The social and cultural dynamics of Zimbabwe’s land reform programme on the ‘new generation’ of farmers: a transformative social policy perspective

Abstract

This article examines the socio-cultural dynamics of redistributive land reform on the ‘new generation’ after Zimbabwe’s fast track land reform programme (FTLRP). Firstly, using the transformative social policy conceptual framework (TSP) as a heuristic and evaluative tool, it makes a conceptual contribution that land and agrarian reforms are a social policy instrument that can transform the welfare and wellbeing of citizens. This marks a departure from conservative ideologies and doctrines on welfare which have seen social policies having a neo-liberal orientation which wrongly assume that the welfare needs of citizens are met through the market. Secondly, it presents field-based evidence which shows that for the new generation, land reform has transformed socio-economic and cultural relations while enhancing their productive capacities. The article is informed by data which was gathered from Goromonzi District. It employed an interpretive research paradigm and a qualitative life history approach which entailed the use of several data-gathering instruments. Findings suggest that in addition to the generational transfer of land, there are some outcomes of the FTLRP which have not been subjected to rigorous empirical interrogation. Due to the FTLRP, it shows that in the resettlement areas; cultures, rituals and traditions are being undertaken by the new generation. These practices are of sentimental, symbolic and practical significance creating a bond and sense of identity between resettled households and the land. From a TSP perspective, it can be shown that access to land has had multiple-interrelated outcomes which include production, reproduction, protection, redistribution and social cohesion outcomes.