Land rights implications for rural women of Xolobe at Intsika-yethu Municipality in Eastern Cape, South Africa

Abstract

Land is perceived as a necessary resource that enables human beings to have access to shelter, food and human dignity. However, it has been established that women have been historically disadvantaged from accessing land in sub-Saharan Africa, including South Africa. Consequently, this study investigated land availability, accessibility and availability to rural women of Xolobe including their awareness of their land-related rights. Furthermore, the study aimed at understanding land related challenges confronted by rural women. In investigating this phenomenon, a mixed research (quantitative and qualitative) method was used. A non-probability sampling method was applied in this study in form of purposive (qualitative) and convenience (quantitative) sampling approaches. The qualitative aspect of this study was obtainable from six interviews held with government officials, traditional leaders and ward councillor who are involved in land management (purposive) in this rural area. While, the quantitative aspect aimed obtained data from willing participants above the age of 18 years as a sampling frame for the study. This study made use of 314 Three hundred and eight (308) survey questionnaire were administered and six (6) interviews conducted. The study found that most respondents (quantitative approach) showed awareness of land related issues in their community but not land rights policies of women in South Africa. Seemingly, rural women of Xolobe never attended any land policy related meetings in the area and land related decisions are mostly dominated by men. This was confirmed by land managers at Xolobe through interviews (qualitative) where the participants indicated that rural women do not participate in land policy meetings. The land managers, however, emphasised that women in the community are not discriminated against by traditional practices in accessing land, but it was indicated that rural women are landless as only a few apply for land ownership in the area. This may be due to lack of resources necessary for maintaining and using land for survival. The study found that land related access in rural communities follows communal policies, which are not recorded. The study suggests that rural women be engaged in land related matters in rural communities. Availability of resources, including training on managing land in rural areas, is paramount in alleviating poverty in these areas. Further research related to land access and ownership in other villages of Intsika Yethu Municipality in the Eastern Cape, South Africa and other sub-Saharan African villages will be relevant in investigating contrasting or similar issues. This will afford an opportunity for these areas to track and trace possible approaches to curbing the stubbornly high poverty rate in rural areas across sub-Saharan Africa, South Africa and other developing countries. Key terms: Rural women, land ownership, land access, land availability, Xolobe, South Africa