Managing communal land can be for the greater good

Wonga Masiza, a researcher at the Agricultural Research Council, reveals 17 million South Africans live on communal land, and explores a new study that offers insights on how to manage it.

- Wonga Masiza

"The Tyhume River, flowing from the forested Amathole Mountains in South Africa’s Eastern Cape, gives its name to a valley of 20 villages on communal land. Much of the land is being used for livestock, as crop production has declined over the years. This land is under the custodianship of traditional leaders.

The valley is typical of South Africa’s communal land: affected by soil erosion, bush encroachment and water scarcity.

About a third (more than 17 million) of South Africans live on communal land, which makes up about 13% of all land in the country. The 2017 Communal Land Tenure Bill defines communal land as “owned, occupied or used by members of a community subject to shared rules or norms and customs”. It can also be owned by the state.

This land can benefit rural communities by providing ecosystem goods and services, such as shelter, water, fuel/wood, food and cultural amenities. But natural processes and human activity can transform the land.

Unmonitored and poorly managed land changes can trigger soil erosion, overgrazing, loss of biodiversity and water scarcity. In South Africa, communal land is considered to be more degraded than privately owned land. This can negatively affect the livelihoods of people who derive ecosystem services from it.

Common indicators and causes of land degradation are generally understood. But less is known about how people living in communal lands interpret land changes and their impact. It’s unclear what they perceive as land degradation or which kinds of land changes matter most to them. This helps explain the lack of sound policies and practical strategies to rehabilitate land.