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The study examines land and agrarian reforms in democratic South Africa focusing on projects implemented under the Comprehensive Rural Development Programme (CRDP) since 2009. Focusing on Bushbuckridge municipal area, the study reviews wide ranging transformative efforts initiated to address agrarian sector inequalities and rural poverty. The review illustrates that modest achievements have been made in restructuring the apartheid political geography manifesting in high levels of asset poverty amongst rural populations and vulnerability to food insecurity. While several factors are explored to explain this, it is discernible that a disjuncture exists between the social justice imperatives and the neoliberal development ideology adopted since transition to democracy. Adopting the sustainable livelihoods approach, the study examines whether the CRDP is adequate to address the needs for land equity in redistribution and to improve rural livelihoods in Mpumalanga, with particular focus on Bushbuckridge municipal area. Furthermore, the study examines the extent to which the implementation of CRDP has met the objective of equitable land redistribution as specified in the policy and also explores the outcomes of implementation, whether necessary conditions to promote the small-scale agricultural sector have been created; for instance, investments in agricultural infrastructure, support services such as credit measures, inputs and capacity building programmes for subsistence sector farming. Through a qualitative inquiry challenges are identified regarding the achievement of equity in land distribution and sustainable livelihoods. The conclusive chapter argues for paradigm shifts in land acquisition, public engagement, gender equity, funding models for subsistence farming, intersectoral co-operation, funding of rural infrastructural projects particularly markets and agro-processing facilities.

From introduction: This is a study of the physical landscape, climate, natural vegetation, historical geography and rural land use of the Bedford, Adelaide, Fort Beaufort, Stockenström and Victoria East magisterial districts. These five districts may be regarded as a natural region bounded by the crest of the Amatole-Winterberg range in the north and by the Great Fish River in the west. The southern boundary is a zone of semi-arid scrub bordering the Great Fish River valley. The Ciskei may be regarded as the eastern boundary of the region.

Thesis (M.Dev. (Planning and Management)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / Globally, eco-tourism has been recognised as a tool to enhance rural land transformation, mostly in areas and around eco-tourism destinations or those rich with natural resources. With that, literature has confirmed that there is a well-established principle between eco-tourism and rural land transformation in most countries across the globe. Theoretically, the establishments and expansion of eco-tourism do not necessarily bring only rural land transformation and associated benefits to the society but also entail various challenges. The challenges are inclusive of but not limited to threats to indigenous cultures and environmental degradation. Thus, this study was designed and undertaken to explore the effects of eco-tourism on rural land transformation in Mapungubwe National Park. The study utilised both qualitative and quantitative research methods and both qualitative and qualitative data was collected theoretically and empirically on the effects of eco-tourism on rural land transformation. Data collection techniques included semi-structured questionnaires with a sample size of 43 respondents, interview schedules for 8 respondents and observations. Recordings of the interviews with the participants were transcribed and analysed including the findings which emanated from this investigation. The findings reveal that eco-tourism does play an important part in ensuring improvement of the Musina local municipal area’s economy, where the Mapungubwe National Park is located. However, there still seems to be lot that needs to be done to ensure eco-tourism is sustainable to ensure there is rural land transformation and economic growth by eliminating damage to the natural ecosystems. Economic growth is always affected by the changing environments, either negatively or positively and there, the concept always comes in where tourism is concerned. The minimal positive impact it was making is improving some people’s lives and through job creation (South African National Parks, 2006). The study revealed that eco-tourism does have positive effect on rural land transformation in the Mapungubwe National Park, which include economic growth through tourist attraction. The researcher is of the view that ecotourism is playing significant role in the rural land transformation of Mapungubwe National Park.

The study investigated indigenous land management practices in the North West Province with special reference to Miga and Tsetse villages. The study found that the apartheid forced removal policies had a great impact on the socio-economic and cultural life of the communities in the two study villages. The communities were resettled in a new harsh environment in which they encountered. various problems with adaptation. The land management practices in Miga and Tsetse villages were different from the traditional farming practices in their places of origin in the then Western Transvaal, where they were self-reliant. The new farming practices in Miga and Tsetse are based on modern agricultural land use system, which include the use of modern equipment and other inputs. Most of the community members cannot afford them due to high levels of unemployment. Moreover, given the arid conditions of the area, the new farming practices depend on availability of rain. The policy strategies and projects instituted and implemented by both the Bophuthatswana government and the North West Provincial government did not benefit the two communities much. Lack of funds and dependency on government funds made the projects unsustainable. The study recommended that since the Miga and Tsetse Communities have access to land for farming, the North West Provincial Department of Agriculture should put more emphasis on promoting and improving indigenous farming methods by incorporating them into the provincial agricultural development strategies. This is due to the fact that these practices are sustainable and affordable to the local communities. They are adaptable and tuned to the needs of people. Also, they pertain to cultural values of the communities. Moreover, the current poverty situation in Miga and Tsetse villages necessitates the great need for the communities to initiate other income generating ventures beside agriculture. The government should provide the communities with the necessary support including capacity building to ensure the sustainability and success of these projects / (M.Soc.Sc.) North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2005

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of the Witwatersrand, 1994.

