Politics of Land and Conservation in the Dongola-Mapungubwe Area

This book brings together past and present empirical materials to examine the connections between past politics of land and conservation and contemporary land and natural resource conservation struggles in the Mapungubwe region, contending that addressing South Africa’s vexed present requires fuller reckoning with its past. Specifically, the study highlights how land and conservation are politicised and looks at power dynamics in nature conservation initiatives. It argues that the establishment of nature conservation projects is not only determined by scientific knowledge and passion about conservation and resource management, but by social and political processes at local, regional and national level.

This book will be an invaluable reference for conservationists, resource scientists, government officials, scholars or academics, students, policy makers, and stakeholders interested in conservation and natural resource management. It argues that passion and good intention alone are not sufficient inducements to the protection of nature, but involving local communities and those who are affected by protected areas can play a significant role in the success of conservation projects.