"Thrown Onto Themselves" is a specialized book that addresses the challenges of local economic development in the Eastern Cape region of South Africa. It highlights the changes in the approach of local governments, shifting from isolated projects to long-term, systemic interventions. The research findings indicate that local governments face a variety of competitive challenges, including access to roads, issues with land reform and use, access to agricultural markets, and a lack of skilled professionals. These challenges often lie beyond the control of local governments, leading to the conclusion that they are isolated in their situation. The book advocates for a stronger role of the central government and other stakeholders to support local governments in their work, particularly in the former homelands of the Eastern Cape region. It provides a well-founded analysis of the economic conditions and the necessary interventions to promote sustainable development in the region.