Fragmented environmental governance in the context of shifting Mopane woodlands: insights from Vhembe district, South Africa

Abstract

Introduction – Mopane woodlands are shifting, and it is important to understand the social impacts of shifting Mopane woodlands on rural communities. This study examined the governance structure of Mopane woodlands management to assess whether existing approaches enable communities to respond to these changes and explored how shifting Mopane woodlands affect relationships between community members and woodland ecosystem managers in Ward 12 of Musina Local Municipality in the Vhembe District Municipality in the Limpopo province of South Africa. Methods – A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining semi-structured interviews and qualitative focus group discussion (FGD). A pilot study was conducted in August 2022, followed by the main data collection from 14 to 17 October 2022. Questionnaires were distributed to 200 people across five villages, with 137 responses obtained, and a focus group discussion involving 13 community members was held in Bende Mutale village. Results – The findings reveal a fragmented and ambiguous governance system characterised by overlapping authorities, weak coordination, and limited community participation, with multiple actors involved in management, including traditional authorities, government departments, municipal authorities, and nature reserve officials, although traditional authorities appear to dominate. The study villages are largely composed of middle-aged populations, predominantly female (55.5%), with low levels of formal education (73.1% had only primary or secondary education), large household sizes (32.8% lived in households of five or more members), and high unemployment (38% of respondents were unemployed), which together exert demographic and socio-economic pressures on Mopane woodland resources. The multiplicity of management actors has created confusion among community members who perceive current management practices as unfavourable, and has contributed to emerging conflicts both between community members and management authorities and, but among community members themselves. Discussion – These findings underscore the urgent need for participatory governance, livelihood support, ecological restoration, and cleared institutional arrangements. They also demonstrate that an integrated socio-ecological approach is essential for achieving equitable and sustainable management of Mopane woodlands in Ward 12.