The Quest for the Global Commons; Public-Private Partnerships and Community Land Rights in the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area

Abstract

"The Great Limpopo is one of the largest TransFrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) in the world, encompassing vast areas in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique. By arguing that local communities living in or close to the TFCA will participate in its management and benefit economically, TFCA proponents claim social legitimacy for the project. Analysis shows, however, that the original concept of the TFCA as a multiple- use zone is being abandoned, resulting in a marginalization of local communities. While the land claim process in South Africa has led to the restitution of some communities' land rights within the TFCA, these communities struggle for representation in the management structure of the TFCA. In Mozambique some communities have seen their rights to land in the TFCA practically revoked. Communities attempt to resist marginalization by forming alliances with (inter)national development and human rights NGOs, and the private sector. This paper describes the mixed results of these alliances, including changes in local-level government institutions and coalitions, and the ensuing inter-community conflicts."