Vulnerability of livestock farmers in Southern Kalahari : the case of Mier in Rietfontein, South Africa

摘要

ABSTRACTVulnerability is now highlighted globally. Poverty has been identified as a key contributor tovulnerability but asset building increases resilience and adaptive capacity. This study examinesthe root causes of vulnerability and adaptive capacity of Mier pastoralists by utilizing the‘sustainable livelihood framework’ and ‘pressure and release’ model. The Mier community fledBritish rule in 1865 and migrated from Cape Town to Northern Cape Province in Rietfontein,south of Kalahari Desert. A mixed methods approach was adopted by utilizing survey, interviewand observation to assess the social system. Household heads were investigated to understand thedistribution and access to resources that contributed to livelihood. This study revealed thatvulnerability of the Mier pastoralist was a result of political and economic factors that reinforcedinequalities. Poor households were more vulnerable, especially women-headed households. Themain cause of vulnerability was unequal distribution of resources. Despite the effect of climatechange and variability in this community, vulnerability was a human-induced phenomenon.