Profiling the success in land reform : cases of South African women doing it for themselves

Abstract

Women are given specific opportunities to benefit from the Government’s land reform policies. Specifically, women contribute to their own sustainable development when accessing and developing land. The article describes the different land reform programmes currently implemented from which women can benefit. The article also describes the research methodology used in the study to identify specific characteristics which enable women to contribute to their own sustainable development. The research is built on observations from five land reform cases in the Gauteng Province. Each of these cases is described in detail and highlights the products developed on and delivered by these farms. Specific observations regarding the commitment, education and availability of women are made, while emphasis is also placed on the cultural and physical environment as contributor to women’s sustainable development.