Place, belonging and population displacement: new ecological reserves in Mozambique and South Africa

Abstract

This paper investigates the effect the proclamation of conserved areas in southern Africa may have on the ability of inhabitants in these areas to retain control of ancestral territory and to access long-standing livelihood options in the future. In particular, it examines how two national parks (in South Africa and Mozambique) effect a change in ownership and land use, and the resulting impact of such a change on local socio-cultural patterns of identity, or 'place'. This is achieved by examining the dilemma confronting social and ecological scientists in planning these parks - where interventionist policies often deny customary tenure of land and thus prevent a thorough understanding of any historical claims to land prior to actual proclamation of the area. Accordingly, this paper argues for greater cooperation between social and ecological researchers in order to prevent the politicisation of national reserves and the intense opposition that has accompanied most instances of population displacement in the subcontinent.

Perceptions of climate change, multiple stressors and livelihoods on marginal African coasts

“…Tourism, with inward investment from South Africa and beyond, is amongst the sectors most rapidly expanding up and down the coast. Mozambique has Africa's longest coast, with major dunes, estuaries and banks for fisheries (Connor 2005). Maputo Bay has rare corals at Inhaca (Perry 2003) protected by the oldest (Christie and Hanlon 2001).…”

The discursive construction of conflict in participatory forest management: The case of the Agoua forest restoration in Benin

“…In many cases, conservation actions have led to the physical and economic displacement of millions of people who formerly lived, hunted, fi shed, and farmed in areas now protected for wildlife, e.g., watersheds, reefs, forests, or rare ecosystems (Brockington & Igoe 2006;Agrawal & Redford 2009). The implementation of such decisions often results in resistance and confl icts between local communities and the organisations in charge (Connor 2005).…”

Living on Other People’s Land; Impacts of Farm Conversions to Game Farming on Farm Dwellers’ Abilities to Access Land in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

“…(Ex-)farm dwellers interviewed in the Karoo especially reported a growing insecurity about their place on the farms. Brandt (2013, 161-162) Municipalities struggle to offer enough affordable housing, and informal settlements continue to grow as both public and private conservation areas expand (Connor 2005). It must be noted, however, that this growth is not only related to conversions to game farming; similar trends of land concentration and labor shedding have been noted in relation to commercial 'conventional' farming as well (Hall 2011).…”