The socio‐economic implications of a ‘homeland’ development policy for the Xhosa tribal group based on a traditional regional physical development plan are examined. The relevance of treating the Ciskei as an insulated unit and of a growth centre approach is doubted because of the much stronger dynamic ‘pull’ factors operating outside the region. At present, regional development objectives are indirectly imposed by the more powerful ‘external’ authority of the South African Government which aims to ‘internalise’ development in the ‘homeland’ areas.