Vestige garden production and deagrarianization in three villages in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

Abstract

Set in one of the most highly degarianized zones in South Africa, this paper focuses on garden production in three regions of the Eastern Cape Province. Rather than concentrating on commercial agriculture, we aim to develop a better understanding of vestige garden production, particularly as practised by women. As we indicate, although the use of maize fields has declined, the farming of homestead gardens is still popular and has actually expanded in certain regions. The expansion of these gardens largely depends on whether women can access adequate water storage and irrigation solutions, as well as fencing, both of which save time and lessen dependence on labour. Household gardens are particularly prevalent in areas of the Eastern Cape which have not been affected by villagization or forced removal and where household clusters and communal land systems are relatively intact. The paper argues that gardens are particularly important for defining the cultural position of women as owners and producers of domestic crops, and that this maintains household integrity and the predilection towards ‘building the homestead’.

Keywords:

• Deagrarianization
• Eastern Cape
• garden production
• women
• water
• homestead

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank the editors of this paper for their input, as well as the Water Research Commission, through Johnathan Denison, for their editorial input and use of project report material.

Notes

1. Data for this paper is chiefly drawn from Mtwana (2014) – in cases where this is not the chief source, this has been indicated and an alternative publication used instead.

2. Makoti Niakelwa Sita, Lutengele village, June 2014. Collected by N. Mtwana.

3. Mrs. Zinyosi (Lutengele), Ms. Nogwada (Sirhosehni), Mrs. Madolwani (Lutengele). June 2014. Collected by N. Mtwana.

4. Mrs. Nomvano Nogodwa, Lutengele, June 2014. Colelcted by N. Mtwana.

5. Mrs. G. Ndabeni, Lutengele, June 2014.

6. Twenty five litres of water cost R10.00, while R300,00 is needed to fill a 750 l ‘JoJo’ tank with water.

7. The Difeqane was caused by the expansionist power of the Zulu Chief Shaka in present-day KwaZulu-Natal, and involved widespread dispersal of refugee groups away from conflict zones, from about 1815 to 1840. The Pondo, who were closer to the source of these upheavals, appeared to be one of the only groups who had lost their cattle – the Bhaca (to the south of the Pondo) reportedly depended on cattle raids to increase their herds and ‘never planted’ (Beinart, 1982, p. 27).

8. Mrs. N. Mrongo, Sirhosheni, July 2014.

9. Mrs. N. Mrongo, Sirosheni, July 2014.

10. Oupa Gqozo staged a coup to take over the Presidency of the Ciskei from Lennox Sebe, where he remained until 1994, when he was asked to step down.