Dryland conservation areas, indigenous people, livelihoods and resource values in South Africa. The case of Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.

The research proposal was developed in response to a call for expression of research interest by South African National Parks (SANParks) in order to develop a system for sustainable resource use by the Khomani San and Mier communities in Kgalagadi Transfr ontier park and the surrounding areas. No systematic, comprehensive research has been done since the successful Khomani San and Mier land claim in 1999 and presently there is limited knowledge of the importance and direct-use values of resources to local San and Mier communities. Thus, the specific research need is valuing resource use by the Khomani San and Mier communities, which conforms to SANParks co-management and sustainable use philosophy and principles, and is consistent with that employed in oth er national parks. Research is required to determine the value of sustainable resource use, and its associated cultural and spiritual values to the Khomani San, linked to a reconnection with the land, and relative to the local communities' broader socio-e conomic livelihood strategies. The research is envisaged to provide insights for key management issues at local and regional level especially in a dryland context. The project forms part of a larger collaborative study on the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and its neighbours involving a dynamic team of students from Rhodes University (Department of Environmental Science), University of Cape Town (School of Economics, Environmental Policy Research Unit) and Stellenbosch University (Department of Conservation Ecology & Entomology). The research was approved by SANParks Social Science Research Committee. Stakeholders relevant to this problem include SANParks, the local Khomani San and Mier communities, local municipalities, the Department of Land Affairs, loca l Lodges, locals NGOs such as South African San Institute (SASI) and other independent consultants.