The Impact of The Pafuri Triangle Agreement on sustainable livelihoods of the Makuleke Community, Limpopo Province, South Africa.

Abstract

In 1998, thanks to the Restitution of Land Rights Act 22 of 1994, the Makuleke community won back The Pafuri Triangle after protracted and complex negotiations with the South African National Parks (SANParks) in the South African Land Claims Court. A globally celebrated agreement called the Pafuri Triangle agreement was signed with SANParks whereby the community and SANParks would co-manage the land and thereby derive economic benefits from it, instead of returning to resettle there. It is 19 years (2020) now since the Makuleke community entered into a co-management venture with the SANParks. This study explored the impact of the Pafuri Triangle agreement on sustainable livelihoods of the Makuleke community. The study is qualitative in nature. It sought to find out how the Makuleke people have been impacted upon by the implementation of the co-management agreement. Data was collected using face to face in-depth interviews. The study used purposively sampled Makuleke households as well as various implementing officials. The study was primarily guided by the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach (SLA) framework to development, as advocated by the Department for International Development (DFID). SLA is an offshoot of the Human Development Theory. SLA seeks to enhance progress in poverty elimination through understanding people’s strengths, vulnerability, and livelihood strategies. The study revealed that the impact of the implementation of the Makuleke co-management agreement was below expectations due to a plethora of challenges.