Abstract
Rural livelihoods in South Africa are composed of varying combinations of natural-resource- based and non-natural-resource-based incomes and activities. Since the end of apartheid in 1994 and the shift to a democratic South Africa, various changes have occurred in rural livelihoods across the country. This research examines the local environmental and livelihood history of a village in the Eastern Cape, namely the Tsekong Village, which is located in one of the former Bantustans (Homelands), the Transkei. There is often an assumption that agriculture is the centre of South African rural livelihoods; however, this assumption is not always correct. The overall aim of this study was to identify how livelihoods in the Tsekong Village have changed due to environmental as well as political and economic changes, and to identify how people have adapted to these changes over as long a period as they can recall.
Information was obtained from life history interviews and participant observation in the village, following which a thematic analysis was conducted to address the research objectives. The research consists of three objectives. The first objective was to explore – through oral histories
– the long-term perceived climatic environmental changes. The second was to document perceived changes in livelihood composition dating back to the oldest memories. The third was to explore perceived changes in population composition in Tsekong Village. This was done through conversations and enquiries with older community members to understand how they perceive the changes that have taken place. Although there are limitations specifically related to memory and accuracy, this method was chosen for its depth of engagement. Participants provided long narratives of changes in rural livelihoods, from agrarian to income-based livelihoods.
The findings illustrate that environmental changes, as well as socio-political changes have resulted in reduced agriculture in homestead gardens and a complete end to farming in distant farming fields. Households no longer engage in agriculture on distant fields and have resorted to selling the land. This indicates a transition away from land-based livelihoods. Households have increasingly resorted to cash-based incomes provided by the social welfare system. This dissertation contributes to a better understanding and representation of the livelihood composition in rural areas of the Eastern Cape. Moreover, it provides information in detail on the environmental changes as experienced by the local people for more appropriate adaptations in the future.
M.Sc. (Environmental Management)