Thesis (LLM.) -- University of Limpopo, 2011

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of Natal, 2002.

Betterment Planning is the major form of rural development planning which has been implemented in the Reserve areas of South Africa. The first Bettemnent schemes were begun after 1939. Whilst Betterment Planning has undergone certain modifications in theory and implementation over the past 42 years, it is still being implemented by the 'homeland' governments. This paper is of necessity only a preliminary study or working paper, the aim of which is to explore the theoretical and concrete issues which a comprehensive evaluation of Betterment Planning would need to confront in detail. I have chosen to analyse Betterment Planning for a number of reasons. First, whilst preparing a report on settlement patterns in KwaZu1u/Natal for the Buthelezi Commission early in 1981, I found that there was very little published material on Betterment Planning. Further, in the course of this research, I was surprised to find that practising planners and academics in Natal seemed to know little about it. Second, reports on development planning for the homelands ignore Betterment Planning entirely. For example, the "Towards a Plan for KwaZulu" (1978) makes no mention what soever of the Betterment Planning in KwaZulu, let alone undertakes an analysis of the successes/failures of its implementation. Yet it stresses that: "the reform and development of the agricultural sector should be accorded the highest priority. Failure to make progress in this area will jeopardise all the objectives of the Plan." (Thorrington-Smith et al 1978 : 22). To undertake rural development planning without an analysis and understanding as to why it is necessary, can only result in the proposed plans being at best superficial and, at worst, ones which exacerbate the problem they set out to solve. All too often development planning is nothing more than problem-solving oriented: the problem is identified and described, and the planners put forward a solution to solve it. However, for a solution to have even a chance of being successfully implemented, the causes and history of the problem must be fully analysed and understood. It is just as crucial to analyse and evaluate previous attempted solutions to the problem. For, in failing, they may have become additional constraints, i.e. in themselves the previous solutions may have become part of the problem. Third, most of the homelands are politically 'semi-independent' or 'independent'. They have their own agriculture and planning departments which have realized that rural development is a priority in any homeland development. Consequently in recent years, these homelands have been looking for new rural development strategies. In the light of my second point above, it is therefore important that Betterment Planning is analysed and evaluated. Fourth, the writings of neo-Marxist and Marxist theoreticians on South Africa have almost completely failed to address the role and function of Betterment Planning in the transformation of the South African social formation. Most of their attention has been focussed on the white agricultural areas. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of Natal, 1982.

Thesis ( M. Sc.((Agricultural Economics)) -- University of Limpopo, 2017. / Wildlife farming has become an important land use alternative, especially in most developing countries where there is an abundance of wildlife resources. In South Africa, integrated wildlife/livestock was mostly practiced by commercial farmers on a privately owned land but in recent years, potential for income generation in the industry has grown. Smallholder farmers are increasingly being assisted to explore practicing integrated wildlife/livestock on communal land after receiving land through restitution programme. The aim of the study was to examine costs and benefits associated with integrating livestock with wildlife in a smallholder agricultural context. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data from 71 respondents situated in Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality selected using multistage random sampling technique. Cost-benefit approach and weighted decision matrix were used for economic analysis and also to identify potential trade-offs. Furthermore, the study used descriptive statistical analysis to identify opportunities and challenges faced by farmers. Some of the livestock costs identified include feeds, vaccines and labour costs. Benefits of wildlife include income from trophy hunting and selling meat from wild animals. Cost-Benefit Ratio (CBR) as a tool of cost benefit analysis techniques, was used in order get 0.67 in livestock farming, this shows that the project may not be sustainable whereas that of wildlife farming was 1.13 which indicate that the project will yield positive outcome for community involved. There are trade-offs that farmers will have to consider when shifting towards integrated wildlife/livestock such as reduced livestock benefits and increased wildlife benefits. Livestock diseases, stock theft and others are the identified challenges associated with integrated wildlife/livestock. Descriptive results indicated that 40% of livestock farmers mentioned that they are strongly affected by stock theft and disease transmission. The identified opportunities of integrated wildlife/livestock were business and job creation for rural households. Given the findings, the study therefore, recommends that government and private sector should assist farmers with training in wildlife farming so that they can be competitive in commercial wildlife farming. Funds should be made available for setting up infrastructure suited for wildlife land uses. / Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF)