The effect of resettlement on the livelihoods of the Folweni traditional community.

Abstract

Resettlement is a change process where people are involuntarily relocated from one place to another. In most cases, it causes drastic environmental, social, political and economic changes. If planned and implemented appropriately, resettlement can have a positive impact on the livelihoods of people. The study sought to examine how the process of resettlement impacted the livelihoods of the original land users of Folweni as a result of the relocation of Malukazi families into Folweni. The study also sought to understand the tensions which, after 28 years of co-existence with the new-comers, still lingers on, and surfaces in the form of uncertainty, resentment and apathy among the original land users of Folweni from having been being dispossessed of their land. The study was informed mainly by the sustainable livelihoods theory, which recognizes natural, physical, human, social and financial capitals as important and effective tools for examining the impact of regulations on the livelihoods of the poor. The study employed a qualitative research method which included documentary data and interviews. The researcher interviewed 24 respondents who had experienced the impact of resettlement in the Folweni area. Their views and opinions are presented in Chapter 4 of the thesis. A concluding chapter briefly reviews the key findings of the study and presents recommendations and suggestions for future studies.