Land Strategies and Livelihood Dynamics in Peri-urban Communities: Challenges to Land and Agricultural Policy in Lesotho

Abstract

This article explores land strategies and livelihoods dynamics in peri-urban communities in Maseru, Lesotho, and state policy on land and agriculture. Despite the restrictions imposed by the Land Act of 1979 on transaction of agricultural land, households engage in vernacular rural land sales and rental markets, and have converted agricultural land for alternative livelihoods. The article stresses the importance of households’ behaviour in redefining land needs, value and livelihoods. It concludes that these demonstrate how land strategies have adjusted to the reality that farming for all but a few individuals, is not sustainable in Lesotho, and that the situation poses serious challenges to the country's land and agricultural policies.

Key words:

• deagrarianisation
• land encroachment
• livelihoods
• Lesotho

Notes on Contributors

Vusilizwe Thebe lectures in Development Studies at the National University of Lesotho. His research interests are in the area of rural development policy. His work takes a post-development critique, and provides insights into the inherent politics in developing country policy-making, which subsequently impedes development.

Mapepe Rakotje completed his MA in Development Studies, National University of Lesotho in 2010. He studied land encroachment in peri-urban Maseru for his MA dissertation.

Notes

1. Our use of the concept of vernacular land sales and rental markets draws from the deployment of the concept by Amos Chimhowu and Phil Woodhouse (2006, 2010).

2. The term ‘neo-classical populist’ has a long history in land debates. We use it following CD Scott's 1977 review of Griffin's work.

3. In this article we substituted people's names with pseudonyms to protect their identities.

4. Internally, land was mainly acquired through the land-fission process.

5. In the community of Mazenod, households of South African-based miners or ex-miners are highly represented.

6. Interview with ‘M'e MaNthabeleng, Ha Tabutle, Roma Valley, 16 April 2010.

7. Ntate Tsepiso Rantai, Roma Valley, 16 April 2010.

8. Ntate Tsepiso Rantai, Roma Valley, 16 April 2010.

9. See Public Eye 26 March 2009.

10. Among worker peasants, land is often used to build a network of social relationships, and to secure the landholder's livelihoods. Parents would often ensure the continued support of sons at old age through land allocations.

11. Interviews, 16 April 2010.

12. Interview with Ntate Ntelele Sekau, postgraduate researcher on Agriculture, Land and Livelihoods, Roma Valley, 1 March 2010.