The sociocultural contexts and meanings associated with livestock keeping in rural South Africa

Ainslie, A. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7549-7643 (2013) The sociocultural contexts and meanings associated with livestock keeping in rural South Africa. African Journal of Range and Forage Science, 30 (1&2). pp. 35-38. ISSN 1727-9380 doi: 10.2989/10220119.2013.770066 (special Issue 'Aligning policy with the socio-ecological dynamics of rangeland commons)

Abstract/Summary

This paper complements Vetter’s position paper, ‘Development and sustainable management of rangeland commons – aligning policy with the realities of South Africa’s rural landscape’ (Vetter in this issue). It seeks to advance the debate regarding the contemporary nature of livestock keeping in South Africa. It sheds some anthropological light on the role of ‘culture’ in accounting for people’s values and practices in relation to livestock and reflects on the implications of this for policy-making in this area.