4 - Can It be Achieved? Partnering Towards Improving Livelihoods in the Ganspan Settlement, Northern Cape Province, South Africa
Corresponding Author(s) : D. Norris
Africa Development,
Vol. 36 No. 1 (2011): Africa Development
Abstract
The Agricultural Research for Development (ARD) approach was used to determine the livelihood strategies of the Ganspan community; the current socio-economic dynamics and how they impact on livelihoods; the vision for the future; and to develop an initial road map for achieving better livelihoods. Eighty out of 210 households were sampled to determine the livelihood typology of the settlement. Participatory rural appraisal tools were used to explore stakeholders’ perceptions of the current problems/opportunities and the possible solutions. Only 3 per cent of households are solely dependent on agriculture whereas the majority (76%) derive livelihood from non-agricultural activities. The rest of the households derive their livelihoods from both agricultural and non-agricultural activities. Agriculture has a modest contribution to household income compared to social grants and employment. Generally, the community is economically depressed. Developmental strategies were identified, screened and prioritised. Collaboration and joint action by various stakeholders is essential for the sustainable development of the settlement. The establishment of an innovation platform with representatives of all relevant stakeholders is strongly recommended in order to jointly implement integrated and inter-institutional development action plans.
Keywords
Download Citation
Endnote/Zotero/Mendeley (RIS)BibTeX
- Badenhorst, J.W., 2001, Soil Conservation Report on Ganspan Settlement, Department of Agriculture and Land Reform.
- Bradstock, A., 2006, ‘Land Reform and Livelihoods in South Africa’s Northern Cape Province’, Land Use Policy, 23 (3): 205-360.
- Carney, D., 2009, What are Livelihood Approaches for the Rural Poor?, London: UK Department for International Development.
- Chambers, R. and Conway, G.R., 1992, Sustainable Rural Livelihoods: Practical Concepts for the 21st Century, Brighton: Institute of Development Studies (IDS) Discussion Paper No. 296, IDS.
- Department of Agriculture, 2001, Strategic Plan for the Department of Agriculture, Pretoria.
- Department of Land Affairs, 1997, White Paper on South African Land Policy Pretoria.
- Eastwood, R., Kirsten, J. and Lipton, M., 2006, ‘Premature Deagriculturalisation? Land Inequality and Rural Dependency in Limpopo Province, South Africa’, Journal of Development Studies, 42 (8): 1325-1349.
- International Centre for Development-oriented Research in Agriculture (ICRA), 2008, http://www.icra-edu.org/.
- Levin, R.M., 1996, ‘Politics and Land Reform in the Northern Province: A Case Study of the Mojapelo Land Claim’, in M. Lipton, F. Ellis and M. Lipton, eds., Land, Labour and Livelihoods in Rural South Africa, Volume Two: KwaZulu- Natal and Northern Province, Indicator, Durban (1996), pp. 357–392.
- Machethe, C.L., 2004, ‘Agriculture and Poverty in South Africa: Can Agriculture Reduce Poverty?’ Paper presented at the conference ‘Overcoming Underdevelopment’, Pretoria.
- Moyo, S., 2006, ‘The Land Question in Southern Africa: A Comparative Review’, in The Land Question in South Africa: The Challenge of Transformation and Redistribution, L. Ntsebeza and R. Hall (eds), HSRC Press, Cape Town: South Africa, pp. 60-86.
- Ortmann, G. and Machethe, C., 2003, Problems and Opportunities in South African Agriculture: The Challenge of Change, : University of Natal Press. Kwazulu Natal, South Africa.
- Venter, J., 2007, Vaalharts Agricultural Development Hub, Department of Agriculture and Land Reform, Kimberley, South Africa.
- Vink, N. and Kirsten, J., 2003, Agriculture in the National Economy: The Challenge of Change: University of Natal Press, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa.
References
Badenhorst, J.W., 2001, Soil Conservation Report on Ganspan Settlement, Department of Agriculture and Land Reform.
Bradstock, A., 2006, ‘Land Reform and Livelihoods in South Africa’s Northern Cape Province’, Land Use Policy, 23 (3): 205-360.
Carney, D., 2009, What are Livelihood Approaches for the Rural Poor?, London: UK Department for International Development.
Chambers, R. and Conway, G.R., 1992, Sustainable Rural Livelihoods: Practical Concepts for the 21st Century, Brighton: Institute of Development Studies (IDS) Discussion Paper No. 296, IDS.
Department of Agriculture, 2001, Strategic Plan for the Department of Agriculture, Pretoria.
Department of Land Affairs, 1997, White Paper on South African Land Policy Pretoria.
Eastwood, R., Kirsten, J. and Lipton, M., 2006, ‘Premature Deagriculturalisation? Land Inequality and Rural Dependency in Limpopo Province, South Africa’, Journal of Development Studies, 42 (8): 1325-1349.
International Centre for Development-oriented Research in Agriculture (ICRA), 2008, http://www.icra-edu.org/.
Levin, R.M., 1996, ‘Politics and Land Reform in the Northern Province: A Case Study of the Mojapelo Land Claim’, in M. Lipton, F. Ellis and M. Lipton, eds., Land, Labour and Livelihoods in Rural South Africa, Volume Two: KwaZulu- Natal and Northern Province, Indicator, Durban (1996), pp. 357–392.
Machethe, C.L., 2004, ‘Agriculture and Poverty in South Africa: Can Agriculture Reduce Poverty?’ Paper presented at the conference ‘Overcoming Underdevelopment’, Pretoria.
Moyo, S., 2006, ‘The Land Question in Southern Africa: A Comparative Review’, in The Land Question in South Africa: The Challenge of Transformation and Redistribution, L. Ntsebeza and R. Hall (eds), HSRC Press, Cape Town: South Africa, pp. 60-86.
Ortmann, G. and Machethe, C., 2003, Problems and Opportunities in South African Agriculture: The Challenge of Change, : University of Natal Press. Kwazulu Natal, South Africa.
Venter, J., 2007, Vaalharts Agricultural Development Hub, Department of Agriculture and Land Reform, Kimberley, South Africa.
Vink, N. and Kirsten, J., 2003, Agriculture in the National Economy: The Challenge of Change: University of Natal Press, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa.