Doctoral Degrees (Sociology and Social Anthropology)

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Browsing Doctoral Degrees (Sociology and Social Anthropology) by Subject "Biodiversity conservation -- Kruger National Park (South Africa)"

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    Rethinking protected area co-management in the Makuleke Region, South Africa (SA)
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-03) Maluleke, Gezani; Robins, Steven; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Sociology and Social Anthropology.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The conservation of biodiversity over past centuries been characterized by exclusion and to some degree the forced removal of people for the creation of the protected areas. In the post-apartheid period, South African conservation practices went through a process of transformation whereby the conservation policies were reviewed. On this basis the Makuleke community adopted a principle of co-management by which they resolved to retain the conservation status of the northern portion of the Kruger National Park (KNP) formerly known as the ‘Pafuri Triangle’ when they had regained their land after a successful land claim process and concluding a co-management agreement with South African National Parks (SANP). Given the fact that the co-management agreement is for a period of 50 years but is subject to review after 25 years, an assessment as to whether this co-management agreement is functional or not should become a priority so that some remedial measures may be put in place just before a mandatory review gets started to ensure that both the integrity of the Makuleke community and those of the SANP are not undermined. In attempting to rethink this protected area co-management arrangement, this study had to establish whether the existing co-management agreement in the Makuleke Region (the name by which the Pafuri Triangle is now known) is real or rhetoric, and whether it is meeting its intended objectives or is merely a paper model. Since co-management does not necessarily imply equality, particularly in the context of the knowledge and the financial capacities of the parties to the agreement, this study investigated the balance of power between the Makuleke community and SANP. This study consequently argues that community goals should be pursued by strategies that emphasize the role of local communities in the decision-making process in relation to their natural resources. This study presents the need to change the governance structure and develop a business model in a way that will promote equal contribution from both sides to the conservation of biodiversity and socio-economic development in the Makuleke Region.