possible development in Alice was welcome, he feared authorities were just paying lip service.

“They’ve made promises before,” he said.

Helesi said if renewal plans were to be approved, they should include cleaning the streets, fixing potholes and fencing in cows that walk around freely.