SUPERVISOR: Katharina GUGERELL 

PROJECT ASSIGNED TO: Ephraim MPOFU 

Abstract 

Transboundary conservation areas are facing perpetual challenges in landscape governance despite various initiatives to resolve these challenges in the governance system (Bhatasara et al., 2013; Titley et al., 2021; Wolmer, 2003). In the case of Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area (GLTFCA) in Southern Africa, whilst significant progress (Chirozva et al., 2013) has been made towards a positive landscape governance approach the strategies still reveal major weaknesses related to participation, equity, accountability, coherency, integrative and legitimacy (Bhatasara, et al., 2013; Zanamwe et al., 2018; Musakwa, Gumbo, et al., 2020; Sjöstedt et al., 2021). Various studies have been conducted in the area focusing on the governance (Correia Nhancale, 2007; Muzeza, et al, 2013; Schoon, 2013) issues but have neglected the concepts of adaptive governance, learning and knowledge co-creation which area essential in a transboundary setting with various stakeholders (Gerlak et al., 2019; Rządca & Strumińska-Kutra, 2016). Therefore, further research on the challenges and approach to landscape governance in the GLTFCA is needed to support effective governance of the landscapes.

The study aims to examine (a) the prevailing governance challenges of landscape governance within a transboundary setting and (b) exploring the current governance approach within the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area. It seeks to answer the questions pertaining to:

  1. How do the GLTFCA goals and strategies compare in all levels of governance? 
  2. What are the most important aspects considered by the local communities in the decision-making process and the governance system?
  3. How does the role of learning, knowledge co-creation and knowledge integration influence the current governance approach?

The research applies a mixed methods approach, incorporating qualitative and semi-quantitative methods (Bertin, 1978; Kuckartz, 2019; Watts & Stenner, 2005). It provides insights into transboundary governance approaches in GLTFCA and presenting a case study on landscape governance by various stakeholders within the GLTFCA in Southern Africa. The results of the study will also contribute to relevant policy, goals, strategy insights and upscaling of governance practice, not only for the study area but for similar transboundary settings globally.

Overview of study area

Figure 1 shows the maps of the study area and an overview of the landscape within the GLTFCA.  The GLTFCA was formally established in 2002 and consist of three countries, Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe. 

Figure 1: The diagram shows a map of the study area (left) and an overview of the physical and cultural landscape (right) within the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area, Southern Africa. It also shows the various levels and sectors of actors within the transboundary area from three countries (Mozambique, South Africa & Zimbabwe)

The area is comprised of four main landscapes which include the Lebombo Mountains that rise to an average of only 500 m above sea level, the lowland plains savannah in the majority of the area, the hilly granite plateau in the western parts, and the floodplain riverbank areas. Livelihoods within the area are predominantly made up of subsistence agriculture which is climate depended, relying on only rain fed practices but other livelihoods which include informal trading and labour migration, legal and illegal amongst the three countries have been significant (Wolmer, 2003; Rutherford, 2020). The GLTFCA is however managed as an integrated unit which encompasses different protected areas across the three international borders by different joint management committees with representatives from the tripartite countries.

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